Grant Williams love from Zack Lowe

[nickagneta]

Continuing the love the Celtics are getting over on ESPN.com(even if they get none on the TV stations ESPN and TNT), Zach Lowe had this to say about Grant Williams:

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/33414881/zach-lowe-10-nba-things-ignore-rudy-gobert-your-peril-one-critical-ingredient-boston-juggernaut-rise

An underrated ingredient in the Boston Celtic's defensive juggernaut and their run up the East standings: Williams doing enough on offense to play major minutes as Boston's younger P.J. Tucker. Williams can guard every position -- key to Boston's switchy scheme.

The goal of switching is to force teams into attacking one-on-one; only Al Horford has defended more isolations than Williams, per Second Spectrum. Teams average a measly 0.684 points when an isolation against Williams leads to a shot or turnover -- 10th lowest among 256 players who have guarded at least 50 isolations. Attack him at your peril.

Williams has drained a career-best 44% from deep at higher volume, and his accuracy is no longer confined to the corners; Williams has hit 38% from above the break, and his comfort out there allows him to function more as a screener and playmaker instead of a stationary shooter -- adding spice to a Boston offense that thrives when its bigs facilitate.

Williams' shooting has allowed Boston to keep one true center -- Robert Williams III or Horford -- on the floor at all times instead of trading size for shooting.

But 3-and-D isn't enough. Role players need to slice into the lane when defenders run them off the arc, and make the next play. Williams has made major strides there.

He's decisive, and a good passer. He's finishing with more oomph.

Williams is shooting 75% at the rim -- by far the best mark of his career. Boston has scored 1.155 points per possession when Williams shoots out of a drive, or dishes to a teammate who launches -- 24th among 296 players with at least 50 drives, per Second Spectrum.

He can even run an impromptu pick-and-roll:

Williams mashes little guys in the post on switches.

Think about what this means for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown: if every player on the floor -- even the alleged "weakest" link -- is a threat with the ball, stars have an easier time hunting mismatches. Every teammate is a potential screening partner. (Keep an eye on the Derrick White-Tatum two-man game when teams stash point guards on White.)

There are a couple vids on the site illustrating his points that can't embed here.

Overall, some nice words and great stats that show just how much Grant has progressed this year after he got into tremendous shape. And, one thing Lowe didn't touch upon is Grant's BBIQ, which I think is amazingly high.

For those that thought Grant garbage and wanted him gone, I hope he has changed your mind. He seems like he could be another great late round pick by Ainge.

[tonydelk]

Continuing the love the Celtics are getting over on ESPN.com(even if they get none on the TV stations ESPN and TNT), Zach Lowe had this to say about Grant Williams:

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/33414881/zach-lowe-10-nba-things-ignore-rudy-gobert-your-peril-one-critical-ingredient-boston-juggernaut-rise

An underrated ingredient in the Boston Celtic's defensive juggernaut and their run up the East standings: Williams doing enough on offense to play major minutes as Boston's younger P.J. Tucker. Williams can guard every position -- key to Boston's switchy scheme.

The goal of switching is to force teams into attacking one-on-one; only Al Horford has defended more isolations than Williams, per Second Spectrum. Teams average a measly 0.684 points when an isolation against Williams leads to a shot or turnover -- 10th lowest among 256 players who have guarded at least 50 isolations. Attack him at your peril.

Williams has drained a career-best 44% from deep at higher volume, and his accuracy is no longer confined to the corners; Williams has hit 38% from above the break, and his comfort out there allows him to function more as a screener and playmaker instead of a stationary shooter -- adding spice to a Boston offense that thrives when its bigs facilitate.

Williams' shooting has allowed Boston to keep one true center -- Robert Williams III or Horford -- on the floor at all times instead of trading size for shooting.

But 3-and-D isn't enough. Role players need to slice into the lane when defenders run them off the arc, and make the next play. Williams has made major strides there.

He's decisive, and a good passer. He's finishing with more oomph.

Williams is shooting 75% at the rim -- by far the best mark of his career. Boston has scored 1.155 points per possession when Williams shoots out of a drive, or dishes to a teammate who launches -- 24th among 296 players with at least 50 drives, per Second Spectrum.

He can even run an impromptu pick-and-roll:

Williams mashes little guys in the post on switches.

Think about what this means for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown: if every player on the floor -- even the alleged "weakest" link -- is a threat with the ball, stars have an easier time hunting mismatches. Every teammate is a potential screening partner. (Keep an eye on the Derrick White-Tatum two-man game when teams stash point guards on White.)

There are a couple vids on the site illustrating his points that can't embed here.

Overall, some nice words and great stats that show just how much Grant has progressed this year after he got into amazing shape. And, one thing Lowe didn't touch upon is Grant's BBIQ, which I think is amazingly high.

For those that thought Grant garbage and wanted him gone, I hope he has changed your mind. He seems like he could be another great late round pick by Ainge.

TP Thanks for posting.  A lot of people around here wrote Grant off.  He has had a career year and I'm glad the team continued to believe in him.  Hopefully Nesmith can follow the same path.

[Donoghus]

He's been a joy to watch this season.

[todd_days_41]

Grant is going to be a warm commodity. Very curious what the Cs are going to have to pay him.

[nickagneta]

Grant is going to be a warm commodity. Very curious what the Cs are going to have to pay him.

MLE money would sound right if he continues this type play next year. Maybe more if he has another year shooting 44% from three. 4 years $40 million seems reasonable

[todd_days_41]

Grant is going to be a warm commodity. Very curious what the Cs are going to have to pay him.

MLE money would sound right if he continues this type play next year. Maybe more if he has another year shooting 44% from three. 4 years $40 million seems reasonable

Oh I think someone would pay him well over the MLE. He's basically the poster child for the modern NBA role player.

[csfansince60s]

Nice to see a likable, young man with a lot of character achieve at such an effective, versatile level in the NBA.

He is bright, communicative and very much a glue guy for the team off-court as well as on-court. When he first came up, there were lots of stories about his ability to navigate relationships and how affable and we’ll-liked he was with teammates, coaches and staff in general.

He got accepted to Harvard and Yale and chose Tennessee to stay home. Got his Bachelors in 3 years. Jaylens a bright guy. Grant is equally so, if not brighter.

Great to see his hard work on his body and craft pay off.

[nickagneta]

Nice to see a likable, young man with a lot of character achieve at such an effective, versatile level in the NBA.

He is bright, communicative and very much a glue guy for the team off-court as well as on-court. When he first came up, there were lots of stories about his ability to navigate relationships and how affable and we’ll-liked he was with teammates, coaches and staff in general.

He got accepted to Harvard and Yale and chose Tennessee to stay home. Got his Bachelors in 3 years. Jaylens a bright guy. Grant is equally so, if not brighter.

Great to see his hard work on his body and craft pay off.

Jaylen and Grant were both voted as vice presidents of the National Basketball Players Association with Jaylen recently re-elected. They are 2 of the 6 on the Vice Presidential board. Shows you how much both are thought of across the league.

[slamtheking]

Grant is going to be a warm commodity. Very curious what the Cs are going to have to pay him.

MLE money would sound right if he continues this type play next year. Maybe more if he has another year shooting 44% from three. 4 years $40 million seems reasonable

Oh I think someone would pay him well over the MLE. He's basically the poster child for the modern NBA role player.

if a team has more than MLE $ available and the FA market is thin, I could see him getting paid better than MLE but it would have to be a team that either feels the need to make a (small) splash in free agency or feels he's the last piece they need to get to the next level. 

[nickagneta]

Grant is going to be a warm commodity. Very curious what the Cs are going to have to pay him.

MLE money would sound right if he continues this type play next year. Maybe more if he has another year shooting 44% from three. 4 years $40 million seems reasonable

Oh I think someone would pay him well over the MLE. He's basically the poster child for the modern NBA role player.

if a team has more than MLE $ available and the FA market is thin, I could see him getting paid better than MLE but it would have to be a team that either feels the need to make a (small) splash in free agency or feels he's the last piece they need to get to the next level.

And Boston can always match.

[csfansince60s]

Nice to see a likable, young man with a lot of character achieve at such an effective, versatile level in the NBA.

He is bright, communicative and very much a glue guy for the team off-court as well as on-court. When he first came up, there were lots of stories about his ability to navigate relationships and how affable and we’ll-liked he was with teammates, coaches and staff in general.

He got accepted to Harvard and Yale and chose Tennessee to stay home. Got his Bachelors in 3 years. Jaylens a bright guy. Grant is equally so, if not brighter.

Great to see his hard work on his body and craft pay off.

Jaylen and Grant were both voted as vice presidents of the National Basketball Players Association with Jaylen recently re-elected. They are 2 of the 6 on the Vice Presidential board. Shows you how much both are thought of across the league.

Nice to hear that….. our kids grow up so quickly.😉

[slamtheking]

Grant is going to be a warm commodity. Very curious what the Cs are going to have to pay him.

MLE money would sound right if he continues this type play next year. Maybe more if he has another year shooting 44% from three. 4 years $40 million seems reasonable

Oh I think someone would pay him well over the MLE. He's basically the poster child for the modern NBA role player.

if a team has more than MLE $ available and the FA market is thin, I could see him getting paid better than MLE but it would have to be a team that either feels the need to make a (small) splash in free agency or feels he's the last piece they need to get to the next level.

And Boston can always match.

I suspect they will.  sorry, they "Gwill"

[Vermont Green]

Grant Williams is the Celtic's Brock Holt.  Extremely versatile.  This new look of a leaner, quicker Grant has really paid off.

I am not sure I like him as a starter but he has clearly established himself as a valuable rotation player.  I will say that he has exceeded my expectations.  I did not expect this much out of him this season, that is for sure.

I think it would be a big mistake for him to chase money and go to some other team.  He is a good fit here.  That may not be the case somewhere else.

[Celtics2021]

Grant Williams is the Celtic's Brock Holt.  Extremely versatile.  This new look of a leaner, quicker Grant has really paid off.

I am not sure I like him as a starter but he has clearly established himself as a valuable rotation player.  I will say that he has exceeded my expectations.  I did not expect this much out of him this season, that is for sure.

I think it would be a big mistake for him to chase money and go to some other team.  He is a good fit here.  That may not be the case somewhere else.

If Grant gets paid a lot elsewhere and it doesn’t work, he has the fallback option of knowing Stevens will make a trade to bring him back.

[Silas]

Another thought about Grant's game is his overall shooting percentages: 

overall fg% - 49.5%
3pt fg% - 44.7%
FT% - 92.1%

I don't think the Celtics have had a 50-40-90 shooter since Bird.  Grant may do it this year.  I just wish Ime would get him more 3pt. shots/game than his current 3.4/game.  Players shooting more 3s/game than Grant are: Tatum at 8.4/game; Brown at 7.2/game; White at 5.0/game; Smart at 4.9/game; and Horford at 4.0/game.

Ime get him more 3 pt attempts and also for what it is worth get Payton more 3 pt shots.