Grant “Corner Office” Williams

NomarsFool

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Last night made me want to say good bye to Semi forever. They brought him in the game to play some defense, and it seemed like everybody just went by him anyway. He is so limited on the offensive end of the court, and the number of people he is an effective defender against seem so few - it's just really hard to see using a roster spot on this guy moving forward.

That said, I do think Grant Williams needs to develop some kind of an offensive game aside from catch and shoot 3s. I would have thought this guy would have been a low post scorer in college. You'd think he'd be able to do that once in awhile in the NBA. Of course, there are bigger players in the NBA - but I'd think once in awhile they could get a matchup that they like so that GW can contribute a bit on the offensive end.
 

TripleOT

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A stat popped up on the Cs broadcast of the Suns scrimmage in the bubble. Grant Williams is second among rookies in plus/minus at +146. FWIW
 

lovegtm

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He probably won’t play tons against Toronto (heavy dose of Theis and TL there), but Grant’s elite and nimble ball-screening could be a big deal against Milwaukee’s drop coverage and aggressive guards. I’d expect to see him some in that role in an attempt to get Lopez off the floor.
 

benhogan

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Grant probably hit the biggest shot of the game (if there is one in a 27pt blow out). Down 14pts in Q1 he nailed an open, step in 3pt shot from the top (maybe Tatum's 3pt bank shot was bigger?).

I can't recall why but a minute later (3:30 left in the 1st), with the 76ers up 13, the 76ers called TO?
After that, the Celtics closed Q1 on a 13-6 run.

I hope Grant's scrappiness gets him playing time over Semi. As good of defensive reputation Semi has, the word is out, drive on him, Semi can't challenge or block anything at the rim.
 

lovegtm

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I hope Grant's scrappiness gets him playing time over Semi. As good of defensive reputation Semi has, the word is out, drive on him, Semi can't challenge or block anything at the rim.
It's not exactly the effort--it's that he's really good at the exact thing they need against these coverages: springing Tatum and Kemba for pullups. (While also playing good D against Horford and in switches)
 

NomarsFool

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Have they used GW at the 5 when Embiid is on the floor? Since Theis seems to have forgotten about shooting 3s, I'd love to see GW just draining 3PAs while Embiid stands under the basket.
 

lovegtm

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Have they used GW at the 5 when Embiid is on the floor? Since Theis seems to have forgotten about shooting 3s, I'd love to see GW just draining 3PAs while Embiid stands under the basket.
You’re way too into center 3 shooting as the counter to an aggressive drop scheme. Go back and watch game 2 again and see the ways the Celtics annihilated the drop with screens and pullups.
 

benhogan

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Screening is a way underrated skill. When you can do it twice (screen then seal) on the same play its a tremendous benefit to the Celtics offense. Grant and Theis are their two best at it (Baynes was the gold standard ;)). It helps the Celtics' most efficient offensive players operate (JT, Kemba, JB, GH and even Smart).

I know everyone wants the 5 to shoot above 36% from the 3 (who doesn't) and go 5 wide but the good ole high screen & then seeling down low is very effective. Eventually, GW will get there on 3pt% (and is maybe there now). Then he can seal or pop depending on the situation.

Guys like Semi, TL just aren't very good screeners IMO and why they may not get that much PT in the playoffs
 
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lovegtm

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TL will play against Toronto because he’s such a good matchup for what they want to do, but he won’t get tons of run otherwise imo.
 

benhogan

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TL will play against Toronto because he’s such a good matchup for what they want to do, but he won’t get tons of run otherwise imo.
we'll see. Brad tried him in Game 1. TL is Jeckyl and Hyde IMO. Just don't know what you're going to get.

Tatum, Healthy Kemba and JB are too damn good to experiment with variables like TL. Just need a 5 to do their job/grunt work, this offense isn't in need of fancy lobs to fire up the courtside avatars.
 

lovegtm

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we'll see. Brad tried him in Game 1. TL is Jeckyl and Hyde IMO. Just don't know what you're going to get.

Tatum, Healthy Kemba and JB are too damn good to experiment with variables like TL. Just need a 5 to do their job/grunt work, this offense isn't in need of fancy lobs to fire up the courtside avatars.
?? I was talking about Toronto, against whom he played great as a backup 2 weeks ago because he’s better at PnR coverage/switching than Kanter, and is tough for Ibaka to deal with.

I was surprised he got so much run in game 1 against Philly, and I expect to mostly see Kanter+Theis+GW from here on out (I think it’s obvious Kanter should start against the Sixers, but that’s a different story).
 

benhogan

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?? I was talking about Toronto, against whom he played great as a backup 2 weeks ago because he’s better at PnR coverage/switching than Kanter, and is tough for Ibaka to deal with.

I was surprised he got so much run in game 1 against Philly, and I expect to mostly see Kanter+Theis+GW from here on out (I think it’s obvious Kanter should start against the Sixers, but that’s a different story).
TL was sublime for those 4 bubble games. Then he laid an egg, playing the small ball 5 against the 76ers during Game 1 for 13mins against Horford. Getting lost, fouling and pretty much getting in the way. He had a nice game against the Raptors in a blowout a few weeks ago, but Brad will have a short leash with his 5s and not hand out pt if "bad" TL shows up
 

benhogan

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(I think it’s obvious Kanter should start against the Sixers, but that’s a different story).
I wouldn't be surprised if Brad starts bringing Kanter in earlier (4minute mark) against the Sixers and then has Theis play more when Horford is the 5.
 

bakahump

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Hes a rookie. And did some really good things last night.
But just to bring us back down to earth by nitpicking.
He also commited 2(3?) atrocious fouls. Both with the shot clock winding down if i remember correctly. (one where CBS was like "WTF!")
Hey we won, so hard to complain too much. AND he seemed to realize he screwed up...so there is definitely hope that he will play smarter.
 

chilidawg

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I wouldn't be surprised if Brad starts bringing Kanter in earlier (4minute mark) against the Sixers and then has Theis play more when Horford is the 5.
Philly was -18 with Embiid on the court and +10 without him. Brad's favorite strategy seemed to be going small with GWill at the 5 when Embiid sat, which resulted in the C's getting roasted on the boards by Harris and Horford even with Embiid sitting. I'd be all for getting Theis minutes on Horford.
 

benhogan

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Philly was -18 with Embiid on the court and +10 without him. Brad's favorite strategy seemed to be going small with GWill at the 5 when Embiid sat, which resulted in the C's getting roasted on the boards by Harris and Horford even with Embiid sitting. I'd be all for getting Theis minutes on Horford.
While some view Kanter as unplayable, Enes has added some good minutes vs. Embiid.

One of my guilty pleasures has been watching Theis/Kanter go full sprint in transition and seeing Embiid worn down to a nub in the 2nd half ;)

Agreed, it feels like Theis would play a little bigger vs. Horford.

With this series in hand, maybe some minutes for TL are warranted since he'll play a role in the TOR series.
 

NomarsFool

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I thought Kanter has been okay vs. Embiid. Theis certainly has struggled as it seems like Embiid just pushes him around on the court which leads to an exasperated Theis as the refs blow the whistle. It's interesting, is Theis legitimately shocked every time he gets called for a foul? Because no one else is surprised by it :)
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Philly was -18 with Embiid on the court and +10 without him. Brad's favorite strategy seemed to be going small with GWill at the 5 when Embiid sat, which resulted in the C's getting roasted on the boards by Harris and Horford even with Embiid sitting. I'd be all for getting Theis minutes on Horford.
Without looking it up, I would also guess that when Embiid sits, the Cs are generally sitting 2 of JT, JB, and KW.

I'm a big fan of the Cs bench in terms of versatility, energy, potential upside for not a lot of $ but one thing they lack is scoring. It's not surprising that without Hayward that the Cs bench are getting outscored in their limited minutes.
 

bigq

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Without looking it up, I would also guess that when Embiid sits, the Cs are generally sitting 2 of JT, JB, and KW.

I'm a big fan of the Cs bench in terms of versatility, energy, potential upside for not a lot of $ but one thing they lack is scoring. It's not surprising that without Hayward that the Cs bench are getting outscored in their limited minutes.
In the two games since Hayward has been out the Celtics’ bench out scored Philadelphia’s by a 20-9 margin last night and 41-20 in Game 2.

Maybe Philadelphia has even less bench depth and I have no doubt that as the playoffs progress Boston’s bench will be tested but I feel pretty good about Kanter and Wanamaker both putting up a handful of points each night. Beyond those two though I’m not counting on much from the offensive side and if there is another injury to a starter Boston will be in trouble but any team that loses two starters at this point won’t be in good shape.
 

chilidawg

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Without looking it up, I would also guess that when Embiid sits, the Cs are generally sitting 2 of JT, JB, and KW.

I'm a big fan of the Cs bench in terms of versatility, energy, potential upside for not a lot of $ but one thing they lack is scoring. It's not surprising that without Hayward that the Cs bench are getting outscored in their limited minutes.
Game 2 they handily outscored Philly, Game 3 was the reverse (in terms of +/-). Just from watching the game it seemed they were getting beat inside even when Embiid was sitting. I agree with BH, I'd like to see more TL minutes against Horford. He might get schooled, but with Philly being more agressive on the perimeter defensively he might have more PnR lob opportunities.
 

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Played great D down the stretch to close out a Game 7 as a rookie.
His defense on FVV on Toronto's second-to-last possession was absolutely textbook. Applied great pressure, challenged the shot and didn't come close to fouling.
 

lovegtm

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His defense on FVV on Toronto's second-to-last possession was absolutely textbook. Applied great pressure, challenged the shot and didn't come close to fouling.
I’m very optimistic on him ending up at least as a glue-type starter or first guy off the bench.
 

amarshal2

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I dunno if he can be his own version of PJ Tucker, but if he can that’s him hitting an excellent ceiling IMO.
 

128

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I dunno if he can be his own version of PJ Tucker, but if he can that’s him hitting an excellent ceiling IMO.
I've thought for a while that that's a good comparison, if Williams' 3-point shooting continues to improve.
 

slamminsammya

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He's already a plus defender as a rookie. He'll be even more potent on that end when he figures out how to avoid fouling, as sophomore players almost always do. I think there's more to his offensive game too, he has some post moves - more skilled than a PJ Tucker.
 

benhogan

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It's about time Grant gets all of Semi's minutes. Grant's a better help defender, just as good on the ball and can recover with blocks.

https://theathletic.com/2061287/2020/09/12/grant-williams-celtics-raptors/
Williams has been preparing for these moments. After each practice, he and Bailey will sit down and review film, making sure he’s filling his spots on offense and reading the opponent on defense with the proper angles. Much like Al Horford before him, Williams’ game is all about sliding with precision, making sure he is dropping off a screen not at a right angle, but at 87.63 degrees. That ability to move on balance with his hands up got him stops on his first four possessions, including forcing three straight live ball turnovers by walling off the Raptors attack.

“Oh man, Grant Williams. Big shout out to Grant. The General,” Smart said. “He’s not even a rookie anymore the way he plays, the way he sees the game, the way he comes in, he brings the energy. He’s so comfortable. His confidence through this series has risen. He’s hit key 3s for us, he’s played great defense, and when he’s on the court he gives it 110 percent.”
 

the moops

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PJ Tucker didn't become a good NBA player until age 28. Grant Williams has played more playoff minutes as a 21 year old than Tucker played in his whole age 21 season
 

the moops

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Just one guy’s opinion (Ringer NBA guy), but I think he’s spot on about the criticality of basketball IQ and effort.

View: https://twitter.com/kevinoconnornba/status/1304624080746881024?s=21
It is always nice when NBA writers get to cherrypick their good calls in the draft while ignoring their terrible ones. He did have nice calls on Grant and Clarke, but Kevin O'Connor had Barrett and Culver ahead of Morant, and had Tyler Herro all the way down at 28.

It's obviously impossible to nail every pick, but it is also pretty easy to hit on a few in every draft
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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It is always nice when NBA writers get to cherrypick their good calls in the draft while ignoring their terrible ones. He did have nice calls on Grant and Clarke, but Kevin O'Connor had Barrett and Culver ahead of Morant, and had Tyler Herro all the way down at 28.

It's obviously impossible to nail every pick, but it is also pretty easy to hit on a few in every draft
KOC is so earnest that he cannot even hype his own Tweets using a burner and he gets dragged as a result.

I will say this - there are few teams that would give General Williams run during the end of a fourth quarter of a game seven in the conference semifinals. As lovegtm notes above, he rewarded them with excellent minutes free-throwing aside but it was a risky choice that a coach in a more precarious position might shy away from.
 

Imbricus

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Most draft predictors had Grant going late in the first round or even second right? Here's Bleacher Report (pick #36) and Nbadraft.net (pick #39). If everything had played out right, the Celts could've snagged him with the Edwards pick.
 

PedroKsBambino

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Bazley is pretty interesting but after taking Romeo and looking at the roster not sure I’d make the swap.

Amusingly, believe Bazley spent part of his non-college playing year interning at New Balance which is basically next door to Celts practice facility. Have to wonder whether they crossed paths a few times
 

Jed Zeppelin

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A 6’6” 5 would truly break the mold. ;)
If we are sticking with the PJ Tucker comparison, he is only 6'5"
Strength is a great equalizer. Tucker also has a massive 7 ft wingspan. Consensus on Grant’s seems to be a shade under 6’10” so not elite but he has shown very good timing for a rookie.

Big fan of what he can bring to the table as a cheap role player.
 

benhogan

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A 6’6” 5 would truly break the mold. ;)
picking nits here but since he's my new binky

While skeptics have often pointed to Williams’ size as detrimental to his NBA translation, he quieted those concerns at the combine, measuring in at 6’7.5” with a 6’9.75”.
(according to Carlin article)

I'm predicting 6'8" eventually, since he was only 20 when measured
 

Euclis20

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picking nits here but since he's my new binky

While skeptics have often pointed to Williams’ size as detrimental to his NBA translation, he quieted those concerns at the combine, measuring in at 6’7.5” with a 6’9.75”. (according to Carlin article)

I'm predicting 6'8" eventually, since he was only 20 when measured
The NBA remeasured everyone at the start of the season, without shoes, and Grant was measured at 6'6. I know they play with shoes on, but as a comparison tool it's useful:

https://crownhoops.com/2019/10/08/complete-list-of-nba-player-height-changes-and-updates/
 

DannyDarwinism

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The NBA remeasured everyone at the start of the season, without shoes, and Grant was measured at 6'6. I know they play with shoes on, but as a comparison tool it's useful:

https://crownhoops.com/2019/10/08/complete-list-of-nba-player-height-changes-and-updates/
Draymond and PJ Tucker both got cut down to 6’5, so at least he’s stil got an inch on his ceiling and median range comps. (No hyperbole there, and all due respect to Tucker, who’s a helluva player, but there’s no reason Grant should get to his impact level. Yeah, I’m still bullish)

I’m legit shocked that Dray came in at 6’5 , I would’ve bet large sums he was taller than Tucker. That length makes a big difference.
 

Saints Rest

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It's about time Grant gets all of Semi's minutes. Grant's a better help defender, just as good on the ball and can recover with blocks.

https://theathletic.com/2061287/2020/09/12/grant-williams-celtics-raptors/
Williams has been preparing for these moments. After each practice, he and Bailey will sit down and review film, making sure he’s filling his spots on offense and reading the opponent on defense with the proper angles. Much like Al Horford before him, Williams’ game is all about sliding with precision, making sure he is dropping off a screen not at a right angle, but at 87.63 degrees. That ability to move on balance with his hands up got him stops on his first four possessions, including forcing three straight live ball turnovers by walling off the Raptors attack.

“Oh man, Grant Williams. Big shout out to Grant. The General,” Smart said. “He’s not even a rookie anymore the way he plays, the way he sees the game, the way he comes in, he brings the energy. He’s so comfortable. His confidence through this series has risen. He’s hit key 3s for us, he’s played great defense, and when he’s on the court he gives it 110 percent.”
Marcus could be describing himself over those last three sentences.
Cut from the same cloth those two.
As BElichick often says: look at what they can do, not what they can’t.