Boston Celtics: 3 C’s that over performed during the 2019-20 season
By Mark Nilon
Grant Williams
Coming into the season, pertaining to all the players within the Boston Celtics’ rookie class, one thing appeared obvious: Grant Williams was the least talked about prospect.
Surprising, being that he was the team’s second first-rounder from that June’s draft, however he managed to fall behind supposed steal Carsen Edwards, lone lottery pick Romeo Langford, the overseas mystery big Vincent Poirier, the scrappy/ undersized Tremont Waters, the athletic Javonte Green and the un-drafted free agent, 7-5 messiah Tacko Fall in the media’s coverage.
Interestingly enough, by the time of the league’s suspension, of all the aforementioned players, Williams managed to make himself more of a mainstay within the C’s rotation.
Unlike his fellow rookies, the forward has spent every single day of his NBA career on the active roster for Boston, rather than splitting time with the Maine Red Claws, and has generated the highest minutes per game averages as well (15.6).
Through 62 outings Williams has put up averages 3.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and an assist per game on 42 percent shooting from the floor. Eye popping stats? No, but his willingness to do the little things on the court — hustle, dive for loose balls, bang amongst the trees in the paint — has turned him into a player who, often, finds himself playing well into the fourth quarter during close contests.
His high basketball-IQ was one of the main reasons the Celtics selected the undersized forward (6-6) 22nd overall. He won’t blow away any average fan with his game, but will certainly make his presence felt on the court through his willingness to do it all — rebound, defend, facilitate, etc.
In regard to his somewhat forgotten presence heading into the season to where he was leading to the suspension, Grant Williams truly over performed for the C’s during his first season, becoming the team’s most consistent and most valuable rookie in 2019-20.