The Boston Celtics went on a tear during the final months of the regular season. Boston went 31-10 during the second half of the season to finish 51-31 on the year, while claiming the second seed in the Eastern Conference as the hottest and one of the most complete teams in the NBA.
It was the end of March when Grant Williams said something that took the city of Boston on a WILD ride. He gave all of his teammates the name of a Marvel superhero regarding their characteristics, personalities, and what they can contribute to the team. In doing so, Williams referred to himself as Batman.
Grant Williams might not be the Batman of the team, but he’s definitely playing like a superhero
At the time, it seemed like a joke. The real superhero of the Celtics, Jayson Tatum, couldn’t even say Grant and Batman in the same sentence without laughing and shaking his head about it. But things have changed since then. Grant has become a valuable two-way player as this entire season has progressed but even more so in the playoffs when it matters the most.
So far through six games in the playoffs, Williams is shooting 55 percent from behind the arc. On the other end of the court, he’s oftentimes defending the opposition’s best players. Between both series up to this point, Williams has guarded Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo and has dominated the extraordinary challenge of doing so.
It’s fair to say that the Celtics wouldn’t last much longer in the playoffs without everything that Grant provides on a nightly basis. He’s the perfect plug that plays 3-5 and defends every position on the court. He’s ready for any challenge head coach Ime Udoka throws his way. Here’s what Udoka recently and glowingly said about Grant during his radio interview on Zolak and Bertrand:
“For a shorter guy that has that leverage, Dennis Rodman-like, he can get under the big guys and hold his ground well as far as that. He can move his feet well enough on the perimeter. That’s the versatility we need. But he’s strong enough to guard guys his size now. He may have the height disadvantage at times, but he makes up for that with his toughness, strength, and he’s a really cerebral guy out there that studies his opponents and knows how to get under their skin.” – Ime Udoka
In the first two games against Milwaukee, Williams is averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1 assist per game with shooting splits.450/.615/.750. Not to mention this is all while shutting down Giannis.
Grant is still working off of his rookie contract, of which Boston has already exercised both of their club options through 2023. The Celtics then have a qualifying offer worth $6,235,439 for 2023-24 or he’ll hit restricted free agency.
It’s fair to say that after the first six games of the playoffs, Grant has proved to be invaluable to the Celtics and is working towards a big payday for himself that could result in early contract talks next summer.
Maybe Batman isn’t the proper superhero name considering the supporting cast Grant has around him. However, he’s definitely been a superhero in the playoffs and deserves recognition for it, that’s for sure!
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