Payton Pritchard credits Grant Williams loquacious nature for keeping the team focused on winning

Role players can compete for minutes while fighting to win with the right leadership, which Pritchard sees Williams as having.

It was not that long ago that the more impatient fans of the Boston Celtics were ready to ship forward Grant Williams to any team that would take him. The former Tennessee player struggled in his second season with the team to adapt to a different role and showed only minor signs of growth as a player.

But Williams has shown he can be a serious contributor with one of the best shots on the team and flexible, effective defense on the other end. He has become an invaluable part of Boston’s rotations. Speaking with the media after practice on Thursday, teammate Payton Pritchard was asked what he can say about that growth this season.

“Unbelievable,” replied Pritchard. “This year, Grant worked his butt off (during) the offseason.”