Tag: Grant Williams

Boston alum Grant Williams on how Tennessee coach Rick Barnes approached rebounding

Barnes’ strategy aimed to gain an advantage in rebounding battles regardless of the other advantages their opponents might have had.

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If you ever wondered how a guy as short as Grant Williams ever learned how to be an effective rebounder at the NBA level, look to his college days for answers.

In an appearance on former teammate Theo Pinson‘s Tidal League “Run Your Race” podcast, the former Boston Celtics forward opened up about how his former Tennessee head coach, Rick Barnes, used to offer “bounties” to his players for aggressively contesting boards against specific opponents his Volunteers faced at the NCAA level.

Barnes’ strategy aimed to gain an advantage in rebounding battles regardless of the other advantages their opponents might have had over Tennessee’s players, and it left a lasting mark on Williams’ game as a result.

To hear the Charlotte native tell the tale for himself of how Barnes’ approach to rebounding affected his career moving forward, check out the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Former Celtic Grant Williams on what he said to Jimmy Butler in the 2023 East finals

While Williams emphasized that is was all competition and had no ill will involved, he also seems keenly aware of the fact that he was one of the team’s leaders that night.

This offseason former Boston Celtics reserve forward Grant Williams made an appearance on Celtics short-timer Theo Pinson‘s Tidal League “Run Your Race” podcast and opened up about a ton of key moments he has had over the course of his career with the ball club that drafted him in 2019.

Among the more interesting tales was Williams’ poke the bear moment with Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler during the 2023 Eastern Conference finals. The former Tennessee standout shared what was said in their heated, on-court exchange. While Williams emphasized it was all competition and no ill will was involved, he also seems keenly aware he was one of the team’s leaders that night.

To hear the details behind that flashbulb moment that effectively marked the end of his tenure in Boston, check out the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Grading the Boston Celtics’ 2023 NBA offseason moves

Did they make the right moves?

The Boston Celtics had an eventful 2023 NBA offseason, marked by several significant moves that aimed to reshape the team and bolster its chances of reaching a championship breakthrough.

Despite recent Eastern Conference Finals appearances, the Celtics sought change to elevate their performance further by shaking up the core of the team that got them to the cusp of competing for a title multiple times and to the league’s biggest stage outright in 2022 — but has failed to deliver Banner 18 despite a number of close calls. Did they make the right moves to such an end?

While it may be impossible to know until the NBA’s 2024 postseason is in the books, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley tried his hand at offering up some letter grades for Boston’s bigger moves; let’s take a look at his assessment.

Grant Williams tells the tale of when he said he would make BOTH free throws – and missed both

Not exactly his most glorious Celtics moment.

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Fans of the Boston Celtics tend to look back at the tenure of reserve forward Grant Williams positively, his likable dorkiness and occasional on-court fieriness winning him fans. But there have also been plenty of cringe-worthy moments that have left Celtics fans scratching their head, such as the time the Tennessee alum audaciously proclaimed his intention to make not one but both clutch free throws in a tight contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Most of you reading this know how that most epic of self-owns ended, making for a funny story in retrospect but plenty of angst immediately after the final buzzer had sounded. Williams recently told the tale of how he was going to “make ’em both” on the “Old Man and the 3” podcast.

Check out the clip embedded below to hear former NBAer JJ Redick grill the Charlotte native on his widely-seen faux pas.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Former Celtic Grant Williams on how Rick Barnes helped him get into shape – brutally

Evidently, the tough love paid off given the Charlotte native is now the owner of a very lucrative second contract in the NBA.

Former Boston Celtics reserve forward Grant Williams made an appearance on ex-teammate Theo Pinson’s Tidal League “Run Your Race” podcast before he left Boston to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. He spoke about his time playing at the University of Tennessee under head coach Rick Barnes before being picked up by the Celtics in the 2019 NBA draft.

In one of the better tales told on the pod, Williams shared how received a FedEx box of snacks from his mom, including Little Debbie cakes and Orville Redenbacher popcorn, which led Barnes to tease him with popcorn while he ran on a treadmill at Tennessee’s fat camp.

Evidently, the tough love paid off given the Charlotte native is now the owner of a very lucrative second contract in the NBA.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear the story from the man himself.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Grant Williams on his three Boston Celtics head coaches

Williams has suited up for three separate head coaches in Boston.

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Former Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams made a guest appearance on JJ Redick’s “Old Man and the Three” podcast this summer to talk about the coaches he has played under in the NBA. While the former Tennessee player has only played for the Celtics so far in his career, he suited up for three head coaches in Boston.

When he was drafted, the head coach was current President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, who was replaced by former Celtics coach Ime Udoka until scandal forced his ouster. Udoka was replaced by current head coach Joe Mazzulla.

Williams let Redick and Co. know how each of the trio of coaches he has played for go about their jobs.

To hear for yourself more about the differences and similarities and general coaching philosophies of Stevens, Udoka and Mazzulla, take a look at the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Grant Williams on sweeping the Brooklyn Nets and locking up Giannis with the Boston Celtics

Williams talked about the rough start under his old head coach Ime Udoka, and how Boston turned things around midseason to eventually make the 2022 NBA Finals, too.

Though he is a member of the Dallas Mavericks after leaving the Boston Celtics in free agency, former Celtics reserve forward Grant Williams still looks back at his time in Boston fondly.

The Charlotte native recently sat down with Celtics short-timer Theo Pinson on his Tidal League “Run Your Race” podcast to reminisce about recent high points with the Celtics.

The former Tennessee player shared his perspective on sweeping the then-mighty Brooklyn Nets and locking up Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in the playoffs among other stories from his time with the team that drafted him in 2019.

Williams talked about the rough start under his old head coach Ime Udoka, and how Boston turned things around midseason to make the 2022 NBA Finals and more.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear his interview with Pinson for yourself.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Joe Mazzulla on Grant Williams leaving the Boston Celtics in free agency

“I’m excited for him to have an opportunity in Dallas, doing what he does best and I wish him nothing but the best,” shared Mazzulla.

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Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla shared his excitement for former Celtics forward Grant Williams‘ future with the Dallas Mavericks in a recent interview with CLNS Media. He lauded the Charlotte native not only as a player but also as a person, mentioning the strong relationships they had developed during his time as an assistant coach.

“I’m excited for him to have an opportunity in Dallas, doing what he does best and I wish him nothing but the best,” shared the Celtics coach. “There were a lot of relationships that I had as an assistant coach, and he was a guy that I was able to get really close with over my few years here.”

“(I am) grateful for who he is as a person and I’m excited for him as a player,” added Mazzulla.

“Anytime you get a guy and you have someone that’s been with you for three or four years, I think the No. 1 goal is to leave it better than you found it, and I thought Grant did a great job of that.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Grant Williams opens up on his time in the Orlando bubble with Kemba Walker

Walker proved to be an exceptional teammate during the Celtics’ bubble run.

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Now a member of the Dallas Mavericks organization after being signed and traded there by the Boston Celtics as a restricted free agent this offseason, forward Grant Williams linked up with fellow NBA player Theo Pinson to talk about his time bunking with former Boston floor general Kemba Walker during the pandemic shutdown and playing with Boston in the Orlando bubble.

Walker proved an exceptional teammate during the Celtics’ bubble run, offering support and hospitality to his fellow players, particularly Williams, a native of Walker’s adopted home of Charlotte, North Carolina. The bubble experience lasted around three months, bringing the team closer together.

The Celtics faced challenges entering the bubble, having not played in months, but they remained focused on winning, and the camaraderie among players, including Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, intensified during the experience.

To hear more of Williams’ story on Pinson’s Tidal League “Run Your Race” podcast, check out the clip embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Watch Grant Williams get roasted on defense by one of his camp attendees

The occasional crafty play can get you past the Tennessee alum.

Former Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams held basketball camps this offseason, including one in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina this offseason, imparting the basketball wisdom he has honed as a player for the Celtics at the NBA level, and with the Tennessee Volunteers at the NCAA level.

But just because he has made a name for himself guarding some of the game’s most prolific and capable scorers in players like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo does not mean that the occasional crafty play can get you past the Tennessee alum.

Such was the case when a wee camp attendee cooked the former Celtic on defense to everyone’s surprise, a moment captured on video for posterity.

Check out the clip embedded above to see Williams get punked by one of his campers courtesy of the Chaz NBA YouTube channel — it’s worth the click.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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