Tag: Grant Williams

Why Grant Williams views Rockets’ Ime Udoka as his best coach with Celtics

Grant Williams had three head coaches (Brad Stevens, Ime Udoka, and Joe Mazzulla) over his first four NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics, and he seems to prefer Udoka.

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Now with the Dallas Mavericks, veteran forward Grant Williams had three head coaches (Brad Stevens, Ime Udoka and Joe Mazzulla) over his first four NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics.

In a new appearance on JJ Redick’s “Old Man and the Three” podcast, Williams — who can speak his mind, now that he’s no longer in Boston — made his case for Udoka being the best of the three.

As part of an extended interview, Williams seemed to express a clear preference for Udoka’s coaching style, which placed a strong emphasis on defense with the Celtics. Among his comments:

Brad, I would say was a great X’s and O’s coach, a great analytics guy. He followed that, and he followed the numbers but also did a good job of making sure we drew up a play. He felt like he was directly involved.

About Ime, I thought he was the best of both worlds. He was not only able to do X’s and O’s, defense and everything like that and has a grit to him that allowed him to relate to players in a personal level that allowed him to challenge them to be the best they could possibly be while also having the respect enough to understand that he doesn’t have to challenge them, always. He can lift them up, too. That’s why I think Ime is probably the best one I’ve played for.

And then with Joe, he’s similar to Brad in the sense that he is very analytical, but he has an offensive-based mind. He’ll provide the team with a great mentality of pace, and space and open shots and 3s, which is the new generation and new age.

With Williams on the roster, Stevens, Udoka and Mazzulla all had one season with a winning percentage of .620 or better. Thus, for the fifth-year forward, it makes for a fairly apples-to-apples comparison among contending teams. Udoka, of course, was the only coach of that trio to lead the Celtics to the NBA Finals (in 2022).

The complete podcast can be listened to below.

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Is Grant Williams right about the differences between Celtics coaches Ime Udoka and Joe Mazzulla?

Williams recently discussed his experiences between his two former Boston head coaches.

Former Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams recently discussed his experiences between his two former Boston head coaches Joe Mazzulla and Ime Udoka on the “Old Man and the 3” podcast.

Williams seemed to express a clear preference for Udoka’s coaching style, which places a strong emphasis on defense. The Charlotte native acknowledged the importance of offense but believes that a solid defensive foundation is crucial for a team’s success. However, Williams also recognized that Mazzulla’s offensive-oriented approach had its merits, and both coaching philosophies were subject to debates and disagreements among the players during his time with the Celtics.

The hosts of the “How Bout Them Celtics” podcast recently got together to talk about the Tennessee alum’s comments about Celtics coaching.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say about Williams’ views on the coaching he experienced with Boston.

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 shares 3 regrets from Celtics Tenure

Former Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams discussed some of the more frustrating moments from his tenure with the team.

Grant Williams came into the 2022-23 NBA season riding the crest of a wave. Following a disappointing sophomore year for the Boston Celtics, Williams bounced back in emphatic fashion, positioning himself as one of the best young three-and-d wings in the NBA. However, following the 2023 All-Star break, Williams fell out of Joe Mazzulla‘s rotation.

Last summer, Williams failed to agree a contract extension with Boston, meaning he entered this summer as a restricted free agent. Failure to secure Williams’ long-term future last summer allowed the Dallas Mavericks to swoop in and sign Williams to an offer sheet, leading to a sign-and-trade.

Recently, Celtics journalist Adam Taylor held a short interview with Williams for Heavy on Sports, where the former Celtic shared three regrets from his tenure with the Celtics since being drafted in 2019.

“I would say the Donovan Mitchell moment in terms of, like, missing the free throws in Cleveland, I would say, really the Miami Heat over the past [few years] that’s like the same moment, in a way,” Williams said. “Those two were definitely frustrating for me. And then I think my second year really just how I approached, and I played in that year, like, I could have definitely improved a little bit more than I had.

And I was frustrated by that. So those were probably the three biggest moments in my career in terms of frustrations. But I feel like you’ve grown because of things like that. You don’t always have success. You got to have some failures along the way.”

Williams spent four seasons in Boston but will now enter the new season with an opportunity to carve out a starting role with the Mavericks and potentially help them contend for a championship.

You can watch the full interview in the embedded clip above.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AdamTaylorNBAShow

Report: Grant Williams, Bulls contract talks got serious

Grant Williams and the Chicago Bulls had “serious” contract talks this summer.

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The Chicago Bulls made some additions this summer, but they were apparently close to making another. During a recent appearance on “The Old Man & The Three with JJ Redick and Tommy Alter,” Grant Williams revealed he had serious contract talks with the Bulls before his sign-and-trade to the Dallas Mavericks. (H/t Daniel Greenberg)

In the end, Williams joined the Mavericks via a sign-and-trade facilitated by the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. Dallas received Williams, the Celtics received second-round picks, and San Antonio got Reggie Bullock. Before that, Williams spoke with multiple teams in free agency, and Chicago was one of them.

Williams would have been a great fit in Chicago due to his defensive abilities and 3-point shooting. The Bulls entered the offseason in desperate need of shooting. They were one of the worst shooting teams in the league this past season.

For the Celtics last season, Williams appeared in 79 games, starting 23, and played a career-high 25.9 minutes per contest. He averaged 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 45.5% from the field and 39.5% from behind the 3-point line.

Chicago didn’t have much cap space this summer, so the Bulls would have had to make a sign-and-trade to land Williams at the contract he ended up signing for. There’s a chance they were in talks to sign him for less, but Williams was never going to sign for the minimum.

Do you think the Bulls should have signed Williams this summer?

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The Grant Williams trade was a disaster for the Boston Celtics

The trade saw the Celtics part ways with Williams for two second round picks, which some saw as a paltry return for a player of his caliber.

The Boston Celtics’ decision to trade Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks was a disastrous move in the eyes of some fans, with many questioning the value Boston received in return.

Williams perfectly fit the team’s timeline and his ability to defend multiple positions with a nearly 40% 3-point shooting percentage made him a rare find in the NBA.

The Celtics parted ways with Williams for two second-round picks, which some judged a paltry return for a player of his caliber. The move was met with criticism from fans and analysts alike because Williams had showcased his postseason potential and seemed a valuable piece for the Celtics’ future.

The hosts of the “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast recently sat down to talk through the optics and effects of the deal.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear their thoughts on losing Williams in free agency.

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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Now a Floridian, Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca says why he left Massachusetts

Surprisngly, it wasn’t the taxes — unlike (at least in part) Grant Williams.

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Though it might have been a factor in former Boston Celtics restricted free agent Grant Williams electing to decamp from Boston to the Dallas Mavericks, Massachusetts’ so-called “millionaires’ tax” was not a factor in Celtics co-owner Steven Pagliuca‘s decision to sell his home in the state and  relocate to Florida.

Recently retired from Bain Capital, Pagliuca said “now that I am not coming back and working there, I’m really not living there” in an interview with Boston Business Journal’s Greg Ryan. Still, the Celtics co-owner admitted that taxes are a factor considered by players.

“Generally, punitive tax measures will make it more attractive for higher earners, whether basketball players or not, to go to … lower tax states.”

Of course, Pags admitted the “winters have been fantastic.”

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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Who could the Boston Celtics target with the Grant Williams traded player exception?

Tthe Charlotte native’s new deal netted the Celtics a $6.2 million traded player exception.

Fans of the Boston Celtics were rightfully irked by the mediocre return they received from the Dallas Mavericks in the sign-and-trade of restricted free agent Grant Williams. Some second-round picks were the focal point.

But the Charlotte native’s new deal netted the Celtics a $6.2 million traded player exception (TPE), smaller than his actual deal value due to base year compensation rules. The Celtics would likely need to make other moves for the TPE to be usable financially, but it bring in a helpful player or two in the right situation.

In a recent episode of the “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, the hosts take a look at five trade targets the Celtics could go after with the new Grant Williams TPE. The list includes Saddiq Bey, Precious Achiuwa and more.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear their thoughts on who Boston could target.

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 Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams is no fan of restricted free agency

“Restricted free agency is terrible,” said the Charlotte native.

Former Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams is no fan of restricted free agency, and we can’t say we blame him even if he seems happy about where he ended up with a sign and trade to the Dallas Mavericks this offseason.

Williams revealed the process was challenging and unsettling as he waited for offers and potential matches.

“Restricted free agency is terrible,” said the Charlotte native. “Unrestricted, you have a good understanding of where you want to go, but restricted, you’re pretty much in a waiting game.”

“You want to make sure you understand what the offers are but also understand that teams might match or a team might be asking for more than another team is willing to give,” added Williams via Mavs.com’s Eddie Sefko.

“It’s definitely an interesting process. I still think free agency is a little bit fun, but also a little bit nerve-wracking.”

In other interviews, the former Tennessee player made it clear he believes that while it was a challenging process, it probably worked out for the best given his lack of playing time in the past.

And, after the Kristaps Porzingis trade, likely moving forward as well.

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 the tension he felt with Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla last season

Williams recently said he looks back at his behavior early in his final season with the ball club that drafted him in 2019 as unprofessional.

Former Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams recently said he views his behavior early in his final season with the club that drafted him in 2019 as unprofessional. He also said he and Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla were close before their on-court professional disagreements last season, though he’ll always love his former head coach.

The Boston Globe interview with the Charlotte native came as Williams’ first admission of tension between himself and Mazzulla, who benched him for most of the second half of the season before he signed with the Dallas Mavericks last week.

CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning recaps that interview, summer league and Jay Scrubb signing a two-way deal with Boston in a recent short put out this week.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what he had to say about the Tennessee product’s admission and more.

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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Ex-Celtics forward Grant Williams holds basketball youth camp in Charlotte, N.C.

Williams, a native of the city, is holding his first-ever youth basketball camp in the stomping grounds of his youth.

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Fans of former Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams living in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area will be happy to learn he is holding his first youth basketball camp in his hometown.

The camp runs from July 19 to July 21. Breakfast and lunch are provided to camp attendees, and basketballs will be provided by the staff from the Grant Williams Family Foundation.

Per its website, the Foundation exists “to identify and promote opportunities for young people through sports, financial empowerment, mentorship and the arts. Our mission is to foster thriving communities and help build intergenerational wealth for the next generation.”

For more information about the camp, click here.

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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