Grant Williams thread

[KevinGamble34]

Looks good, but being undersized is a concern. Maybe he can take on Yabs minutes to start looking forward to seeing him play in summer league.

[FlatearthZorro]

Looks good, but being undersized is a concern. Maybe he can take on Yabs minutes to start looking forward to seeing him play in summer league.

So Bob, Grant and Edwards in Summer league.

[CelticsLV]

Well, looks like his BBIQ is allright.

[BillessuR6]

I was really high on him before the draft, now after watching some more film I like him even more...

His shot looks great...he seems to be a really hard worker…I am anxious to see him play in the NBA...

[Zeroforwinger]

Haven’t seen this yet, but is he undersized?

[CelticsPride18]

Wait he’s only 20. I’m liking this pick he could be a PJ Tucker like player.

[Ben-N1ce]

Not sure why I'm thinking Boris Diaw.

[greenroom31]

Williams seems like an awesome human being and versatile player, but he also seems slow and whatever the opposite of explosive is. I'm surprised I haven't heard this comp thrown out there, but the guy he makes me think of is Kyle Anderson (a.k.a. "Slo Mo").

I guess after last year's locker room drama we prioritized character in our picks this year, which is fine. I just hope the guys can actually play at the pro-level.

[sam_I_am]

Not sure why I'm thinking Boris Diaw.

Brad describes him as that type of player. He said you can run an offense through him because of his high IQ and passing ability.

[Slartibartfast]

Not sure why I'm thinking Boris Diaw.

Fat Boris, sure. Not that Grant is fat, but that level of mobility. Passing, smart team D, spot-up jump shooting, weak rebounding. Boris could take people down in the post and jump hook on them all day too.

[b3n]

or maybe he meant smart as in a PF version of marcus smart. heady and makes winning plays, but undersized, stocky, and earthbound.

This is exactly what I see when I watch Grant Williams. He's got elite glue guy potential at the PF position. Love the pick.

[ddb]

Danny took a high upside former top recruit with major potential in Langford, then he followed that up by taking 2 NBA ready All-Americans that will bring high character, toughness, and skill to the team. And he also picked up a future 1st giving us another 3 first round picks next year (Celtics own, Memphis 1-6 protection, Bucks 1-7 protection). Nice work by Danny.

My breakdown is as follows:

Langford- Personally, I would have gone with Sekou. After seeing Giannis, Siakam burst onto the scene I'm just terrified of that happening again. But I trust that the front office knows more then we do and view Langford as the high upside guy at that spot. Langford is a terrific athlete, prototypical size on the wing. Good handles, awesome scoring instincts, has a nose for the ball. Really his only weakness last year was inconsistent shooting, but with the hand injury that required surgery you have to just hope that if that's fixed his shooting will improve and he'll turn into a steal. Danny scored a high lottery type of talent in Langford.

Williams-I heard the Celtics liked this kid a few weeks back and I was a bit surprised. But then I remembered watching Tennessee and remembered that whenever I watched Tennessee I walked away being really impressed with Grant. So then I started doing some research on him and was really impressed with his character, background, and the fact that at age 20 he's a back to back SEC player of the year. You can fault him for being 6'8, but he is jacked! Understands how to play. and in today's NBA having 6'11 PF's isn't as important so long as the player can shoot, pass, rebound, and bring toughness which is all Williams strong-suits.

Edwards-Dude is a straight up bucket getter. Even though he's only 6 feet in sneakers, he's a little bulldog. He can pull up and score from anywhere. He'll pick you up in the full court. He is going to bring terrific energy off the bench and could certainly develop into an instant offense spark plug for this team moving forward. At pick #33 I love it.

Another note I'd like to share. If Romeo is healthy, notice that Ainge drafted THREE guys that are ready to contribute right away if their number is called. Usually when a team is hitting the reset button, they draft purely for upside. They swing for home runs. Danny's drafting is signaling 1 of 2 things. He's either bringing in a top heavy star studded team and will need these draft picks to be ready to help out off the bench. OR he's about to make a trade and the team he's dealing with wanted NBA ready rookies.

Just sayin

[Goudelock]

As a Tennessean who is surrounded by Vol fans, I can guarantee you that you're going to love Williams. He's not going to be a superstar, but Williams seems like the kind of guy who is going to have a 12 year career as a decent starter or awesome bench player. It's a cliche......but he just knows how to play within a team concept. While other teams strike out on "upside" picks, Grant Williams is going to be rolling along, playing productive minutes on winning teams. What more could you ask for from a late-first round pick?

I swear I'm not Grant Williams' agent.

[ddb]

As a Tennessean who is surrounded by Vol fans, I can guarantee you that you're going to love Williams. He's not going to be a superstar, but Williams seems like the kind of guy who is going to have a 12 year career as a decent starter or awesome bench player. It's a cliche......but he just knows how to play within a team concept. While other teams strike out on "upside" picks, Grant Williams is going to be rolling along, playing productive minutes on winning teams. What more could you ask for from a late-first round pick?

I swear I'm not Grant Williams' agent.

thanks man. Yeah, I'm cool with the pick too. as I mentioned earlier, anytime I tuned in to a Vols game I walked away impressed with Williams.

[chrisab123]

Danny took a high upside former top recruit with major potential in Langford, then he followed that up by taking 2 NBA ready All-Americans that will bring high character, toughness, and skill to the team. And he also picked up a future 1st giving us another 3 first round picks next year (Celtics own, Memphis 1-6 protection, Bucks 1-7 protection). Nice work by Danny.

My breakdown is as follows:

Langford- Personally, I would have gone with Sekou. After seeing Giannis, Siakam burst onto the scene I'm just terrified of that happening again. But I trust that the front office knows more then we do and view Langford as the high upside guy at that spot. Langford is a terrific athlete, prototypical size on the wing. Good handles, awesome scoring instincts, has a nose for the ball. Really his only weakness last year was inconsistent shooting, but with the hand injury that required surgery you have to just hope that if that's fixed his shooting will improve and he'll turn into a steal. Danny scored a high lottery type of talent in Langford.

Williams-I heard the Celtics liked this kid a few weeks back and I was a bit surprised. But then I remembered watching Tennessee and remembered that whenever I watched Tennessee I walked away being really impressed with Grant. So then I started doing some research on him and was really impressed with his character, background, and the fact that at age 20 he's a back to back SEC player of the year. You can fault him for being 6'8, but he is jacked! Understands how to play. and in today's NBA having 6'11 PF's isn't as important so long as the player can shoot, pass, rebound, and bring toughness which is all Williams strong-suits.

Edwards-Dude is a straight up bucket getter. Even though he's only 6 feet in sneakers, he's a little bulldog. He can pull up and score from anywhere. He'll pick you up in the full court. He is going to bring terrific energy off the bench and could certainly develop into an instant offense spark plug for this team moving forward. At pick #33 I love it.

Another note I'd like to share. If Romeo is healthy, notice that Ainge drafted THREE guys that are ready to contribute right away if their number is called. Usually when a team is hitting the reset button, they draft purely for upside. They swing for home runs. Danny's drafting is signaling 1 of 2 things. He's either bringing in a top heavy star studded team and will need these draft picks to be ready to help out off the bench. OR he's about to make a trade and the team he's dealing with wanted NBA ready rookies.

Just sayin

I personally hated the first round but really liked Edwards. Your analysis is very welcomed!

[Half-Full]

Lets hope Danny knows more then I do, don't like the pick he is an undersized 4 who might have been available in the 2nd...hard worker just too small for 4 in the NBA

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

Agreed. 100%

Some of Danny's picks really puzzle me. This pick has JR. Giddens written all over it.

Boy that JR Giddens comparison is a real stretch. I think Grant Williams will prove to be a player that Celtics fans will take to right away. He is strong, very smart, has a well developed all around game, and great character. While he is undersized, his strength and wingspan (6'10") allow him to play bigger. Couple that with his BBall IQ and skills, and he could be a real steal. Of course, the proof is in the pudding, and we haven't tasted it yet, but we shall see. I would not be surprised to see him get meaningful minutes right away.

[Half-Full]

Here is an interesting take on Williams from The Stepien.

"At least in this one sense, Grant Williams is similar to Draymond Green, though there’s another. Draymond Green was the owner of the 2012 draft’s most underrated set of skills in his ability to play defense. I’d argue that for the 2019 draft Grant Williams is also probably the owner of the draft’s most underrated skill. Except this skill — Williams’ jump shot — is not quite as easy to pick out. Yet there any number of indicators, taken in conjunction with each other, that suggest the eventual extension of Grant Williams’ jump shot to NBA 3 range, with efficiency, is more likely than not."

Here is link to full article:

https://www.thestepien.com/2019/06/09/draft-notes-grant-williams-chosen-24-40-drafts-second-best-play/

[CavemanDoctor]

Here is an interesting take on Williams from The Stepien.

"At least in this one sense, Grant Williams is similar to Draymond Green, though there’s another. Draymond Green was the owner of the 2012 draft’s most underrated set of skills in his ability to play defense. I’d argue that for the 2019 draft Grant Williams is also probably the owner of the draft’s most underrated skill. Except this skill — Williams’ jump shot — is not quite as easy to pick out. Yet there any number of indicators, taken in conjunction with each other, that suggest the eventual extension of Grant Williams’ jump shot to NBA 3 range, with efficiency, is more likely than not."

Here is link to full article:

https://www.thestepien.com/2019/06/09/draft-notes-grant-williams-chosen-24-40-drafts-second-best-play/

Thanks for the article, very informative.

[sully00]

Haven’t seen this yet, but is he undersized?

I an NBA where a 6'8" PF goes #1 overall I am not sure how Williams is undersized anymore. The game is different now 6'9" guys have to be able to play C. Especially in the post season teams that are trying to run with two bigs are getting dusted. Small ball reigns.

I like a lot of other people were focused on Clarke and while very athletic is smaller and weaker and less skilled than Williams and is two years older. While Clarke is a better rebounder and shot blocker he is going to have get stronger for that to translate to the NBA because he does't have the skill Williams has to play some 3. This is why a nights sleep helps you understand why I talk about basketball on a computer and Danny Ainge runs the Celtics.

[sam_I_am]

Watching the highlights I was struck how much Williams shot making reminds me of Adrian Dantley.