Grant Williams thread

[Sabas11]

I loved this guy pre-draft and love him even more now, I think the Celtics got a MAJOR steal. I see a Millsap-type of impact out of this guy down the line, he is incredibly skilled. Plus you have to love how he shoves people out of his way.

I think he will be an All Star or close to it, you can call me out on this.

[sam_I_am]

Grant Williams is in fantastic shape. So many basketball players - like RW for example - look so scrawny. That said, being built up like a football player usually is not great for b-ball. GW and CE as well look like 30 yo veterans who have dedicated themselves to get strong and lean like Lebron and Iggy for example. Other than Semi, can’t think of another Celtics rookie to come in in that kind of elite shape. Even Brown took a year. They are ready to contribute right away.

During Ainge era the team has been focused on development. However, of all the draftees who have amounted to anything, only Perk and Gerald Green didn’t contribute as rookies but they were both taken out of HS. Tony Allen, DWest, Big Al, Rondo, Avery Bradley, Gomes, Sully, KO, Smart, Rozier (later in playoffs), Brown, Tatum - all these guys were NBA ready.

Makes me excited about Edwards and GW.....RW too.

[OldCeltics]

This guy is really f**** good. Do you think he can grow a few more inches?

[vct33]

Corlis Williamson, James Posey, or Jae Crowder are more likely than Draymon Green as comparisons for Grant Williams. I think Grant is going to be okay in the NBA, not great, but a rotation player. He is going to need a consistent 3 point shot, though. I don't really see a problem with him developing that, maybe by this season.

I'd call him a big three, not a power forward. A "wing" that can drop into the post (low and high) and score, move outside and hit the 3 pt shot, cover most wings and smaller bigs for short periods, pass and rebound at a plus rate. In today's NBA that is a valuable commodity.

He has a good chance at being better than the 3 guys you mentioned. There is something about this kid that shouts special. I can say the same about Carsen Edwards too.

I see very similar measurements and athleticism as Brandon Bass but a better BBIQ and motor. I think he's an NBA starter.

[BigTrade92]

4 inches of wingspan difference is the reason. It really does make a massive difference. Draymond has a longer wingspan than Mitchell Robinson and most power forwards. It's why he's capable of guarding so many positions. Also, Draymond has elite BBIQ. Grant Williams is a high floor low ceiling role player at best. He's obviously better than Yabusele though and should stick around and contribute off the bench for years.

Yeah I don’t buy a 6’11” wingspan being the reason that Williams can’t be an elite defender in this league.

Marcus Smart has a 6’9” wingspan and can practically defend any position on the floor.

Smart only defends PFs and centers in short (as it were) stretches (as it were).

But he does defend them and can do so adequately, so what's your point?

[zoyathedestroya]

Yeah I don’t buy a 6’11” wingspan being the reason that Williams can’t be an elite defender in this league.

Marcus Smart has a 6’9” wingspan and can practically defend any position on the floor.

Smart only defends PFs and centers in short (as it were) stretches (as it were).

But he does defend them and can do so adequately, so what's your point?

I thought PJ Tucker has about the same wingspan as Grant, is shorter, but still can defend centers and PFs alike. Williams seem strong enough to take on most defensive assignments. Anxious to see how Grant does against NBA vets. Can it be preseason already?

[Fencer reregistered]

Yeah I don’t buy a 6’11” wingspan being the reason that Williams can’t be an elite defender in this league.

Marcus Smart has a 6’9” wingspan and can practically defend any position on the floor.

Smart only defends PFs and centers in short (as it were) stretches (as it were).

But he does defend them and can do so adequately, so what's your point?

My point is that there's great doubt as to whether Smart could defend bigs adequately, let alone excellently, on a full-time basis.

[Fencer reregistered]

For the record: I'm pretty optimistic as to Williams' defense against bigger guys. But it remains to be seen.

[Bad-Thoma]

I liked what I saw Saturday, I was impressed with his handle and surprised by the 3 ball. It's like a swiss army knife and protein shake had a baby. He reminds me of Sullinger happily without the weight issues and sadly without the length, I think the fitness will more than make up for the length and almost certainly give him a much longer career. He also seems, albeit anecdotally, to be a higher BBIQ player than Sullinger was.

[sam_I_am]

I am not expecting a star. I think if you can get guys who can contribute as a bench role players, spot starters, glue guys at 22 and 34....that can turn around a franchise. Look at what Siakam and OG did for Toronto (even before PS became MIP) when they had DeRozan/Lowry. If these guys fill the role that I envision: Edwards: instant offense off the bench 8 in 12 min, GW: small ball PF 8/6/2 in 12 min., we are going to have a very fun season.

[BigTrade92]

Smart only defends PFs and centers in short (as it were) stretches (as it were).

But he does defend them and can do so adequately, so what's your point?

My point is that there's great doubt as to whether Smart could defend bigs adequately, let alone excellently, on a full-time basis.

That's irrelevant though to the point at hand. No one wants or expects Smart to defend bigs on a full-time basis.

But if he happens to pick one up on a switch, which happens often, he's able to hold his ground.

[ParticleMan]

if he can get to 40% on 3's, he can be a quality starter in this league, maybe even an allstar. that will open up his offense a lot, and he does so many other good things. he's got a smooth looking shot, i don't think 40% is out of the question at all if he is selective.

[mbsnmisc]

I think Grant Williams starts by 1/1/20. He is the type of cerebral player that CBS will use to QB the defense and I believe in his 3 pt shot. I project:
Kemba
Brown
Tatum
GWilliams
TBD

[Fencer reregistered]

But he does defend them and can do so adequately, so what's your point?

My point is that there's great doubt as to whether Smart could defend bigs adequately, let alone excellently, on a full-time basis.

That's irrelevant though to the point at hand. No one wants or expects Smart to defend bigs on a full-time basis.

But if he happens to pick one up on a switch, which happens often, he's able to hold his ground.

Williams, by way of contrast, is unlikely to get a lot of playing time unless defending bigs (at least PFs) can be his primary assignment. And this IS a thread about Williams.

[BigTrade92]

My point is that there's great doubt as to whether Smart could defend bigs adequately, let alone excellently, on a full-time basis.

That's irrelevant though to the point at hand. No one wants or expects Smart to defend bigs on a full-time basis.

But if he happens to pick one up on a switch, which happens often, he's able to hold his ground.

Williams, by way of contrast, is unlikely to get a lot of playing time unless defending bigs (at least PFs) can be his primary assignment. And this IS a thread about Williams.

Uh yeah, so why are you nitpicking to me about Smart?

[Fencer reregistered]

That's irrelevant though to the point at hand. No one wants or expects Smart to defend bigs on a full-time basis.

But if he happens to pick one up on a switch, which happens often, he's able to hold his ground.

Williams, by way of contrast, is unlikely to get a lot of playing time unless defending bigs (at least PFs) can be his primary assignment. And this IS a thread about Williams.

Uh yeah, so why are you nitpicking to me about Smart?

Because you promoted him as an analogy to Williams.

[BigTrade92]

Williams, by way of contrast, is unlikely to get a lot of playing time unless defending bigs (at least PFs) can be his primary assignment. And this IS a thread about Williams.

Uh yeah, so why are you nitpicking to me about Smart?

Because you promoted him as an analogy to Williams.

Thanks captain obvious. But if you don’t want to talk about the analogy, then don’t quote me on it. Pretty simple stuff here...

Matter fact, let’s try it out right now and don’t quote me any further, as this conversation is going nowhere.

[Fencer reregistered]

Uh yeah, so why are you nitpicking to me about Smart?

Because you promoted him as an analogy to Williams.

Thanks captain obvious. But if you don’t want to talk about the analogy, then don’t quote me on it. Pretty simple stuff here...

Matter fact, let’s try it out right now and don’t quote me any further, as this conversation is going nowhere.

If you don't post anything foolish, I won't call attention to foolishness in your posts.

[BigTrade92]

Because you promoted him as an analogy to Williams.

Thanks captain obvious. But if you don’t want to talk about the analogy, then don’t quote me on it. Pretty simple stuff here...

Matter fact, let’s try it out right now and don’t quote me any further, as this conversation is going nowhere.

If you don't post anything foolish, I won't call attention to foolishness in your posts.

Except for the fact that everything I said was true and you even went ahead and agreed with me....so who's really the fool here bud?

You want to keep clogging up the thread with your childish petulance or are you all done?

[Homerclease]

Because you promoted him as an analogy to Williams.

Thanks captain obvious. But if you don’t want to talk about the analogy, then don’t quote me on it. Pretty simple stuff here...

Matter fact, let’s try it out right now and don’t quote me any further, as this conversation is going nowhere.

If you don't post anything foolish, I won't call attention to foolishness in your posts.

What did he say that was so foolish? That he doesn’t believe wingspan is the end all be all for the making of a quality defender?