Grant Williams spent the first four seasons of his career with the Celtics. With quite a few good memories, especially in 2022 with a crazy Game 7 in which he was incandescent against the Bucks.
But in the summer of 2023, the Celtics made several changes to bring in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Traded to recover the point guard, Robert Williams, Dalano Banton and Malcolm Brogdon all three received a little message on the giant screens at TD Garden when the Blazers came to Boston. Grant Williams was also entitled to this little word of thanks when his Hornets visited in April.
But obviously, the one who had passed through Dallas before being quickly traded to Charlotte, was instead hoping to be entitled to a tribute video. Like Marcus Smart.
“I think it’s because Rob (Robert Williams) told them he just wanted a hi or a thank you,” explains Grant Williams on the difference in treatment. “They made a video for Smart and I have to respect that. Smart was there for eight years and made a real impact on the city, the organization and everything else. »
A touch of disappointment
Grant Williams would have wanted his tribute video, even if he understands that he did not have the impact of Marcus Smart.
“As much as I was involved in the community and loved Boston and the organization, I think they were just trying to be consistent with what they had done before,” he believes. “Was I a little disappointed?” Yeah, just because I feel like there were some great seasons over those four years there. I was a kid when I was drafted there and I grew up there. I think I was able to help them through things that helped them get to where they are today. »
But Grant Williams still received a standing ovation from TD Garden and is grateful to Boston. “You have to have a certain gratitude because they could have done nothing”recognizes Grant Williams, who had also been described as “a problem in the locker room” by Mike Gorman, the voice of the Celtics. “Even if it was just a 'Thank you Grant,' it's something that could be the norm around the league. But it really surprised me. […] There was nothing but love in the room. People were telling me 'come back', 'we want you back' or 'you'll be our next Al (Horford), we traded you but you'll be back in two years.' “
| Grant Williams | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 69 | 15 | 41.2 | 25.0 | 72.2 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 3.4 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 63 | 18 | 43.7 | 37.2 | 58.8 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 4.7 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 77 | 24 | 47.5 | 41.1 | 90.5 | 0.8 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 7.8 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 79 | 26 | 45.4 | 39.5 | 77.0 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 8.1 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 76 | 28 | 45.6 | 37.5 | 75.7 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 10.3 |
| 2023-24 * | DAL | 47 | 26 | 41.3 | 37.6 | 74.5 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 8.1 |
| 2023-24 * | CHA | 29 | 31 | 50.3 | 37.3 | 76.5 | 1.4 | 3.8 | 5.1 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 13.9 |
| Total | 364 | 23 | 45.3 | 37.7 | 76.8 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 7.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
