This is one of Joe Mazzulla’s surprises in these playoffs: the drop in playing time of Grant Williamsor outright its disappearance from the rotation of the Celtics. Indeed, since the start of this 2023 campaign (13 games), he has played “only” 13 minutes per game, compared to double (26) in the regular season, accumulating as a bonus no less than four “DNP” (“Did Not Play”).
Rather strange, considering that the 24-year-old power forward was supposed to be the main interior rotation of Boston. The person concerned repeats in any case that he is not worried about his personal situation and he rather prefers to be positive.
” You play when you are asked to play », emphasizes the person concerned. ” The manager makes his choices and I’m focused on the team, making sure we have the best opportunity to win, whether I’m on the bench cheering on my team-mates or on the pitch playing. »
The victory before the minutes
Still, although this situation may be difficult to manage, Grant Williams has not yet ” no idea of the reasons that motivated Joe Mazzulla to evolve his role in the Celtic rotation.
” I am a player so I will do what I have to and know how to do. The coach makes his decisions and I will accept them, whatever they are “, He assures, concerning a possible lack of playing time in the conference final.
Still, everything can change quickly in the NBA and we have sometimes seen it against the Sixers: Grant Williams can be recalled at any time by his coaching, to breathe something new into the game.
” The coaches trust what they trust and they made the right decision in the last two games [contre Philadelphie] for us to win, so as long as we win, it will be fine for me, because my priority remains the title “, he insists.
No doubt things will change this summer, because Grant Williams will be a protected “free agent”, and there will be no shortage of suitors while Boston may not be able (or no longer) to match his salary requirements.
| Grant Williams | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 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 |
| Total | 288 | 21 | 45.1 | 37.9 | 77.3 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 6.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
