Earlier in the Boston Celtics‘ 2022 offseason, reserve forward Grant Williams paid the Golden State Warriors a compliment by saying that their collective experience at such high levels of play were the difference between a Celtics victory and the Dubs hanging a banner at the end of the 2021-22 season.
The comment went over like a lead balloon at the time due to Williams’ debatable assertion that the Celtics were the better team despite the loss, but arguing over those particular semantics aside, the Tennessee product does indeed have a point. And if the Dubs’ Finals experience was the difference, one would hope Williams has learned from the loss.
Asked about whether he had in a Media Day interview with team reporters Marc D’Amico and Amanda Pflugrad, and the Charlotte native said “Absolutely. I learned what exactly we all are capable of as individuals as a group.”
Jayson Tatum on how Joe Mazzulla can lead the Celtics: “We’re gonna have to help him. And he’s gonna have to help us. We’re all in this together.” https://t.co/OjYEJnYtle
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 26, 2022
“My main focus is the priority of the team,” he added, “making sure everyone has the same goal in mind but also are willing to do things that are necessary.”
“Being a leader out there both vocally but (also) from my work and day-to-day approach, and being willing enough to listen as well. That’s the biggest growth aspect as well. For me, it’s just being able to hear exactly what needs to be done even more so. And then, without asking, seeing things that I noticed that say people may not necessarily (say). That’s probably my biggest priority this season is to make sure as a team we have success because individually, that stuff happens.”
“You never are concerned with individuals,” continued Williams. “For me, it’s always been about the Celtics and what we accomplish.”
When people say it is hard to get back to the NBA Finals, they don’t just mean because there are always a lot of good teams you have to play to do it. https://t.co/ohZ4RZX5tb
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 26, 2022
It will be critical for the Tennessee product to put his deeds in a way that backs up his words given the lack of frontcourt depth and his looming extension could easily shift team needs to Grant needs.
But so far Williams has proven among the most team-oriented players on the roster, shifting roles and style of play when called on without (at least outwardly) protesting, even when doing so hurt his numbers at times.
And as one of the more vocal leaders of the team on and off of the court, it would seem that augmenting his capacity to listen to his teammates will be another critical skill heading into an important campaign without suspended head coach Ime Udoka.
Interim Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzula focused on forging strong relationships heading into 2022-23 https://t.co/AfH2qOB1t3
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 26, 2022
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
