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Rookie Grant Williams plays small-ball-five versus Raptors - expect more of it

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In The Celtics 112-106 victory over the Toronto Raptors last night, Celtics Rookie, Grant Williams, got the call last night and he answered it. With center, Enes Kanter already our with a knee injury - and Daniel Theis rolling his ankle early in the game - Grant was called upon to take over the center spot, and he fared well.


G-Will's shooting was off (2-of-9), but he showed his versatility by taking down seven rebounds, passing off for four assists and racking up one steal. Despite his lack of height for the 5-spot (6'6"), he held his own in the paint and on the perimeter. He drew so much attention post-game, that the media crowd around him expanded just a little too much for Jayson Tatum.




Coach Brad Stevens obviously has plans for Grant, who may end up as a 3-position player for The Green. He has past experience at all five positions (per NBA's Taylor Snow):

“I’m comfortable doing it,” said Williams, who has experience playing all five positions. “It’s something I’ve done at (the University of) Tennessee, and before Tennessee, growing up. Being that little short guy that people don’t think is that tough, you kind of just get that competitiveness and that mentality of you’re just going to go out there and do whatever it takes and be that physical presence in the middle.”


What will be mentioned more in the near future is the high basketball IQ that the 22nd overall pick in the 2019 draft exhibits. G-Will is under-sized for both the 5-spot and power forward, but he makes up for it with strength, determination and intellect. The constant smile and jocular manner belie a ferocious stance to succeed in the NBA. I am not betting against him. He may be a core-rotation guy by mid-season.


Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel and Facebook

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