Grant Williams is a basketball player with a unique set of skills and physical attributes. Standing at 6’7″ and weighing 236 pounds, he has the size and strength to play inside but also has the agility and shooting ability to play on the perimeter.
While Williams has primarily played as a power forward during his time with the Boston Celtics, there is a question of whether he has the potential to be a successful small forward in the NBA.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the position of small forward in basketball and discuss the typical responsibilities of players in that position. We’ll also take a closer look at Grant Williams’ background, including his physical attributes, playing style, and experience as a small forward in high school and college.
From there, we’ll examine Williams’ role on the Boston Celtics, including the positions he has played and any standout games or moments as a small forward. Finally, we’ll compare Williams to other successful small forwards in the NBA, analyze his strengths and weaknesses, and consider whether he has the potential to become a standout player in the league.
Whether you’re a Celtics fan or just a basketball enthusiast, this post will give you a better understanding of Grant Williams’ potential as a small forward in the NBA.
Source: 247sports.com
What is a Small Forward?
Small forward is one of the five traditional positions in basketball. In general, small forwards are versatile players who can play both inside and outside the paint. They are typically taller than shooting guards, but smaller than power forwards and centers, and have a variety of responsibilities on the court.
Some of the typical responsibilities of a small forward include:
- Scoring: Small forwards are often relied upon to score points for their team. They may shoot from mid-range or beyond the arc, or make cuts to the basket for layups or dunks.
- Rebounding: While not always the primary rebounder on a team, small forwards are expected to grab some rebounds to help their team secure possession.
- Defending: Small forwards are responsible for guarding opposing players, both on the perimeter and in the post. They need to be quick enough to keep up with guards, but also strong enough to defend bigger players in the paint.
- Passing: Small forwards are often called upon to make passes to their teammates, either to set up scoring opportunities or to keep the ball moving.
- Leadership: Small forwards may be one of the leaders on their team, helping to motivate their teammates and set the tone on the court.
Overall, small forwards are versatile players who are expected to contribute in a variety of ways. They need to have a well-rounded skill set, including shooting, passing, and defense, and be able to adapt to the needs of their team.
Grant Williams’ Background
Grant Williams was born on November 30, 1998, in Houston, Texas. He attended Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he played basketball and developed a reputation as a hard-working, versatile player.
At Providence Day, Williams was listed at 6’6″ and weighed 236 pounds. He was known for his strength and physicality on the court, as well as his ability to score from all areas of the floor. Williams also had a reputation as a smart and cerebral player, with a strong basketball IQ.
After high school, Williams attended the University of Tennessee, where he played basketball for three seasons. During his time at Tennessee, Williams was primarily used as a power forward, but also played some minutes at small forward.
He was listed at 6’7″ and 236 pounds during his junior season, and had added muscle and strength to his frame.
As a college player, Williams was known for his toughness and work ethic. He was an excellent rebounder, and was also able to score in a variety of ways, including mid-range jump shots and post-ups.
He was a two-time SEC Player of the Year, and led Tennessee to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament in his junior season.
Overall, Williams’ physical attributes and playing style make him well-suited to play small forward in the NBA. While he has primarily been used as a power forward during his time with the Boston Celtics, he has the versatility and skill set to play multiple positions on the court.
Williams’ Role on the Boston Celtics
Grant Williams was selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft, with the 22nd overall pick. During his rookie season, Williams played in 69 games for the Celtics, starting in 17 of them.
He averaged 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, and quickly became known for his tenacious defense and high basketball IQ.
During his time with the Celtics, Williams has primarily played as a power forward, but has also spent some time at center and small forward. His versatility and ability to guard multiple positions have been valuable to the team, and he has been praised by coaches and teammates for his hard work and professionalism.
While Williams has not had many standout games as a small forward, he has shown flashes of his potential in that position. For example, in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in March 2021, Williams scored a career-high 20 points and had 6 rebounds while playing primarily at small forward.
He showed off his shooting range, hitting 5 three-pointers in the game, and also made some key defensive plays to help the Celtics secure the win.
Overall, Williams’ role on the Celtics has been as a versatile, hardworking player who can contribute in a variety of ways. While he has primarily played as a power forward, he has the potential to develop into a strong small forward if given the opportunity.
Comparing Williams to Other Small Forwards
When comparing Grant Williams to other small forwards in the NBA, it’s clear that his physical attributes and playing style are somewhat unique. At 6’7″ and 236 pounds, he has the size and strength to guard bigger players, but also has the agility and shooting ability to play on the perimeter.
Some successful small forwards in the NBA have similar builds and playing styles to Williams. For example, Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors is listed at 6’6″ and 230 pounds, and is known for his defense, passing, and ability to play multiple positions.
Jae Crowder of the Phoenix Suns is also 6’6″ and 235 pounds, and is known for his three-point shooting and physicality on defense.
When analyzing Williams’ strengths and weaknesses as a small forward, it’s clear that he has some unique skills to offer. His shooting ability and basketball IQ make him a potential threat on the offensive end, while his strength and defensive instincts make him valuable on the other side of the court.
However, he may need to improve his quickness and lateral movement to guard some of the quicker small forwards in the league.
Overall, Williams has the potential to become a standout small forward in the NBA if he can continue to develop his skills and adapt to the demands of the position.
He has already shown that he can be a versatile player who contributes in a variety of ways, and if he can continue to refine his game, he could become a key player for the Boston Celtics and a respected player in the league.
Table: compares Grant Williams’ stats as a power forward and a small forward
| Statistic | Power Forward | Small Forward |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes per game | 18.9 | 15.4 |
| Points per game | 4.7 | 4.2 |
| Rebounds per game | 3.4 | 2.8 |
| Assists per game | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| Steals per game | 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Blocks per game | 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Field goal percentage | 45.3% | 41.7% |
| Three-point percentage | 33.3% | 31.6% |
| Free throw percentage | 72.9% | 70.4% |
This table shows the per-game averages for Grant Williams as a power forward and a small forward during the 2020-21 NBA season. As we can see, Williams played slightly fewer minutes per game as a small forward, and his scoring, rebounding, and assist numbers were all slightly lower as well.
However, his shooting percentages were fairly consistent between the two positions, and his defensive stats (steals and blocks) were also similar.
Overall, this table suggests that while Williams’ stats may be slightly lower as a small forward, he can still be a productive player in that position.
FAQ
Grant Williams has primarily played as a power forward for the Celtics but has also spent some time at center and small forward.
As a small forward, Grant Williams may be called upon to shoot more from the perimeter and use his quickness and agility to guard opposing players. As a power forward, he may focus more on scoring inside and using his strength to defend.
While he has not had many standout games as a small forward, his performance against the New Orleans Pelicans in March 2021 was particularly impressive. He scored a career-high 20 points and hit 5 three-pointers in the game, while also making key defensive plays.
To become a standout small forward, Grant Williams may need to work on his quickness and lateral movement, as well as his consistency as a shooter. He may also need to improve his ability to create his own shot and make plays for his teammates.
Grant Williams is larger and stronger than many small forwards in the league, which can be an advantage on the defensive end. However, he may need to improve his quickness and agility to keep up with some of the league’s faster players.
Conclusion
Grant Williams is a unique player with the size, strength, and skills to play multiple positions on the court. While he has primarily been used as a power forward during his time with the Boston Celtics, he has the potential to be a successful small forward in the NBA.
Williams’ background as a high school and college player, as well as his experience with the Celtics, demonstrate his versatility and hard-working approach to the game.
When comparing Williams to other successful small forwards in the NBA, it’s clear that he has some unique skills to offer. While he may need to improve his lateral movement and quickness to guard some of the league’s faster players.
His shooting ability and basketball IQ make him a potential threat on the offensive end, while his strength and defensive instincts make him valuable on the other side of the court.
Overall, whether or not Grant Williams is a small forward is less important than his potential to contribute to the Boston Celtics and the NBA as a versatile, hard-working player.
As he continues to develop his skills and refine his game, Williams could become a key player for the Celtics and a respected player in the league. Whether he’s playing as a power forward, small forward, or any other position, it’s clear that Williams has a bright future in the NBA.
