Since returning home to play for his hometown team via trade, Grant Williams has looked rejuvenated after a difficult start to the season in Dallas. Williams has brought his usual brand of physicality, toughness, outside shooting and vocal leadership, that was all to be expected. What wasn’t on the menu, is an intriguing post game which only the most staunch College basketball fans will remember from his Tennessee days.
During Williams’ senior year, he led the Volunteers in scoring (18.8) and rebounding (7.5) rebounds. The foundation of his offensive game was built around an advanced low-post game that made up 30% of his offensive plays, in which he ranked in the 97th percentile in scoring efficiency. Not only was he a threat to score, but Williams averaged 3.2 assists per game, finding weakside shooters and cutters all from the low block.
After being drafted 22nd overall in the 2019 draft to the Boston Celtics, Williams deserted his post-game and transformed into a 3&D forward. With the Charlotte injury bug continuing to bite Head Coach Steve Clifford, he has been forced to look for new sources of offense, enter Grant Williams. Clifford is now posting Grant Williams at a career high rate with positive results.
| Season | Team | Post-Up Frequency | Field Goal Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
23-24 |
Charlotte |
12% |
47.4% |
23-24 |
Dallas |
3.5% |
44% |
22-23 |
Boston |
2.1% |
40% |
21-22 |
Boston |
4.1% |
62% |
As you can see, Williams has almost quadrupled his post-up frequency compared to earlier in the season in Dallas. With limited spacing in Charlotte you would expect there to be less space and the efficiency to drop, but it's actually improved as Williams has become more comfortable. But has this helped Charlotte's offense? That's an emphatic yes.
The Hornets are +9.5 points better off on offense with Williams on the floor. In fact, Williams leads the team in overall Net Rating with +12.4 points when he's on the court, that ranks in the 97th percentile.
Williams uses his bulk, strength, and quick feet to take advantage when switched onto smaller players. Watch him out muscle Devin Booker below and get to the reverse finish.
Grant Williams Post-Up Reverse Finish (0:11)
Later in the Suns game he finds himself on his more favored left block matched up on Grayson Allen. He quickly before the Suns defense can react and finishes. You can tell Phoenix didn't have Grant Williams post-ups high on their scout, as the help defense was too slow to react.
Grant Williams Post-up Quick Spin (0:13)
It's not been as efficient for him so far, but Williams has also shown the ability to rise up against smaller defenders and finish with a soft fadeaway. Here, he takes Oubre to the post, getting him to jump with a subtle pump fake before firing away.
Grant Williams Post-Up Turnaround Jump shot (0:09)
But it's not only Williams' scoring out the post which is helping the offense, but his high basketball IQ and facilitating. His teammates know if they cut and are open Williams will find them, as Miller does here when his defender turns his head.
Grant Williams Post-Up Pass to Cutter (0:10)
Versatility is key for any NBA role player to be successful. For Grant Williams, he didn't need to go to summer skills school and learn any new tricks, he simply needed to tap back into part of his game which he had left behind in Tennessee. Let's be realisitic, Williams isn't the second coming of Al Jefferson and for a healthy Hornets lineup he won't be a top offensive option. However, it's a useful wrinkle when facing opposing teams with a switch reliant defensive system. The more offensive options the better for a Hornets team which has ranked towards the bottom of the league offensively for the previous two seasons.
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