Boston Celtics sharpshooting forward Grant Williams famously had a rough start to his NBA career from 3-point range. In fact, it was such a bad start it was nearly historic for all the wrong reasons.
But since that uncharacteristically cold start from beyond the arc, the Charlotte native has since transformed his game to become one of the NBA’s most reliable 3-point shooters, hitting 41.1% from deep in 2021-22. Still, his game has been relatively predictable, with most of his treys coming to him in areas of the floor he has been comfortable shooting it while open. In a recent interview by Heavy’s Jack Simone, Williams shared what he planned to work on this offseason, with his long-distance shot at the top of the list.
“Shooting on the move,” said the former Vol without hesitation in response to what his offseason development focus would be. “That’s the big one.”
“Not necessarily like Duncan Robinson shooting on the move, but more so pick and pop,” elaborated the Tennessee product.
“(Those are) the shots that I am going to have to make this upcoming season because teams are going to run me off, teams are going to be heavily contesting, so that’s one. Defensively, I want to improve on guarding actions like screening actions, whether that’s off-ball or on, because I do a great job in isolation. I want to improve say I’m guarding Steph (Curry) or Trey Young coming off the screen and to be able to negotiate and navigate those screens. And then the last thing is my finishing at the rim, whether that’s shooting floaters or touch shots.”
“Those in-between shots, if I’m not getting all the way through the rim for a layup, being able to have that in my arsenal,” Williams added.
The three-season veteran has finally arrived at a stage of his career and accomplishments where the term ‘vet’ would not seem absurd, having battled with his Celtics to within striking distance of an NBA title in a key supporting role.
And given that title did not come in part because of the limitations of the bench he was coming off of, for a team with the sort of championship goals the Celtics currently have, such news from Williams is likely welcome.
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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire