Boston Celtics first-year forward Grant Williams shared what has helped him find success in the NBA as a rookie in a recent video produced for the team’s website.
While some may think of his infamous cold streak from 3-point range to start his inaugural season in the league, the Tennessee product has become an important part of the Celtics’ rotation due to his strength, attention to detail, and intelligent defense — quite unusual for a rookie.
In the video, Williams relates the importance of the mental aspect of the game as a key component to a player’s ability to succeed over time in the NBA.
“The mental side is probably the biggest thing of understanding that you have to be very very confident in yourself in order to continue to be special in this sport,” began the Charlotte native.
“There is a lot of time and effort that’s put into our craft but also the mental
side of things is the biggest thing that I think fans don’t see,” he continued.
Discussing how the product people see on the court doesn’t necessarily reflect the work and leaps players make in practice, Williams notes the importance of taking things “with a grain of salt” and not “personally.”
The infamous rookie wall, to the former Vol, is something that will come when “they just are so wound up and tired — and not used to it.”
“It” presumably referring to the grind of an 82-game season, more than twice as long as a collegiate season for most teams at that level, even counting friendlies and conference and other postseason tourneys.
There’s also the pressure of not being there for teammates when they need you, which, when you’re in a slump, could probably feel as bad as being injured for some players.
“I was going on stretch where I hadn’t made threes and in I don’t know how long and the team needed me, so I was more disappointed in myself and [for] not being there,” offered Williams. “So, that’s where I was hard of myself and I just put more time in and worked harder.”
How did the North Carolinian forward push through the cold streak — and more importantly, the funk it helped create?
Time in the gym, even when he’s not feeling it. Even when his body hurt from games and training and more games and training.
“It’s really important to have that intrinsic motivation, because you want to be that person that is not only the best you can be,” noted Williams, “but you also want to put that passion into everyday living.”
Sage advice, coming from a rookie. But then, he’s not just any rook.
