Celtics Q&A: The not-so subdued Grant Williams

BOSTON — Boston Celtics rookie Grant Williams was a blur of activity after Thursday’s practice. One moment he was launching deep 3-pointers with Daniel Theis, the next he was goofing around with Tacko Fall, and soon after he was doing pushups at the behest of “veteran” Jayson Tatum. Williams only got reeled in when he went to break down film with an assistant coach.

Across the gym, Celtics coach Brad Stevens was praising the rookie’s ability to pick up NBA terminology and spotlighting his boundless energy. A reporter noted how most rookies tend to be subdued.

"That would not be the first word I would use to describe Grant. He is not a subdued guy and that’s good,” said Stevens. "You want all these guys to feel comfortable being themselves, lending their thoughts and working together.

"He has a bright future. He’s going to be an NBA player for a long, long time. He’s really smart.”

Williams is one of eight rookies in Celtics camp but the first-round pick might be the most likely to carve out a role this season. The departures of Al Horford and Aron Baynes leave Boston with a frontcourt to patch and minutes to be earned.

Teammates have come away impressed by Williams’ basketball IQ and that inexhaustible energy.

We corralled Williams, the No. 22 pick in June’s draft, long enough to ask him about those pushups, his desire to learn French so he can scream instructions at new teammate Vincent Poirier, and trying to make an impact early in camp.

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Q: Why is Jayson Tatum making you do pushups?

GW: That’s just Jayson, man. We were shooting after practice the other day and I lost. Man, he was saying some funny stuff [to break Williams’ concentration]. Brad [Wanamaker] and him are both funny. I started dying laughing and they know I smile at almost everything, so they were just saying stuff to make me miss. I think I made like 15 in a row then Jayson said something else again and I missed three in a row while he came back and beat me. So, my gosh, pushups. But that’s my dude though.

Q: How do you think you’ve fared in the early days of camp?

GW: I think I’ve adjusted well, and it's all about finding your fit and finding that mode and trying to do whatever it takes for the team to win. You try and just make an impact no matter how you that is, whether it's on the rebounding and defensive end, or finding an open shot. None of us has to be a guy that goes out and gets 50 because I think we’ve got depth. A lot of guys who can really put the ball in the basket. You look at guys like [Tatum], [Jaylen Brown], Gordon [Hayward], Kemba [Walker], down the line -- and Enes [Kanter] can score in the post. We’re just a team that is going to be really really hard to beat.

Q: You said over the summer that it was your goal to beat Hayward in 1-on1. Did you ever do it?

GW: We haven't played since that time. Hopefully in the future. We can't really do it now. Maybe at the end of season. We need him so I don’t want to bully him too much.

Q: From what you’ve seen this summer and at camp, is all the Hayward hype legitimate?

GW: He’s just more comfortable. He's a guy that you could tell last year was just kind of finding his way back. After any major injury, especially the one he sustained, you're gonna need some time. I think, with that time, he’s grown and not just as a player but in character. So he's more vocal, very much more of a leader. He's doing a great job of being a incredible teammate and also being an incredible guy that can really put the ball in the basket and defend.

Q: I heard your father was a bodyguard for Prince and other musicians?

GW: He's done a lot of stuff. He was the stage manager at concerts, he has been security for many celebrities, so there's a lot of things growing up that I was able to be a part of that I'm super happy about.

Q: Who’s the biggest star you got to meet?

GW: Just depends on what generation you’re thinking of. I remember going to Lil Wayne concerts and being able to meet him. I remember going to Charlie Wilson concerts and being able to meet him. So being at those events and just being able to meet those type of the guys -- I listen to all types of music because of it. Because my dad didn't stick to one genre, he didn’t stick to one type of person. So I just expanded, musically.

Q: Did I read you played nine instruments as a kid?

GW: Growing up, I played nine. Currently, I probably play one because, just like a language, if you don't practice them, you lose them.

Q: Can you name the nine instruments you played as a kid?

GW: Off the top of my head? I know I remember at least seven. So clarinet, violin, piano, drums, trumpet. I never did guitar or saxophone, and the saxophone is the one I'm most disappointed about. That's the one I want to learn. But there's a couple more because my brothers played flute. The ones that I was really good at were violin and piano, just because I enjoy playing the piano. I did not enjoy playing the violin. I definitely enjoyed playing the drums but it was just way too loud so I could get away with that.

Q: What do you want to learn next?

GW: I actually just bought a couple books for the keyboard that’s at my house here. I'm going to try and relearn that because that's one of the ones that takes time and just memory and getting back to it. Because I can play a song I remember but it's gonna be spotty. Like you’re gonna hit keys, different keys, and mess it up. So, to me, it's just like learning languages. I’m hoping to keep growing with Spanish. I already have. Then learn French, too.

Q: What about learning the language of NBA basketball and the new terminology?

GW: That stuff is the easiest to learn. Especially [compared to] being able to learn another language. I'm going to learn how to speak French with Vincent. I'm gonna have to learn how to say, ‘Get out and screen!’ Or ‘Screen! Screen!’

Q: There was a picture of you playing a soccer board game with Enes Kanter on social media. What was that?

GW: It was a flick soccer game, it was pretty cool. Crew Ainge brought it in, he put it in the facility. We were just playing it and it's pretty fun. I'm terrible at it but it's fun. Kanter, somehow, is amazing. I'm not gonna lie to you. He hit some shots where I’m just like he didn't intentionally do that. There's no way. I love board games. That's why I was like super excited to play and the fact that Kanter was good already, actually made me kind of upset.