Grant Williams on How He Slowed Down Giannis
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Grant Williams on How He Slowed Down Giannis
The Celtics’ Grant Williams played a big role in their Game 2 win.
You can never stop a superstar like Giannis Antekuonmpo.
Players like him are too big, too strong, too skilled, and too dominant.
However, you can slow them down.
And this is exactly what the Boston Celtics’ Grant Williams did to help his team tie up the series with the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round.
In Game 1, Giannis had his way.
The Greek Freak rolled up into Boston like an antelope king (pun intended) and tore up TD Garden Arena with a triple-double (24 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists), helping the Bucks beat the Celtics in a 101-89 win.
But in Game 2, things weren’t so easy.
Giannis still filled the boxscore, but he didn’t fill it up as much as in the previous game and couldn’t create for his team. And this small difference was enough for the Celtics to pull out a 109-86 victory.
So, what changed?
Well, it was because Celtics’ Head Coach Ime Udoka changed up the game plan and gave Williams the tough assignment of defending Giannis.
Oh, and he also poured in 21 points.
During the post-game presser, Williams shared his philosophy for how he was able to slow down his opponent and hold him to 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists (I did say superstars can’t be stopped earlier).
Via Slam Online:
“I view it as guarding him on an island where it’s just you and him, and you have to do your job… he started being a lot more aggressive in the second half and getting downhill and creating for himself. But, it’s just one of those things you just hunker down and trust the work you’ve done and do your best to contain one of the best players in the world.”
Now, the next question to ponder is: Will Williams be able to do this again next game? And if he can, will it help the Celtics get the series lead?
NBA Newswire
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