Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams is a bozo. At least that’s if you listen to Draymond Green.

Former Tennessee basketball player Ron Slay would disagree. Slay said Williams is a key cog for the Celtics and a boost in recruiting now that he’s playing in the NBA Finals. Slay said he’s heard multiple high school players cite success in the pros as a reason they should attend a certain school. Williams is having that success on national television while every other team’s offseason has begun.

“I would think that people underplay that if anything,” Slay said when asked about Williams’ effect on recruiting during Off The Hook with Dave Hooker on Wednesday.

Williams, a former Tennessee basketball standout, is nothing but a clown to Green now that the two are meeting in the NBA Finals. That’s what Green repeatedly called Williams during the first two games of the series against the Celtics. That figures to continue in the third game of the series, which is tied 1-1, on Wednesday night. 

Some of the name calling is certainly gamesmanship. Green knows how to push buttons. He knows how to get under an opposing player’s skin. Something tells me that won’t work against Williams, who seems to be playing with house money in just his third season in the NBA.

Green knows the playoffs considerably better than Williams. He’s an NBA Finals regular and has three championships in his career, partly because he is elite when it comes to irritating opponents. Why is Green so intent on knocking Williams off his game? Maybe he thinks his newfound opponent is that good.

For Williams, the intense, championship-level trash talk is new. This is his first time in the NBA Finals and he’s going against one of the most intimidating players in the league.

Let’s keep in mind that Green, who is a long established star in the NBA, is known mostly for two things: his play and his habit of attacking opponents in the nether regions. So, let’s consider the source before we get Williams fitted for a big red nose and oversized shoes. Most would deem Green a clown over Williams any day.

Williams should consider Green’s verbal attacks a compliment. Simply interacting with Williams is something for the former Vol to be proud of. After all, no one thought that Williams would ever be in this position. Williams was a very good college basketball player at Tennessee, but a key player on a potential world championship team? No chance, right?

Williams was named first-team All American and a two-time SEC Player of the Year at Tennessee. Still, no one saw him being a household name among NBA fan circles – even after he was selected with the 22nd pick of the NFL Draft. Unlike the NFL, draft selections that low in the NBA are far from a guarantee to be a standout player and often have an extremely short life in the NBA. Not Williams.

Williams is a little bit of everything for the Boston Celtics. He can shoot clutch three pointers, is a deft passer in the Celtics’ sharing offense, is a standout defender and he’s about as animated as any young player in the league.

Clown or not, Williams is a joy to watch. More than any other player on the court, Williams is getting the most out of his ability. Williams isn’t as talented as Green or most of the players battling it out for a title, which continues in Game Three on Wednesday night. However, Williams has made a name for himself in a series of notable stars. He may not be the Celtics’ best player, but he plays a key role.

Williams is one of a couple of “sixth” men for the Celtics. He comes in after the game has settled and simply plays hard. Williams is a boost off the bench. It’s palpable when Williams enters the game. His play and energy should never be overlooked. 

Williams is also a joy to watch for those that make NBA viewing a playoff affair only. Williams is always talking to the officials and has a constant look of surprise no matter what happens. Williams, with his mouth agape, is the type of player that will take a hit in blackjack with an 18 and act surprised when he busts. However, Williams acts surprised in such a gentlemanly manner that no one seems offended. Well, other than Green.

The fact that Williams is already under Green’s skin is a plus for Williams and the Celtics. Normally, it takes a player a few games to annoy a star like Green. In this case, it took just a few minutes in a Game One win by the Celtics.

There is no telling what or where Williams might be in the near future. The NBA is a very transient league and the Celtics have shown they are willing to make aggressive, sometimes surprising, moves to shake up their roster.

There is also the fact that Williams might want more money and a starting role one day. Who could blame him? However, if Williams leaves the Celtics, he’s essentially in another version of the NBA Draft lottery. We’ve seen players have strong runs then take other deals and play somewhere out west in obscurity. Clearly, there’s better name recognition with the Celtics than most of the other teams in the NBA. Would Williams eventually take less money to stay in Boston? Well, that depends on his role and how different the contract offers actually are.

For Williams, there should only be one thought about his future: patience. Williams will either get a hefty raise in the near future or he will find greener pastures elsewhere. Williams is under a manageable cap number for now and he still has another year on his contract. The Celtics would love to keep him, but he’ll be due a significant raise heading into the 2023-24 season. That could be in Boston or elsewhere. For now, Williams is a key player on an elite team.

For now, enjoy the clown show.