Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Adebayo, Williams back to their roots
Eastern Conference finals part of enduring battle between Heat’s Adebayo, Celtics’ Williams
With the Miami Heat up 2-1 in the Eastern Conference finals, one would expect it would be the Boston Celtics who would be trying to get even.
But from the perspective of Celtics forward Grant Williams, there still is an upper hand on the Heat’s Bam Adebayo, one that comes from a position of significant respect.
While Adebayo has been a force in the best-of-seven series that continues Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex, and
while Williams has been more of a complementary presence during his rookie season, Williams took time to note during this three-day break one edge he holds, or at least had held.
With the two standing as leading prospects in North Carolina, it was Williams, at Charlotte’s Providence Day, who twice defeated Adebayo, at High Point Christian, in high-profile matchups during their senior season in high school. Williams and his Tennessee Volunteers then scored a significant road victory over Adebayo and Kentucky during their lone season as Southeastern Conference opponents.
“He’s improved so much,” Williams said, as the teams continued preparations for Wednesday’s Game 4 in the quarantine setting, amid the coronavirus pandemic. “We were actually talking about this with my father the other night. He’s improved so much in his game.
“Back when we were younger, he was somebody you could predict where he’s going, maybe take a charge or be in position. As a guy as strong as myself I was able to be physically not be pushed around as much. But now you kind of have to guard a lot of different things. His hook shot from his right hand. He’s explosive going both ways. He’s able to not only physically muster his way through, but also athletically he moves I think a little bit better than he used to, as well. He’s kind of got his body in shape.”
Adebayo is coming off a 27-point, 16-rebound performance in the Heat’s 117-109 Saturday Game 3 loss. But it was Williams who enjoyed another victory in the personal rivalry.
“Definitely looking back on that, it probably doesn’t mean much,” Williams said of their history. “We always tease each other, or I tease him more so, because I’m always like, ‘Oh, what’s the record in our career?’ But then next thing you know, he’s done a good job of getting that thing either back to even, I don’t know what it is now.
“But it’s definitely an experience that it’s cool to be able to be in this position with him, playing against him. It’s the best man moving forward. Whoever makes it, you’ve got to pat on the back to the other man.”
Getting a handle on Adebayo remains a Celtics focus as they try to even the series.
“Yeah, he’s a super talented player,” Williams said. “He’s a guy I’ve known my whole life. He does a good job of playing with the guys around him. He’s surrounded by a bunch of shooters, so when you get so focused on them, next thing you know, it opens up slips or fake handoffs for him, and Kelly [Olynyk] and guys like that.
“We just have to do a better job of understanding what we’re doing in those certain situations, with coverages as well as how we’re defending him with not only just ball pressure, but also with being able to guard the guys running off every screen.”