In the past, Grant Williams’ mouth led him into trouble. He was once benched by Ime Udoka for making excessive official complaints.
But Williams, and his current team, the Boston Celtics, suffered even worse consequences when the obnoxious forward engaged in a verbal altercation with Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler halfway through Game 2 of the East Conference Finals this year.
Williams, who started the argument by yelling at Butler after Butler made a 3-pointer, spoke candidly about the heated exchange on the “Run Your Race” podcast.
“That’s a funny thing that happened. We were playing that game, I think we were up by eight. I’m playing well,” said Williams, who scored nine points off the bench in the 111-105 defeat. “And Jimmy says like, ‘Hell nah, he ain’t here.’ So I made a three, I said, ‘Hell no, (expletive), I’m here.’”“That’s a funny thing that happened. We were playing that game, I think we were up by eight. I’m playing well,” said Williams, who scored nine points off the bench in the 111-105 defeat. “And Jimmy says like, ‘Hell nah, he ain’t here.’ So I made a three, I said, ‘Hell no, (expletive), I’m here.’”
Butler, however, got quite a response. The next time down the floor, Butler beat Williams with a and-one basket. The two came face to face after the bucket before being divided by teammates.
Williams said, “The next thing you know, that happens.” “Jimmy, the next play, (pause), boom boom, stop, pivot, and one.” I’m here, too, (expletive), he added. I exclaim, “I don’t give a (expletive),” as a result. It’s back and forth with us. I, for one, will not back down. That was lacking in that series. The entire time, they were pinning us.
Williams, who signed a sign-and-trade deal with the Dallas Mavericks this offseason after spending four seasons with the Boston Celtics, didn’t appear to have any regrets about what he did, despite criticism that he set Butler off and that his teammates didn’t stand up for him.
Williams thinks the story about him “poking the bear” was exaggerated and wouldn’t have been a big deal if the Celtics had managed to win the game.
The former Celtics forward also stated that there is no enmity between Butler and Williams.
Williams remarked, “Jimmy knows it’s all love because we’re just competitors, like naturally. He even remarked later, ‘Respect him because he’s a competitor. I simply do this routinely to get myself going. I replied that I respected that as well because everyone has their own preferences. However, we ended up losing that series, which is unfortunate because it means we’ll be playing in the Finals.