In 2019, a few days before Christmas, point guard Kemba Walker and power forward Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics traveled to play the Dallas Mavericks and won 109-103.
The game, which in the grand scheme of things didn’t signify much because it was a non-conference game in the middle of the month before the All-Star break, did have an effect on the two. Williams had scored seven points and Walker had scored 32, but the total wasn’t what made that night memorable. It was the amount of chemistry rookie Williams felt with his new teammates at the time.
Walker declared after the game, “Our growth as a team is getting better.” Chemistry “is improving each and every day.” The Boston Celtics went on to lose to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals that year. But even though that season ended in a terrible way, Williams clung to his friendship with Walker for many more years.
Williams said on The Hoop Chat with Emily Austin, “Kemba’s one of the finest vets, if not the best, I’ve had. He is a selfless person. He’ll always give you the clothes off his back. That was accurate for Williams and Walker in Boston four years ago. Williams joined the Mavs this offseason via a sign-and-trade deal involving the Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. Walker continued to play for Dallas last season, although for a brief period of time in what appeared to be his final NBA season.
Williams and Walker didn’t have another opportunity to play together, but their friendship is still strong in large part because of the time they spent living together during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Walker moved in with Walker so he could get a chance to spend time with him one-on-one since he was concerned about making his grandparents ill in 2020.
One of the nicest and most helpful things [Kemba] could have done for me, according to Williams, was to open up his home. In particular at that period. Addition Williams He made sure I was practicing and ready in case we ever returned, but he also made sure we felt at ease with one another. playing board games, playing video games, or simply just giving each other space.
Williams and Walker were no longer in close contact after the Orlando NBA bubble resumed, save from the time they spent together at practices and games, but their friendship persisted. Williams won’t likely be Walker’s teammate on the Mavericks this season, but he will get the opportunity to play alongside seasoned pros Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The aim is that over the next years, despite the celebrity power of those names, they can develop a similar bond with their new partner.
Williams will probably prosper if the synergy in Dallas’ locker room can even come close to that of Williams’ time in Boston, which is something the Mavs undoubtedly hope for as they aim to return to the playoffs this upcoming season.
