New Charlotte forward Grant Williams grew up a Hornets fan while living in the city, enjoying watching Kemba Walker, who has become a close friend and mentor of his, according to The Charlotte Observer’s Shane Connuck. In his debut game, he helped his new team win for the first time since Jan. 22.
“I always thought it would be at the end of my career, but it’s kind of funny that it happened this way because it allows you to be part of something that can be built around,” Williams said. “You know, new ownership. New team. Bunch of guys who are young and talented. We have a chance to build something special here in the city.”
Williams and guard Seth Curry both have local ties. Both played high school basketball in Charlotte. Curry is also the son of former Hornets guard Dell Curry.
“We just have Mr. Curry in the back right there,” Williams said of Dell, who is now a Bally Sports Southeast TV analyst. “This is something that, as a kid, you always wanted to play for your hometown team. You always wanted to create something special — here. Because, as a kid, you want to get the same joy that you had at that age.”
Williams finished with 15 points and eight rebounds in his Charlotte debut.
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- Like Williams, new Hornets acquisition Vasilije Micic had a good first outing in his new digs. Though he played sparingly in Oklahoma City, Micic played 26 minutes and put up 18 points and nine assists in the Saturday win over the Grizzlies. Though he admitted he wasn’t expecting to play right away, he already won over head coach Steve Clifford, according to Eurohoops. “He knows where everybody is on the floor. He is a terrific passer and a good pick-and-roll player. And he’s got size,” Clifford said.
- New Heat two-way guard Alondes Williams turned heads with high-scoring performances this season, including a 55-point outing on Jan. 7. However, the development of other areas of his game is what ultimately led to the Heat promoting him to a two-way contract on Friday, according to the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang. Williams spent training camp with Miami before being waived and suiting up for their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce to begin the season. “It was more about the overall development,” Spoelstra said. “I think it’s easy to point to some big scoring games. That was really down the list for us. Sure, it’s great that he was able to have those kinds of nights. But it was really about previously playing the role, defending and doing a lot of intangibles and impacting winning while the rest of his game was improving.“
- Hawks guard Trent Forrest hit his 50th active game as a two-way player on Feb. 9 against the Sixers, observes Locked on Hawks’ Brad Rowland (Twitter link). He cannot appear in another game for the Hawks this season due to league rules regarding two-way contracts, unless he’s promoted to a standard deal. However, Atlanta has a full 15-man roster at the moment.