CelticsBlog exit interview: Amari Williams follows big man developmental path through Maine

The Boston Celtics selected big man Amari Williams with the 46th pick of the 2025 NBA draft. Williams would become the first-ever British-born player for the Boston Celtics in franchise history.

Amari played four years at Drexel before a single season with the Kentucky Wildcats and being selected in the 2nd round. Brad Stevens said of Williams in a July 8th press conference that Amari “has a great chance to be impactful here.” Stevens would also praise his knack for passing and cited that Williams “has a high upside.” Williams had a lukewarm debut in Las Vegas. The 7-footer appeared in four of the team’s Summer League games, averaging a modest 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per outing.

He was solid enough, but didn’t break out in the same way that other rookies have previously in Vegas. That all changed in Maine, though, as Amari impressed the fans and coaches with some eye-popping stat lines. The two-way player recorded multiple double-double outings while dominating the paint for Maine. His best performance came against Sioux Falls with 26 points, 12 boards, and eight assists in an overtime win.

UNIONDALE, NY – MARCH 19: Amari Williams #77 of the Maine Celtics looks to pass the ball during the game against the Long Island Nets on March 19, 2026 at The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Evan Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Amari Williams earned minutes for the Celtics after impressing in the G-League, Joe Mazzulla and co. trusting in the young big enough for him to see the court in 22 games in his rookie campaign. Amari started two games for the Celtics and held his own against NBA competition.

Amari’s best game of the season for the Celtics came on January 27th against Portland. Luka Garza was injured, and Amari was the first big off the bench for Boston as he spelled Neemias Queta with 9 points, 7 boards, and 2 blocks in 26 minutes of action against Donovan Clingan and former Celtic Robert Williams III.

On February 7th, 2026, Brad Stevens gave a glowing assessment of Williams, saying that “I think Amari has a real chance to be a player.” With the roster in flux and the Cs in cap management mode, Amari was converted from his two-way contract to sign a two-year, $2.7 million deal, a decent team-friendly deal for a third-string frontcourt player.

Most of his points came on dunks or layups during the regular season, but Amari did show off a baby hook shot in a few games. In his limited NBA minutes, Amari also showed that he is not just a willing passer, but a pretty good one for a seven-footer, quickly spraying passes out to the three-point line from inside the key.

Defensively, Williams has shown one distinct attribute that shows he can hang in the NBA: blocking shots. Amari has tremendous leaping instincts with good timing and really long arms to swat the ball away. He has shown this past season that he can help from the weak side and also get up quick in 1-v-1 situations.

Jan 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Amari Williams (77) blocks the shot of Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

He’s still got room to develop further, but the tools are there to become a decent backup big man for many years. Boston has developed really serviceable big men recently in Queta and Kornet. Hopefully, Amari will follow the same developmental trajectory.

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Wembanyama, Spurs show poise, maturity beyond their years, are headed to Finals because of it

OKLAHOMA CITY — Poise. Maturity. Answering the opponents runs by knocking down big shots, or getting a key block. Digging deep when tested and finding a new level of performance and execution. Doing it all in the highest stakes game in a hostile environment.

That's what veteran teams do, what tested teams do. What champions do.

Except, in Game 7 on Saturday night, it wasn't the champion Thunder, it was the young and untested Spurs who did all those things in the Western Conference Finals. They kept their heads about them, at least until the final buzzer, when Wembanyama could be seen in tears.
"This feeling, I can't explain it," Wembanyama said. "It's so powerful."

It’s Wembanyama, Spurs world

Early in the season, when the Thunder started 24-1, how this season was going to play out felt inevitable. It was going to be Thunder dynasty talk.

By Christmas, the Spurs had punctured that narrative and started to build one of their own.

San Antonio got to this moment — and to the NBA Finals — faster than anyone projected — even themselves.

At media day prior to the start of training camp, Wembanyama talked about making the playoffs as a top-six seed and avoiding the play-in tournament. There wasn't one "ah-ha" moment where San Antonio suddenly realized they could be this great or contend, Wembanyama said, they just focused on building good habits and stacked those one on top of the other. That's what built the confidence, the belief.

It also helped that the Spurs have a tight-knit and mature locker room. The off-court connectivity carried over to the hardwood.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson had been downplaying the idea of Oklahoma City's championship experience mattering since before this Western Conference Finals started. He said his team has the experience that matters.

"Experience, a lot of times, is used in the form of 'best use' or the lack thereof when you need it the most. And people don't talk about as much the habits, the character, the togetherness, the competitive response..." Johnson said. "And this team has now been pretty damn consistent for a long time...

"I don't know who has as much experience as we do this year in the season of 2025-26."

Full Spurs team effort

Wembanyama was good in this game — 22 points, seven rebounds — and with that was named the Western Conference Finals MVP.

But he wasn't elite in Game 7 (Shai Gilgous-Alexander was the best player on the court). What the Spurs and Wembanyama had was poise and depth as a team. Julian Champagnie made six 3-pointers, some of them back-breaking for the Thunder. Stephon Castle continued his ascent and scored 16. Dylan Harper was making everyone forget he is a rookie, scoring a dozen off the bench.

It wasn't just the kids in San Antonio. One of the veterans on this team, Luke Kornet, was forced into action in the fourth quarter when Wembanyama picked up his fifth foul of the night. Then Kornet went out and made maybe the play of the game.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME LUKE KORNET???

WILD CHASEDOWN BLOCK IN TRANSITION

THE TYPE OF PLAYS YOU NEED TO WIN A GAME 7. pic.twitter.com/FP5Z4T0LHw

— NBA (@NBA) May 31, 2026

"I think, in a way, it probably saved me from myself... in terms of he probably needed a break," Johnson said of Wembanyama's foul trouble. "I probably wouldn't have given him one if I didn't have to because of the fouls. And, obviously, playing Monday morning quarterback, Luke was awesome, so it feels good now."

It felt good to Wemby, who was emotional on the podium.

"There's just so many big-time plays, so many guys stepping up," an emotional Wembanyama said. "Oh my god, it's an unreal chance [to play in the Finals]. My life is amazing, and being with these guys, living these things with these guys that I love so, so, so much. It's amazing."

That buzz from winning the Western Conference Finals will wear off, but the Spurs have gained all the experience they needed to reach and win the NBA Finals, showing off their poise and maturity along the way.

Anyone who doubts the Spurs are ready for that bigger stage has not been paying attention the past two weeks. This team has all the poise, maturity, and most importantly, talent it needs.

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Aidan Hutchinson pleased with his 2025, aspires to be Defensive Player of the Year in 2026

Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was asked at Organized Team Activities if he has aspirations to be the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year for the 2026 season, and he confirmed that he wants to be recognized as the best.

"Do I have aspirations for Defensive Player of the Year? Yeah, the mentality is always that, for sure," Hutchinson said.

In 2024, Hutchinson was the betting favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year before his season ended with a gruesome leg injury. In 2025, Hutchinson says, he was happy to show he could get back on the field, and to sign a long-term contract extension with the Lions.

"I'm really happy with last year, with what I did with a lot going on, whether that be contract, whether that be expectation from people seeing me break my leg, there was a lot of stuff that happened last year," Hutchinson said. "To have the production I had, I'm really happy with how last year went, and this year, I got to have a full offseason to train and get my body right."

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CelticsBlog exit interview: we didn’t get to see enough of Nikola Vučević

Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) moves the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This one is a bit personal for me.

I’ve been a Nikola Vučević fan since he was traded from Philadelphia to Orlando, and for years I hoped the Montenegrin big man would eventually suit up for the Boston Celtics. That trade to Orlando happened back in 2012, when I was still in high school. Fast forward 14 years, and the wish finally came true when Boston acquired Vučević.

Unfortunately, 12 games into his Celtics tenure, Vučević suffered a fractured right ring finger against the Dallas Mavericks and missed the next 14 games.

In the 16 regular-season games he played for Boston, Vučević averaged 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and two assists while shooting 34% from 3-point range and 43.9% from the field.

The numbers don’t jump out, but there are plenty of explanations as to why he wasn’t an instant fit. 

The biggest factor was the injury. Vučević simply didn’t get enough time on the court with his new teammates to learn everyone’s tendencies and settle into the system. From the moment he arrived in Boston, he was already playing catch-up.

Vučević has never been known as a great defender, so adjusting to Joe Mazzulla’s system was always going to take time. With such a strong emphasis on communication and knowing every assignment, he needed reps that he ultimately never got. By the time he returned from injury, he had only four games left in the regular season to ramp up before the playoffs began.

Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens also acknowledged the impact the injury had on Vučević’s season. “He’s our only unrestricted free agent. I thought, obviously, getting traded here when he did, he had some moments. Broke his finger, that probably set him back,” Stevens said. 

There were flashes during the season that showed what Vučević could bring to the roster. Against Brooklyn, he posted 28 points and 11 rebounds. In his Celtics debut against Miami, he recorded a double-double in a win.

In the playoffs, though, Vučević struggled. 

Facing the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round was never an ideal matchup for him, and that showed throughout most of the series. His season ultimately ended with a DNP-CD in Game 7.

“This was a hard matchup for all of us. I think when I looked at it the other day, he ended up being a plus in the series, but it was back and forth with all those guys,” Stevens said.

“I thought Vuč gave us all that he had and did what we asked. It was a hard matchup,” Stevens added. “I have a lot of respect for Vuč as a person and as a pro. I know he was really good in our locker room. I thought he was a really good person to have around.”

As the team’s lone unrestricted free agent, it’ll be interesting to see what Vučević prioritizes this offseason. Is it money? A contender? A mix of both?

If the Celtics want him back, they can certainly offer him a chance to compete for another title, though it would likely need to come on a team-friendly contract, if not a veteran minimum deal.

If Vučević is open to returning, I’d be all for bringing him back on a reasonable contract. He’s still a solid frontcourt option and could provide valuable depth alongside Neemias Queta and Luka Garza.

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CSR Weekend Warriors: 5/29-5/31

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

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49ers News: Jack Bouwmeester is an all-time NFL name

Why Jack Bouwmeester hasn’t joined the 49ers for OTAs yet
“According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Bouwmeester is still waiting for his work visa to be processed before he can officially join the team. 

“Bouwmeester ostensibly is competing with Corliss Waitman to be the 49ers’ punter this season, but cannot join OTAs until the paperwork is processed,” Barrows wrote.” 

Why Colton McKivitz believes 49ers’ offensive line will be even better in 2026
“I think Connor Colby has come a long way,” McKivitz said. “You never know how your rookie season is going to go. It can be really good or really bad. You learn a lot. You’re kind of flying by the seat of your pants and you don’t have a lot of technique. You’re just thrown in. It’s a whirlwind. 

“We’ll see in July, but to see him come out of his rookie season and take a breath and now come in a little rejuvenated. He understands the scheme a little more, and to see him come out and play faster, it’s good to see.” 

Why the 49ers signing Joey Bosa is unlikely despite NFL-high salary cap space
“The 49ers are currently a league-high $70 million under the salary cap. Because unused cap space rolls over from one season to the next, San Francisco views it as a necessity to create that cushion to get the books in line for the 2027 season.”

49ers’ Australia journey might not be their longest trip of the 2026 NFL season
“The 49ers plan to train at altitude leading up to the game in Mexico City. As they did in 2022, the 49ers will practice at the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado, at an elevation of approximately 7,200 feet.”

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Position battles to watch – The Splash Zone 5/29/26

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: JuJu Brents #32 of the Miami Dolphins plays against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Miami Dolphins has gone through an overhaul this past offseason. They got rid of the overpriced, aging players and brought in plenty of young talent to compete. There’s going to be plenty of position battles to keep an eye on, thanks to the new faces coming in. In the secondary, the Dolphins will be looking for two new starting cornerbacks and two new starting safeties. Rookie Chris Johnson is a favorite to win one of those cornerback spots with veterans JuJu Brents, Storm Duck, and Darrell Baker Jr. being in the mix for the other spot.

You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.

Breaking Down Where Starting Jobs Are Up For Grabs (And Where They Are Not)
The Miami Dolphins have a lot of new faces on their roster and there will be some clear battles for starting positions

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Jeff Hafley

Inside Hafley’s Quest for the Ideal Nickel Back
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley has some thoughts on what he’s looking for from the nickel position

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Dolphins Defensive Line

Sieler On the Spot to Make His Wish Come True
Veteran defensive tackle Zach Sieler is now the longest-tenured player on the Miami Dolphins

Sizing Up Sieler’s 2019 Reference (And What He Left Out)
Miami Dolphins veterans are not interested in hearing about the gloom and doom that’s predicted for them in 2026

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Dolphins Offseason

Which 2025 Draft Pick Is Best Positioned for a Big Second Season?
There’s naturally a lot of focus on how the 2026 draft picks could help the Miami Dolphins next season, but what about the previous draft class?

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Phinsider News You May Have Missed

De’Von Achane recovering from shoulder surgery – The Splash Zone 5/28/26
Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours.

Troy Aikman working with Dolphins “pains” former teammate Michael Irvin
Aikman wanted to work for Cowboys; instead brought his talents to Dolphins.

Dolphins work out free agent running back
Former Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White worked out for Miami Dolphins.

Miami Dolphins Fans Arguments For Being A Fan Of The Team
Miami Dolphins fans share why others should be fans of the team.

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