In the NBA, Halloween often brings out the inner child of players and coaches, alike. Sometimes, it gives them an opportunity to reveal their true identity.
With the Celtics in action on Oct. 30, Grant Williams let us in on the secret of his true identity by arriving at TD Garden fully decked out in a Batman costume, though the costume itself didn’t exactly appear to be tailor-made for his 6-foot-6 frame.
Batman Returns 🦇 pic.twitter.com/CotlqxWtiG
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 30, 2022
It’s one thing to just show up in the costume, but it’s another to fully lean into being Batman.
Williams did just that.
After a solid 10-point performance in a Celtics win, Williams Batman made his way to the podium to field questions from the reporters in attendance. It looked as hilarious as it sounds.
Batman is at the podium 😂@Grant2Will @celtics pic.twitter.com/KBbvWfFNSk
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 31, 2022
Not only did Williams answer questions in the costume, but he also did so while doing his best Batman impression, telling reporters that “we kept Boston safe,” when asked what it took to get a win.
“For us to stay special we have to stay locked in, night in and night out”
Batman with strong words on the Celtics win 😂 @Grant2Will pic.twitter.com/sA6aSdvbdR
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 31, 2022
Impressively, Williams did not break character during his impression. That is, until Jayson Tatum caught wind of what was going on, which prompted an even funnier reaction from all parties involved.
Grant being Grant…
Tatum: Wtf are you doing!? 😂@Grant2Will @jaytatum0 pic.twitter.com/j8WzACgP9r
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 31, 2022
Despite temporarily breaking character, Williams fought back laughter and ultimately completed the entire interview as Batman, conceding that Christian Bale is the second-best Batman. First? Williams’ non-verbal cues hinted that he thinks he is the best Batman, even if Tatum isn’t in on it.
You have to respect Williams’ commitment to the bit. He first asked to be called Batman after putting forth a solid defensive performance against Nikola “The Joker” Jokic in March, though he clarified that it wasn’t simply derived from Jokic’s nickname.
It wasn’t just because of the whole Joker thing. It was more so I’m not the most athletic, I’m not the most incredible, but brains and then like everything else you work with.
Jaylen Brown couldn’t get behind it then and neither could Tatum, who couldn’t conceptualize calling Williams, Batman.
“I can’t understand why Grant would want to be called Batman… I’m gone call him Grant, not calling him no damn Batman” @jaytatum0 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/EcG9W4joeI
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 21, 2022
Perhaps if Williams continues to impress while keeping Boston safe, his teammates will eventually concede and refer to him as his true identity of Batman.
