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1/7
I've written most all of this before, but here's a thread to offer some perspective and closure to the Gordon Hayward situation...
To begin, when he agreed to sign with the Celtics in July 2017, it was to be the frontcourt offensive counterpoint to Isaiah Thomas. A big role.
I've written most all of this before, but here's a thread to offer some perspective and closure to the Gordon Hayward situation...
To begin, when he agreed to sign with the Celtics in July 2017, it was to be the frontcourt offensive counterpoint to Isaiah Thomas. A big role.
2/7
Before the end of the next month, Isaiah was out and Kyrie Irving was in. Said Kyrie at their dual press conference, "It's about to be crazy, G."
Nobody realized quite how crazy it would get -- eventually with Irving, but first with Hayward's horrible injury in Game 1.
Before the end of the next month, Isaiah was out and Kyrie Irving was in. Said Kyrie at their dual press conference, "It's about to be crazy, G."
Nobody realized quite how crazy it would get -- eventually with Irving, but first with Hayward's horrible injury in Game 1.
3/7
What happened next pretty much wrote the final chapter of Hayward's Boston story well before its actual end.
Rookie Jayson Tatum embraced the increased opportunity. And, simply put, if C's knew Tatum was going to be that good that soon, they don't give Hayward 4 yrs/$128M.
What happened next pretty much wrote the final chapter of Hayward's Boston story well before its actual end.
Rookie Jayson Tatum embraced the increased opportunity. And, simply put, if C's knew Tatum was going to be that good that soon, they don't give Hayward 4 yrs/$128M.
4/7
They would have used that money elsewhere, avoiding a logjam. Still, Hayward was a key (when he could stay healthy). A major reason for the Celtics' playoff eliminations has been guys taking it on themselves, going 1-on-1. Hayward kept the ball -- and the offense -- moving.
They would have used that money elsewhere, avoiding a logjam. Still, Hayward was a key (when he could stay healthy). A major reason for the Celtics' playoff eliminations has been guys taking it on themselves, going 1-on-1. Hayward kept the ball -- and the offense -- moving.
5/7
When the Celts got out in transition and moved the rock, their multiple weapons made them near unstoppable (and pleasing to watch). When the ball stuck, so did the attack. Teammates finding open cutters encourages others to move without the ball more. The essence of offense.
When the Celts got out in transition and moved the rock, their multiple weapons made them near unstoppable (and pleasing to watch). When the ball stuck, so did the attack. Teammates finding open cutters encourages others to move without the ball more. The essence of offense.
6/7
The Celtics can well survive without Hayward if they do better with some of his habits. Tatum became a better passer as the year went on, and other primary scorers Kemba Walker & Jaylen Brown are bright people who clearly know how to play. It becomes a matter of development.
The Celtics can well survive without Hayward if they do better with some of his habits. Tatum became a better passer as the year went on, and other primary scorers Kemba Walker & Jaylen Brown are bright people who clearly know how to play. It becomes a matter of development.
7/7
It would've been hard to pay GH that much for his role, but 17.5 ppg was actually damn good w/his usage rate. And fact is, the chosen lineup was together too little.
Things just never worked out right.
In the end, Hayward was, as Curly would say, a victim of soicumstance...
It would've been hard to pay GH that much for his role, but 17.5 ppg was actually damn good w/his usage rate. And fact is, the chosen lineup was together too little.
Things just never worked out right.
In the end, Hayward was, as Curly would say, a victim of soicumstance...
