Well, hopefully the Jazz get swept now in order to increase the chance of Hayward considering leaving.
Hayward scored 29 points even with Golden State hounding and defending him VERY WELL.
I'll admit, that's impressive.
Not enough to beat GSW though.
Would Hayward on this Celtics team be enough to dethrone Cleveland?
You'd still need an upgrade (a legit starter) at the 4 between Horford and Hayward, but I think it'd be close, depending upon what other moves we made.
Now on the other hand, I still hold that signing Griffin alone would put us right in the conversation with Cleveland, let alone the other additions we make.
I just think we need much more of an upgrade at that big position that signing Hayward is only as good as the improvement that we get at the 4.
I agree with needing an upgrade with the bigs to help Horford, but Griffin is iffy. He's been out the last two playoffs. Kinda like AB, great when he's on the floor, when he's not hurt and off it.
Hayward moves the needled, great ball handler, moves side to side, has every shot on the floor, and tough. Better defender than credit, maybe not as strong as Crowder, but moves his feet better.
Maybe C's and pull Ibaka for cheap away form Toronto, or send a pick and Young to NY for O'Quinn.
But with our picks we could have
IT/Smart/Rozeir
AB/Fultz
Hayward/Crowder/Brown
Ibaka or Quinn/Yabu
Hiordord/Zizic
Maybe KO? GReen? not sure how things would work with signing Hawyard.
But that bench, man, you'd have a great scoring and defensive bench. Even if its Jackson, it's still good. Stronger defensively, but man thats an athletic team on top of it.
WE'd have more of a hockey team, just roll out line after line, punch after punch. Could be fun. Hayward gives the starting and finishing unit an other guy who can get his own, and space the floor for IT.