Silver linings:
1. We had no Gordon Hayward and no Marcus Morris, and we still almost beat the Cavs. After mediocre games from Love, Wade and Rose forced Lebron to pretty much do everything - nothing new there, and could be the first indication of how compromised this Clevleand team might be.
2. Jayson Tatum just registered a 14/10/3 double-double on solid 45% shooting in his first NBA game against one of the leagues top teams - a great start to his pro career. Regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench this year (I assume Smart will start at SG, Brown at SF, Tatum as the 6th man) he should get starters minutes. If he can average quality numbers on a legit playoff team, he will have a very serious ROTY shot. Tatum also finished second on the team at a +6 and was pretty much a + through the entire game.
3. Jaylen Brown just opened up with a monster game, putting up 25 points on 48% shooting along with 6 rebounds and 3 steals. If could up up even a fraction of those numbers (18 and 5 on 45% shooting, for example) then that will not only give his career a huge boost, but will also help make up a great deal of what we lose with the Hayward injury.
4. Rozier had a very solid game tonight with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and zero turnovers in 19 minutes. If Brad starts Smart and Brown, then Rozier's role and minutes will increase in a huge way - as he will pretty much become the defacto leader of the second unit. There will be a fantastic opportunity for him to develop fast and to show what he can do.
5. Tatum and Brown should both easily get 28+ MPG now, and Rozier will likely get minutes up in the 20-25 minute range. This injury will mean all three guys will have a far greater opportunity to develop fast. If all three can excel in their roles, then this will only make the team exponentially stronger once Hayward returns next season.
6. Kyrie quietly had a pretty spectacular first game as a Celtic, putting up a double-double with 22 points (47% shooting, 44% 3PT), 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and only 2 turnovers. He's starting to show more and more that he really does have some legit potential as a true PG, with this now being his second straight game with double figure assists.