Hayward has definitively outplayed Morris in February - Implications?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Just listened to Bill Simmons recent podcast with Kevin O'Connor. Bill said that he has talked to guys in the organization and asked them why Hayward keeps getting minutes. They all have responded the same way, "He is killing it in practice." He went on to say that Hayward is the best player on the court in half of the practices.

In that sense, I applaud CBS for continuing to give him playing time. CBS is taking a lot of criticism, with some even suggesting a form of adopted nepotism, but CBS has remained committed to making the team they best they can be.

[mgent]

Just listened to Bill Simmons recent podcast with Kevin O'Connor. Bill said that he has talked to guys in the organization and asked them why Hayward keeps getting minutes. They all have responded the same way, "He is killing it in practice." He went on to say that Hayward is the best player on the court in half of the practices.

In that sense, I applaud CBS for continuing to give him playing time. CBS is taking a lot of criticism, with some even suggesting a form of adopted nepotism, but CBS's has remained committed to making the team they best they can be.

Makes sense that All Star Hayward would appear in practice before real games.  Shows that it's a comfort zone issue.

[csfansince60s]

Just listened to Bill Simmons recent podcast with Kevin O'Connor. Bill said that he has talked to guys in the organization and asked them why Hayward keeps getting minutes. They all have responded the same way, "He is killing it in practice." He went on to say that Hayward is the best player on the court in half of the practices.

In that sense, I applaud CBS for continuing to give him playing time. CBS is taking a lot of criticism, with some even suggesting a form of adopted nepotism, but CBS's has remained committed to making the team they best they can be.

TP...good find.

Translation: It's primarily in Hayward's head.

I concur!

[Silky]

Just listened to Bill Simmons recent podcast with Kevin O'Connor. Bill said that he has talked to guys in the organization and asked them why Hayward keeps getting minutes. They all have responded the same way, "He is killing it in practice." He went on to say that Hayward is the best player on the court in half of the practices.

In that sense, I applaud CBS for continuing to give him playing time. CBS is taking a lot of criticism, with some even suggesting a form of adopted nepotism, but CBS's has remained committed to making the team they best they can be.

TP...good find.

Translation: It's primarily in Hayward's head.

I concur!

His brain was broken mentally.

Nice to see him getting it back a bit.

[csfansince60s]

Just listened to Bill Simmons recent podcast with Kevin O'Connor. Bill said that he has talked to guys in the organization and asked them why Hayward keeps getting minutes. They all have responded the same way, "He is killing it in practice." He went on to say that Hayward is the best player on the court in half of the practices.

In that sense, I applaud CBS for continuing to give him playing time. CBS is taking a lot of criticism, with some even suggesting a form of adopted nepotism, but CBS's has remained committed to making the team they best they can be.

TP...good find.

Translation: It's primarily in Hayward's head.

I concur!

His brain was broken mentally.

Nice to see him getting it back a bit.

It was GREAT to see him have the game he did vs Philly. On the road, quality opponent....Excellent.

Here's hoping he keeps it up. A healthy and strongly contributing Hayward will go a long way to keeping Kyrie around.

[mctyson]

It depends what you want to prioritize.  If you want the ball moving it is Hayward, if you want to slow it down and iso it is Morris.

[Celtics4ever]

depends what you want to prioritize.  If you want the ball moving it is Hayward, if you want to slow it down and iso it is Morris.

We all know CBS wants the former.

[Big333223]

I don't like the idea of a guy losing his starting spot because of 7 games.

It's too few games to make that determination and it's also too few games for the averages to mean much. Hayward's shot .524 from 3 during this stretch but removing just a single game from the data drops that number to .357. Hayward should get credit for improved play recently but let's have some perspective.

[ozgod]

Just listened to Bill Simmons recent podcast with Kevin O'Connor. Bill said that he has talked to guys in the organization and asked them why Hayward keeps getting minutes. They all have responded the same way, "He is killing it in practice." He went on to say that Hayward is the best player on the court in half of the practices.

In that sense, I applaud CBS for continuing to give him playing time. CBS is taking a lot of criticism, with some even suggesting a form of adopted nepotism, but CBS's has remained committed to making the team they best they can be.

Makes sense that All Star Hayward would appear in practice before real games.  Shows that it's a comfort zone issue.

I said this months ago, that his issues are mental, which include being unsure of how he fits in, not wanting to step on anyone's toes, not wanting to be "the guy" that wrecks the chemistry of last year's team. The first few months he looked like he didn't know how to mesh with his teammates. Add to this the fact that he was genuinely shooting terrible, he didn't have much lift so didn't feel confident driving, and then his hesitancy/fear to put himself in positions where he might suffer a re-break (anyone who has had a fracture of anything will understand what this feels like). Then finally his teammates weren't passing the ball to him much (whether by design or not).

We've said this many times, each time Gordon has a decent game, we think he's turning the corner. I don't think he's quite there yet. This run of good play has coincided with lots of minutes and a higher usage rate due to Kyrie and then Rozier being out. There's still going to be single digit games where he looks like he struggles to involve himself, particularly when everyone is back and healthy and minutes drop. But this is the best run he's put together yet though, and as the season comes to a close he will have more and more of these good runs and less of the single digit games.

For those reasons I would keep things as is for now. Changing starting lineups and things always have the risk of disrupting team chemistry particularly with a team this loaded. We had 2 dismal losses but we've won 12 of 15 even if 10 of those teams were sub-500. Let's see how far they can take it with this setup. Besides, we haven't really had problems starting games, not since the early part of the season - it's the 2nd and 3rd quarters that have been our issue. If anything Brad can mix up who starts in the 3rd if that continues to be a problem.

[Chris22]

Morris and Hayward play two different positions.

[Big333223]

Morris and Hayward play two different positions.

Morris replaced Hayward in the starting lineup. We can talk about "positionless basketball" but for all intents and purposes, they play the same position.

[smokeablount]

Morris and Hayward play two different positions.

Morris replaced Hayward in the starting lineup. We can talk about "positionless basketball" but for all intents and purposes, they play the same position.

Yeah, weren't Hayward and Tatum the opening day starters at forward the game of Hayward's injury?

That's why I suggested he replace Mook, not because he plays PF, but because of the forward pairing with Tatum.

[More Banners]

My hunch would be that by the end of the year we're back to the game 1 starting 5, except with Smart starting next to Kyrie because Kyrie likes it.

So Al starts, then it's Brown/Tatum/Hayward in 2 spots. Tough call, but Morris is just a doggone ball stopper.  I won't miss him next year.

[cman88]

is it really a surprise though that Morris is coming back to earth and Hayward is starting to play better than him?

Morris was playing out of his mind the first half of the year, and well above his normal ceiling. Gordon hayward was an all-star two years ago who was playing well below his ceiling.

So, the law of averages would say as hayward gets healthier he will be closer to that all-star calibar player. and Morris wont be able to keep up his ridiculously hot shooting.

[SHAQATTACK]

Lordy Lordy Mista Gordy

take us to the promised land