Hayward takes a step back and allows other to shine

[rollie mass]

I thought Hayward allowed others the spotlight.no jacking shots. He just played basketball and went with the flow.
Some will think because he is so highly paid that 9 points is a bad game.

[Neurotic Guy]

I thought Hayward allowed others the spotlight.no jacking shots. He just played basketball and went with the flow.
Some will think because he is so highly paid that 9 points is a bad game.

It was the turnovers that bothered me, not the points.

[KGs Knee]

I'd like to see him take on more of a point forward role.  Let him initiate more of the offense for others, he has good court vision and passing skills.  Tatum and Brown are finishers not really creators.  Kemba can function fine in either role.

[MichiganAdam]

Points have been about right.  I hope assists for Hayward and Kemba will increase and rebounds for kanter.  We need a few more easier buckets.  Also want them to get back to 80% on free throws.

[ozgod]

Hayward has always been unselfish. Unfortunately there are people who just look at the box score and equate it with his $30+ salary and decide that because he was earning $300k per point (or $330k per shot attempt) he sucked. When others are shining he's happy to feed them the ball, but when they are struggling, like they were in Philly, he has no issue taking a more assertive role and driving the ball. The important thing for me is that he is still touching the ball, making plays, talking a lot, instead of just standing in the corner watching Kyrie go iso which he did a lot last year.

[gpap]

Hayward needs to continue to be aggressive. If passing and deferring to others is necessary, then by all means.

But he also shouldn't be afraid to attack the basket, take the open shot and be assertive.

Finding that happy balance. He's been pretty good so far, this season. No complaints.

[Greyman]

I like what we are seeing from Hayward. What I really like is that he has found his role in the starting lineup. He obviously is more confident and productive. I really like the way Brown, Kemba, Tatum and Hayward are working together. It is still a work in progress but they are developing a good sense of where the best place for the ball is, Kemba has first call I guess but they are playing for the best shot, no matter who takes it. On days when all four have hot hands teams are going to struggle to contain them. Four guys scoring over 20 points each is better than one scoring 50 and everybody else struggling to get to double figures. Got a bit off topic but I feel Hayward will play a big part in breaking down defences, he will score 30 some nights and 9 or 10 others but the team will be the beneficiary. Hayward and the team look like they are enjoying playing.

[Surferdad]

I'd like to see him take on more of a point forward role.  Let him initiate more of the offense for others, he has good court vision and passing skills.  Tatum and Brown are finishers not really creators.  Kemba can function fine in either role.

Um, it seems that he is already doing that.  He doesn't need to bring the ball up, Kemba is fine.

[timpiker]

He's playing fine.  I'd like to see a little more assertiveness.  I think he should be the ball handler, point forward, when Kemba's on the court. 

[keevsnick]

I thought Hayward allowed others the spotlight.no jacking shots. He just played basketball and went with the flow.
Some will think because he is so highly paid that 9 points is a bad game.

Thing is I'm just not sure if he's "allowing" other guys to shine, or if he's just not good enough anymore and so he is "forced" to let other guys shine. I need more than three games to decide.

[Rosco917]

The group, Brown, Tatum, Hayward, and Walker have the potential to be dangerous. And best of all they actually like each other.

Brown and Tatum need maturing and Hayward and Walker understand that. I like Hayward in that Al Horford roll, while not being the defender that Al was, he see's the court in the same way and is content to win and give himself to do it. I agree point forward is his future on this team.

If we could ever solidify the Center position, with a group that can defend, set picks, offensive rebound a little, this team can grow before our eyes.

I remember the Bulls of the early 90's they had a young group of Jordan, Pippin, and Grant, it took them a while to grow. They waited for Bird and company to age, and eventually they made their move. They had a group of 3 Centers that shared the minutes and the team eventually thrived.

[tenn_smoothie]

It is easy to forget that Hayward's role in Utah was very different than what it is with this group. There, the entire offense revolved around him - his scoring, passing and playmaking. He simply does not have the ball in his hands for the Celtics like he needed to for the Jazz. Of course he is not going to have the same stats, even as his physical and mental recovery continues. Plus I believe last year's fiasco shook the confidence of all the perimeter guys and created confusion about how to play. They all did too much thinking last year and not enough playing by instinct.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

I thought Hayward allowed others the spotlight.no jacking shots. He just played basketball and went with the flow.
Some will think because he is so highly paid that 9 points is a bad game.

He is on my fantasy team. 9 points is not good for me in that regard 

[bopna]

No...ain't buying it.

my opinion is he is still a very good player but for his current production he certainly does not deserve the amount Wyc is paying him.

my prediction is he will ave. 16ppg this season which is definitely not worth 32m per season...I think he has an opt out in his final yr...expecting him not to exercise that option because his current market value remains low.

He would have to break out like a Kawhi like 2018/19 edition for his contract to be justified.

[Fierce1]

Don't underestimate Gordon Hayward.

Scoring is just one aspect of the game that he does well.