The effect of carrying Hayward

[Eddie20]

From Tomek Kordylewski :

Let's put Gordon Hayward's 30/9/8 in 30 minutes into perspective. He is:

🔘 the first Celtics player ever to get that off the bench,
🔘 the first NBA player since 1993 to get that off the bench,
🔘 only the third player in NBA history to get that in 30 minutes of less.


The last stat is not just off the bench. That’s 3rd player, period. The other two are Giannis and Westbrook.

[RodyTur10]

From Tomek Kordylewski :

Let's put Gordon Hayward's 30/9/8 in 30 minutes into perspective. He is:

🔘 the first Celtics player ever to get that off the bench,
🔘 the first NBA player since 1993 to get that off the bench,
🔘 only the third player in NBA history to get that in 30 minutes of less.


The last stat is not just off the bench. That’s 3rd player, period. The other two are Giannis and Westbrook.

TP. Very interesting and impressive.

[MNLCelts]

With Hayward's improving play off the bench and our new starting lineup's success (small sample size), can we see Hayward get the Ginobili role moving forward?

A lot of people here were calling for it before the season.  It makes sense.  There's no shame in starting off the bench when getting starter minutes anyway.  McHale and Ginobli both did and of course Havlicek.

True

And we still have it in the current climate of the NBA with guys like Lou Williams and Tyreke Evans. Lou Williams was nearly an all-star last year coming off the bench averaging 20 ppg and being the primary option. I'm for it if there's not a substantial amount of hurt to his ego that interferes with his abilities/effort. He doesn't appear to be that kind of guy.

Definitely something that could be possible, and Hayward would be a great leader of our bench with his playmaking and scoring. Btw I'd like to correct Knuckle, relatively few people were calling for that, the majority were Top Greens who were screaming "WE CAN'T BENCH OUR MAX PLAYERS".

I really liked the signing and was hoping our original starting lineup to work, but I think this works for the better. We need someone in the starting lineup to do the dirty work.

[GreenEnvy]

With Hayward's improving play off the bench and our new starting lineup's success (small sample size), can we see Hayward get the Ginobili role moving forward?

A lot of people here were calling for it before the season.  It makes sense.  There's no shame in starting off the bench when getting starter minutes anyway.  McHale and Ginobli both did and of course Havlicek.

True

And we still have it in the current climate of the NBA with guys like Lou Williams and Tyreke Evans. Lou Williams was nearly an all-star last year coming off the bench averaging 20 ppg and being the primary option. I'm for it if there's not a substantial amount of hurt to his ego that interferes with his abilities/effort. He doesn't appear to be that kind of guy.

Definitely something that could be possible, and Hayward would be a great leader of our bench with his playmaking and scoring. Btw I'd like to correct Knuckle, relatively few people were calling for that, the majority were Top Greens who were screaming "WE CAN'T BENCH OUR MAX PLAYERS".

I really liked the signing and was hoping our original starting lineup to work, but I think this works for the better. We need someone in the starting lineup to do the dirty work.

I was one who was not in favor of it, and still don’t see it as a viable solution longterm.

When rotations shorten and we need to put our best players out there together, they have to be able to play alongside one another.

If they can to end the game, there’s no reason they can’t to start it. I’d be surprised if Gordon stays a reserve throughout the regular season and into the playoffs, but we shall see.

I still think a consolidating trade is in order at some point.

[trickybilly]

I think by the time the playoffs roll around the Kyrie, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Horford lineup will be this team's starting lineup as this team holds the highest upside potential as a lineup and will finally be clicking.

But for now, Hayward and Brown coming off the bench is good.

Need a GIF of Mook glaring.

[rollie mass]

One of the defining moments of Hayward's recovery may have come from Kyrie's get more aggressive pep talk and then Smart and Morris getting physical with Hayward in practice.
.I could feel Kyrie willing Hayward with wide open shots but more importantly perfect passes in sync and in rhythm.
Brads play call of a backdoor cut for a lob after a timeout puts him in the mix of confidence boosting.

[Roy H.]

From Tomek Kordylewski :

Let's put Gordon Hayward's 30/9/8 in 30 minutes into perspective. He is:

🔘 the first Celtics player ever to get that off the bench,
🔘 the first NBA player since 1993 to get that off the bench,
🔘 only the third player in NBA history to get that in 30 minutes of less.


The last stat is not just off the bench. That’s 3rd player, period. The other two are Giannis and Westbrook.

Interesting, but I’m curious, too. Havlicek did it 13 times, as early as 1968. He didn’t come off the bench in any of those games?

[Eddie20]

From Tomek Kordylewski :

Let's put Gordon Hayward's 30/9/8 in 30 minutes into perspective. He is:

🔘 the first Celtics player ever to get that off the bench,
🔘 the first NBA player since 1993 to get that off the bench,
🔘 only the third player in NBA history to get that in 30 minutes of less.


The last stat is not just off the bench. That’s 3rd player, period. The other two are Giannis and Westbrook.

Interesting, but I’m curious, too. Havlicek did it 13 times, as early as 1968. He didn’t come off the bench in any of those games?

Havlicek played a ton of minutes so I’m not sure he had many opportunities to accomplish that in 30 minutes of less.


Also, when are we going to give Hayward credit? It appears that now we’re praising Irving’s pep talk, passes, and willing Hayward’s shots to go in, as well as Smart and Morris giving him a hard practice and Stevens’ playcalling more than the player. So when Hayward plays bad he’s killing the team, when he plays well others deserve the accolades. Got it.

[Roy H.]

From Tomek Kordylewski :

Let's put Gordon Hayward's 30/9/8 in 30 minutes into perspective. He is:

🔘 the first Celtics player ever to get that off the bench,
🔘 the first NBA player since 1993 to get that off the bench,
🔘 only the third player in NBA history to get that in 30 minutes of less.


The last stat is not just off the bench. That’s 3rd player, period. The other two are Giannis and Westbrook.

Interesting, but I’m curious, too. Havlicek did it 13 times, as early as 1968. He didn’t come off the bench in any of those games?

Havlicek played a ton of minutes so I’m not sure he had many opportunities to accomplish that in 30 minutes of less.


Also, when are we going to give Hayward credit? It appears that now we’re praising Irving’s pep talk, passes, and willing Hayward’s shots to go in, as well as Smart and Morris giving him a hard practice and Stevens’ playcalling more than the player. So when Hayward plays bad he’s killing the team, when he plays well others deserve the accolades. Got it.

I assume that last part wasn’t aimed at me.

I think people who were piling dirt on Hayward’s grave were silly and impatient.  If he keeps getting to the line consistently, he’s going to be lethal again.

[Eddie20]

From Tomek Kordylewski :

Let's put Gordon Hayward's 30/9/8 in 30 minutes into perspective. He is:

🔘 the first Celtics player ever to get that off the bench,
🔘 the first NBA player since 1993 to get that off the bench,
🔘 only the third player in NBA history to get that in 30 minutes of less.


The last stat is not just off the bench. That’s 3rd player, period. The other two are Giannis and Westbrook.

Interesting, but I’m curious, too. Havlicek did it 13 times, as early as 1968. He didn’t come off the bench in any of those games?

Havlicek played a ton of minutes so I’m not sure he had many opportunities to accomplish that in 30 minutes of less.


Also, when are we going to give Hayward credit? It appears that now we’re praising Irving’s pep talk, passes, and willing Hayward’s shots to go in, as well as Smart and Morris giving him a hard practice and Stevens’ playcalling more than the player. So when Hayward plays bad he’s killing the team, when he plays well others deserve the accolades. Got it.

I assume that last part wasn’t aimed at me.

I think people who were piling dirt on Hayward’s grave were silly and impatient.  If he keeps getting to the line consistently, he’s going to be lethal again.

Definitely not you, but rather the narrators spinning the narrative that he was damaged goods that should be traded for expirings.

One of the biggest moments I saw was when he blew passed Wiggins and finished strong at the rim. It’s not so much about his first step or finish, but rather the confidence he had to go right at him. Hayward this season has been continually asking for screens to get a switch, but not then. He had the more athletic Wiggins on him and still attacked him.

[jambr380]

From Tomek Kordylewski :

Let's put Gordon Hayward's 30/9/8 in 30 minutes into perspective. He is:

🔘 the first Celtics player ever to get that off the bench,
🔘 the first NBA player since 1993 to get that off the bench,
🔘 only the third player in NBA history to get that in 30 minutes of less.


The last stat is not just off the bench. That’s 3rd player, period. The other two are Giannis and Westbrook.

Interesting, but I’m curious, too. Havlicek did it 13 times, as early as 1968. He didn’t come off the bench in any of those games?

Havlicek played a ton of minutes so I’m not sure he had many opportunities to accomplish that in 30 minutes of less.


Also, when are we going to give Hayward credit? It appears that now we’re praising Irving’s pep talk, passes, and willing Hayward’s shots to go in, as well as Smart and Morris giving him a hard practice and Stevens’ playcalling more than the player. So when Hayward plays bad he’s killing the team, when he plays well others deserve the accolades. Got it.

Are we really ready to proclaim that Hayward is totally back after one game? I think a lot of people will be disappointed if that performance is expected every game.

Hayward deserved all the criticism he was getting to start the year. Yes, he was coming back from injury, but he was pretty terrible, wasn't meshing with anybody, and we were losing. If Hayward consistently begins putting up 20/5/5 on solid percentages, I think all of Celtics nation will breathe a huge sigh of relief. We have a lot of money invested in him and have already lost an important year. He needs to be at least our 2nd best player.

[SHAQATTACK]

From Tomek Kordylewski :

Let's put Gordon Hayward's 30/9/8 in 30 minutes into perspective. He is:

🔘 the first Celtics player ever to get that off the bench,
🔘 the first NBA player since 1993 to get that off the bench,
🔘 only the third player in NBA history to get that in 30 minutes of less.


The last stat is not just off the bench. That’s 3rd player, period. The other two are Giannis and Westbrook.

wow thats kicking butt and taking names i don't care who you are

[86MaxwellSmart]

Tough crowd.

[Vermont Green]

He got the numbers this game but has been moving very well from what I can see for the last several games (maybe 10 games).  He is not going to score 30 pts every game of course but if he embraces the off the bench role while still getting his minutes, it will be a good situation for both Hayward and the Celtics.

So it has been what, 14 months since the injury?  I don't think this trajectory of recovery is surprising in the least.

[vjcsmoke]

It's only one game.  But this is the first time I've seen Hayward look completely comfortable on the floor.  He was shooting in rhythm, moving well in the offense, and creating for teammates.

30 pts, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists is awful close to a triple double.

It has taken Hayward a lot of work to get this point because of that terrible injury on opening night.  But I have a feeling the best is yet to come.

If he can keep up this level of play, we will finally see the payoff from that big free agent signing last year.

It's also good to see Hayward's chemistry with Kyrie looking good.  I expect more positive contributions from Gordon in the games to come.