Did anyone else note how ecstatic Kyrie was last night?

[smokeablount]

So I couldn't help but notice how pumped up Kyrie was on the sidelines in the 4th quarter last night.  The last 2 games he's actually had help, especially from Gordo, Tatum and Al, and in the 4th after we had pretty much locked up the game (and even before), I noticed he was extremely, extremely enthusiastic on the sidelines.  I wouldn't expect him to be indifferent even if he did plan to leave, but that was my favorite thing about the W last night.  It looked to me like he really wants this to work.

Did anyone else notice this?  I read into things all the time and like to speculate on this board, it's fun, but he really seemed to be enjoying himself like a child almost.  It made me think he's looking for a reason to stay, not looking for an excuse to justify leaving.  Thoughts?  Am I crazy?

[Ogaju]

anyone that is not ecstatic about the resurgence of Gordon Hayward? It also means that his bold prediction that nobody can beat this team has a better chance now.                                         

[Surferdad]

The whole bench was having a blast over there, nice to see.

I did notice that in the post-game press conference, he looked much happier.  Even in other recent wins (like Miami) he seemed solemn and responded to questions with his head down.  This time, he had his head up.

[Sophomore]

I think he knew he really needed some help.

Good as Kyrie is, if other teams are able to load their defense to stop him at the end of games it's going to be hard for us to go very far. Sometimes Tatum or Brown can do it, but often they can't. Hayward is willing to take that load, creating for himself and others, and putting a lot of pressure on the defense. It matters, a lot, that he's not settling for jump shots and getting into the paint to play bully ball with other wings - drawing fouls or scoring.

I also felt like the Celtics settled into a kind of two-action rhythm on a lot of trips that helped them figure out how to share the ball. First they tried a pick and roll on one side. If it didn't work out, Tatum or Hayward would curl around a screen on the other side and get the ball near the top of the key with a head of steam and often a step on their defender. From there Hayward or Tatum could go downhill to the rim but they also had options with screen man rolling to the basket and a kickout waiting at the corner. Let each player be a primary creator when that made sense - first you try, then I try - and it was really hard to defend.


 

[Donoghus]

This is exactly the type you want to be seeing just as they head into the playoffs.

Stay healthy & they're poised for a run here, IMO. 

[smokeablount]

The whole bench was having a blast over there, nice to see.

I did notice that in the post-game press conference, he looked much happier.  Even in other recent wins (like Miami) he seemed solemn and responded to questions with his head down.  This time, he had his head up.

Agreed.  Doesn't this seem to suggest that he wants the Celtics to be a viable option going forward?  It screams to me that he's invested, and not just for the next 2 regular season games and whatever the playoffs hold.

[gouki88]

Add to this his recent comments about being more on the same page with Stevens and I think we're looking pretty good for this playoff run!

[gpap]

I did notice.

Kyrie was unreal last night and it's just another reminder of how special of a player he is.

The two passes he made to Morris and Wannamaker in the 3rd quarter were unreal.

Not only that, but his defense is better than people think and he can also rebound for a guy that's 6'3.

He's a much more complete player than his critics think. I still think sometimes he takes too many shots for my liking, but that's just an observation. He's lay-up off the top of the backboard was insane.

Anyway, I could swear I heard some of the Pacers players chanting "New York Knicks" at Kyrie. Fortunately, after the Celts starting the butt whipping of the Pacers, those chants didn't last long (I still commend Pacers fans chanting "Lebron is gonna trade you" to the young Lakers players.)

[SHAQATTACK]

Kyrie was using full lift and concentration...well it looked that way to me ,  rarely have i seen his determination at this level this year. 

He definitely looked NOT just to be going though the motions of a game .

Kinda scary and impressive how fierce competitor he can be , when his mind is locked in .

He seems ....up his game when he sees Al , JT and Gordy locked in as well.

This was one of the better complete team efforts of the year

[Sophomore]

Kyrie was using full lift and concentration...well it looked that way to me ,  rarely have i seen his determination at this level this year. 

He definitely looked NOT just to be going though the motions of a game .

Kinda scary and impressive how fierce competitor he can be , when his mind is locked in .

He seems ....up his game when he sees Al , JT and Gordy locked in as well.

This was one of the better complete team efforts of the year

Agree. I thought both teams were putting out high effort in the first half, but when the Celtics kept coming at them in the second half the Pacers just broke.

I think Hayward's aggression is going to be contagious, really help the team stay focused on attacking.

[Rosco917]

It may have been linked to the play of Hayward. I do believe Gordon was playing free and easy last night with the ankle now a forgotten nightmare. With this version of GH coming off the bench...you never know where this team will go. This is the player we originally signed.

I also believe the team has the correct starting lineup out there...finally.

[GreenFaith1819]

It may have been linked to the play of Hayward. I do believe Gordon was playing free and easy last night with the ankle now a forgotten nightmare. With this version of GH coming off the bench...you never know where this team will go. This is the player we originally signed.

I also believe the team has the correct starting lineup out there...finally.

THIS.

GH's progression the last couple of weeks or so is SEALING THE DEAL for Kyrie Irving's future in Boston.

He is FINALLY getting his other Alpha back.

Not much is stopping these two when they are both healthy. A devastating 1-2 punch.

Gordon Hayward had a Utah Jazz performance last night. And I believe he is STILL only 85-90 percent.

[keevsnick]

So I couldn't help but notice how pumped up Kyrie was on the sidelines in the 4th quarter last night.  The last 2 games he's actually had help, especially from Gordo, Tatum and Al, and in the 4th after we had pretty much locked up the game (and even before), I noticed he was extremely, extremely enthusiastic on the sidelines.  I wouldn't expect him to be indifferent even if he did plan to leave, but that was my favorite thing about the W last night.  It looked to me like he really wants this to work.

Did anyone else notice this?  I read into things all the time and like to speculate on this board, it's fun, but he really seemed to be enjoying himself like a child almost.  It made me think he's looking for a reason to stay, not looking for an excuse to justify leaving.  Thoughts?  Am I crazy?

Maybe you are crazy. Maybe not. But I just can't put that much weight into how someone looks on the sideline. There's been way too  much arm chair psychology on this board this year. I know its hard to except, but the truth of the matter is you just never really know what a player is gonna do when he hits free agency. All that said, I suppose it's better than him looking miserable. But if we go out and get waxed in 5 games (or less) vs the Bucks  him being happy last night probably means literally nothing.

[Boris Badenov]

It may have been linked to the play of Hayward. I do believe Gordon was playing free and easy last night with the ankle now a forgotten nightmare. With this version of GH coming off the bench...you never know where this team will go. This is the player we originally signed.

I also believe the team has the correct starting lineup out there...finally.

Now all we need is the correct allocation of bench minutes: 30 for GH, 30 for JB and no more than 10-15 for Rozier and Mook.

And, for everyone on the team to start looking for Hayward as a #1 scoring option when he's out there. He was scoring at will last night and Rozier still ignored him multiple times and left him standing in the corner. Meanwhile Marcus Morris took more shots than Hayward. Maddening.

[SHAQATTACK]

It may have been linked to the play of Hayward. I do believe Gordon was playing free and easy last night with the ankle now a forgotten nightmare. With this version of GH coming off the bench...you never know where this team will go. This is the player we originally signed.

I also believe the team has the correct starting lineup out there...finally.

Now all we need is the correct allocation of bench minutes: 30 for GH, 30 for JB and no more than 10-15 for Rozier and Mook.

And, for everyone on the team to start looking for Hayward as a #1 scoring option when he's out there. He was scoring at will last night and Rozier still ignored him multiple times and left him standing in the corner. Meanwhile Marcus Morris took more shots than Hayward. Maddening.

i doubt your the only one who,sees Gordon being ignored by Rozier .  Terri is not much of a team guy ,  a want to,be show off .    You get the ball to the hot hand    he ignores this .  He is playing for himself and not the team .

I hope DA has a heart to heart will him over this .