What Gordon Hayward’s Impending Return Means For The Boston Celtics In Eastern Conference Finals

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisgrenham/2020/09/12/what-gordon-haywards-possible-return-means-for-the-boston-celtics-in-eastern-conference-finals/#6312da4638bf



What Gordon Hayward’s Impending Return Means For The Boston Celtics In Eastern Conference Finals




Chris Grenham
Contributor
SportsMoney




LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 11: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball ... [+] GETTY IMAGES



The Boston Celtics are heading to the Eastern Conference Finals following Friday’s Game 7 victory over the Toronto Raptors. After a back-and-forth second-round series, Brad Stevens and Co. now stare down a matchup with the Miami Heat, and reinforcements could be on their way.

Gordon Hayward returned to the bubble earlier this week after suffering a Grade 3 ankle sprain in round one against the Philadelphia 76ers. The forward cleared quarantine Friday afternoon, which allowed him to get shots up with the Celtics staff prior to the tip-off of Game 7. Stevens was asked about Hayward’s status following the team’s series-clinching win.

“I think he’ll be back at some point in that series (vs. Miami),” Stevens said. “But I don’t know when.”

TNT’s Rebecca Harlow reported during Friday’s broadcast that she spoke to a member of the Celtics organization who said they were happy with Hayward’s progress. That source told her they expect Hayward back “sooner rather than later.”

Yes, Boston’s bench came up big on countless occasions throughout the Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with Toronto, but Hayward’s presence would have been a huge addition thanks to his playmaking, shooting and versatility on both ends. His shot-making alone would have been a huge issue for Toronto’s zone defense, something the Heat likely will throw at Boston on occasion next round.

Hayward has faced the Heat just twice this season, with the first matchup coming on Jan. 28. On that night in Miami, he went for a game-high 29 points and nine rebounds on 10-of-14 shooting with a game-high net rating of 15.8. On Aug. 4, Hayward scored 15 points in a Miami win, Boston’s second loss of the bubble’s seeding-game schedule.

It’s not breaking news that Hayward’s talent brings the Celtics’ depth to another level, and they’ll need all the help they can get against a confident Miami team that’s firing on all cylinders coming off a commanding 4-1 series win over the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks. Hayward is another offensive weapon for opponents to worry about while helping Boston minimize the minutes of non-shooters off the bench, who Miami would potentially sag off of on defense.

The Heat are a tough matchup, but their defense isn’t to the level of Toronto’s. If Boston can re-acquire Hayward’s shooting and prowess in the midrange, it could stifle some of Miami’s defensive efforts, particularly those zone sets.

Defensively, Hayward’s size would be a massive addition to help contain the Heat along the perimeter. His length and versatility causes headaches for opponents trying to determine the best point of attack, and attempting to contain Jimmy Butler becomes a bit easier if you have Hayward to rely on behind you. Stevens’ defensive system generally relies heavily on switches, and having Hayward in the fold makes that a whole lot easier against a team like the Heat.

In Boston’s seeding-game loss to Miami, Hayward guarded four separate Heat players for two or more minutes (Andre Iguodala, Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn and Jae Crowder). In 35.9 possessions against that group, he allowed just eight points, per the NBA’s tracking data. That is a prime example of the versatility Hayward brings against an opponent like Miami. Iguodala and Crowder are two big, strong wings. Robinson, on the other hand, is a sharpshooter, while Nunn is a quick, shifty point guard. There aren’t many players Hayward’s size that can defend up and down a lineup like that without skipping a beat.

In Boston’s win over Miami on Jan. 28, Hayward logged 12.1 partial possessions against Butler, per NBA stats, allowing only two points in roughly three minutes of matchup time. All of the aforementioned versatility he showed against Miami in the regular season would be a huge boost for the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Mixing and matching lineups will make it tougher for Boston to find a rhythm, but the addition of Hayward would assist in curbing that struggle.

On a very straightforward note, the Celtics are coming off a long, grueling seven-game series, while Miami has been awaiting its opponent for three days. When it comes to the bubble’s postseason schedule, an extra three days of rest is a lifetime. If Hayward can help give Boston some fresh legs and take just a bit of weight off his teammates, it’ll go a long way.

Hayward’s initial injury timeline was 4-6 weeks, and Sunday will be four weeks to the day. Time will tell if Hayward’s official return to the court falls within that fourth week, but optimism seems to be increasing around the organization. Keep in mind Hayward’s wife, Robyn, is pregnant with the couple’s fourth child. She is due later in September and Hayward will be leaving the bubble whenever she ultimately goes into labor.

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is set for Tuesday night on ESPN. Tip-off will either be at 6:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. ET, depending on the remainder of the Western Conference semifinals.


bob


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During the game’s broadcast, TNT sideline reporter Rebecca Haarlow reported that a person within the Celtics organization told her Hayward is expected to return “sooner rather than later.” The team had initially ruled Hayward out for at least four weeks following his Grade III ankle sprain suffered in Game 1 of Boston’s first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Sept. 15 marks the end of the four-week timetable. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is scheduled to tip off that evening. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 17, with Game 3 to follow on Saturday, Sept. 19.


bob


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When he was injured and returned home, I am wondering if he will now NOT leave the team again, even when she is about to deliver. The statement was made when she posted on Instagram "Saying goodbye again was so hard, but when he returns he will not be the only boy" Is that her way of saying he is in for the duration? If he leaves again, he will leave his team at a vital part of the playoffs, so maybe by allowing him the time home, they have decided that Gordon will stay in the bubble for the duration with his team

It should have been very obvious to him that his absence was a missing link to this team. They had come to rely on him as a steadying influence on the floor Alot of times he is the decoy player who ends up drawing a double team and leaving Kemba open on the floor. I think his presence on the floor would have relieved Kemba of the pressure he was under. Gordon is such a good player, there were so many rebounds I could see that he would have gotten if on the floor.

I know I said in the beginning that the decision for him to leave was the right one, and under other circumstances, it still would be, but since he missed 4 weeks of playing time with a team so involved in fighting for a championship run, it may be time to put the priorities in order, he is being paid alot of money to help them to the promised land. I hope he is here for the duration, but, will not be shocked one way or the other.

OK I will be there

Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBA
3 mins ago
Gordon Hayward didn’t go through the Celtics’ practice but went through hard workouts after practice.

“But there’s a big difference between doing that and officially getting into a game,” as Brad Stevens noted.


bob


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It is time, now is the time, get on the floor with these guys and let's get this thing going. His presence is really missed on the floor. If they want to do anything in this series, he needs to be out there.

Seeing how little Brad could come up with anything for maximizing our talent, Kemba needs him, he can’t handle the moment by himself without GH.

worcester wrote:If I were Danny I would be looking for Gordon to save Brad's job. Somehow Brad seems oblivious.

Surprising how clueless he has been

Okay, one game, we lose, relying on our superstar to come up big. I will not panic, this too shall pass, but it is a dog fight there is no doubt about that. Easy for us to armchair quarterback, but we are not on the floor. Theis should never have fouled out, There were some foolish fouls, he has to be smarter playing elite teams.

So. one game in, who has changed their opinion of the outcome??? I will be interested to see your reaction and opinion

When Gordon comes back and hopefully is close to full tilt (which may take a few games) and if Kemba continues to struggle, we could go with Kemba on the bench at the end of games. I would be very comfortable with Gordon distributing the ball at the end of intense close games.

Does Brad have the sack to bench Kemba at the end of a game? I hope so. My fear is Kemba is a player who the bigger the moment the worse he plays. Some simply don’t thrive on a big stage with bright lights. I hope there is another reason Kemba has been so bad the last three games.

I give Miami credit they have a good roster, a good coach and seemingly a good culture.

I really feel, with Hayward on the floor, Kemba's game will pick up. He is another body they will be forced to guard, these teams are just daring Smart to shoot, and right now it has worked out for the Celtics for the most part. I would rather them be worried about Gordon and Tatum.
I guess Jaylen was a bit upset last night after the game. During game on I wondered a couple of times why he was not getting the ball. He said after the game that he needs to handle the ball more, between Tatum shooting and them trying to get Kemba going, they have lost track of one of the most important members of the team. Interesting. Losing brings on anger.

Forget Jaylen and having a 105-100 lead with 1.09 left is a disgrace. Kemba and Stevens are responsible. I wonder how things could have been different if Wanny was in, instead of Kemba, maybe we actually could have probed collectively and got you know a good shot and gotten a better defensive rotation. How does Stevens have his team collapse in such a big game, Heat moved the ball, got an open look on their key possessions and what did we do...???

Well Dboss, today on Boston tv, they said that Stevens drew up a different play than what happened for the last shot. That is why Stevens was so quiet in his interview, he was ticked off and did not want to throw his players under the bus. It did look like hero ball out there though, I kept saying all night “where’s Jaylen”????

Hopefully, after some soul searching and film watching, they will screw their heads on right and a better game will be had by all