Boston Celtics news 365: Gordon Hayward is in it to win it
After missing the 2017-18 NBA season due to a gruesome lower leg injury, Boston Celtics star Gordon Hayward is excited about what’s ahead for his team.
The NBA new league year is here. While rumors swarm about a possible deal for disgruntled San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard, Boston Celtics fans should be excited about the return of a healthy Gordon Hayward.
Last year’s prize free agent didn’t see much time on the basketball court in his debut season with the team, but is very much looking forward to next season and contributing to a team with title aspirations.
Just last week, Hayward published his first blog post since the Celtics went out in Game 7 to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In that post, Hayward gives an encouraging injury update in which he gives insight into the surgery that set him back just a little bit in his overall recovery process.
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Expected to resume basketball activities, including playing full court, five-on-five basketball by the end of July, Gordon Hayward gave praise to his teammates for reaching the Eastern Conference Finals and coming very close to taking out the Cavaliers without himself and without fellow star Kyrie Irving.
He talked about wanting to get on the court and compete against the “amazing basketball player” in LeBron James, but was more impressed and inspired by how his team performed.
"“I’m really happy with how our team performed as a whole, and I think it shows a glimpse of what we’re capable of. After missing some of the games to train out in Indy, it felt good to be there, to be able to support the guys during the Eastern Conference Finals, and to experience the atmosphere. Our fans are incredible. It was electric in the Garden, and it only makes me more excited to play next year.”"
A glimpse of something great to come
A lot of the excitement has to do with the development and growth of younger players such as Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Terry Rozier. In the absence of Hayward and Irving, those players very stepped up and were main reasons the team got as far as they did.
Hayward said in his blog that he knew those players were good before last season, but to see their value grow with experience has him super excited about the prospects of next season.
Quite frankly, he is in it to win it. With a team lead by the great coaching of Brad Stevens, Gordon Hayward knows how dangerous his team will be without any major blockbuster deal.
"“It will almost be like a pick-your-poison type deal, especially if somebody is not having their best game. You’ve got three, four, even five other guys that can pick it up for you, and that is a good problem to have. You can never have too many options, and we’ve got a coach in Brad Stevens who knows how to put everyone in a position to be successful better than anyone. I know he will be able to figure it out.”"
Hayward concluded the blog post saying that the team aspires to win a title. As long as egos don’t get in the way, which he knows won’t happen, the sky is the limit for this team as currently constructed.
Next: The 5 faces of the Boston Celtics: The coach, the stars and the future
In conclusion, if nothing major happens this offseason via trade or free agency signings, Boston Celtics fans still have much to be excited about. They are getting two All-Star players back and one in Gordon Hayward who they have yet to fully see in a green and white uniform.