Boston Celtics: The 5 players walking through that door in 2018

Gordon Hayward looking for an All-Star caliber comeback

Boston Celtics fans only got to see a few minutes of Gordon Hayward in a regular-season game in 2018, but it is how he handled his season-ending injury off the court that has fans and teammates excited.

With how gruesome the injury looked on that October night at Quicken Loans Arena, there was fear that Hayward’s career could be over.  It also temporary dampened a season of high expectations.

But, the way the team bounced back and the way Hayward quickly turned his focus to rehabbing, there is a different kind of excitement this season.  Just about back to 100 percent, Gordon Hayward is ready to contribute to a team that made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.

He knows, however, that being away from the game for a year will have his rhythm and groove off.  Hopefully, that will all take care of itself pretty quickly.  If it doesn’t, he’ll have the time to find his game again now that he is part of a Big Five.

As far as having anything to prove?

Sure, Gordon Hayward would love to show the NBA basketball world that he can be the All-Star caliber player he was prior to the injury, but he isn’t putting the pressure on himself.

"“I don’t think I necessarily have anything to prove,” Hayward said at media day.  “But internally I want to be the best version of myself.”"

Playing for a coach like Brad Stevens, he will certainly get that opportunity.