Boston Celtics: Why Gordon Hayward coming off the bench is the solution

With the Boston Celtics struggling to start the 2018-19 NBA season, there is some thought that Gordon Hayward may actually be hurting the team as a starter.

The Boston Celtics are in search of an identity.  Sure, they have the All Stars, talent and depth to be an Eastern Conference favorite.  However, they are not playing like a team that could challenge the Golden State Warriors in an NBA Finals matchup.

At 7-6 so far this season, they barely look like a team that could win seven game series against the Indiana Pacers.  With Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and a tremendous amount of depth headed by a coach like Brad Stevens, the struggles won’t last.

The question is when will the Boston Celtics find their niche.  One solution is having Hayward come off the bench while he works his way back from his gruesome lower leg injury that had him sidelined all but five minutes last season.

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In averaging just 9.9 points per game through the first 13 games, it is obvious Hayward needs some time to adjust and get back into the flow of the game.  While the team also needs time to adjust to him, playing time is the only way to get him back in the flow.

Is he the biggest problem for this team right now?

While some like ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith may believe so, the answer to that question is more about the heart of the team rather than working Gordon Hayward back into the flow.

Becoming a bench player for now

Speaking of a team-first mentality, Hayward has heard the critics and says he is willing to come off the bench if it means more winning for his team early on in the season.  Simply, the Boston Celtics need time to figure things out and find their identity.

Hayward coming off the bench just may be the answer.  He certainly has no problem in finding out if it is.

"“For me, I’m happy to be on the court, No. 1 more than anything and, No. 2, whatever I can do to help us win,” Hayward said Tuesday prior to the team’s practice.  “I said it before the season, it’s whatever to me.”"

As frustrating as the team’s lack of winning has been, Gordon Hayward recognizes the Celtics really have to figure things out as a team.  Some of the blame does lie on Brad Stevens, but each individual player has to look himself in the mirror and sacrifice individual talents and accomplishments to help the team win just like they did last season.

Whether it’s Terry Rozier wanting more minutes, Jayson Tatum playing more isolation ball or Jaylen Brown making guarantees, the Boston Celtics have to prove they are as good as everyone thinks they are on the court and by playing the type of basketball on both ends of the court that brought them just within a quarter of defeating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

So, until Hayward does get his flow back, he is best coming off the best.  He isn’t the biggest problem, but he is definitely the biggest solution.

In conclusion, Gordon Hayward coming off the bench with Terry Rozier, Marcus Morris and Aron Baynes may not be such a bad thing.  In fact, it could turn into the team’s strength as the season progresses forward.