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Boston Celtics 2018-19 player grades: Gordon Hayward flashed greatness

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 21: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 21, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 21: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 21, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward showed shades of his old All-Star form but lacked consistency with his aggressiveness.

The most disappointing element to the 2018-19 NBA season for Boston Celtics fans was how many times we thought the All-Star version of Gordon Hayward was back.

With a couple of 30-point performances, it seemed the Hayward the Celtics were waiting for was physically and mentally healthy after missing all but five minutes of his debut season with the team.

Still, the gruesome lower leg injury he suffered a season before lingered on throughout the season due to the team’s struggles.  Was Hayward a reason for those struggles?

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There are NBA experts who believe so.  There are some who blame Celtics head coach Brad Stevens for giving Gordon Hayward extensive minutes when it appeared he was struggling and hurting the team.  But, how else do you get a player with the talent of Hayward back on his feet?

In all, Hayward has to play through his demons.  At times, he proved the shadows were behind him.  With aggressive attacks towards the rims and athletic dunks, the Utah Jazz version of Hayward flashed making the entire team better and hard to beat.

The overall problem wasn’t his 11.5 points per game mostly coming off the bench, it was the lack of consistency.  Often, Gordon Hayward would follow up a 30-point performance or string of good games with games in which he went basically invisible.

It got to the point where all the excuses about him healing from an injury turned to frustration and trade rumors.  As the 2018-19 season was about rehabbing back to his old form, the 2019-20 season that lies ahead for Gordon Hayward will be about redemption.

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Leaving it all behind

He’s working hard to do so this summer.  Just like he had to overcome the horrific leg and ankle injury he suffered the summer prior, he has to leave a disappointing season with the Boston Celtics behind and move forward.

Through it all, Gordon Hayward called the season a learning experience and one that will make him a better player.

"“It’s definitely been an experience this year, and it’s one that I’ve never had to go through,” Hayward told the Boston Herald.  “But I think with all things, you can learn from it and you can use it, and that’s what I’ll try to do this summer.”"

Shooting more and showing aggressiveness more consistently will definitely make a better Gordon Hayward in 2020.

A barely passing grade

In summary, Gordon Hayward showed how effective and important he can be for the Boston Celtics when he is on his game.

The team was undefeated or just about undefeated when he scored 20 points or more in the game.  What that meant is that he was aggressive and getting his teammates involved through his own offense.

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While an incomplete grade would be giving for his first-half performance due to the fact he was coming off a season-ending injury, Hayward gets a C+ for the season.  He showed signs of greatness, but too often it was just a tease for everyone rooting for Max player version of Gordon Hayward to emerge.

Perhaps in 2019-20, when the pressure if off, he will be the player the Boston Celtics so aggressively pursued during his days tuning it up and turning it out with the Jazz.

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