Sam Hauser is ‘lights out’: Celtics have a sharpshooter on the rise
Boston Celtics fans, get ready for Sam Hauser fever!
When one door closes, another one opens or should I say, when one sharpshooter goes down, another one emerges. When Danilo Gallinari went down with what presumes to be season-ending ACL tear, the emphasis immediately turned to who would fill that void left by veteran scorer.
While the prospect of Carmelo Anthony in a Celtics uniform took over the rumor mill, Celtics president of basketball operations decided to see what they have internally. One player who is expected to have a bigger role is Hauser who has been lighting it up so far this preseason.
Boston Celtics have a sharpshooter on the rise in Sam Hauser
It is just the preseason, but the second-year shooter out of the University of Virginia is showing he is ready to be that man. The coaches believe in him, and his teammates believe in him. Benefitting mostly from the playmaking of Malcolm Brogdon, Hauser has lit it up going 9-for-12 beyond the arc in three preseason games.
It is obvious he can shoot and the team’s superstar, Jayson Tatum, knows the team is going to need him this season.
"“Sam is obviously a great shooter, and his game has come a long way,” Tatum said, via The Boston Herald. “I’m happy for him. I’m happy he’s getting these opportunities, and he’s obviously making the most out of it, and we’re going to need him. He’s going to play a role for the team this year.”"
Although he isn’t the best defender, the shooting and instant scoring Hauser can bring off the bench will make the Boston Celtics a deeper team and a team that is harder to defend when he is out on the court, especially if he is draining shots like he has so far this preseason.
Along with Tatum, the team’s other star, Jaylen Brown, is showing Hauser some love as a player who will make the game easier for everyone else out there on the court.
"“Sam’s light’s out,” Brown said. “Him being able to spread the floor makes the game easier for everybody else, especially when he’s shooting the ball like that.”"
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As much better as the Boston Celtics would’ve been with a healthy Gallinari, the injury is opening the door for a player like Hauser who has the natural shooting ability to be a problem whenever he comes in the game. In looking like a poor man’s version of Gordon Hayward, the second -year sharpshooter is not only understanding his role but embracing his role.
"“That’s kind of what I’m known for: shooting,” Hauser said. “that’s how I can help this team in the best way possible. …“My job is to just space the floor, find openings and be an outlet for those guys like JT, JB, Malcolm (Brogdon) and (Marcus) Smart, the guys who are making plays. So just trying to do that to the best of my ability.”"
Jaylen Brown just has that hunger in his eyes. dark. Next
The key going forward is whether Sam Hauser can grow beyond that role in the Boston Celtics rotation. Can he do the other things on the court to show he is just not a shooter. Can he become better defensively? Can he rebound? Can he turn into a playmaker off his ability to shoot the ball?
All questions the team and Celtics fans are looking forward to finding out during the 2022-23 NBA season.