Hoops Habit
Fansided

Boston Celtics: Complete 2017 offseason grades

By Josh Cornelissen

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 1: Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward get introduced as Boston Celtics on September 1, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 1: Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward get introduced as Boston Celtics on September 1, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 12
Next
Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images /

Signing Gordon Hayward

Rudy Gobert is one of the league’s best defensive players and an underrated offensive one. But Utah’s rise from lottery-dweller to second round playoff team came because Gordon Hayward developed into not only his team’s best player, but a true star.

Offensively Hayward was the straw that stirred the drink in Utah, with coach Quin Snyder calling plays for him from start to finish. Hayward can handle the ball, making plays for others and creating shots for himself. As a catch-and-shoot player, Hayward became deadly from inside and outside the arc. While not elite in any area, Hayward’s ability to score from anywhere on the court makes him a difficult player to defend.

Defensively Hayward is no slouch either, frequently guarding the opponent’s best perimeter player. He has the size and strength to take on traditional power forwards, and the athleticism to stay with smaller, faster wings. Utah was the league’s third-best defense last season in part because of Gobert, but also because Hayward was able to be an offensive star without sacrificing on defense.

In signing Hayward the Celtics not only added a star, but they reset their timetable in a positive way. Having signed a shorter second-contract, Hayward is just 27 despite spending an extra year in college. He has continued to add to his game each and every season, increasing his scoring every single season he has been in the league. Under former head coach Brad Stevens, Hayward may have even more to offer.

Grade: A+

Home/Boston Celtics