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Boston Celtics: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

By Simon Smith

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 1: Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward pose for a picture holding their jerseys before their introduction 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 pose for a picture holding their jerseys before their introduction 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) /
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(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Gordon Hayward will make an All-NBA team

Hayward’s ascension in recent seasons, to eventually becoming an All-Star last season, has been something to behold.

After averaging just 5.4 points as a rookie in the 2010-11 season, Hayward has increased his points per game each season, with last season returning 21.9 points per game on very impressive .471/.398/.844 shooting splits.

Hayward managed to put together such impressive numbers despite ranking 51st in the league with 62.5 touches per game. Furthermore, the Utah Jazz ranked dead last in the league for PACE (number of possessions per 48 minutes) at 93.62 per game.

Compare this to the Celtics, who last season ranked 12th in the league for PACE at 99.32, and were seventh overall in scoring at 108.0 points per game (Jazz were 28th at 100.7 per game).

In essence, Hayward is one of the slower and more conservative offenses in the league, joining the Celtics led by head coach Stevens and his extremely intelligent and attacking style of play.

https://twitter.com/celticsnetwork/status/903648074790260737

Which leads us to another reason as to why Hayward should figure among the elite in the game this season. One of the key reasons for him joining the Celtics was reuniting with his college coach in Stevens. Not heavily recruited coming out off high school, Stevens’ Butler was one of few programs who showed genuine faith in Hayward at the time.

Fast forward to the present, and Hayward will not only be looking to repay Stevens’ faith, but to continue to his assent among the very elite players in the league.

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