2. Rediscovering off-ball efficiency
As it stands, we have no idea how the Celtics will work all their individual scoring prowess together on the floor. With Irving, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Al Horford, they have the luxury of possessing a multi-faceted offense capable of destroying opposing defenses.
With Irving and Hayward missing major time last season, the chemistry will be interesting to monitor, certainly early in the season as Brad Stevens irons out any kinks in the system.
In his last season in Utah, Hayward was the major focal point of the Jazz offense. Carrying a usage percentage of 27.6, he was essentially the predominant ball-handler with George Hill by his side. As mentioned, that type of ball dominance could take a hit in Boston, but fear not, as he has been a lethal threat off the ball throughout his career too.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/857095122869264385
Finding the shooting touch will be a challenge after such a long layoff, but his 2016-17 numbers suggest he can be just as effective with a little less time handling the ball. In that last season in Salt Lake City, 40.6 percent of his field goal attempts came after taking zero dribbles. From those attempts he connected on 64 percent of his 2-point attempts, and 39.1 percent of his jacks from beyond the arc.
Furthermore, 46.9 percent of his total attempts came after holding the ball for two second or less. Make no mistake, Hayward has absolutely no issues putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rack, but with arguably the game’s best ball-handler by his side, he should take a liking to working off the ball and finding his spots. Certainly in the early going, putting less load on his leg and getting easier looks will be a way to get his groove back.
There’s still an uncertainty in the air on how these offensive talents will jell, but using Hayward as a lethal off-ball option will cause chaos around the league.