Boston Celtics: The 5 most important players during a playoff series

Gordon Hayward

Many people were under the assumption that Hayward would never return to his former All-Star playing ways after the gruesome ankle injury he suffered to begin the 2017 season. Although Hayward had his own doubts about his future, he rehabbed himself to the point where he was having his best season yet as a member of the Boston Celtics this year.

Hayward has shown no signs of a set-back or any discomfort this season. In fact, he is playing with a completely new outlook of the game and is seeing the court differently than before the injury. Hayward has played in 45 games this season and is confidently shooting 50.2 percent from the field (39.2 percent from behind the arc) while averaging 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.

The Celtics have finally started to reap some of the benefits of having a veteran like Hayward on their team. Due to a few different variables, Hayward has been required to adjust his role throughout his journey in Boston. Mostly due to his injury, but mainly because the Celtics have done a great job of improving their team each year Hayward has been here.

Despite there being three point guards on the team, we have seen Hayward confidently and effectively run the floor from the point guard position while making sure his teammates are spaced properly on the court. Hayward is also noticeably attacking the paint more often than not and that is a direct result of his ankle and foot feeling stronger than it was last season.

In consideration to Hayward’s contract and his player option with the Celtics for next season specifically, many people (myself included) wanted to trade him away prior to the NBA trading deadline as we thought the Celtics could receive some kind of immediate reinforcement for the season moving forward. It turns out that Hayward is in fact what the Celtics needed all along and it was a good decision not to trade him this season.

If the NBA season is to resume at some point this season, Hayward might just be the Boston Celtics secret weapon to get through the playoffs.