The Boston Celtics are in a great position to compete for a championship in the NBA restart. The Celtics have shocked people this year as they have transitioned nicely after losing Kyrie Irving and Al Horford. The Celtics have been blessed with the rise of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as they have become star players. However, the Celtics have faced challenges this season such as their weak bench that have caused people to question if they can win a championship. My solution to this problem is to move Gordon Hayward to the bench.
Gordon Hayward has had a solid bounce back season as he has improved his scoring by six points and has returned to his Utah self. Hayward has been a solid fourth option for the Celtics this season as he averaged 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Hayward has also become more efficient this season as he is shooting 50% from the field, 39% from the three point line, and 84% from the free throw line. Hayward has had a very underrated season considering he is the fourth option on the team as he has still managed to average 17 points despite the Celtics already having three 20 point scorers. Furthermore, Hayward showed great determination as he bounced back from his fractured left hand this season after missing a month of action. Hayward has truly returned to his old self this season as he has become more confident in his game and his body. Hayward has been attacking the rim more this season and he has become a very efficient mid range shooter which gives the Celtics a good balance on offense. The stats show that Hayward has returned to his Utah self as he is averaging more rebounds, assists, and only four less points than his only All-Star season in Utah.
Hayward’s resurgence has given the Celtics the opportunity to utilize his strengths in a new light. The Celtics are in desperate need of bench production as they are 29th in the league in bench scoring. The Milwaukee Bucks are 10th which is significant as they are the Celtics biggest threat to reaching the Finals. Furthermore, if the Celtics reach the Finals they would be playing either the Clippers who are ranked 1st or the Lakers who are ranked 12th. The Celtics need to improve their bench because that could be the downfall of the team. Adding Hayward to the bench would greatly improve the production as Hayward averages more than half of what the Celtics bench produces. The Celtics average 27 bench points per game and with Hayward that number would drastically go up. Furthermore, adding Hayward to the bench would help solve the Celtics scoring problems as he would open up the floor for other guys. The Celtics bench would become a solid unit with Hayward as he would be playing with Marcus Smart, Brad Wanamaker, and Enes Kanter. This is a very good bench unit as Hayward would be able to create more shots for Wanamaker and Smart who have been shooting very high percentages this year. I would be very confident with Hayward running the second unit because he has a high basketball IQ and he could help give the Celtics bench production in the postseason.
The Celtics used this model last year when they put Jaylen Brown on the second unit as it allowed him to thrive. The move also helped balance the offense on the first unit as there weren’t as many mouths to feed. I think moving Hayward to the bench would be great for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown because they would be given more shots. If Tatum plays like he did after the All-Star break when he was averaging 34 points, you won’t need Hayward in the lineup because it just adds another guy who needs shots. Hayward on the second unit gives the Celtics a better chance to reach the Finals because they will truly be a scary team. The Celtics would move Semi Ojeleye to the starting lineup to give them more defense and rebounding and the second unit would have Marcus Smart and Gordon Hayward who would both be starters on most teams. If Brad Stevens moves Hayward to the bench I think they will beat Milwaukee because they will be able to match their bench production. The bench is my biggest fear heading into the playoffs and I think moving Hayward to the bench would solve the problem. What I am saying is that this move should be made not because Hayward has played poorly, but because it gives the Celtics a great chance to succeed. This won’t affect the end of the game as Hayward will play in the last five minutes because you put the five best players in at the end of the game. This is something that Brad Stevens has always been good with as he always puts the best players in at the right time late in games. Hayward will definitely finish games because he will be an important player with all the things he brings to the table. This is also true with Marcus Smart as Stevens loves to bring in Smart late in games for defensive purposes. Hayward could ultimately become an important wild card for the Celtics this postseason.
Overall, moving Gordon Hayward to the bench makes the most sense for the Celtics. The move will solve the bench scoring problem and it will ultimately allow Hayward to play freely. Hayward will be the number one option where he can attack weaker bench players. Hopefully, Brad Stevens makes the right move and puts Gordon Hayward on the second unit because the Celtics will truly become a scary team.
Thompson's Takes 