Leaving for the birth of his child does not mean he would miss 3-4 weeks. He returned to the bubble to do some serious work with the training staff, which seems unlikely if he was planning to return for only a handful of games.
It all depends on how the series stands when he's ready. If Heat are up 2-0 and Smart is 4-16 from three, then maybe they try something different. If Celtics are up 2-0 then you keep rolling.Agreed. The current starting five is firing on all cylinders while Hayward hasn't played in a month and he isn't 100%. Hayward's role should be clear, it's to supplement what the team has been doing through the first two rounds and make them deeper. This is an easy decision and Hayward should have no problem understanding that.
In an alternative universe where the Celtics fall behind 3-0, he's definitely going to play in Game 4. But, that's not going to happen here, so when we are up 3-1 maybe we'll see him come in to help close it outI've been thinking about this a lot for some reason. I agree that Game 3 is probably the earliest we'll see him, but I think a lot depends on how the series is going. If we're struggling I think we'll see him as soon as he can play. If things are going well I could see them giving him more time with an eye toward having the best GH possible late in the series and/or in the finals.
Isn't Game 3 on Saturday nite?
yes, I also double checked. Saturday at 8:30pmIsn't Game 3 on Saturday nite?
Do you think a Gordon Hayward coming back from a month off due to the ankle injury after playing in 52 games this season with the team will be no better, or worse, than 10 to 15 minutes of Ojeleye?How long does it usually take a player to get back into rhythm after an injury like that? Seems like a tough assignment to jump right into the middle of an ECF series. Ecstatic to get him back but wonder how helpful he'll be in the initial couple games.
ESPN reported as much during the game, too. Let's hope he has a long stay.For the few who haven't seen/heard, Robyn posted on IG that Hayward will be in the bubble for the duration.
Gotta admit, I feel for the guy, even if he's incredibly well-paid. Let's say the C's win this series and the Finals go seven games. That's, what, almost a month without seeing/holding his son?Hayward became a father again today.
Now win tonight.
Can’t the family clear the bubble protocol?Gotta admit, I feel for the guy, even if he's incredibly well-paid. Let's say the C's win this series and the Finals go seven games. That's, what, almost a month without seeing/holding his son?
No truth to the rumor he named his son “Frontrim” in honor of his performance tonightHayward became a father again today.
Now win tonight.
14 points (on 4-for-9 shooting), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, plus-8 in 30 minutes.No truth to the rumor he named his son “Frontrim” in honor of his performance tonight
I posted at halftime. In the 1H he was horrific front rimming every open look.14 points (on 4-for-9 shooting), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, plus-8 in 30 minutes.
On the list of the Celtics' many problems in Game 5, Hayward is near the bottom.
I guess that a lot of those five misses were in the first half.I posted at halftime. In the 1H he was horrific front rimming every open look.
Yeah, he was 1-5 in the 1H (play by play) with 3 badly short (recollection).I guess that a lot of those five misses were in the first half.
But is he a strength, or just someone who can eat minutes. I am not convinced he can make an impact when it matters.14 points (on 4-for-9 shooting), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, plus-8 in 30 minutes.
On the list of the Celtics' many problems in Game 5, Hayward is near the bottom.
I see Ojeley as a minute eater. Hayward is a huge upgrade over Semi coming off the bench. Much better than just a minute eater.But is he a strength, or just someone who can eat minutes. I am not convinced he can make an impact when it matters.
If 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and only 1 turnover in 30 minutes is not more than "eating minutes," I'm not sure what to tell you. Would that Smart had been half as efficient in Game 4.But is he a strength, or just someone who can eat minutes. I am not convinced he can make an impact when it matters.
Yeah, and he takes care of the ball which is generally a problem on this team. When he has the ball I’m never worried that he’s going to do something stupid with it.I see Ojeley as a minute eater. Hayward is a huge upgrade over Semi coming off the bench. Much better than just a minute eater.
Perhaps eating minutes is too harsh. But is he an impact player? In particular: he seems tentative; turning down shots he really should be taking.If 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and only 1 turnover in 30 minutes is not more than "eating minutes," I'm not sure what to tell you. Would that Smart had been half as efficient in Game 4.
Hayward is much better than the best options after him, but he’s playing like a 15M/year Iggy-on-GSW type of guy. That’s fine, and may be enough, but he’s clearly limited post-injury.Perhaps eating minutes is too harsh. But is he an impact player? In particular: he seems tentative; turning down shots he really should be taking.
I don't see much in the way of making defensive stops, pulling down rebounds in traffic, etc. Not that he is making egregious mistakes, but where is the impact?
I am thinking of Theis today, who was noticeable on the defensive end. Do you see much of that from GH.
As much as Smart can be frustrating, he can and does impose his will on a game. Which means making plays that are difficult and impactful.
GH did show some initiative and competence late in Friday's game, with his patented floaters etc. IF that GH can be consistent, then he is real threat.
I HOPE to see that. I think it could happen consistently if team energy is flowing (that is, if he isn't the one expected to lead the charge)
No doubt, but at this point I'm just thankful to have him back and contributing on a modest scale. That was a tough injury he suffered.Hayward is much better than the best options after him, but he’s playing like a 15M/year Iggy-on-GSW type of guy. That’s fine, and may be enough, but he’s clearly limited post-injury.
To my eye, GH has really helped to solidify the defense. Having another guy who can switch and defend has been key to getting stops. He can credibly guard everyone on MIA and that's important when MIA runs all of its window-dressing.Perhaps eating minutes is too harsh. But is he an impact player? In particular: he seems tentative; turning down shots he really should be taking.
I don't see much in the way of making defensive stops, pulling down rebounds in traffic, etc. Not that he is making egregious mistakes, but where is the impact?
I am thinking of Theis today, who was noticeable on the defensive end. Do you see much of that from GH.
As much as Smart can be frustrating, he can and does impose his will on a game. Which means making plays that are difficult and impactful.
GH did show some initiative and competence late in Friday's game, with his patented floaters etc. IF that GH can be consistent, then he is real threat.
I HOPE to see that. I think it could happen consistently if team energy is flowing (that is, if he isn't the one expected to lead the charge)
Miami's shot quality (expected EFG% based on shot location, nearest defender, etc.) was .54 in game 1, .55 in game 2, .51 in game 3, .48 in game 4, and .50 game 5 according to pbpstats.comBut is he an impact player?
Agreed. postgame GH noticeably limped off the court into the locker room/Disney studios?To my eye, GH has really helped to solidify the defense. Having another guy who can switch and defend has been key to getting stops. He can credibly guard everyone on MIA and that's important when MIA runs all of its window-dressing.
GH looks about 75% to me but really impacts the game for the Cs.
Interesting website, thanks for posting.Miami's shot quality (expected EFG% based on shot location, nearest defender, etc.) was .54 in game 1, .55 in game 2, .51 in game 3, .48 in game 4, and .50 game 5 according to pbpstats.com
The Celtics defense has been considerably better since Hayward has gotten back. Maybe it's just coincidence, but Miami has been getting much less out of their cutting the last three games.
Edit: Beaten by a chicken dinner! The shame...
Because it annoys me to no end, it's worth reminding everyone Semi has a fantastic vertical leap and yet never leaves his feet. He is in fact historically bad at blocking shots.I agree that I think the defense has improved with Hayward on the court. I feel like players get past him less frequently than Grant, and he plays taller than Semi because of his ability to actually leave the ground.
His shooting wasn’t great. If you look at the box score it looks okay, but I feel like he had a few layups to pad the stats but his open jumpers were mostly misses.
We still need him to be better. Right now we’ve been getting amazing games from Tatum and Brown but we can’t expect that every single night.
I don’t think this is coincidence at all as you need 5 switchable defenders against this Miami offense. When Hayward’s defensive versatility isn’t on the floor the Heat actively seek out the mismatches that Wanamaker presents inside and Semi on the perimeter similar to how they seek out Kemba and Theis on switches. Limiting the options the Heat have is evident in these past couple of games.Miami's shot quality (expected EFG% based on shot location, nearest defender, etc.) was .54 in game 1, .55 in game 2, .51 in game 3, .48 in game 4, and .50 game 5 according to pbpstats.com
The Celtics defense has been considerably better since Hayward has gotten back. Maybe it's just coincidence, but Miami has been getting much less out of their cutting the last three games.
Edit: Beaten by a chicken dinner! The shame...
It must help being the 3rd or 4th option on a team, rather than first.We are talking about JB from 10-16 in his thread, but in Utah GH shot .423 from that range with a distribution of .105.
Since joining the Celtics, he's .490 from that range with a distribution of .154. Shot 60.0% from that range in the playoffs last year and is currently at 50% this year. Not sure if that includes last night.
Of course he's shooting better everywhere else on the court too besides 3.
With C's With Utah
0-3": .703 .638
3-10": .484 .381
10-16": .490 .423
16-3p: .434 .399
3p: .357 .368