NBA: One x-factor for every team heading into the restart

Boston Celtics

X-factor: Gordon Hayward 

Before the NBA entered a hiatus, Jayson Tatum was playing at an extremely high level. He was quickly transforming into a budding superstar. You could possibly say the same about Jaylen Brown, who was evolving into a star in his own right. The addition of Kemba Walker couldn’t have been working any better for the team as well.

However, one player that was also having a great season was Gordon Hayward. Before the stoppage, Hayward was beginning to look like his old self. Even though it wouldn’t be fair to expect him to carry the Celtics in the playoffs, he’s certainly a player that could turn a series or, at the very least, a game in Boston’s favor.

If Hayward can pick up where he left off when the season entered a hiatus, there’s no question the Celtics can emerge as one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference. However, that might be one too big of an “if.” Who knows?