Boston Celtics feel complete with a healthy Gordon Hayward
When Gordon Hayward returned to the Boston Celtics rotation in Game 3, many questioned what one aspect of the game that he would impact the most in their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Miami Heat.
Many were quick to point to Hayward as potentially being the “zone-buster” in this series, or a player that was going to come in and give this team another respectable shooter on the perimeter, or even a second offensive-initiator that this team could use with its bench unit.
Each of those thoughts and theories has legs. Though, the biggest part of this series that Hayward impacts the most in the depth battle between the two teams. And he adds an element that simply can’t be matched by the Heat at this point in the playoffs.
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Look at it this way, with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, and Gordon Hayward, the Celtics have five perimeter-oriented players that could all give offensive headaches for the Heat – oh, and they can all defend at a fairly high level on the other end of the floor.
That’s not something the Heat can counter with – especially with Kendrick Nunn playing himself out of the rotation, Andre Iguodala being limited with back soreness, and Kelly Olynyk being essentially ineffective off the bench.
Not only do the Celtics have the more top-heavy team in this series, but you can make the case that they’re also the deeper team now. Each team goes roughly six deep (playing close to 30 minutes per game). Honestly, at this point in this series, you have to take Boston’s first six.
Especially if Duncan Robinson and Jae Crowder are going to continue to struggle with their jump shot or to stay on the court (due to foul trouble), in Robinson’s case. Hayward may only have scored six points in his debut in the Eastern Conference Finals, but he’s impacting the game on so many other levels – he also finished with five rebounds and four assists.
Gordon Hayward changed the dynamic of this series with his return. Heading into Game 4, it’ll be up to the Miami Heat on whether they’ll be able to counter that.