Welcome to the B-Ball Brunch. Enjoy reading about my NBA musings about last night during your brunch hours.
The old Gordon Hayward might be back!
(PHOTO CREDIT: David Liam Kyle/Getty Images.)
Maybe it’s me but I don’t see a lot of people talking about the Celtics at the moment. There’s probably good reason for this; I don’t think a lot of people expect them to be in the top tier. And when a star like Kyrie Irving leaves, the easy thing to say is that they’re going to regress.
It certainly helps that there are a lot more sexier storylines going on in the league. The Lakers have been knocking around opponents to start the season. The rage about load management continues. Luka Doncic has been magical. There are drug-related suspensions happening. The Heat got off to a surprisingly good start. There is A LOT happening.
We also remember that last year’s Celtics was said to be too talented. When that happens, there would be a bit of confusion when it came to roles. Of course, we would see later that a lot of things didn’t come into play when it came to the roster. Gordon Hayward wasn’t all the way back. Irving would admit he didn’t handle things well as “the leader of the team.” Jayson Tatum‘s sophomore year was below expectations. Jaylen Brown didn’t make the proverbial jump. It led to a disappointing end of the season where they lost to the Bucks in five games. Irving, Al Horford, and Terry Rozier would all leave in the offseason.
They did add Kemba Walker to offset the loss of Irving. Still, with all the talent leaving, a surplus of talent seemed to be the “better problem” than not being talented enough. It felt like the Celtics could be the latter this season, especially after they were waxed by the Sixers in the first game of the new campaign.
Two weeks later and the Celtics have reeled off five straight.
Hayward could be the difference here. He hadn’t been the same since that gruesome injury in the 2017-18 season opener (don’t look that video up). He came off the bench for most of last season and all of the playoffs but it was clear that he wasn’t THE Gordon Hayward.
But this Hayward is less tentative. In that Philly loss, it was noted that he made a ton of drives to the basket. He’s playing a lot more minutes. And if that season opener wasn’t his breakout game, it was the one against Cleveland last night (ironically, this was where he suffered his major injury). 39 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists. Hayward made all 16 of his shots inside the arc. If Hayward has more games like this, it could be a major difference for the team.
Walker hasn’t had great shooting games but he finds a way to get buckets. While his overall field goal percentage is just above 40 percent, he’s shooting a career-best .426 behind the arc. He’s also gotten to the line more; those 15 free throws against the Bucks and 14 against the Knicks stand out.
This year could be Tatum’s leap year (he took and made the game-winner against New York). Jaylen Brown, who now has a fresh new deal, is on his way to becoming a two-way menace. Marcus Smart just guards EVERYONE.
Most of all, the chemistry seems better than last season. What happened last year mostly came to light afterwards. We’re not hearing similar murmurs so far. Let’s hope it stays that way for their sake.
We’re not really used to Boston sports being a little quiet. But rest assured that it’ll be a lot noisier if they keep playing this way. And it’s going to be so obnoxious.
Bullet Passes
Speaking of obnoxious, I’m sure people are enjoying the Laker fan base going B-A-N-A-N-A-S. The Lakers are off to a 6-1 start after completing a comeback against the Bulls by clobbering them in the fourth quarter. Dwight Howard continues his resurrection (he’s not dead, guys!). LeBron James is playing like he’s in Year 5 in Year 17. Kyle Kuzma recently returned and Tuesday night was the first time he looked like Kyle Kuzma (in basketball skills, not literal physical looks). And while it didn’t show in the first three quarters, their defense continued to be everywhere.
Do the Lakers have an ACTUAL switch now?! It’s too early for this, guys!
Ya know, the Charlotte Hornets are 4-3 and, while we’re saying the Celtics are going under-the-radar, these guys are even more under. Obviously, the Hornets don’t have the rich history that the Celtics have. Plus their big-name player is probably… Terry Rozier? But their rookies P.J. Washington (who had this delicious jam) and Devonte’ Graham (35 points and the game-winning foul shots in their win against Indiana) have been very solid so far in this early part of the season. Not sure if they’ll even win 40 this year but let’s keep an eye out on those two rooks.
The Orlando Magic‘s offense is the most offensive in the league right now.
LAST in points per game (93.6). Keep in mind that the league average is 110 points per game!
LAST in offensive rating (96.4 points per 100 possessions).
LAST in PACE (97.1 possessions per 48 minutes).
LAST in field goal percentage (.396). League average is .450.
The Magic are 2-5 right now. I’m no rocket scientist but the offense MIGHT be a problem.
Watch This Play
Trae Young is back and he’s here to dance.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
We thought he had ankle problems. He’s the one giving other ankles problems.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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