Boston Celtics: Kyrie Irving Wants Gordon Hayward To ‘Look For Your Shot More’

Kyrie Irving told reporters that he had a chat with Boston Celtics teammate Gordon Hayward about being more aggressive on offense.

Since returning from his long layoff, Gordon Hayward has seemed a little gun shy on offense, passing up good shots in the paint to pass to a teammate, or not looking for his shot at all. Hayward currently ranks sixth on the team in field goals attempted per game at 8.9. The last time he attempted that few field goals for an entire season he was a 21-year old sophomore in the NBA, becoming a full-time starter for the first time.

After practice on Thursday morning, Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving told reporters that he spoke with Hayward privately, and encouraged him to look for his offense more. Per Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston:

It’s good to hear Irving has Hayward’s and is serious about being a real leader. Hayward’s confidence has clearly been shaken a bit here in the first quarter of the season–he’s been moved to the bench, is shooting just 29 percent from deep, and (minus his rookie season) posting career low numbers basically across the board.

More than the numbers, Hayward has looked so tentative and afraid to attack for a player who was a former All-Star and played with great force. Obviously, there’s going to be an adjustment period for a guy who is returning from such a gruesome injury–both physically and mentally.

Though Hayward clearly lacks some of the bounce and explosiveness he had at his peak, his body appears to have recovered enough athletic ability to compete at a high level in the NBA. But Hayward’s mindset has taken a hit since the rusty return, too.

Hayward is playing like a guy who is thinking too much on the court, instead of trusting his basketball instincts, particularly at the offensive end. The 6-foot-8 wing is far too timid trying to get to the tin, content to shoot jumpers or pass the ball off; for that reason, he’s getting the line at a career-low rate.

The outside shots have frustratingly clanged off the back rim all too often, and Hayward’s inability to get easy baskets or free throws has prolonged his season-opening slump. At some point, Hayward’s going to have to shoot himself out of this funk and Irving was right to point this out to his teammate in such a constructive way.

Despite his poor shooting and scoring, the Boston Celtics have been more than 10 points better with Hayward on the court since he moved into the sixth man role.

Hayward still can be a valuable player even when he’s not scoring because he’s a smart player, gets to the right spots, and is a phenomenal passer. But for the Celtics to start looking like the team they need to be to play in June, Hayward has to figure out how to score again.

Irving knows as well as anybody that he needs Hayward to play at his All-Star form for Boston to have a chance to reach the NBA Finals. As frustrating as the losses and bricks piling up can be, it’s better for Hayward to get the kinks out now–as soon as he can–so the Celtics can start finding their championship identity.