Boston Celtics: 3 secret weapons for NBA playoffs

Secret weapon No. 1: Gordon Hayward

To some, he is seen as the Boston Celtics’ x-factor heading into the upcoming Disney bubble. To others, he’s just a bad contract.

However, it must be acknowledged that if the shamrocks wish to truly contend for an NBA championship this year, they’re going to need Gordon Hayward to play big.

Despite what Hooligan may tell you — we love you Hools! –, what with labeling us as the “Cult of the Caucasoid Messiah”, we here at Hardwood Houdini are by no means afraid to call a spade a spade. No one should argue that Hayward’s time with Boston has gone completely according to plan — completion of a big-3, reign supreme in the Eastern Conference, reach the NBA Finals, etc. However, even still, a healthy Hayward has proven to have a big impact on the Celtics in 2019-20.

After spending the first two seasons of his tenure trying to get back to his top physical and mental health after a harrowing leg injury on opening night back in 2017-18, year three has shown glimpses of what fans have been longingly waiting for: a 100% Hayward.

Through 45 games played, the forward has managed to put up impressive averages of 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while stroking it at a career-high efficiency of 50 percent shooting from the floor and 39 percent shooting from deep.

Now, while we can sit here and clearly state that, at a $31.9 million-per-year salary, Hayward has simply not lived up to his max-contract. However, this should not be the conversation for, frankly, what’s done is done — the man got his money.

What should be the conversation is, in his respective role, how well is he playing and, frankly, the answer is clear: he’s been sensational.

He’s not the team’s first, second or even third option but, rather, their fourth and is still managing to stuff the stat sheet at a 17, 6, and 4 clip, has proven to be the team’s best facilitator, and is one of their most efficient scorers.

If he can continue to play at a similar level in the playoffs as he has all season, the Celtics will indefinitely be one of the hardest teams to beat and, in turn, will certainly give the Milwaukee Bucks a run for their money to represent the Eastern Conference in this year’s NBA Finals.