Why is Gordon Hayward suddenly looking playoff-ready?
It wasn't the fact that Gordon Hayward took the game-winning shot with two seconds on the game clock. It was the WAY he did it!. Gordon took the ball the length of the floor - pulled off a Paul Pierce-like stutter step - and then hit a difficult hang-in-the-air, falling-to-the left baseline jumper. And he did this on the second night of a back-to-back, It is difficult not to get excited by this!
HAYWARD WITH THE GAME WINNER! pic.twitter.com/v4aT0MgLy7— Celtics Direct (@CelticsDirect) March 7, 2019
Hayward scored 12 points on 60% from the floor after notching 30 points on 75% shooting versus Golden State the night before. Just when many were counting Gordon out as a vital part of the post-season - here he comes looking like Paul Pierce.
13 years ago to this day, @paulpierce34 hit a game-winner as he was falling to his left to beat the Wizards on the road. Tonight, @gordonhayward hits a game winner as he’s falling to his left to beat the Kings on the road. pic.twitter.com/EKX4L8Hd57— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) March 7, 2019
Hayward also grabbed three rebounds and assisted on five hoops while adding a steal, showing once again his versatility. Assistant Coach Scott Morrison is the guy that has worked hard to help Hayward find his way back to the player he really is, and I recommend listening below to what Scott had to say - the crux of it being that Gordon is getting more of an opportunity and more touches - and that Gordon makes good decisions with the ball in his hands, but often that decision is to give someone else a shot. Count me as one that truly wants this great story to continue with a story-book ending.
Assistant Coach Scott Morrison, who is Gordon Hayward’s individual coach, reveals details about Hayward’s comeback and gives his opinion on Hayward’s recent play. pic.twitter.com/bciSqAoZHw— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 7, 2019
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Photo via Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images