The dawn of a new, promising era in Boston basketball is at hand following the Celtics‘ stellar offseason moves; at the top of which is the acquisition of coveted free agent, Gordon Hayward.
Hayward, who made headlines by agreeing to a four-year, $128 million deal with the Celtics on Independence Day, is expected to be the face of the franchise for years to come. To make matters all but official, the Celtics' social media team took to Twitter with word on which number the six-foot-eight standout forward will don in Beantown.
At forward, 6'8" from Butler, @gordonhayward #WelcomeGordon pic.twitter.com/tZpRPwWSFy
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 14, 2017
Hayward wore No. 20 during his seven-year stint with the Utah Jazz as well as in the two years he spent in Butler, which makes the Celtics' announcement not that big of a surprise. However, this news does come with a slight hint of controversy, as the last Boston player to wear No. 20 was none other than 10-time All-Star, Ray Allen.
Allen, who was a key member of the Celtics' championship-winning team in 2008, is a Hall of Fame-bound superstar who could've easily received recognition from the C's by retiring his number high above the rafters of TD Garden. However, the sharpshooter had a tumultuous relationship with the rest of the title-winning cast in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo ever since he decided to sign with the Miami Heat in 2012. As such, the Celtics' decision to let Hayward don the No. 20 jersey is pretty much a sign that reconciling with Allen is far from happening indeed.
Nonetheless, Allen's outstanding contribution in Boston will never be forgotten. In turn, the fact that Hayward will symbolically take over where Jesus Shuttlesworth left off still serves as a testament to how well the Celtics have constantly and successfully rebuilt their roster in hopes of bringing many more championships to The Hub.
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