Boston Celtics small forward Gordon Hayward is looking forward to playing with All-Star point guard Kemba Walker next season.
Walker is replacing Kyrie Irving as the point guard in Boston. Hayward says the three-time All-Star is a “game-changer” thanks to his quickness and ability to get into the paint:
“I think obviously a veteran guy, so some leadership, but somebody that’s just a game-changer with his quickness, probing in the lane,” Hayward said, via the Boston Globe. “He’s able to find seams that a lot of guys can’t just because of his change of speed and obviously his scoring ability too. We’ll lean on him a lot for sure.”
Walker has career averages of 19.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 605 games. He put up 25.6 points and 5.9 assists per game this past season with the Charlotte Hornets. The Celtics don't expect a big drop-off, if any, from Irving to Walker in terms of production on the court.
Walker is one of the best slashers and finishers in the NBA. He always commands heavy traffic around him when he’s driving toward the basket. Walker said at his Celtics introductory press conference his teammates are going to get wide-open looks when he penetrates to the rim and collapses the defense since he's a willing passer.
Hayward is looking to get back to his All-Star form after struggling last season. This upcoming season will mark two years since Hayward suffered that ankle injury in Cleveland. The Celtics are hoping the swingman will be more comfortable in 2019-20.
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