In light of the Boston Celtics' 7-6 start to the young season, forward Gordon Hayward expressed his willingness to come off the bench if it helps his team turn the corner.
“For me, I’m happy to be on the court, No. 1 more than anything and, No. 2, whatever I can do to help us win,’’ Gordon Hayward said at the Auerbach Center in Brighton, according to Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. “I said it before the season, it’s whatever to me.
“We have to figure something out because for whatever reason we’re not playing our best basketball right now.”
Hayward's start to the season has been less than desirable through 12 appearances. He's averaging a mere 9.9 points per game on 39.6 percent shooting from the floor and 31.6 percent from deep.
The rest of his game has proven solid, but it's obvious he's still doubting his aggression on the court after sustaining such a major injury during last season's opener.
“There’s obviously a little bit of rust and sometimes you just go through those phases,” said Hayward. “You go through slumps. The shot feels good in practice and looks good and for whatever reason in the game, they’re in and out.
“Sometimes it gets frustrating, but for me, I’ve played in the league long enough to know you just have to put in the work in practice and shoot with confidence, shoot your way out of it.”
Hayward's shot might have a few issues, but that is hardly what has kept him from regaining his true form. Despite recently busting out of his mid-20s minute restriction, Hayward has less than double-digit shot attempts in each of his last four games with the team — a clear sign he's still hesitant to regain the aggressiveness that made him a 20-point scorer with the Utah Jazz.
Coming off the bench could help ease his transition moving forward, allowing him to have less pressure and find a place of comfort on the floor before taking the next step as a starter.
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