Are the Celtics better without Hayward?

[AirBonner]

I think they are at the least better defensively

[juju151111]

I think they are at the least better defensively

They are, but sometimes Smart goes Cold. They should bring him off the bench.

[Wally450]

Statistically they’re better without him than with him. But having him come off the bench when he comes back provides us with another ball handler and limits the minutes where we need to play Semi.

[Real Men Wear Green]

They aren't better. They are used to playing without him and are still good but you don't improve by losing a guy that averages 17+. Overreacting to some early success. Best ball we've seen in years was still when Walker and Hayward were healthy earlier in the season and the Celtics were a threat to make the #1 seed.

But they are better without Irving.

[Axe]

So it just feels like addition by subtraction if that's the case

[MrFonzworth]

Yep.

[NBAGOAT]

Trade him for turner. Win/win move

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Yes Ive been saying this all season

Hayward will get 30 points on 12/20 shooting against a bum team to boost his stats but then disappear against an elite team/defense the next game with 8 points on 2/13. His season averages look nice but that doesnt show his level against top teams where hes a choker.

Defense is MUCH better without him. Jaylen, Tatum, Kemba and Smart are more important for the team. Only thing is their bench is inconsistent so when the bench doesnt bring anything theyll miss Gordon. Gordon is a good playmaker/shooter and slows things down when 2-3 of Kemba/Tatum/Jaylen are resting. That is all hes good for

Theyre 18-5 without him now including the playoffs. And the losses were by

1pt @ SAC - Smart nearly had a gamewinner
3pts @ LAC - OT game
4pts @ Denver
5pts @ Brooklyn
5pts @ Utah - Jaylen also missed the game

For the future Boston should let him walk or at best he should be a 6th man Manu Ginobli role. He isnt bout that life. HEs not a needle mover

[DoctorP]

I think they are at the least better defensively


they keep winning without him. maybe so. plus he gets injured whenever he is needed. i say trade em

[E_Stamkos]

Give me Hayward off the bench on my team any day

[CelticBaller]

If smart could average 15+ yeah we would be

[Vino24]

Give me Hayward off the bench on my team any day

He would be sitting on the bench more than anything

[red1]

I dont think they miss him. they have so many guards and wing players you just give more minutes to smart tatum and brown. maybe it even helps those players get a better rhythm.

[Derka]

I'd rather have Hayward out there than see nearly 30 minutes of Brad Wanamaker and Semi Ojeleye.

[dbugz]

I'd rather have Hayward out there than see nearly 30 minutes of Brad Wanamaker and Semi Ojeleye.

Brad Stevens should permanently ban wanamaker from entering the paint, everytime he drives on the paint, it's a disaster waiting to happen.

Why Semi? dude have superb game guarding trashcal?

[imdaman99]

He has a lot of games where he's invisible, even when he's not injured lol.