Gordon Hayward Looks Like Gordon Hayward In New Video
Gordon Hayward is out here dropping buckets… and actually moving.
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 17: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics warms up prior to playing the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)Gordon Hayward has consistently said that he expects to be ready to go when the Boston Celtics get to work on the 2018-19 season. And the 28-year-old wing's latest video posted to Instagram only strengthened the belief that he's not lying.
Given what Hayward is coming back from -- a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle suffered in the first quarter of Boston's opening night loss to the Cavaliers -- everybody with any sort of vested interest in the Celtics has preached patience. And Hayward has been exactly that. So much so that he's totally skipping next week's Team USA practices in Las Vegas.
The Celtics, meanwhile, have done their part not to put any sort of timetable on Hayward's return to the court.
But this kind of video is exactly what you've been waiting for in terms of seeing Hayward's progress and his on-court motion.
Speaking with reporters at a video game event in Cambridge earlier this week, Hayward was all smiles about his recovery.
"Since I've had my second surgery, I've been feeling a lot better," Hayward offered. "My ankle has reacted a lot better to different drills, strength movements and different things I've done on it, so the next step is go live and play against other people. Instead of just doing rehearse drills, I'm doing reactive drills. It's doing a lot better."
Signed to a four-year, $128 million max contract, Hayward is looking to build off what was a career-year with the Utah Jazz in 2016-17, and develop on-court chemistry a Celtic starting five that could be the second-best in the NBA upon his return.
