Celtics Make Gordon Hayward Official!

I have no idea what took so long. But, it didn't really matter. Once Hayward put out that website post, he wasn't going to change his mind. It was just a matter of putting ink to paper....if that's what they were waiting for.

Now that he's here, what does that mean for the team? Wow is that hard to say.

No, Hayward is not a franchise changing type player. He's not Kevin Durant. But, he's a key piece to any team. How key really depends on the team.

One thing that was always so impressive about the most recent Big Three is that they all complimented each other so well. If Ainge had brought in, say, Kobe Bryant instead I'm not sure how well it would have worked. He and Pierce would be very similar players. Slashing 2/3s who can create their own shot and handle the ball. I'm not sure there would have been enough balls to satisfy each of them. That wasn't the case when he added KG and Allen. Allen was a pure shooter. He could come off a pick and nail a three. He could take a kick out and nail a three. He wasn't driving the lane right next to Pierce. He was waiting to bail him out. It was the perfect compliment. Then, there was KG. He had practically no interest in scoring. He was happy to simply rebound, and get it back out to the other two. He was there for the defense. He was one of the best, waiting there for people who got by Pierce and Allen. It really couldn't have been drawn up any better.

So, how will this new Celtics team work? Probably pretty well. I'm not sure the Celtics have a player exactly like Hayward. He can help spread the floor. He can make a shot. He can create a shot. He'll stop other teams from double teaming IT. He'll give Horford more room. It'll be interesting to see how it all works together.

Unlike baseball, for instance, a basketball team really does play off each other. You can't double team everyone. Having that additional option is something that can't be directly measured on paper. It's the sort of addition that makes everyone else on the court better. Another player that teams need to respect. No more leaving Marcus Smart open and daring him to beat you. The Celtics have another weapon. He can beat you. He can make the team better.

How much better remains to be seen. We probably won't know until after a few actual games, when the back and forth shows up. When they all play off each other. When the floor gets spread out. When people get there shots. 

I can't wait to see it in action.