2019-20 Boston Celtics Season

I'll take Semi's D right now over those two easily, he was also the better three point shooter among those three in the regular season. The Raptors adjusted and everytime we insert Grant Williams they go right inside and post him up and get points. The type of game plans you don't see in the regular season. Grant Williams can't guard Ibaka and Siakam, Semi can. Not sure why we are even talking about Langford, as these guys are playing PF. Yeah overall Semi has been disappointing, yet he's still a high level defender that can make a three if left open.

How do you think that works? Hayward isn't close to Smart, heck Hayward isn't close to the defender Semi is. You think Hayward can guard Siakam and Ibaka? There is absolutely no way you can tell me Hayward being out hasn't helped our D, especially against the Raptors. Heck in limited minutes Semi and Grant Williams are likely going to be better than Hayward against most teams because they are playing PF. The argument for Hayward isn't his D, which is basically average. It's his offense, which he is clearly 100 times better at than those guys. Yet outside one game, we've had zero issues scoring.

There's a bunch you can debate with Hayward, the fact that Smart is better defensively isn't one of them. Certainly not against the Raptors.

He's much closer to Semi on defense than Semi is to him on offense. Hayward is actually a solid defensive player. Not spectacular, but won't get picked on. Semi is a borderline useless player.

So minutes are just minutes to you? It's Smart vs Hayward because that's what it really is. It changes everything. It's playing your four best defenders together for major minutes to start games, start second half and at end of games. That's not the same as Smart coming in six minutes into the game instead of Wannamaker, with Williams replacing Theis. There's no Tatum at five, with Hayward, Brown, Walker, and Smart. Which isn't a good lineup against the Raptors on D. The impact on offense is huge, yet it forces Tatum, Walker and Brown to score and create more. With Hayward it's totally different on so many levels.

We obviously don't see defense the same. I've literally seen Hayward be attacked on D. Just like the Raptors were doing with Williams who you also love. The announcers even called it out on TV.  I've heard Green call Hayward a massive liability on D. He's a smart guy who tries hard, yet he's limited. There is a  difference in Haywards D since his injury. Like Siakam and Ibaka would destroy him, those are the guys Grant Williams and Semi are guarding, if we're just talking about those minutes. It's also different looks on players, so they don't get comfortable. That goes away with Hayward back. The only thing I agree with on Semi is Haywards rebounding, yet I count that into Haywards grade already. Semi is an elite athlete even in the NBA, he's strong, quick and plays with very good energy. I want Semi switching over Hayward. I've always been crazy impressed with Semi's D. Yet let's also remember we are talking limited minutes here for Semi. It's also allowing Wannamaker more minutes with Smart starting and he's a darn good defender. Heck Robert Williams also likely get less minutes with Hayward playing. It's not just minutes, it's the effect on the whole rotation.

Looking at pairings like that is all about context. Who you played, who started, how many minutes etc. For example advanced stats have never like Brown as a defender. Yet he's a darn good defender. The fact you list pairings with Walker kinda makes me laugh. Is Kemba also a high level defender? He's another guy who tries and is smart, yet his size limits him. I'm sorry but it doesn't pass the eye test, Theis, Tatum, Smart and Brown is the best defensive lineup I've easily seen on this team. Look at what they are doing. In the Modern Day NBA it's a downright struggle for teams to get a 100 points against us night after night.

You remember the 2018 vs 2019 playoff series against the Bucks right? Did you think Hayward playerd good D in that series?

You can think whatever you want, yet that is my thought process. Our D is much better with Smart starting and playing big minutes. If Hayward doesn't get injured that isn't happening and the whole rotations change. It's not just Hayward taking Williams and Semi's minutes or Smart still plays if Hayward doesn't go down. On defense against the Raptors we got lucky with that injury.

Offense is a whole different debate, yet you like and want Tatum creating no? That's happening because of no Hayward, that was his role. It's not just Semi and Williams offense versus Hayward either, they aren't coming close to taking the amount of shots he does. Those extra shots are going to Tatum, Brown, Smart and Walker.  Call this the 2018 vs 2019 debate that less can be more. 

I’ve said my piece on Hayward, my only point was to say he was a better defender than you are giving credit for. You’re moving into alternative universe stuff that can’t be debated, like what would happen if he were currently here. When/if he returns maybe we can see, although what’s his ankle going to be like? It does give Brad an opportunity to limit his minutes.

Not sure if you are still being biased about Kemba but he’s played damn good defense, especially in the playoffs. He’s been the main defender on VanVleet and has made life difficult on him. Kemba not having to do everything offensively has allowed him to be a higher effort defender. Let’s not act like he’s a liability out there.

I just wanted to make my point clear and how for me it's really Smart vs Hayward and the pros and cons of that. I'm not going to 2018 levels because Hayward isn't a cancer like Irving, yet it's a massive change.

I want no part of Hayward unless he's 100%. Even then it's going to be rough bringing him back after being out over a month in the middle of the playoffs. Yet if Brad is going to limit his minutes, sure he could be a positive taking bench guys minutes for 15-20 minutes. Do we really think that happens though?

Kemba has been very good, about as good as he can be. Yet they can to switch on him. Kenny Smith highlighted it on halftime with Siakam attacking him. He's not a huge liability, yet he's also the weak link, as that's the only player we're switching gives them an advantage. VanVleet is small, so it's a very good matchup for Walker. Yet not many teams start SGs the size of VanVleet. Walkers size will always limit him, yet I love the effort and how he's playing.

You can attack everyone with switches theoretically, the Celtics defense overall makes it really hard. A lof of what they're doing is due to Kemba actually working his ass off. Remember Kyrie? Now that's what a gettable defensive player looks like. Kemba isn't Smart, but he's rock solid for a guy his size.

Boston hasn't been on a record pace on offense, but the defense is just unreal. It might look less impressive than it is because the Raptors are also playing out of their minds on that end. But the Cs are playing some legendary defense right now.

I agree with that, which is why I feel we got lucky with Haywards injury. Getting Theis, Tatum, Brown and Smart to play along side Walker helps him. Having Walker and Smart guarding Lowry and VanVleet, has allowed Brown to guard Siakam a ton. Compared to Brown guarding Lowry and Hayward facing Siakam a bunch.

Inserting Smart for Hayward has taken a very good D, to a crazy level. You don't even need a great offense if the other team can't get 100 points. Yet I also think the offense minus one game has been good when you account for Toronto's D.

Not full time no - but being able to offset the load and throw different looks and be switchable is all good.

If this team wants to win a Championship then they’ll likely need more offense. They’ve played 2 terrible offensive teams to this point. So going back to the original question of do we want Hayward to return. The answer is yes I’d he’s good we want him back.

Tatum needs to be better

The hell was Theis doing