The Boston Celtics signed Gordon Hayward to a max contract of four years and $128 million in the summer of 2017. The 2017-2018 season was slated to be Hayward’s first season with the Celtics and the city of Boston had high goals for both Hayward and the team. Hayward was set to join, star point guard, Kyrie Irving in Boston. Hayward, with the Utah Jazz, averaged 21.9 points in 2016-2017, coming off one of his best seasons. In the shot chart, from Gordon’s last year in Utah, which can be seen below, Hayward was an above average shooter from both outside the arc and inside the paint.

Hayward was cementing himself as a top player in the NBA that could be effective in the lane, as well as hit the three. The Celtics were adding a star to their lineup. Unfortunately for “Green Teamers” spread across New England, Hayward suffered a gruesome, devastating injury in the first quarter of his first game. Hayward dislocated his left ankle and fractured his left tibia. Hayward went on to miss the entire season and after rehabbing, returned the following year. Although Hayward returned, Hayward did not perform at his best. Fans began to question whether or not, he’d ever be the player he once was and coach, Brad Stevens, went as far as to bench Hayward. Rather than a $128 million star, Hayward was coming off the bench towards the end of the 2018 season.

2019, though, Hayward put the doubt from 2018 to bed. Hayward essentially used 2018 as a gap year, to fully recover and adjust to the speed of the game. Often times when professional athletes suffer a devastating injury, they are not themselves right upon returning to the lineup. The main question asked is: How will it affect the rest of their career? Hayward answered that question in 2019. He is back to cementing himself as a game changer. Hayward’s 2018 season and 2019 season can be compared between the two shot charts.

In the two shot charts, the main difference comes from outside of the paint and around the arch. In Hayward’s first year back, a fair amount of blue and purple can be seen, which indicate a FG% below the league average. After suffering such a horrific leg injury, Hayward had to find his jump shot again and trust his footwork. After finding his old form, in 2019, Hayward managed to comeback to green figures, indicating above average. Hayward’s 2019 shot chart resembles his 2016 chart, more than his 2018 chart. This proves that 2018, his first-year post injury, may not have been the best indication of whether Hayward was performing at ceiling. Hayward’s 2019 season portrays what the Celtics saw in Hayward when they offered him a max contract.

Additionally, an advanced statistic can be used to support that Hayward’s 2019 season proves he has returned to his old form. According to Basketball Reference, the advanced statistic true shooting percentage is a measure of accuracy that takes into account 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals and free throws. The year before Hayward’s injury, Hayward had a 60% true shooting percentage. His first-year post injury it dipped, but now in 2019 has recovered and is at 59%. Hayward’s year by year true shooting percentage can be seen through the bar chart that represents his true shooting percentage per season.

2017 is not an accurate representation of his true shooting percentage, as his statistics are based on less than a quarter. It is important to note that an upward trend can be seen between 2018 and 2019. Also, as mentioned earlier, 2019’s season is similar to 2016’s. This is information that proves Hayward is back to playing at his previous elite level. The concern that was discussed in 2018 was not credible because no organization or fan should expect an athlete to come back from a potential career ending injury and jump directly back into the spotlight.

Kyrie Irving may no longer be in Boston, but Gordon Hayward is and those same goals from years ago are still expected. Hayward is now part of new core along with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The time to win is now. If this season is to resume, the Celtics have a chance to make a run in the playoffs and if fans have to wait until next year, then this core should still be together and playing well. Boston dodged a bullet because Hayward’s injury could have been a lot worse. Hayward could have continued trending downward after his injury, but instead he has rebounded and as a result, there is still hope for another championship in Boston in the near future.