Rational discussion on what the Hayward injury means to the 2017-18 Celtics - podcast

BOSTON - As noted in Saturday’s practice “walk-through,” the Boston Celtics seem to be recovering from the gut-wrenching injury that ended Gordon Hayward’s season, and the Celts’ dreams of a NBA Finals birth in 2018.

Impressively, after the initial shock of the grotesque ankle fracture suffered by Hayward, Celtics’ fans have remained fairly composed and optimistic about this season. There’s been a lot of mention of the youth movement and how the increased minutes for Jaylen and Jayson can only help their pursuit of banner 18 in seasons to come. Everyone seems to be trying to put a bright face on a dark, cruel twist of events.

Among the media, there’s been discussions of the Celtics’ new state-of-the-art practice facility and how it can facilitate with Hayward’s recovery.

We’ve heard everything from, “why did we trade Isaiah Thomas?” to “thank god we have Kyrie Irving right now.” Injuries such as Gordon’s has invoked contradictory feelings and irrational thoughts about the team’s immediate future.

Even the cold and rigid host of the Celtics Beat Podcast on CLNS opened today’s episode with well wishes for Gordon, words of encouragement for Celtics’ fans and great praise for the Celtics’ franchise handling of the gruesome injury. Did LHR take sensitivity courses? If not, his opening monologue is even more impressive.

Later, the new-look, sensitive, Larry H. Russell is joined by Celtics Roundtable host, Evan Valenti to look at how the C’s move forward, where they now stand in the east and just how bright their future truly is, when Gordon Hayward can finally return next season.

Enjoy a Sunday morning dose of Celtics Beat. This episode will leave you feeling slightly better about a terrible week in Celtics’ history.

SHOW NOTES:

INTRO: Brad Stevens Reaction to Gordon Hayward injury

12:51 Is Kyrie Irving going to take over?

19:38 Jaylen Brown as Boston’s second best player

26:12 Jayson Tatum & Paul Pierce comparisons

30:23 Celts early chemistry issues

35:34 Celtics predictions Before/After Hayward injury

Available for download on iTunes and Stitcher on Sunday, October 22nd. Celtics Beat is presented by Bombfell &Harry’s Razors. Get a FREE TRIAL at harrys.com/celtics