Gordon Hayward is a Celtic and it is Fantastic

First off, where is the "fire Danny Ainge" crowd? It would be awfully hard to continue to preach that awful notion after Ainge sealed the deal by signing a star free agent for the second year in a row in Gordon Hayward.

It wasn't the smoothest process. The signing was leaked before Hayward intended to announce his move, his agent strictly denied that report, and Hayward eventually wrote a piece on The Player's Tribune confirming his move to the Celtics. So yeah, not the greatest look, but nonetheless, HAYWARD IS A CELTIC!

The basketball fit is absolutely perfect, literally written up from the basketball bible (Brad Stevens definitely wrote this). The Celtics were in desperate need of a wing scorer to take the load off of IT until our guy Gordon signed up. With Hayward aboard, IT doesn't have to worry about double teams and complex defensive schemes against him. Imagine a beautiful sequence of IT taking the ball up the court, runs a screen and roll with Horford and kicks the ball to the corner for a gorgeous Hayward three followed by a Brad Stevens weird grin/smile. If that didn't get you hyped I simply don't know what could. Hayward offers much more than scoring. He can run pick and roll as the ball handler and even run some 1-3 P&R with IT, he will bring underrated defensive versatility, and also, he is one of the league's best fastbreak scorers even though he played for the team with the slowest pace in the league the past 3 years. You should expect a lot of Hayward buckets on the break with a team that has a top 15 pace in the league.

The big question is does Hayward push the Celtics over Cleveland? The answer isn't a definite yes nor a definite no. Talent-wise Cleveland still has a huge advantage and would be favored to win in a series, but with all the recent turmoil in the Cavs' organization regarding David Griffin, and LeBron reportedly not recruiting potential trade targets or free agents, the Cavs could blow up at any time during the year, and the Celtics are close enough to capitalize. If they do, I'm not even going to waste words trying to form a scenario where they can challenge the Warriors, there just isn't one. With this roster the Celtics have no shot of beating the Warriors.

I can promise you that Ainge isn't done yet. He knows this team needs one more star. This time they won't just be rumors. This time he has 2 other stars ready to pair with the next guy (pleaseeeeeeee Anthony Davis help a fan base out). Watch out for next offseason especially if the Celtics land 2 top 5 picks. Something will go down. Danny isn't done yet. This isn't the finished product. It will come, whether it's next trade deadline, draft or offseason, something has to give for this team to really be a finals threat. 

Right now, all of Celtics nation should be pumped. It's a great feeling to finally get someone after so many rumors that didn't come through. Next years team will be a joy to watch. Hayward is an excellent player who will be really fun to watch in a Celtics uniform. Also, quick shoutout to Avery Bradley who unfortunately had to be traded in part of the Celtics making cap room (why couldn't Cleveland just win one more game)??!?! AB was a true Celtic who always put his all out there and never disappointed. Good luck in Detroit, AB.

There's a lot to be excited for, a strong team is coming next year with more to give. Get ready, and get pumped. Let's go Celtics.

P.S. Who else knew it was over when they saw this picture?? Not much can separate one from their true basketball father.

Twitter- @ckhater23