Boston Celtics Rookie Grant Williams Claims Gordon Hayward's Aggresiveness Is Back

Gordon Hayward is back to his All-Star form and he's ready for the 2018-2019 NBA season according to Celtics rookie Grant Williams. The former Utah Jazz franchise player struggled last season after recovering from a gruesome injury that happened on October 17, 2017, during an awkward fall against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 22nd pick of the 2019 NBA Draft has been covering Hayward during offseason scrimmages and notes that his work ethic is rubbing off on his teammates. In a report by the Boston Globe, Williams told the press at the Celtics' service day at Trotter Middle School in Dorchester that Gordon has "beaten me a couple of times."

He said that "Hayward's aggressiveness "is back and he still has that same talent." The former Tennessee Volunteers forward added that "having an 82-game season after not suiting up for a whole year is difficult."

Last year, the six-foot-eight forward has struggled to score the basket, only averaging 11.5 points per game while shooting at a 46.6 clip. In Hayward's last year as a member of the Utah Jazz, he put on 21.9 points per game, adding 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and a steal.

According to Williams, Gordon would "be a guy who leads and also gives a lot for this team." The Celtics young core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart would benefit from Hayward's experience.

Sharing the lead role along with Kemba Walker, would put the Celtics on the right track, after last year's dismal season. Boston also had an identity crisis after Kyrie Irving voiced out his displeasure with the team's effort.

Irving has since moved out of Boston, putting Hayward on the reigns would give the young team its needed guidance. Aside from Williams, the Celtics have four other rookies, making them one of the youngest teams in the NBA.

Romeo Langford, Carsen Edwards, Tremont Waters and Tacko Fall would need to grind it out for playing time. Willaims said that it had been an all-out war at practice and he hopes to develop his offensive skills, mainly being consistent at the three-point line.

He has spent much of this summer working on his 3-point shot. Grant said that "he is working to become more comfortable taking threes while in motion."