Gordon Hayward opened up about the challenges and dynamics that led to the underwhelming performance of the infamous 2018-19 Celtics roster. While the team won 49 games and reached the second round of the NBA Playoffs (lost 1-4 against the Bucks), the high expectations surrounding their potential made it a frustrating season for the players and fans alike.
“In my eyes, it was just, we all had too many agendas, and the agenda to win the whole thing was not the main one. Not to blame anyone either because I think it was all human nature.”
“The other problem is there were too many of us in the exact same position. We all needed the ball, we all rocked with the ball…It was one of those things where we’ve had five players-only meetings, and things were said that were the right things, but I think it’s just in one ear, right out the other.”
"We all had too many agendas, and the agenda to win the whole thing wasn't the main one."
Gordon Hayward on the shortcomings of a loaded 2018-19 Celtics squad pic.twitter.com/vPm6yETr5B
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) January 1, 2024
In a conversation with Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George on “Podcast P with Paul George,” Hayward identified a crucial factor contributing to the team’s shortcomings—diverging personal agendas. According to Hayward, the players had individual goals and aspirations that took precedence over the collective objective of winning a championship.
He delved into the specific personal agendas, citing examples from key players on the team. Hayward himself aimed to prove that he was still an All-Star, Kyrie Irving sought to reestablish his leadership after missing the playoffs due to injury, and younger players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown wanted to assert themselves after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in the previous season.
Another issue highlighted by Hayward was the surplus of players in similar positions, all requiring significant ball involvement. This abundance of talent in similar roles led to challenges in establishing a cohesive playing style and contributed to stagnation on the offensive end.
Despite the difficulties, the 2018-19 Celtics managed to reach the second round of the playoffs. The team’s inability to reconcile individual aspirations with collective goals serves as a cautionary tale, and the current Celtics aim to rectify past mistakes with a new, loaded roster in the 2023-24 season.
That 2019 Celtics Team Had A Potential Dynasty Within Them
The 2018-19 Boston Celtics roster, on paper, possessed the potential for a formidable dynasty with an array of talented and established players. The star-studded lineup included Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Markieff Morris, Jason Terry, and Gordon Hayward. Each player brought a unique skill set and experience to the team, forming a potent combination of youth, talent, and veteran leadership.
In hindsight, the composition of this team, if intact today, would undeniably make them the most stacked and formidable squad in the league. The mix of emerging stars like Tatum and Brown, alongside established veterans like Irving and Horford, created a well-balanced roster capable of competing at the highest level.
The 2019 Celtics had a golden opportunity to establish themselves as a dominant force in the NBA. The Eastern Conference was perceived as wide open, particularly with LeBron James departing for the Los Angeles Lakers. This void left by James presented an ideal scenario for the Celtics to seize control and potentially embark on a dynasty.
However, despite the individual talent and collective potential, the team struggled to find cohesion, battling internal agendas and facing challenges in meshing different playing styles. The combination of individual aspirations and a surplus of players in similar roles contributed to the team falling short of its championship potential.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, one can only speculate how formidable the 2019 Celtics could have become if they had managed to overcome their internal challenges and harness their collective potential. With the right chemistry and a shared commitment to winning, this talented roster had the ingredients for a potential dynasty that could have left a lasting impact on the NBA landscape.
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