The upcoming season is a huge one for Gordon Hayward.
The Boston Celtics forward struggled to find consistency in his first full season since suffering his catastrophic ankle injury in 2017. Much of those struggles, Hayward has admitted, were due to a lack of confidence.
But the 29-year-old feels strongly things will be different during the 2019-20 campaign. Speaking during media day on Monday, Hayward made it clear he's feeling much more optimistic heading into this season.
"I am excited. I think health-wise, I think mentally I feel a lot better going into this year," Hayward said. "Not only just because I was able to train and kind of build some confidence that way. I think confidence comes from repetition more than anything and practice and the reps. But also just having a year with the guys. Getting a chance to be acclimated to the team and kind of the system that we're in and that type of stuff too. So definitely feel a lot better and certainly excited about this year."
Hayward also noted in his blog post last week he is "ready to be the player he came to Boston to be."
That certainly is what Celtics fans want to hear, as they expected All-Star caliber play from Hayward when he signed two years ago on July 4. If he indeed returns to being that kind of consistent and confident player, the new-look C's likely will make things even more interesting in the wide-open Eastern Conference.
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