Young Celtics show great potential with winning streak
Even after the horrific injury to their newly added All-Star forward, Gordon Hayward, it seems there is no stopping the Boston Celtics in the early period of this 2017-18 season.
Led by their four-time All-Star and NBA champion point guard, Kyrie Irving, the Celtics defeated the Hawks in Atlanta late last night for their ninth straight win.
In a back and forth duel between two in-form Eastern Conference teams, Irving scored 35 points and 7 assists and Jayson Tatum, the Celtics' 3rd overall draft pick scored 21 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for the night.
Centre Al Horford also recorded a double-double against his former team.
The Celtics have shown great team chemistry on the court with their passing game on point and are having their best start since their championship-winning team of 2008 featuring the famed BIG THREE: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.
The injury to Hayward has have paved way for rookie Tatum and second year player Jaylen Brown to have more minutes and both have shown that they belong in the league with their performances so far.
Jaylen Brown the 3rd overall pick who averaged 17.2 minutes per game and 6.6 points average per game last season is now averaging 31.5 mins per game in his last eleven games and average 15.5 points per game, showing significant growth in his game, skill level and intelligence.
Tatum is also showing great potential putting up good numbers (he is in the top five at the offensive end on the rookie ladder). He has shown that he belongs in the NBA-level and his physique and strength mean the youngster is ready to compete.
The 19 year old forward is averaging 13 points 6 rebounds per game and has shown great defensive strenght in steals and blocks as well.
It seems the Celtics have made lemonade with the lemon that is Hayward's horrifc injury.
The young players have stepped up and have shown that they can play and hold their own averaging more minutes and showing great growth in the early stages of the season-long NBA grind.