Luka had a big game last night but I will raise you one.
I have been watching the Celtics games ( I get every game on cable) closely for the last month plus and Gordon Hayward has been coming on like gangbusters. Last night he was virtually flawless. He scored 29 points ( 13 in the decisive 3rd quarter) on 12-17 from the field. He went 2-4 from three and scored on pull ups, drives to the basket and even flushed it down. As usual his floor sense was superb as he handed out 6 assists and pulled down 5 boards to go along with 2 steals. Worth mentioning his teammate C Daniel Theis had a career game with 25 points and 16 rebounds.
All of this begs two questions? Is Gordon all the way back from his injury two years ago? And has he reclaimed the title of best white NBA player in the game?
Hayward still suffers from a type of lag which happens more frequently after the Celtics play a cluster of games. During these spells Gordon's shot doesn't fall as easily and he seems sluggish. But those moments are less frequent than last season and if anything he seems to be leaping as well or better than anytime in his career. He is finally getting his legs back after LeBron James deliberately snapped his ankle in two during the first game of the 2017 season.
So who is the best white player in the game so far this season? Talk about a neat barroom argument?
Some might consider big men like Sabonis, who is having a break out season or Jokic. I think most would reflexively answer Doncic who will be just 21 in a few days. If you were starting a franchise today Luka would clearly be the first pick. But for now I believe the best white player this season is the 29 year old Hayward.
At first flush Luka seems to be the man. He is averaging 29 plus points a game and throwing down triple doubles like they grow on trees. Dallas doesn't have great overall talent but with Doncic in charge they are firmly entrenched as a playoff team with a 34-22 record.
Hayward is averaging nearly 18 points a game but a closer look at their comparative stats is interesting. Doncic averages over 20 shots a game whereas Hayward averages just 13 plus. Hayward is shooting a career high 51% from the field and 39.5% from three. He is also hitting free throws at an 86% clip. Luke is shooting over 46 % from the field, 32.7 from three and 76% from the free throw line.
Luka is the better rebounder at 9.6 to Hayward's 6.7. He also has him beat in assists with 8.6 to 4.1 but that stat is deceptive. Luka is averaging over 4 turnovers a game and Gordon is only turning over the ball at a 1.7 % clip. I also give the defensive edge to Hayward due to his experience.
While it is true the Celtics have a better overall roster they are a sturdy 39-16 for the year. To be fair Gordon doesn't have to do as much as Luka due to being on a better team but there is still something to be said for a player's ability to seamlessly integrate and help his teammates perform at a high level. It is called the art of winning and it is an underrated tool when talent gurus examine individual players. This notion of course is foreign to the many black ball hogs that are littered throughout the league. Former Celtic Kyrie Irving, who is out for the season with an injury, is a prime example of a ball hog who makes his team worse.
Makes for an interesting discussion and while Luka's career arc is just starting and looks enticing for the time being I think Hayward has regained the mantle of best white player in the game. And when he is firing on all cylinders he is easily one of the smoothest looking talents in the NBA.
