Gordon Hayward Says 2018-19 Celtics with Kyrie Irving 'Had Too Many Agendas' | News, Scores, Highlig

September 2024 ยท 3 minute read
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 23: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA game against the Denver Nuggets at Spectrum Center on December 23, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)David Jensen/Getty Images

Gordon Hayward believes the 2018-19 Boston Celtics team fell short of expectations because the team had "too many agendas."

The Celtics had ample potential to succeed with All Star-caliber players in Hayward and Kyrie Irving, along with emerging talents in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier. Despite a seemingly stacked roster, Boston fell short in the second round of the playoffs to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Making an appearance on Podcast P with Paul George, Hayward said he believes the team got in its own way.

"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," Hayward said. "Not to blame anyone either, because I think it was all human nature."

Podcast P with Paul George @PodcastPShow

"We all had too many agendas, and the agenda to win the whole thing wasn't the main one."<br><br>Gordon Hayward on the shortcomings of a loaded 2018-19 Celtics squad <a href="https://t.co/vPm6yETr5B">pic.twitter.com/vPm6yETr5B</a>

Hayward believes each player had their own personal goal, and it led to losing focus on what was important.

"I mean, I'm coming back from, the last season I played I was an All Star, so, I'm trying to prove that I'm still an All Star," Hayward said. "Kyrie was hurt the year before, didn't miss the playoffs. So he's trying to prove this is still his team. Then you've got (Jayson Tatum) and Jaylen (Brown) and Terry (Rozier) coming off where they're all starting, make it to the Eastern Conference Finals a year before. They're all trying to prove, like, 'We've arrived.'"

Aside from personal goals, Hayward also thinks having a roster with so much talent got in the way. With several capable scoring options playing in similar positions, it made it difficult for the Celtics to distribute the scoring evenly.

"We had probably eight players who had career highs over 40, who were all arguably in their prime," Hayward said. "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, we all needed the ball."

Despite coming up short in the playoffs, the Celtics put together a solid 49-33 season behind the duo of Hayward and Irving. That year was Irving's final year in Boston, though, as he left for the Brooklyn Nets that summer.

Now several years removed from the 2018-19 team, the Celtics are finding success behind the guidance of Tatum and Brown, and they're looking to accomplish what they couldn't do a few seasons ago.

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