Boston Celtics wing Gordon Hayward's return to the court -- after a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle ended his season last year -- hasn't been particularly smooth, which is to be expected.
The Celtics need Hayward to reach their potential, and they have let him try to work his way back into shape despite his early struggles. Through 13 games, Hayward is scoring just under 10 points on 39.6 percent shooting -- well under his career averages.
But facing a 7-6 record and two likely playoff teams later this week, Boston might need to make some changes to its lineup to avoid falling below .500 a little less than a quarter of the way through the season. That might mean subbing Marcus Smart for someone in the starting lineup, to inject defensive energy and jumpstart the Celtics in transition.
On Tuesday prior to Celtics practice, Hayward said he would be willing to come off the bench, if necessary.
"For me, I'm happy to be on the court, No. 1 more than anything and, No. 2, whatever I can do to help us win,'' Hayward said. "I said it before the season, it's whatever to me."
After going 1-4 on their latest five-game road trip, the Celtics still appear to be searching for answers. At times, the offense looks like a juggernaut -- the ball whips in and out of the paint and around the perimeter, finding open shooters only to rim in and out or clank sadly off the rim.
"We have to figure something out because for whatever reason we're not playing our best basketball right now," Hayward said. "... There's obviously a little bit of rust and sometimes you just go through those phases. You go through slumps. The shot feels good in practice and looks good and for whatever reason in the game, they're in and out."
Still, Hayward knows what he has to do to break out of his slump: Keep shooting confidently and expect the next shot is going to go in.
"Sometimes it gets frustrating, but for me, I've played in the league long enough to know you just have to put in the work in practice and shoot with confidence, shoot your way out of it."