Since the Boston Celtics added Paul George to the roster, there have been concerns about his ability to stay healthy. After all, this is a player who suited up for 78 regular-season games over two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. We’re all basketball fans here, so let me put that in percentages…In George’s two seasons with the Sixers, he played in 47.6% of their regular-season games.
Fortunately for the Celtics, wing depth is not an area of need. In fact, it’s the one area where Joe Mazzulla has
an abundance of talent to call upon. So, should George be forced to miss time, either due to injury or minutes management, there’ll be numerous young wings waiting to make the most of any additional opportunity.
Hugo Gonzalez will likely be at the front of that line. Heading into his sophomore NBA season, Gonzalez will undoubtedly look to continue his development, earning a larger share of the rotation minutes as a result. As we saw in Summer League, the Celtics clearly have a plan for the young forward, and that plan will likely involve him improving as both an on-ball creator and perimeter threat.
There’s no doubt that Gonzalez can improve away from the spotlight of the NBA floor. Yet the best path forward is usually the one that involves honing your talents against other NBA-level players. Gonzalez clearly understands this concept, as he’s spent all summer working toward playing 30 minutes per night at the highest level, even though he knows that such a significant role is unlikely in the upcoming season.
“I just think that you just need to be prepared,” Gonzalez said when speaking with the media at the Celtics media day on Monday, Sept. 28. “Like, if you’re gonna play 30 minutes every night, even though you might not, you need to be prepared for it. So the night that it comes, you’re just ready for it.”
Gonzalez isn’t the only wing in Mazzulla’s rotation who will look to take advantage of any additional minutes that become available on an ad hoc basis. He is, however, the highest-ceiling talent who can slot into multiple wing positions. Therefore, it’s logical that he’s preparing for such a high-minutes event. Still, that doesn’t mean he’s hoping to benefit from someone else’s struggles.
“I hope PG is available for 82 games,” Gonzalez noted. “We’re trying to build something as a team, not thinking about who’s going to play and when … you just need to be prepared for it so the night that it comes, you’re ready for it.”
The truth is, if George is out of the rotation — for whatever reason — Gonzalez is the most logical stand-in. His defense and effort will ensure Boston’s rearguard doesn’t nosedive, while his (albeit under-construction) tertiary playmaking/shot creation can be serviceable in the right matchups.
George isn’t the only wing Gonzalez could stand in for, though. Jayson Tatum could find himself having his minutes managed at points in the season. There’s a legitimate chance Boston splits back-to-backs, with George sitting one side and Tatum the other. On those nights, Gonzalez — and likely others — would see their minutes naturally increase.
Brad Stevens is constructing a roster full of workaholics. There are a number of high-motor, high-effort young players on the roster this season. Should George, Tatum, or any other veteran need to miss time, there will be someone waiting to get on the court and seize a chance to prove themselves, and honestly? When you have a team with multiple injury concerns, there’s no better way of hedging your bets.
