NBA 2018-19 Playoff Chances: The Boston Celtics and their weird state of affairs

Negative signs:

#1. Lack of team chemistry:

The Boston Celtics have been struggling to get going this season and team chemistry issues have dogged them all season long. The young guns want a fair piece of the minutes that are on offer, with Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown both having proved themselves last year in the absence of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.

Jayson Tatum too wants more shots and touches and maybe be the man at TD Garden.

This has not gone down well with Irving, who has publicly spoken out against them. Even though this is the only big team in the East that has not gone through major changes in their squad, they have the most tumultuous chemistry between their players.

As the veterans have come out and said recently, they really need to get going soon if they want a long run in the playoffs this season.

#2. Gordon Hayward:

Boston Celtics can't seem to fit a struggling Hayward in their team

The Boston Celtics had a returning Gordon Hayward after he suffered a horrific injury last season, forcing him to sit out the whole 2017-18 season. Now he is back for the 2018-19 season, but his return has been a colossal failure as he is not able to get going on the offensive end. The injury is carrying its effects and it is clear as he is not as aggressive while attacking the rim and is not landing his shots consistently.

He is not the player the Celtics signed to a max contract. He has scored 10.7 points per game along with 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists on an average. Since the All-Star break, Hayward has scored a combined 26 points in 5 games, playing more than 24 minutes in all but 1 and hit double figures in none of those games.

These are just unacceptable numbers and if Hayward doesn't find his rhythm soon, he might get shut out of the rotation when the playoffs are here.