It Sure Sounds Like Gordon Hayward Is Getting Close To Returning

I know, I know, we've been here before. I've tried really hard to not allow my brain to go to these type of places when it comes to Gordon Hayward's recovery but shit man what am I to do when Danny says something like that. Progressing really well and will probably practice this weekend? I get that he may not want to get too excited about it so allow me to do it for him. Now I understand as a Celtics fan you may read that and get a gigantic boner (or lady boner!), but I'm not totally sold on what that means. Are we talking full contact practice? Because there's a big time difference between Hayward playing full contact and him simply participating in some drills. To me that's everything and extremely important information as we try and gauge when he might be back. Initially we were thinking Christmas, and that was being conservative. Could there be a legit possibility he's back for the IND/PHI back to back Wed/Thurs of next week? That would put him at around the 5ish week mark. My brain says don't even go there but my heart says that's what is going to happen. At the very least maybe the game on the road in DAL on the 18th to help get him acclimated before the date with the Raptors on Christmas? 

I also have to tell you guys that Papa Greenie was at the Garden last night and went in early to watch Hayward warm up and said he looked great. I even asked if he was catching and dribbling with his left hand and he said yes. His seats are close enough and he was telling me what I wanted to hear so I'm inclined to believe him. Take that for what it's worth. I'm pretty sure he was wearing his glasses so he may be onto something. 

While the Celts have been solid since Hayward went down (9-4), there's no denying how much of an impact he made before he got hurt. He was Utah Hayward but better. That's the level that can elevate the ceiling of this team and it would be great to have him available for some of these huge head to heads with TOR/IND/PHI on deck. This season has the feel of a year where seeding is going to be close so getting H2H wins/division wins/conference wins are extremely important no matter when the game happens. 

I know we were all convinced he was coming back early from his ankle and that didn't happen. But this feels different. Maybe because I want it to be but when I hear Ainge talk like this even though I know he bullshits better than anyone