What the Boston Celtics Can Expect From Hugo Gonzalez

His rookie season was more about figuring out the timing, physicality, and rules/officiating quirks that don’t exist in his native Spain. 

“I’m at like 1,000 minutes in the NBA. I know what it is,” Gonzalez said during the Las Vegas Summer League. “Before I came here last year, I hadn’t played a lot in Real Madrid and I was really nervous … Now it’s different. I’m already used to it, and I already know a lot of people here, and the ones I don’t, they’re really great too. So I’m looking forward to [the upcoming season].”

There are growing pains that come with being a rookie in the NBA, and there's no doubt Gonzalez felt them. He was fifth on the team in total fouls committed and was second only to Luka Garza in fouls per 36 minutes (among regular rotation players). His shooting needs to improve, though he finished the year at the league average of 36.2% from three and with a signature three on his resume. 

His half-court scoring will likely mostly come off cuts, he is very good at making but not so great at finishing. According to Synergy Sports, his 1.088 points per possession off cuts was only 14th percentile. Improved finishing at and around the rim has to be a priority, as does his free throw shooting so he can cash in when he gets fouled. 

Still, cuts off Jayson Tatum isolations will be lucrative for Gonzalez this season, and important so teams understand that other threats exist on the floor. I expect a lot of baseline cuts off Tatum drives off pick-and-rolls, which will either lead to dump-offs or offensive rebound opportunities. Gonzalez’s 6.4% offensive rebounding rate was fourth-best among Celtics with at least 1,000 minutes played last season. 

Some of his, and the team’s, scoring will come off his defense. He has a nose for the ball that allows him to do things like get a block and a steal on the same possession. 

If he can harness the effort, improve his positioning, and better understand the risk/reward of some of the chances he takes, he can avoid some of the mistakes that cost him minutes towards the end of last season. 

That will be the deciding factor in the competition to be the first wing off the bench. We know Payton Pritchard will be the first guard, and one of Neemias Queta or Mitchell Robinson will be the first big, but there's room to maneuver with the wings. 

Personally, I have no doubt that Gonzalez will become a very good NBA player. There's a reason why the Milwaukee Bucks wanted him as part of a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo deal. The league is aware of how good Gonzalez can be. So are the Celtics. 

“Obviously you can feel that confidence and they like me,” Gonzalez said. “I’m gonna try my best. I’m gonna work every day for our team to be effective as a team and to try to help the team win.”