Sam Hauser, a key component

[DERRENMATTS]

Sam Hauser has been a steal for us. Acquired as an undrafted free agent 3 years ago, he's been a keen sharpshooter every year (41% on 4 attempts last year, and 42% on 6 attempts this year).

Started out with the Maine Claws, and now is the first wing to sub in for the world champions, averaging a healthy 9 ppg in 22 minutes per game.

I believe Hauser has room to grow and contribute a lot more.

At Virginia, Hauser did more than just spot up and run off curls for 3's. His scoring was more varied (he dribbled and attacked more). And I think we will see more of this part of Hauser's game moving forward.

With stars like Jaylen and Tatum and Porzingis on the floor, Hauser often defered shots to them and held back from being aggressive with the ball.

As he realizes he also can impact winning by contributing more on offense just by putting the ball on the floor and prodding the defense to get an open shot or a better shot for a teammate, Hauser can leave a larger stamp on our success.

He does have the ability to average 13+ ppg, and moving forward I think we'll need him to.

[CelticsLoyalist]

Can I just say I love Sam Hauser?

I agree he is more than just a spot, catch and shoot or curl threat. Will be interesting to see him work on the drives, dives, attacks and finishes at the rim. I don't know much about his post-game, and even at 6'8", he will never be as effective as Jrue or White in the post, but we don't need him to be.

I feel like he could be special. Like when he hit 10 treys in one game until he sustained an injury. Lets throw the bulldog Pritchard into that mix too. Sam and Payton as a second Unit could be HUGE for us as we've seen in glimpses. Sam has the upside to be a Korver (also 6'8") type only not hatable and with D.

Also Derren, don't forget his D. Some people claimed he got cooked by Luka, but everyone has been cooked by Luka. I think if you go back, there were some really good stretches from Sam on D and that can only get better. The team plan on D doesn't require Sam to be All-D first or second team. But we do require team defense at an elite level.

[freshnthehouse]

Hauser has been a great find. Great outside stroke, and has made himself an average defender. I do have a hunch he may be the odd man out as far as guys on this team getting paid. I could see some team giving him the type of deal that Cleveland gave Max Strus, and if that's the case, I'd have a hard time believing Boston would be willing to go that much more into the luxury tax to pay him.

[DERRENMATTS]

Jun 19, 2024 16:20:05 GMT -5 CelticsLoyalist said:

Can I just say I love Sam Hauser?

I agree he is more than just a spot, catch and shoot or curl threat. Will be interesting to see him work on the drives, dives, attacks and finishes at the rim. I don't know much about his post-game, and even at 6'8", he will never be as effective as Jrue or White in the post, but we don't need him to be.

I feel like he could be special. Like when he hit 10 treys in one game until he sustained an injury. Lets throw the bulldog Pritchard into that mix too. Sam and Payton as a second Unit could be HUGE for us as we've seen in glimpses. Sam has the upside to be a Korver (also 6'8") type only not hatable and with D.

Also Derren, don't forget his D. Some people claimed he got cooked by Luka, but everyone has been cooked by Luka. I think if you go back, there were some really good stretches from Sam on D and that can only get better. The team plan on D doesn't require Sam to be All-D first or second team. But we do require team defense at an elite level.

Hauser does have a bit of a post game, though I doubt Joe will utilize it (though Hauser should definitely go to it if a small guy is guarding him). He's a crafty scorer, and that's what I hope we get to see.

And yes, he's not a liability on defense. Even against Luka, he had good positioning against (staying close and in front of him) -- but Luka is an amazing scorer and makes difficult shots look easy.

[DERRENMATTS]

Jun 19, 2024 16:35:21 GMT -5 freshnthehouse said:

Hauser has been a great find. Great outside stroke, and has made himself an average defender. I do have a hunch he may be the odd man out as far as guys on this team getting paid. I could see some team giving him the type of deal that Cleveland gave Max Strus, and if that's the case, I'd have a hard time believing Boston would be willing to go that much more into the luxury tax to pay him.

I hope it doesn't come down to Hauser wanting a bigger role and more money. We can do big things here if they all just stick together (unfortunately, Charles Lee will be leaving our sidelines to roam Charlotte's).

[jmost]

I'll join in and say I love Hauser too. Great shooter and the quickest release I've ever seen from a Celtic.

It was almost funny watching teams target him on D and more times than not see him hold his own. Solid defender.

The owners are going to be making a fortune with the new TV deals and Wyc seems more driven by titles than maximizing his profits. They can afford to pay him something in the same range as Pritchard.

His playing time has gone up from 6 to 16 to 22 minutes per game over the last three years. The only way he plays much more than that is if he's a starter somewhere. Will someone offer him a chance to start? And if not, why would he leave Boston?

[DERRENMATTS]

Even at Virginia Hauser wasn't a star player, or even their best player. He might be content with being a well beloved and much appreciated bench player who plays a big role in our success.

[FLCeltsFan]

I also love Hauser. He is solid on both offense and defense and doesn't make a lot of mistakes and he has a very quick release. I'm hoping that the stories of Al Horford leaving for Philly and then coming back because the grass definitely isn't greener on the other side will convince him to stay. If he wants to win, there isn't a better team to do that on. He is up for an extension so I hope the Celtics can offer him enough to keep him especially since they need to extend both Tatum and White. Tatum and White will come first but I hope they can keep Hauser too. He is definitely an integral part of this championship team.

[DERRENMATTS]

I'm ttinking the comraderie and the closeness of this team is endearing to the players. It really seems these guys like each other. This might sway their decision to stay in BOS and not look for greener pastures (hey, it don't get any greener than Celtics green!).

[Roadrunner]

Sam Hauser is a prime example of Celtics culture. Excels at his role. 3 & D. A very under rated defender.

[DERRENMATTS]

Hauser will be entering his prime years with the Jays (he turns 27 in Dec). There's still room for growth in his game.

What new wrinkle offensively will we see (or hope to see) next season?

[CelticsLoyalist]

I truly believe that Hauser's potential far exceeds current perceptions and expectations. Once he really finds his game at his current rate of development, his ceiling could be 20 ppg in a year or two. More realistically I forsee something more to the tune of 14-16ppg easy. I am willing to bet if he can put it all together we could see Hauser have a 20+ppg season, maybe 5 boards, 3.5 dishes and maybe sniff a theft or so per.

What will also only go up is his shooting which sits at about 56% FG, 43% from deep or 45% overall with 90% FT already improved from 71% a season earlier. The guy is capable of over 60% FG as this season was actually a dip in that area for him. Which, was to be expected as he was put in bigger roles and high pressure situations. Great experiences for his growth. Still, he shot the deep ball at an elite level despite everything Mazzulla put in front of him.

All those stats can only get better and just a couple % here and there and he's got 20ppg easy.

[DERRENMATTS]

Jun 22, 2024 0:37:07 GMT -5 CelticsLoyalist said:

I truly believe that Hauser's potential far exceeds current perceptions and expectations. Once he really finds his game at his current rate of development, his ceiling could be 20 ppg in a year or two. More realistically I forsee something more to the tune of 14-16ppg easy. I am willing to bet if he can put it all together we could see Hauser have a 20+ppg season, maybe 5 boards, 3.5 dishes and maybe sniff a theft or so per.

What will also only go up is his shooting which sits at about 56% FG, 43% from deep or 45% overall with 90% FT already improved from 71% a season earlier. The guy is capable of over 60% FG as this season was actually a dip in that area for him. Which, was to be expected as he was put in bigger roles and high pressure situations. Great experiences for his growth. Still, he shot the deep ball at an elite level despite everything Mazzulla put in front of him.

All those stats can only get better and just a couple % here and there and he's got 20ppg easy.

I'd like to hope so, Loy. But I don't see him having enough shot creating capability to average 20 ppg.

[CelticsLoyalist]

I'm factoring in Jrue being less productive at this stage of his career and in a couple of years while he's waning, Hauser will be peaking. Where, at that stage, if Hauser has put in the work and maximized his potential then it is possible if unlikely for him to put up close to 20. But as I said and we all know, the chances are more realistically he caps out at about 14.

[DERRENMATTS]

I'm about there -- peak Hauser at about 12-14 ppg. Deadly shooter and versatile scorer, great teammate,
solid defender.