One of the more intriguing developments we have seen out of Las Vegas Summer League this year with the Boston Celtics has been the growth of second-year forward Hugo Gonzalez, who has been playing a much bigger role with the Sin City Celtics than he has with Boston during his rookie season.
And the Madrid, Spain native has been mostly playing up to the expectations such a role requires, threatening double-doubles in several of Boston’s wins while playing in a more on-ball role. Asked how that might translate to his role with Boston at the NBA level next season, Sin City Celtics head coach Amile Jefferson said (via CLNS Media), “I think just being himself.”
“Obviously, we’re asking him to be himself in a bigger role, but we’re not asking him to do anything that I don’t think he can do every time he steps foot on the court,” he added. “That’s pressure the ball.”
“That’s when he gets a chance to be a playmaker,” said Jefferson. “That’s a crash every time. If he’s open, shoot it, move the ball on screen. That’s what we’re going to ask them to do with the Celtics too, and make players better.”
“I think he did that today, at a really high level. And I’ve been saying this all week, we’re better when he plays. I’m super happy he got to play today, and he showed why he’s a really talented young player.”
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: The key to Hugo Gonzalez taking on a bigger role with the Boston Celtics? Being himself
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