Hugo Gonzalez didn’t need gaudy numbers to turn heads in Boston last season. The 19-year-old rookie made his presence felt in the kind of way coaches and teammates notice quickly: on both ends of the floor, with a ridiculous plus/minus line that backed up what the eye test already said.
The rookie year wasn’t perfect. Gonzalez hit a wall, and the Celtics also left him underused in the playoffs, which stood out even more as Boston wilted after building a 3-1 lead over the Sixers. Still, the early impression was strong enough to push expectations for the young Spaniard well into the sky as he heads into year two.
One of the people who came away impressed was longtime Celtics reporter and current senior contributor for Heavy, Steve Bulpett. He said Gonzalez looked different right away in training camp and preseason last year, pointing to both his speed and the way he reads the floor.
Bulpett also said he and others were surprised by how little Gonzalez played in the playoffs, and he’s keeping a close eye on what comes next for him this season.
“It’ll be interesting to see how Gonzalez is used this season, what with Brown gone and Paul George’s playing time being managed. I can tell you that among those watching closely will be former Celtics - some of whom retired before Hugo was born; all of whom have championship jewelry - that have come to appreciate his game.”
Bulpett’s view carries weight. He has covered the NBA since 1985 and spent the first 35 years of his career on the Celtics beat, which means he’s seen just about everything the league has to offer, from stars to title teams to the small details that separate real players from the rest.
That appreciation for Gonzalez isn’t limited to one reporter, either. The young wing has already passed the eye test for plenty of observers, and his name surfaced again this offseason when reports said he was one of the sticking points for Brad Stevens in a possible trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. That alone says plenty about how the organization views him.
The path to minutes won’t be easy. Even with JB out of town, Boston still has a crowded wing rotation, and Gonzalez is going to have to earn every bit of playing time he gets. The expectations are high, and the leash is shorter now that the training wheels are off.
But the Celtics clearly believe there’s something real here. Gonzalez is part of a young core that could grow into a major piece of Boston’s future, and the sense around him is simple: the talent is there, the upside is real, and the minutes should come if he keeps forcing the issue.
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