Early in the season, Sam Hauser didn’t look like himself.
Shots he usually makes in his sleep weren’t falling, and his percentages were by far the worst they’ve ever been in his career.
In November, he shot 31 percent from the field and 27.5 percent from 3-point range. It was a true nightmare for a shooter who prides himself on efficiency and reliability.
Gradually, he built his way out of the slump. In December, those numbers rose to 39 percent from the floor and 40.8 percent from distance. He wasn’t where he wanted to be, but he was making progress.
Now, so far in January, Hauser is shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 47.2 percent from 3. He’s averaging 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 0.9 steals per game this month. After seeing the worst version of Hauser, we’re now seeing the best version of Hauser yet. Of course, hitting 10 3’s in a game helps the numbers look better, but hey, they all count.
As Hauser has returned to form and unlocked a new level, the Celtics have hit their stride and blossomed into one of the NBA’s biggest success stories. While there are of course a wide range of factors at play, it’s not a total coincidence that Hauser’s ascension aligns with the team’s.
Often a barometer for how the Celtics are shooting as a whole, his contagious confidence has helped them reach new heights collectively. To put it in perspective, Boston is 15-3 when Hauser makes three-plus 3’s and 14-14 when he hits two or fewer.
While Hauser’s 3-point shooting will always be his superpower, there’s a lot more to his game than just his marksmanship. Even when he doesn’t ultimately take the shot, he shines as a decoy and is a master spacer.
The action where the Celtics use Hauser as a screener and have him scurry to the wing is very difficult to stop. If teams worry about Hauser, the ball-handler will make them pay; if they worry about the ball-handler, Hauser is often the beneficiary. If they somehow guard both of those options, the big is often alone under the rim. Simply having him as a threat keeps defenses off balance and constantly scrambling.
His passing and playmaking have also reached another level. When defenders fly at him, Hauser consistently makes the right decision. He’ll get the shot off quickly, relocate and shoot, upfake to drive and shoot or upfake to drive and pass. Playing way up on him is still the right decision more often than not, but he’s learned how to handle the additional attention and get others involved.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is always quick to point out Hauser’s defense. It’s not an easy task guarding players who are often bigger, stronger or faster, but Hauser uses his smarts, anticipation and court awareness to compensate and more than holds his own.
If you ask Hauser, he’ll still shake his head about the cold stretch to start. But he’s earned the right to give himself a break and forget all about it. This has been one heck of a response, and he looks like the player he knew he could become.
When the Celtics are rolling, there’s a good chance Hauser is as well. When Hauser is rolling, there’s a good chance the Celtics are as well. Lately, both have been rolling, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
