POTENTIAL: Hugo Gonzalez Eyeing Big LEAP in 2026-2027 Celtics Season

Incredibly excited to watch Hugo Gonzalez's progression.

He's a legit piece, I think, for years to come for this franchise.

A very intriguing rookie season, given the expectations.

He was only 19 years old walking into the NBA.

He was the 28th pick in the draft.

And of course, he was transitioning to the United States.

So a lot of new for Hugo Gonzalez.

And I had really tempered my expectations as far as what he was going to be able to do and how much he would contribute to last year's team.

Brad Stevens.

Double down on Gonzalez after that 76er series back in, what was it, May? Who cares? Brad Stevens said this about Gonzalez after game seven, quote, the reality is Ugo had a great rookie year and is, I think, a critical part of us moving forward because his athleticism can meet the moment in big games.

That's a real thing.

You can see it.

His strength is off the charts.

He's probably the strongest.

He's one of the strongest guys on our team pound for pound right now as a 20 year old.

So he's got a bright future.

So again, Stevens goes out there post 76 or series and doubles down on Ugo and says, this guy is going to be a piece for us.

This guy is legitimate.

And I agree with Stevens, the strength, right? When you talk about somebody's play strength, it's different if you're talking about somebody who's 25, 26, entering their prime, or if they're 19, 20 years old.

It is not a common occurrence when somebody is 19 and has the type of strength to their game that Gonzalez showed last year, especially in the playoffs.

And I think that was the point that Stevens was trying to highlight.

meeting the moment in big games.

Like when you're in the postseason, the intensity is ramped up.

The physicality escalates throughout the playoffs.

And if you're meeting that moment from a strength standpoint, that is significant.