Boston Celtics star point guard Kyrie Irving is pretty excited to finally get to play alongside Gordon Hayward as he looks forward to making up for lost time.
Both stars suffered big injuries last term, with Hayward the unluckier of the two, lasting only five minutes into the Celtics' season opener after dislocating his left ankle and fracturing his tibia to ultimately miss the remainder of the campaign.
Irving, on the other hand, lasted until March this year but was ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing a surgical procedure - which was initially expected to keep him out for no longer than six weeks - on his left knee.
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Both stars are now fit and raring to go, and Irving claims to be eager to finally play with the former Utah Jazz man.
"I mean, think about how life has come full circle for me and Gordon," the guard told reporters on Tuesday (H/T Mass Live). "In 2014, I was his host in Cleveland when he was a restricted free agent. I met him and Robyn (Hayward's wife) then, and I think we are able to play together now, one year taken away from us.
"We're just making up for lost time. He's so talented, I'm a big fan. I was watching his highlights yesterday so I can't wait to see him play. I'm so happy for him. I've been waiting to play with a two-guard like Gordon. He's even-keeled the whole game. You are able to throw it to him and he's able to get you a bucket, but he's smart too."
"I think our experience, we've earned those expectations with the amount of talent we have and what guys have done in this league," Irving said. "Now, we just have to put it all together, that's what it really all comes down to, doing what we need to do to get better."
Hayward, who says he plans to take part in the Celtics' preseason game at Charlotte this Friday, also boasted having executed a single-leg dunk off his left foot during practice.
"Single-leg dunk," he said with a grin. "Coach Stevens said something in front of everybody, so it was good. I think it's still not still not there yet all the way. I think that's going to be the last piece and it'll come slowly throughout the year. More and more just playing and doing it. I think I've just got to keep doing it, but yeah, it's coming, it's coming along."