The Impact of ‘Slam’ Hauser: A Closer Look at the Numbers

‘Slam’ Hauser, and more numbers that highlight Sam’s impact originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The unexpected occurred. Certainly, not even Kristaps Porzingis anticipated it.

The Celtics had been striving to build a substantial lead over the Chicago Bulls when Derrick White intercepted an inbounds pass during Tuesday’s In-Season Tournament group play finale that was already at 27 points. Jayson Tatum received a feed above the arc, and just as Porzingis prepared to celebrate a presumed score, Sam Hauser swooped in for an improbable putback dunk that stunned everyone.

This was a moment of revelation and discovery, as Hauser’s impactful contributions were suddenly illuminated.

Luke Kornet and Al Horford were among the celebrants, all energized by Hauser’s excellence, symbolized by his impeccable dunks.

“Slam Hauser” may have been relatively unknown until now, but his recent streak of outstanding dunks has been a highlight of his impact on the Celtics bench this season.

The statistics may not consistently reflect Hauser’s net rating, yet his individual numbers offer a different perspective. Notably, some of these numbers include:

5: Hauser’s total dunks this season

Hauser’s dunk performance has been remarkable, especially considering his previous lack of dunks. He has also demonstrated an impressive 83.3% shooting rate at the rim.

Hauser’s deep range and 3-point shots have been a major part of his game, but his ability to execute inside the arc has added a new dimension to his skill set.

57.6: Hauser’s 3-point percentage on wide-open 3s

Teams have learned the hard way not to give Hauser too much space, as he has excelled against defenders with wide-open 3-pointers.

Furthermore, Hauser’s overall shooting accuracy and defense against opponents’ inside shots have been notable aspects of his performance this season.

Notably, Hauser’s shooting percentage on all shots off passes from Tatum and Brown has particularly stood out, demonstrating his strong chemistry with the team’s stars.

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