Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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Like a "U" turn when you went the wrong way on the freeway.
Like when you supported TARP.
Like when Valley Girl removed "like" from her vocabulary.
I've made a 180 degree turn on Gordon Hayward.
I like him. "Like, totally."
When draft day happened last June, we were "live on-air" when the Jazz made their announcement.
Rod Zundel was reporting from the Draft Party at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz conveniently announced the draft pick during our live shot. I'd like to take credit for producing it so succinctly, but it was just dumb luck. The Jazz allowed a lucky (or maybe it was unlucky) fan, Forrest Fackrell, to make the announcement. As said fan was about to announce, I blurted out in the News Control Room "Anyone but Hayward.".
"With the ninth pick in the 2010 NBA draft, the Utah Jazz select Gordon Hayward from Butler University."
Boooooooo.
Noooooooo.
That was the reaction from the fans at ESA and the KSL control room.
The Stockton pick got booed and Morris Almond got cheered. The draft day exit poll is not exactly scientific.
Kevin O'Connor even tempered fan reactions by saying "What I would like everyone to do is evaluate me two years from now. Evaluate our staff two years from now and see where we stand with the rest of the people that picked after us."
Well, KOC... we might not need that long.
"He's a prime example, if you work relentlessly all year long... you see those kind of results... it's great." Ty Corbin
In a fortuitous chain of events (fortuitous for Hayward only) the Jazz lost Jerry Sloan, Deron Williams and several other key players to injury, trade or retirement. New Jazz coach Ty Corbin had no other option than to play the rookie.
Few coaches, veteran or not, relish the idea of playing rookies extensively.
Corbin gave in and Hayward performed. "He's learned so much about the NBA game this year and now he's starting to show it."
Corbin is not just talking about the, 5 of 6 from 3, performance against the Nuggets in the season finale.
Corbin is not just talking about Hayward's 34 points in 41 minutes (Only the fourth rookie this season to top 30 points in a game. Griffin, Cousins and Wall are the others). His 34 points were the most since Jerry Eaves had 35 in 1983 (hopefully, that's where their parallel career paths will end).
"Offensively, you put the ball in his hands. His jump-shot has gotten better, his 3 point shot has gotten solid. His upside is tremendous." said Corbin
In the 11 games that Hayward garnered more than 30 minutes, he averaged 15 points a game. He shot a blistering 59% from the field and 46% from the 3 point line.
"He's a prime example, if you work relentlessly all year long... once you get time on the floor and you get your confidence going and you see those kind of results... it's great."
Hayward values the opportunity to play, "there's nothing better than game-time experience."
Hayward's rookie season has not been unusual, "been a roller-coaster. There's been ups and downs. This was definitely a high, however, it sucks that the season ends and we're not in the playoffs." said Hayward who finished the year leading the Jazz in 3 point field goal percentage (44.1%)
Perhaps even more impressive, Hayward showed that he could play a little defense as a two-guard. Who will soon forget the lockdown defense against Kobe, in L.A., to snap a 17 game losing streak?
When was the last time you had a 6' 8" two-guard in a Jazz jersey that could defend and shoot?
I'd say temper your expectations, I'd say that his success comes from a small sampling of games, but what do I know.
I said, "anyone but Hayward."
