Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward (UTA) – “Gordo” | “Babyfaced Assassin”

Profile:

Small Forward: 6’8, 226 lbs; 8th year, Butler

NBA Role: versatile, two-way forward • Top DOG

Gordon Hayward’s the basketball equivalent of a Swiss-army knife; a star on the rise, Gordo embraced his role as Top DOG during the 2014-15 season* added ‘All-Star’ to his resume in 2017; all-purpose scorer: good shooter (hop shot guy), can hit J’s off the dribble – loves relying on a hanging runner (shoots it last minute) & slick step back J going right; super patient playmaker** – perfect leading man for Quin Snyder: Hayward pushes the button but falls back when necessary, will defer to other playmakers (Joe Ingles, George Hill, Joe Johnson, etc.); clutch performer: pilots the ship as a makeshift point forward, has earned his teammates’ trust, including a Mariano Rivera-esque, shutdown role in the 4th; newfound muscle mass has made Hayward a tougher on-ball defender, foul drawer & rebounder; is there another gear for Gordon to reach? – room to improve – Utah’s undisputed franchise player?

*Hayward upped his scoring avg. a few points & improved his FG% playing less mpg than the previous year

**ignore the made 3 for a sec (because ELBOW BANK) – Gordo backed it out and reset the play without bringing another teammate over or forcing a bad shot • Instead, he saw the mismatch (defended by Marvin Williams (CHA) & went to work