Hayward----4 of the things he needs to work on

[m3at]

I agree that Hayward is being used wrong. I almost never see him drive, he just camps near the perimeter. If he's open he'll shoot if not, he'll just pass it to someone else on the perimeter. It's frustrating to watch because I know he's capable of more than that. That being said, I don't want to overhype him as if he'll be a perennial all star. He's not someone I'd want to run an offense through, he's the third best player on a contending team.

No way. I think you're overvaluing him A LOT. Look at the true contenders, e.g., Spurs = Duncan, Manu, and Parker. Lakers = Kobe, Howard, and Pau. OKC = Durant, Westbrook, and Martin/Ibaka. Miami = Wade, James, and Bosh/Allen. Boston = Garnet, Pierce, and Rondo.

Hayward might be the third best player on teams that will likely make the play-offs and could make it to the second round:

Nets, Mavs, Nicks, Nuggets, Bulls, Wolves, Clippers, and the Jazz.

Sure Hayward is good, but let's be realistic. He's not a third option on a title contending team.

[Thee jazz fan]

Great post, but I just wanted to comment on your conclusion.

I most definitely agree that Hayward is a playmaker, as he was used this way at Butler very successfully. His 3 point shot has always been a little inconsistent, so there's no reason to think this will change very drastically.
I would love for Hayward to be used like Lamar Odom used to be used on that great L.A. team.

At the same time though, I was saying for years that this was the way they should've used Andrei Kirilenko.
Sloan always refused to do this, and Corbin was part of that staff for many years.
It always seemed to me that the Jazz coaching staff was too stuck in the past on how offenses should be initiated, and Corbin seems to be the same unfortunately.
While the front office seems to be moving toward the future, the coaching staff continues to give us more of the same.
I never understood how older coaches like Nelson, Aldelman, and P. Jackson, could move on to new ways of doing things, but for some reason Sloan never could..... and Corbin has shown nothing different as of yet.

thanks Silencer. As for the AK thing, Sloan did use AK that way just not all the time, plus why run the offense through AK when you have the best pg in the game. Also I feel Haywards game isn't as conducive to dominating the ball like Hayward. Hayward is more coordinated, and less awkward, and Hayward is a better shooter, and quicker, better dribbler.

[carolinajazz]

If Heyward has to work on FOUR things at this level.....he's turribly flawed and is a lost cause!

[bovice]

No way. I think you're overvaluing him A LOT. Look at the true contenders, e.g., Spurs = Duncan, Manu, and Parker. Lakers = Kobe, Howard, and Pau. OKC = Durant, Westbrook, and Martin/Ibaka. Miami = Wade, James, and Bosh/Allen. Boston = Garnet, Pierce, and Rondo.

Hayward might be the third best player on teams that will likely make the play-offs and could make it to the second round:

Nets, Mavs, Nicks, Nuggets, Bulls, Wolves, Clippers, and the Jazz.

Sure Hayward is good, but let's be realistic. He's not a third option on a title contending team.

You're giving really good examples of trios. How about...Shaq, Kobe, Horry....Pippen, Jordan, Kukok....Dirk, Terry, Tyson...this is hard.

...you're probably right. I'll change it to 4th best.

[Inn Dawn]

Sure Hayward is good, but let's be realistic. He's not a third option on a title contending team.

He wouldn't be a fifth option on such a team.