jimmy eat jazz
Well-Known Member
I'll admit, I'm rooting for Hayward. I like the kid and think he's got talent, and I'd like to see him succeed, although I don't see it as a sure thing by any stretch. The game last night (OK City) was tough to watch him struggle with his shot, but those things happen, I just hope it's not too often.
On a related issue, I've been following Tyler Hansbrough this year. I've been a Tarheel fan since I was a kid, and I loved watching Psycho T at NC. I'm interested in his pro career because I like rooting for people to defy the 'experts.' Experts widely panned Hansbrough's pro prospects, relegating him to no more than role status, but didn't see him really doing much on the next level, despite his great college accomplishments.
In any case, Hansbrough has shown pretty significant growth in his second year. While far from an all-star, he's been reasonably solid, particularly as of late, and has strung together a number of 20+ point games. While still not a sure thing, he's already making experts reassess his game and potential. (Watching experts eat crow is pure entertainment IMHO. Watching loud mouthed, opinionated experts eat crow is icing on the cake.)
Why bring Hansbrough up? Well I guess because it gives me hope about Hayward. (Oh, and it has nothing to do with skin color.) Both were skilled college players but whose pro game and potential have been questioned. If Hayward can make the same kind of progress in year 2 as Hansbrough, I'd be quite happy. It gives me some sliver of hope to cling to, because at this stage, hope is pretty much all Jazz fans have going, because the Jazz are really, really bad right now, among worst teams in league.
Interestingly, I heard of number of experts pan Kevin Love's pro prospects as well when he was in college. I'm assuming they've changed their tune round about now.
On a related issue, I've been following Tyler Hansbrough this year. I've been a Tarheel fan since I was a kid, and I loved watching Psycho T at NC. I'm interested in his pro career because I like rooting for people to defy the 'experts.' Experts widely panned Hansbrough's pro prospects, relegating him to no more than role status, but didn't see him really doing much on the next level, despite his great college accomplishments.
In any case, Hansbrough has shown pretty significant growth in his second year. While far from an all-star, he's been reasonably solid, particularly as of late, and has strung together a number of 20+ point games. While still not a sure thing, he's already making experts reassess his game and potential. (Watching experts eat crow is pure entertainment IMHO. Watching loud mouthed, opinionated experts eat crow is icing on the cake.)
Why bring Hansbrough up? Well I guess because it gives me hope about Hayward. (Oh, and it has nothing to do with skin color.) Both were skilled college players but whose pro game and potential have been questioned. If Hayward can make the same kind of progress in year 2 as Hansbrough, I'd be quite happy. It gives me some sliver of hope to cling to, because at this stage, hope is pretty much all Jazz fans have going, because the Jazz are really, really bad right now, among worst teams in league.
Interestingly, I heard of number of experts pan Kevin Love's pro prospects as well when he was in college. I'm assuming they've changed their tune round about now.
