Hayward Question
- Thread starter Dr. Jones
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Jerry Lundegaard
Banned
Agreed fully. I know I'm one of the lone CJ supporters around here, but I'm confident he's going to continue to get stronger and hopefully takes that next step defensively. But I think Gordon is awesome guarding opposing 2's.
LogGrad98
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Hayward has a lethal combination to be an elite defender at the 2: he is long and quick. That is how he gave Kobe fits in that game. He is long enough to get on top of a shot and quick enough with solid lateral movement to recover and stay in front of his man. His lack of strength makes him more of a long 2 than a 3, but I think with time and with adding some muscle he could easily be a fully capable swing man.
Agree with all of that.
Gyp Rosetti
Banned
Agreed. Carmello, Pierce, the list goes on and on. Too many guys with big bodies would have their way with him. Plus he has T-Rex arms and has a poor wingspan to play/defend the 3.
He's a 2.
vslice02
Well-Known Member
I like Hayward at SG because of his improving 3pt shot and his terrific ball-handling and passing skills. Combine that with his size at 6-8 and I think he'll be a top-12 SG in this league within a couple of years.
When I envision this Jazz team developing into a playoff team - I think they need a SF with the ability to score in 1-on-1 situations. Now if Utah somehow managed to get an Austin Rivers - I'd be fine w/Hayward playing SF but a 3 who can create his own shots in late-game situations is the big piece I hope this team can add within the next 2 drafts.
When I envision this Jazz team developing into a playoff team - I think they need a SF with the ability to score in 1-on-1 situations. Now if Utah somehow managed to get an Austin Rivers - I'd be fine w/Hayward playing SF but a 3 who can create his own shots in late-game situations is the big piece I hope this team can add within the next 2 drafts.
Gyp Rosetti
Banned
Derrick Williams anyone?
He is not. His wingspan is shorter than his height in shoes. He isn't that athletic either, quite pedestrian in that regard. Because of these factors, it's a testament to his intelligence, instincts, and commitment to defense. Those things matter, and if Hayward keeps working like he has he will be one of the most versatile players in the league.
I don't know if Hayward really works as a full-time 2 for the same reasons I don't think Millsap works as a full-time 3; speed. I think Hayward's true NBA position will be 3, but that doesn't mean he can't play 2. I don't think it's important to get a SF for sake of getting a SF in this draft. But since the SG field is thin and there seem to be a glut of SF candidates, then drafting one seems natural if we want to see how Hayward as a 2 works out.
You have got to be kidding me? He will never be an elite defender. NEVER. That is not to say he can be an ok to above average defender, but never elite.
I really think people are just remebering that one time he guarded an old Kobe pretty good, but are somehow forgetting all the other times he got abused.
And Hayward is going to improve his strength. I really don't think guarding SF is going to be a big problem for him. (If someone says how is he going to guard Carmello or Lebron I am going to give you negative rep, no one can guard those people.)
What makes you say he is not athletic? I thought I dispelled that myth when I compared his combine numbers to the other "great athletes" in last year's draft...
Like when he was asked to guard PG's on occasion and stayed in front of them better then Ronnie Price does? The only way he got abused this year defensively was committing way too many fouls and getting abused by the officials..but he became much better at staying out of foul trouble as the year went on.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Good points. Hayward can create mismatches at the 2 due to his height and he has the range to stretch the defense. Our concern was over his ability to defend. As we saw late in the season, he establishes and maintains good position and his length bothers shooters.
I agree re: a SF. Jazz have no one who can create a shot when the offense bogs down. It would be nice to have that in a SF. And I'd rather see a bigger Hayward at the 2 vs. him playing undersized at the 3.
BENTLEY
Well-Known Member
This. Only draft a SF if it's Dwill2 at 3.
Let Hayward and CJ play there this year and get Gilchrist in the 2012 draft.
billyshelby
Well-Known Member
I'm absolutely sure we have no idea who Hayward can defend in the pros yet. It's amazing how one game defending Kobe, who doesn't drive anymore, has definitively determined what he can do. I hope he can play the 2 because that would give us great length at the position. But I suspect he's going to sort himself out as a 3. That makes the most sense anyway since Raja has to get his 42 minutes somewhere.
BENTLEY
Well-Known Member
Sorry if that was a tangent.
On topic: Hayward plays better at the 2. He's like a second pg and he's better creating with the ball in his hand. You don't have that if he's playing the 3.
Plus, his defense is better on smaller 2's in the league. His talents are just much better at the 2.
On topic: Hayward plays better at the 2. He's like a second pg and he's better creating with the ball in his hand. You don't have that if he's playing the 3.
Plus, his defense is better on smaller 2's in the league. His talents are just much better at the 2.