From Andy Larsen:
"3. Gordon Hayward is a supernova.
Yeah, he didn’t get voted into the All-Star game, and no, he didn’t really deserve to be with the incredible competition in the Western Conference. But Gordon Hayward has it all. His stat line of 26 points, 15 rebounds2, 6 assists, 3 steals absolutely displays his incredible versatility, making an impact on all facets of the game like very few others can. Most impressive to me, though, was how he got his points: going on the drive, bouncing off of some of the league’s best defenders to free up space for himself, then making those shots with relative ease.
But it’s not just the scoring: Hayward’s presence makes the team around him better. When Hayward’s off the floor, the Jazz crater, getting outscored by 10.9 points per 100 possessions. That’s easily the lowest of any player3. But when he’s on the floor, the Jazz are essentially an average team, only being outscored by 0.4 points per 100 possessions. When Hayward’s on the floor, the Jazz take more shots, make a higher percentage of those shots, rebound more shots, get more assists, commit fewer turnovers, commit fewer fouls, draw more fouls, and even make a higher percentage of those FTs. It’s comprehensive.
If you’ve been reading this site for a while, the above is not a surprise to you. We’ve pointed it out before. But I continue to run into people in the real world who somehow think that Hayward is overpaid, a bad player, a selfish player, a cancer, or any combination of the previous. And I need those people to realize the error of their ways, apologize, repent, and find the truth. So, I’m starting a hashtag campaign, and am welcoming your suggestions. Right now, I have #DissuadeTheCommonersFromTheirFoolishHaywardFalsehoods, but I suspect there’s something snappier. Clearly, I need help. Please submit yours in the comments. And when you run into someone who has #HalfwitHaywardHate, remember: it’s your duty to make a difference."
