Q&A: Hayward talks with Zach Lowe

[Darkwing Duck]

But Ty continues with Ol' Jer's method of forcing square pegs into round holes.

Yeah, Ol' Jer never had his bigs shoot 3s or have his guards post up. NEVER.

 

[akirac73]

Alternatively, the coach could set up plays to get him the kinds of shots he likes. But Ty continues with Ol' Jer's method of forcing square pegs into round holes.

Yes, you have a point. But shouldn't a player also take it upon himself to make changes to his game that will punish opponents for defending a certain way? Early in Karl Malone's career, defenses would let him have that wide open 15-20' shot all game long, so guess what, Karl realized what his weaknesses were, worked on that outside shot and made defenders pay for not respecting his outside shot. Yes, Corbin is a ****ty coach, no argument here...but Hayward needs to take more initiative to improve his game. He know's what he has difficulty with, so the the next step is doing something about it. Is that too much to ask or expect from a player that believes he should be the highest paid on the team?

 

[GVC]

Yeah, Ol' Jer never had his bigs shoot 3s or have his guards post up. NEVER.

I'll never understand that garbage either. I only started watching the Jazz in 03/04, but Jerry did a really good job during the Deron-Boozer years designing the offense to take advantage of the players' strengths. Sets to get Memo 3s, AK being utilized as a passer, Brewer using the baseline, Boozer in the high post and running PnR with Deron, Deron ISOs, Harpring off the curl and posting up, CJ Miles shooting 25-foot fade aways off screens (...). I'd argue Ty has done a decent job overall putting players in roles and using sets that maximize Jazz wins (the defense is another story, of course).

 

[GVC]

Alternatively, the coach could set up plays to get him the kinds of shots he likes. But Ty continues with Ol' Jer's method of forcing square pegs into round holes.

What do you suggest?

The reality in the NBA is that you need individual players to put pressure on the defense and create open shots for themselves and their teammates. I have some synergysports data from last season, and even the best offenses in the league got about 40% of their terminal halfcourt possessions (those ending in a shot, shooting foul or turnover) from postups, isos and the pick and roll ball handler. The Jazz unfortunately don't have a player who can consistently fill this role, so Ty has given all 5 young guys ample opportunity to try throughout the season. All 5 young guys have struggled. Gordo has shown the best ability to both get to his spots and make the correct pass, he just isn't much of a finisher or pull-up shooter (although he's been hitting his mid-range pull-ups more at a better clip recently).

 

[jimmy eat jazz]

ZL: Being the no. 1 option has been tough for you so far. You sounded down during some interview I saw recently. Is it more draining than you expected? About the same?

GH: I just haven’t shot the ball as well as I wanted. It’s different. Guys aren’t leaving me that much. I’m getting different shots — shots that I’m not used to taking.

ZL: What kinds?

GH: Like we discussed earlier, a lot of teams are starting to do the center-field type of defense on the pick-and-roll, so you’re getting midrange floaters.

ZL: Those are tricky.

GH: Very tough. And those are shots I honestly don’t like taking. I’d much rather get other people involved, and when teams do that, they kind of force the guy coming off the pick-and-roll to make a decision and shoot. It’s just a two-on-two game, which is difficult on me. I’m just not used to shooting that shot as much.

Gordon, that's how the NBA works...other teams know what your weaknesses are and they will force you into taking shots you're not comfortable with? How do you combat this?...Gee, how about practicing these shots and/or developing a floater so teams have to reconsider how they defend you. Or, you could just continue playing video games instead. $12M+/year rests in the balance...your move.

I confused. Where in the interview does he say that he's not practicing these shots??? Or do you have inside information that we are all lacking?

 

[akirac73]

I confused. Where in the interview does he say that he's not practicing these shots??? Or do you have inside information that we are all lacking?

I'm also confused. Where do you see in his on court performance that he's improving on these types of shots? The proof is in the pudding...just like we know Jeremy Evans improved outside shooting wasn't a result of sitting on the couch eating doritos all summer right?

 

[zman1527]

Yes, you have a point. But shouldn't a player also take it upon himself to make changes to his game that will punish opponents for defending a certain way? Early in Karl Malone's career, defenses would let him have that wide open 15-20' shot all game long, so guess what, Karl realized what his weaknesses were, worked on that outside shot and made defenders pay for not respecting his outside shot. Yes, Corbin is a ****ty coach, no argument here...but Hayward needs to take more initiative to improve his game. He know's what he has difficulty with, so the the next step is doing something about it. Is that too much to ask or expect from a player that believes he should be the highest paid on the team?

Agreed.

 

[jimmy eat jazz]

I'm also confused. Where do you see in his on court performance that he's improving on these types of shots? The proof is in the pudding...just like we know Jeremy Evans improved outside shooting wasn't a result of sitting on the couch eating doritos all summer right?

You are indeed confused my friend.