Time to crank it up! Training Camp thoughts

[Twin Towers]

Hayward has an NBA ready body. He is taller and weighs more than Wesley Johnson and weighs 3 pounds less than Evan Turner.
Also, Kobe Bryant is listed at 205...Hayward weighed in at 211 at the combine.

We all know Kobe Bryant is not 205. Everyone knows that. Jordan was listed at 215 his whole career. And when they asked him his weight he said he was around 230-240 on the wizards and he was around 220-225 during his second stint with the Bulls.

And weight does not equal strength. I am not saying I know for sure that he won't make this year defensively it but there is a lot of doubts. He got pushed around in Summer league also. He seems like he tries hard and gives the effort but i have heard the Jazz say he needs to get stronger. Heard Sloan and KOC say it over the summer.

 

[honz]

He can definitely get stronger (he's only 20/21 years old), but to say Wesley Johnson and Xavier Henry have NBA ready bodies, but not Hayward is ludicrous. All of their bodies are practically the same.

 

[Twin Towers]

He can definitely get stronger (he's only 20/21 years old), but to say Wesley Johnson and Xavier Henry have NBA ready bodies, but not Hayward is ludicrous. All of their bodies are practically the same.

I never said Wesley Johnson or Xavier Henry have NBA ready bodies. And I know your probably not saying I did. Your probably just mad that people are not saying they aren't. But I honestly think Johnson is a little small also. Henry I haven't seen play enough.

But one thing you have to look at is weight never tells the whole story. Kevin Garnet has never weighed a ton but he is strong. Weight doesn't always mean everything. It can go both ways. But looking at him play I think he might struggle in the beginning. I could totally be wrong though. Just from what I watched in College and summer league I think he needs to gain a little defensive strength. Not just weight if that makes sense. Weight is overrated in terms of strength.

 

[Twin Towers]

Trust me I am not a Hayward hater. He can for sure get stronger. I think he will too. I just think right now that is one of his weaknesses. I thought Miles had the weight last year he just didn't know how to use it until he played Melo and realized how to use his strength.

Hayward could be similar to Miles. Only time will tell.

 

[NotDeadYet]

Hayward knew he had to get stronger even before the draft and has been working on it. I have no doubt he will continue to do so, even during the season.
Coach will play him based on how he practices. If Hayward is consistant in practice like Wesley Matthews was, he will earn his way into the regular rotation just like Wesley did. Sloan does not hold guys back just because they are rookies. Most rookies are gonna start slow; they may take a year or more for the light bulb to come all the way on, but some, like Matthews, are quick studies. Sloan has already commented on how basketball-smart Hayward is, so I expect Hayward to be in the regular rotation very early in the season. How much AK has to play PF and how much Miles has to play at SG will all factor into this.
Another point Deron made in a blog was that Price is a very good defender at SG, despite being only 6'2". He is strong down low, a la the 6'1" Derek Fisher, so isn't easily pushed around. I don't expect to see him a lot at SG, but I think he and Watson would make a potent "small ball" backcourt combo! He would be a much more effective player without having the pressure of figuring out the PG position. He was effective as a SG before he came here...

 

[Stifle Tower]

I can promise you that Bell will play 28 minimum.

Bell (28)
AK (30)
CJ (26)
Hayward (12)

When I say 3 man rotation I mean 3 guys will play the majority of the minutes. Hayward will still play but very little.

I just think that is what Sloan will do. Every year he plays our starters more minutes than he should. He wears them out before the playoffs start. Than teams like the Lakers and Spurs play them less during the season than play them a ton in the playoffs. I am just going off history. Sloan doesn't think playoffs are different than the regular season in terms of rotation it seems (unless injuries occur).

I see AK getting 12 mins at PF, so that leaves a rotation at the 2/3 of:

AK 18 (30 total counting PF)
Raja 28
CJ 30
Hayward 15
Evans/Price 5

I think we'll see a 2 PG offense part of the time. Sloan will want to give Price some time. Evans will also play some in blow outs. Contrary to what was said, I think Sloan does what most others do; you play 10-11 guys early and then after the break, you cut it down to 8-9 as you push for the playoffs. Also, I think if/when Okur returns, you'll see players getting fewer minutes. Injuries are what forces the heavy minutes. With everyone healthy, there won't be enough minutes to go around. But that will be o.k. with most if the team is winning.

 

[Purch]

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Looks in shape