With the Charlotte Hornets struggling out of the gate and a number of playoff-caliber groups who’ve known as Charlotte to gauge Gordon Hayward’s trade availability, Hayward sat down with HoopsHype to debate the All-NBA upside of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, why Mark Williams reminds him of Rudy Gobert, his tenure with the Hornets, his future, and extra.
Gordon Hayward: Yeah, actually in Charlotte. That is my fourth yr. We’ve had a whole lot of expertise the entire time I’ve been right here. We simply haven’t been capable of put it collectively. We’ve additionally had accidents to key guys, which is difficult to take care of, however actually, we now have a whole lot of guys that may rating and a whole lot of guys that may do a whole lot of various things. We’re undoubtedly proficient.
GH: The best way he was hitting his threes actually opened up his recreation as a result of it makes groups should respect it. Now he can drive and get within the lane the place he could make performs and end across the rim. His effectivity from three has opened up his complete recreation.
GH: He’s actually come alongside. He’s received an awesome really feel for the sport. In Utah, you might see the identical factor with Rudy Gobert. Initially, he’s younger and sort of like Bambi on the market, however you may’t educate that defensive really feel the place they’ve good timing and know when to assist or when to play cat and mouse. Offensively, he’s received nice fingers and catches nearly every little thing. He’s nonetheless going to get higher and has a methods to go, however I believe he’s undoubtedly taken a step, and he’s actually received a vivid future.
GH: I believe the factor that impressed me essentially the most about him was his poise within the pocket, particularly with the ball in his fingers, not solely making performs for himself however with the ability to see over the protection. In follow, he makes passes throughout the court docket. That’s stuff that often takes time to develop. Lots of guys can play with the ball and rating. That’s how they get to the NBA, however that’s what has impressed me about him. He needs to be All-NBA if he desires to be due to his size, measurement, quickness, and instincts. He clearly has a vivid future.
GH: I believe that every one relies on if we defend. If we defend and get stops, then I believe actually the playoffs are the expectation. If we don’t defend, we’ll be similar to the final couple of years. That’s on us.
GH: It’s been up and down. There have been moments the place it’s been actually enjoyable with big-time wins. There have been a whole lot of moments the place I used to be injured my first two years at the start of the yr. They had been unlucky accidents. These suck. There’s nothing you are able to do about that. It’s sports activities, and it occurs.
GH: You recognize what, I haven’t actually considered it but. I attempt not to consider it. I believe after I’m completed taking part in, I’ll be capable to mirror extra on that and the hours I put in. There’s a whole lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes I did simply to get again right here after the damage I had. I attempt to maintain shifting ahead and put the work in, so I could be on the market on the court docket as a lot as I can.
GH: I need to win greater than something. Making an attempt to get us into the playoffs is the primary order of enterprise.
You possibly can comply with Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, previously generally known as Twitter.
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