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Is Hayward Respected More Now By Opposing Players?

Tom Pitt

Tom Pitt

Well-Known Member
I think as Hayward has grown more into a man, players have come to respect him much more. when he first came into the league he looked like a privileged white boy from the suburbs, whereas, as it has been well documented, a fairly high percentage of NBA players come from lower income single parent families. Anyway, I can't imagine Delonte West and Afflalo doing stuff like this to someone like KG or even Chris Paul. Gotta imagine Hayward has gained a lot of respect from other NBA players over the past two years for a variety of reasons. I can't imagine DWill's punk *** throwing a ball at Hayward in the middle of a game now either. What do you guys think?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QhMTxEMr6Os&autoplay=1

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ko1kbwbIJd4

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=urE_fCp7e5s&autoplay=1
 
Part of it may be race, part of it may have just been rookie/young player disrespect. And a big part is that Delonte is just the opening through which excrement passes (and Williams had an attitude problem as well).

But yes, I do agree he probably has more respect now. And that has come through the hard work on his game as well as his physique. Hayward may not react like Ron Artest, but he can more than hold his own, without hurting his team by getting goaded into technicals.

And the invites to the national team camps certainly have helped as he's playing and practicing with and against the best players. I think he was kind of like the kid brother a few years back when he and Favors were on the taxi squad. Now he's legitimately worthy of making the final team. He likely won't, but you could make a case for him.

If you believe respect is earned, I think Gordon has earned it.
 
I agree with the latter. West is a moron, Afflalo was just pissed Hayward was making him look bad and Dwill has anger issues and he needs weekly therapy for it. I certainly don't think Hayward has ever been disrespected in the league. Just a few petty souls thinking Hayward is a nice young guy that won't do anything if they act like morons.
 
tonstermits said:
For sure next time someone puts their finger in your ear you don't just walk away with your hands up.
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No, that is what you do.

That means you get to shoot a FT and the other team doesn't. I guarantee the Hayward of today reacts pretty much the exact same way. He knows what he is doing.
 
I somehow doubt Hayward didn't do anything to provoke the "wet willy" or elbow in those videos. It's not like players are like "hey, I think dude sucks at basketball let me do something that is going to cost our team".

Disrespect in basketball is like putting your worst defender on a player, not guarding them, letting them get open shots, etc.
 
tonstermits said:
I think he's afraid of altercations
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I think he understands he is playing basketball, not getting into a MMA fight or boxing match. The only reason to act tough during those things to appease your ego. If Hayward came out and punched West or Afflalo in the face it would just tell players "Hey, you **** with this guy and you can potentially get him ejected or get a T". That;s what you do during a pickup game, but in a game with actual refs and rules that are pretty strict on altercations, it isn't smart.

It just isn't smart and Hayward is more smart and cerebral than he is ego driven.
 
tonstermits said:
For sure next time someone puts their finger in your ear you don't just walk away with your hands up.
Click to expand...

Lol. This must be little man syndrome or something. He did exactly what he should've done. This isn't the playground or prison. It's professional sports with millionaires. Why do they need to act like thugs?


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Cy said:
I think he understands he is playing basketball, not getting into a MMA fight or boxing match. The only reason to act tough during those things to appease your ego. If Hayward came out and punched West or Afflalo in the face it would just tell players "Hey, you **** with this guy and you can potentially get him ejected or get a T". It just isn't smart and Hayward is more smart and cerebral than he is ego driven.
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Sending a message does not require Gordo to challenge West to an MMA fight nor does it mean he throws a punch and I doubt he becomes the Ron Artest of the league.
 
I can respect a man that keeps his cool and doesn't act like a complete hoodlum. Why does he need to stoop to Wests level. Hayward is above all that and I'm glad


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Thee jazz fan said:
I can respect a man that keeps his cool and doesn't act like a complete hoodlum. Why does he need to stoop to Wests level. Hayward is above all that and I'm glad


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Lets be clear if Hayward confronts West it does not make him a hoodlum or a thug.
 
Don't get me wrong I have no problem getting in someone's face but there is a time and place. An NBA game isn't the time or place for that kind of behavior


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