Gordon Hayward - Yikes!

[Mic]

Exactly. Heaven forbid 10 games into his NBA career he should have some nerves.

I agree with this, and putting him next to Evans who seems to have no nerves makes Haywards nerves seem that much more pronounced. However, DWill might want to relax on the kid for a minute because while I like tough love, I don't know if it's working with Hayward. Like others have said, he is thinking too much, and I think that comes from a fear of screwing up. An NBA player cannot have a fear of screwing up or he will be run over. So DWill might want to tone it down, try to instruct without his pissed off mentality (which is awesome, just might not be right for Hayward).

I also think DWill has some to learn when it comes to being the true leader of this team. We all recognize that he is the unquestioned leader now, but this is new with Boozer gone, and players react differently to different coaching styles and instruction, and I really think Hayward is the talk to him, make him comfortable, so he can be loose and play. Others might need to be screamed at to get it in their head, Hayward is not that type of mentality to me.

 

[Jerry Lundegaard]

Would you say "suck" makes up 20% or 40% of your vocabulary?

LOL. Seriously, I hope all the people who think Hayward wasn't the right pick stand up when he's a cornerstone of the franchise. I'd rather have Fes in there than ANY center that was still on the board - so whoever else you windbags were clamoring for would be riding the pine just like Hayward. It's truly delusional to think he can showcase his skills in the time he's given.

The key for him is getting more comfortable and not so nervous. That will come with some more minutes... I highly doubt he goes to the D-League.

 

[Siro]

LOL. Seriously, I hope all the people who think Hayward wasn't the right pick stand up when he's a cornerstone of the franchise. I'd rather have Fes in there than ANY center that was still on the board - so whoever else you windbags were clamoring for would be riding the pine just like Hayward. It's truly delusional to think he can showcase his skills in the time he's given.

The key for him is getting more comfortable and not so nervous. That will come with some more minutes... I highly doubt he goes to the D-League.

I agree with the Fes part. But I highly doubt Hayward will ever be the cornerstone of the franchise. I'm hoping for "a good role player" like Matthews or Okur.

 

[NUMBERICA]

LOL. Seriously, I hope all the people who think Hayward wasn't the right pick stand up when he's a cornerstone of the franchise. I'd rather have Fes in there than ANY center that was still on the board - so whoever else you windbags were clamoring for would be riding the pine just like Hayward. It's truly delusional to think he can showcase his skills in the time he's given.

The key for him is getting more comfortable and not so nervous. That will come with some more minutes... I highly doubt he goes to the D-League.

Cornerstone of the franchise??? You accuse people of being delusional and you say that? Comedy.

And maybe he will be, but he's shown jack-**** so far. It's delusional to make proclamations based on nothing, not call events as they are.

 

[udflyer]

- Gheesh... He is only 20 years old and been hardly given any minutes.

- With such limited minutes, need to ignore his +/- stuff. Last nite he was +2 and I think we all agree he was not a positive influence.

- I think the key with Hayward is Potential. I will make a fun bet that by the end of the year, this forum will be quite impressed.
- He is very smart, much more athletic than people think.

- (Comparing Evans & Hayward) As of now, I like Evans for his offense, but I actually think Hayward plays better D than evans, is stronger..has actually guarded some studs well for a rookie.
- I bet by end of year Haywards offense will be double Evans and he will be more of a playmaker. He can dribble for a tall guy.
- Evans offense is basically Watson-->Evans for the oop. Once teams put even 5 minutes of prep in for Evans that is over.

As for Dwill leadership with Hayward, that is where I think the issue is. He embarrasses him publicly way too often. The gestures, etc... I do not like NFL QBs that do that either, like they never make mistakes. I think Hayward can take the direct feedback, even Harsh, just not publicly. That would test a lot of us.

I did like Hayward posting up his man for thie missed Dwill pass. Though it did not work, I do not recall him posting up like that yet.

As for the D league, I think that would shatter his confidence.

As a previous poster said, give him some minutes. I would like to see a solid 8-15 per game, depenending on the circumstances.

Dwill - offer to work with him off hours on your own ? Take a lead for how Peyton Manning is a leader, he works with his rookies.

Are these guys hanging out ?
Don't forget Hayward is under 21 so there is probably a social issue going on where he may not feel like a fit. (Though 2+ million makes that easier to deal with I'm sure )
and cannot get into the bars with the guys.


Random thoughts, we will be fine with Hayward.

 

[Darkwing Duck]

Nothing illustrates his nerves and fear of NBA players more than the blown put back. He's always expecting an opponent behind him is lurking to send a shot at the rim into the twentieth and a half row.

He'll get over it.


Unless he doesn't and joins Adam Morrison on his next team.

 

[NUMBERICA]

He'll get over it.

Unless he doesn't and joins Adam Morrison on his next team.

The whole debate summed up right there.

 

[D Will> CP3]

Only flash I've seen from him was the pre season game, thats it. His shot looks terrible, he is getting beat on D, he does hustle and does have handles though

 

[sportsnut1232]

He has not really gotten any "meaningless" minutes to get his confidence up a little. Every time he has gotten on the floor it's been a situation where we are behind and every possession counts. Why don't we all wait a little longer before judging him. I can't believe some people think he's a bust after 10 games.. He is only 20 and has a good handle and athleticism. Hopefully we will have a couple of blowouts on this homestand so he can get a full quarter of play in and hit some shots.

 

[rainhut]

Let him play more. He looks to have great fundamentals. Nice stroke, he's fast and seems eager. He could be a good player but needs some time in the game.

 

[richgates]

Only flash I've seen from him was the pre season game, thats it. His shot looks terrible, he is getting beat on D, he does hustle and does have handles though

His shot doesn't look terrible. It looks fine, it is just missing. You clearly aren't watching the games.

 

[NotDeadYet]

JJ Redick of the Magic struggled a few years before really getting his total game up to NBA standards. I think right now Hayward is better equipped physically than Reddick was when he first came into the NBA.
Good point about Hayward being only 20 years old. That alone should tell us to cut him some slack.
Deron needs to be aware of Hayward's youth too; I'm sure Hayward can take the criticism, but as a leader he needs to realize Hayward is his teammate, so his job is to help Hayward get better, not just get publicly po-ed at him in the middle of games...