MVP
Well-Known Member
Kobe let Hayward train with him.
Hayward > AK at shooting
AK>>>Hayward at everything else.
Fixed it
Kobe let Hayward train with him.
Hayward > AK at shooting
AK>>>Hayward at everything else.
Yep, look at how dominant Gobert is defensively, and yet he still has never had a 10 block game. AK is so underappreciated, just because he couldn't live up to that contract. Fantastic player, and Utah was lucky to have him play out most of his career in Utah.
42 games. They had a winning record. Not to knit-pick, it just makes your point even stronger.
Fixed it
Statistically Aks best season was when he was 22. He might have improved but he didnt do any better statistically. If we compare this season of Haywards to AKs best year it isnt really close. Hayward is scoring more points off of better shooting from every part of the court. Averaging more assists. Turning the ball over less even though Hayward has a higher usage. Averaged more defensive rebounds. Ak got more o boards but Hayward never goes for those and Quin wants the players to get back on D. Hayward gets to the free throw line more. AK did block more shots and get more steals. AK was a better help defender. He often cheated off his own guy a lot and left him open. If you compare their 7th year when they were both the same age it is really ugly for AK. Hayward destroys his stats. Im not sure how this is much of a debate. AK slowly got worse every year after 22. Hayward gets better every year and continues to improve and work on his game. AK was busy playing WOW, not talking to his teammates, pouting, reading books and crying to train hard and get better. AK never did a proper workout program to get stronger.
AK was a fun player to watch. He was very unique and had a lot of potential when he was 22. Giving him the max was the right choice at the time. I wish AK kept working hard to improve and we might have been really good in those Deron/Boozer years. If 26 year old AK was on our current team instead of Hayward we would not be winning nearly as much.
Also keeping in mind AK was the 4th option on offense for the Jazz for their good years and was often left wide open he still stuggled to score with consistency and hit decent numbers. Most of his 3s were wide wide open. Hayward is our #1 option on a team that is probably better already. AK would never be the #1 on a team this good.
Hayward as our #1 option right now has our team in the 5th seed spot as the most injured team in the NBA.
Even 2 years ago when Hayward was the sole focus of the team, often was double/triple teamed and his first year as the number 1 option on a meh team Hayward put up more points, more assists and better efficiency than AKs best season.
Help defense AK>Hay
Length AK>Hayw
Every other aspect of basketball Hayward>AK maybe for a bunch of those such as shooting and scoring Hayward>>AK.
Statistically Aks best season was when he was 22. He might have improved but he didnt do any better statistically. If we compare this season of Haywards to AKs best year it isnt really close. Hayward is scoring more points off of better shooting from every part of the court. Averaging more assists. Turning the ball over less even though Hayward has a higher usage. Averaged more defensive rebounds. Ak got more o boards but Hayward never goes for those and Quin wants the players to get back on D. Hayward gets to the free throw line more. AK did block more shots and get more steals. AK was a better help defender. He often cheated off his own guy a lot and left him open. If you compare their 7th year when they were both the same age it is really ugly for AK. Hayward destroys his stats. Im not sure how this is much of a debate. AK slowly got worse every year after 22. Hayward gets better every year and continues to improve and work on his game. AK was busy playing WOW, not talking to his teammates, pouting, reading books and crying to train hard and get better. AK never did a proper workout program to get stronger.
AK was a fun player to watch. He was very unique and had a lot of potential when he was 22. Giving him the max was the right choice at the time. I wish AK kept working hard to improve and we might have been really good in those Deron/Boozer years. If 26 year old AK was on our current team instead of Hayward we would not be winning nearly as much.
Also keeping in mind AK was the 4th option on offense for the Jazz for their good years and was often left wide open he still stuggled to score with consistency and hit decent numbers. Most of his 3s were wide wide open. Hayward is our #1 option on a team that is probably better already. AK would never be the #1 on a team this good.
Hayward as our #1 option right now has our team in the 5th seed spot as the most injured team in the NBA.
Even 2 years ago when Hayward was the sole focus of the team, often was double/triple teamed and his first year as the number 1 option on a meh team Hayward put up more points, more assists and better efficiency than AKs best season.
Help defense AK>Hay
Length AK>Hayw
Every other aspect of basketball Hayward>AK maybe for a bunch of those such as shooting and scoring Hayward>>AK.
. He was the reason our team never took the next step because he couldnt adapt his game.
If Hayward had played in that period with Deron Williams, Boozer and Okur, he would have risked to be the 3rd or 4th option on offense as well! They were all three in their prime and Deron and Boozer two-time NBA All-Stars!
What does Hayward to help the team to win games when he struggles on offense? I have rarely seen Hayward making defensive stops down the stretch, I mean decisive steals, blocks or rebounds.
Hayward's 3s are not so contested either.
I agree that Hayward is a more complete offensive player than AK, no doubt about it, but you are underestimating the Kirilenko factor!
Hayward is a terrific player, and I'm not even arguing that AK was better, but this is just straight up horse ****.
He was the reason our team never took the next step because he couldnt adapt his game.
But yeah he was sick when our team was bad and he could do w/e he wanted.
It was Sloan mistake to try to turn him into a reliable jump shooter, instead of exploiting his strengths on offense.
Let's not forget he was finding ways to score decently even when Sloan decided to ignore him almost totally on offense.
Hayward is doing whatever he wants in the last 3 seasons too and we didn't qualify for the playoffs.
I blame Kirilenko that didn't work enough in the offseasons to improve his game and he was overpaid as well. But he was a great player!
People who think AK is better are just obsessed with the idea of what AK could have been.
He is way past AK already.
You forget how good ak47 was on the defensive end
I'll put the theory of AK being the more complete player to bed. First offense can't even be argued. AK got tons of steals and blocks, but sacrificed position defense to do so. Blocks and steals don't automatically transition into great defense. I forget who posted this, but someone even stated that AK was a better defender then Gobert because Gobert hadn't had a 10 block game yet. It's much easier to get blocks when u come over from the weak side as the offensive player isn't expecting it where as Gobert isn't surprising anyone as he patrols the paint, so players adjust to the fact they know he's there. AK gave up as much points as he also stopped. Hayward is the far superior man defender I remember there was a game last year where they showed a graphic where he gave up the second least points to sf's. Where AK sacrificed his position defense for his numbers, Hayward sacrificed individual numbers to keep his man from scoring. I'll take the better position defense over the greater blocks and steals numbers every time.Kirilenko was a unique talent! Hayward is averaging better offensive numbers but for me AK was a more complete player than Hayward!
Offensive stats do not tell the whole story...AK was helping the team to win games even without scoring!
AK was on the on short list of "LeBron stoppers" and he was able to limit offensively players like Bryant, Anthony, Pau Gasol and Nowitzki as well! Hayward is an overrated defender.
Hayward is a better scorer than Kirilenko but for me AK was the superior overall player.
By the way let's not forget the Jazz won the 2007 playoffs Conference Semifinal against Golden State thanks to AK offense!
Andrei game was so much fun to watch! He gave us many emotions, let's not be ungrateful!