Gordon Hayward carved out a career as a capable two-way player in the NBA. Unfortunately, he still did not get much respect from some players in the league as a defender, a topic he addressed on "The Dan LeBatard Show With Stugotz".
While speaking about the stereotypes associated with white NBA players being easy to score against, Hayward said:
"For whatever reason, when you see the white guy guarding you, it's like, 'Let's iso him. Let's go at him.' You've got to hope that you get a stop that first time, or else they're going to keep going at you every single time."
Hayward acknowledged that even though he wasn't a poor defender by any means, he was often targeted the moment he checked back into the game.
"I'm telling you, there's just some sort of stereotype," he continued. "People's eyes light up... When we played the Lakers, I think it was preseason. They had Ron Artest check in the game, and he looks at me, looks at Kobe, and looks at me, and he's like, 'Hey Kobe! Throw me the ball in the post. Look who's guarding me. I got Bieber guarding me.' And sure enough, he posted me up."
Hayward's statement amused the panelists, who could vividly picture the moment.
When the Lakers still had Ron Artest on their squad, Hayward was a young player with the Jazz. Given that he hadn't even established himself as a solid two-way player yet, it was evident why he was viewed as an easy target in scouting reports.
The forward's comments about the stereotypes may hold some validity. Larry Bird once talked trash when guarded by a white player, a story that reinforces the stereotype.
Several white players have been viewed as defensive liabilities. However, players such as TJ McConnell, Alex Caruso, and Christian Braun in the current era have proven themselves to be capable enough to defy the stereotype.
In this regard, Hayward was also a fairly solid wing defender. While not the most instinctive, he leveraged his intelligence and physical attributes to stay in front of his man. This allowed him to record a career average of 1.0 steals per game.
The forward's primary exploits were on the offensive end, where he established himself as a competent and versatile scoring option. Boasting a multifaceted playing style, Hayward was capable of creating opportunities for himself.
He showcased immense potential early in his career, even becoming an All-Star with the Jazz. Unfortunately, things took a turn after he sustained a horrific injury during his first game with the Boston Celtics.
Although he made a comeback, with a gradual return to All-Star form, injuries continued to hinder his growth. After his final stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2023-24 season, Hayward retired from the NBA. He had a career average of 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
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