Hayward is such a great player.

[Smartacus]

I'm more excited about the Hayward addition than the Irving addition

Agreed. Me too.

I'd probably agree with this but that's also because the upgrade from Crowder/5th starter to Hayward is greater than Isaiah to Irving. If we can manage to outperform expectations next year Hayward will likely be the main factor.

[Big333223]

I'm excited about bringing in Hayward, too, but I also have nightmares about that game last season where Avery Bradley blocked his jump shot at the buzzer. Avery is a monster but even still, who gets their jump shot blocked by someone 6 inches shorter?

With Kyrie coming in, I'm more excited about Hayward, because I think Hayward is one of the best second options in the league, which is what he should be. A great second option.

[liam]

I'm excited about bringing in Hayward, too, but I also have nightmares about that game last season where Avery Bradley blocked his jump shot at the buzzer. Avery is a monster but even still, who gets their jump shot blocked by someone 6 inches shorter?

With Kyrie coming in, I'm more excited about Hayward, because I think Hayward is one of the best second options in the league, which is what he should be. A great second option.

That blocked shot was more about how good Avery is than anything bad about Hayward. AB timed that perfectly and surprised everyone. I think Hayward can get his shot off constantly against good defenders but AB does some spectacular things on defense sometimes just ask Kyrie...

[bopna]

Call me crazy but if you substitute Hayward with Lebron over at Utah they still don't get out of the 2nd round. Not saying Hayward is as good as Lebron but in the team concept of things..I believe what we have right now is pretty special and has a chance at dethroning the Cavs as East champs.

[CelticD]

I like Hayward's game. He seems like someone who plays within the flow of the offense. Looking at his highlights, most of his points come from his teammates setting him up. He makes cuts, he runs the floor, he gets open on the perimeter etc. When he needs to get his own shot up, he has a nice step back and a reliable one-dribble pull-up.

Watching Hayward's highlights and then Irvings highlights are so night and day. Only 48% of Hayward's shots come unassisted, while 70% of Irvings shots come unassisted. Naturally ball handlers would have a higher UAST% but just for comparison, IT had an unassisted field goal rate of 57%.

I love that Kyrie is here, but I can't wait to see how Stevens will utilize them both.
 

[liam]

Gordon Hayward vs Warriors in 2017 WCSF - 24.8 PPG, 4.3 APG!

[liam]

Hayward has a ton of talent !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjy8U_9ICmo

[Big333223]

I'm excited about bringing in Hayward, too, but I also have nightmares about that game last season where Avery Bradley blocked his jump shot at the buzzer. Avery is a monster but even still, who gets their jump shot blocked by someone 6 inches shorter?

With Kyrie coming in, I'm more excited about Hayward, because I think Hayward is one of the best second options in the league, which is what he should be. A great second option.

That blocked shot was more about how good Avery is than anything bad about Hayward. AB timed that perfectly and surprised everyone. I think Hayward can get his shot off constantly against good defenders but AB does some spectacular things on defense sometimes just ask Kyrie...

Avery is amazing. All credit to him on the play.

But it's hard to shake that imagine when I'm trying to imagine Hayward being the best player on a championship team. I'm a lot more comfortable with thinking of him as the #2, where he'll be one of the best second options in the league.

[liam]

I'm excited about bringing in Hayward, too, but I also have nightmares about that game last season where Avery Bradley blocked his jump shot at the buzzer. Avery is a monster but even still, who gets their jump shot blocked by someone 6 inches shorter?

With Kyrie coming in, I'm more excited about Hayward, because I think Hayward is one of the best second options in the league, which is what he should be. A great second option.

That blocked shot was more about how good Avery is than anything bad about Hayward. AB timed that perfectly and surprised everyone. I think Hayward can get his shot off constantly against good defenders but AB does some spectacular things on defense sometimes just ask Kyrie...

Avery is amazing. All credit to him on the play.

But it's hard to shake that imagine when I'm trying to imagine Hayward being the best player on a championship team. I'm a lot more comfortable with thinking of him as the #2, where he'll be one of the best second options in the league.

Do you remember AB's epic block on WADE?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuVc7RW-B5Q

[mctyson]

I feel this is a bit of an exaggeration tbh.

I like Hayward and he's a very good player, but I wouldn't consider him a great player.  Among NBA SF's I don't think I'd rank him top 5. 

I also feel his defence is being overrated here.  I think he's improved as a defender compared to earlier years (he used to be pretty poor) but I still wouldn't rate him any more then average, maybe slightly above average at best.

That said, I'd be very happy for him to prove me wrong

I'd rate them:

1.Kawhi Leonard
2. Kevin Durant
3. LeBron James
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Paul George
6. Gordon Hayward

That you have Lebron 3rd makes these rankings meaningless.

[Phantom255x]

I feel this is a bit of an exaggeration tbh.

I like Hayward and he's a very good player, but I wouldn't consider him a great player.  Among NBA SF's I don't think I'd rank him top 5. 

I also feel his defence is being overrated here.  I think he's improved as a defender compared to earlier years (he used to be pretty poor) but I still wouldn't rate him any more then average, maybe slightly above average at best.

That said, I'd be very happy for him to prove me wrong

I'd rate them:

1.Kawhi Leonard
2. Kevin Durant
3. LeBron James
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Paul George
6. Gordon Hayward

I'm sorry, but did you really just put Lebron 3rd?

As much as I hate Lebron and love Kawhi, I'd put Lebron #1, Kawhi #2. Kawhi is a superstar still and I know he's done well against Lebron in the Finals, but Lebron is currently the closest thing to Jordan and that says something. KD is a solid #3.

[Big333223]

I'm excited about bringing in Hayward, too, but I also have nightmares about that game last season where Avery Bradley blocked his jump shot at the buzzer. Avery is a monster but even still, who gets their jump shot blocked by someone 6 inches shorter?

With Kyrie coming in, I'm more excited about Hayward, because I think Hayward is one of the best second options in the league, which is what he should be. A great second option.

That blocked shot was more about how good Avery is than anything bad about Hayward. AB timed that perfectly and surprised everyone. I think Hayward can get his shot off constantly against good defenders but AB does some spectacular things on defense sometimes just ask Kyrie...

Avery is amazing. All credit to him on the play.

But it's hard to shake that imagine when I'm trying to imagine Hayward being the best player on a championship team. I'm a lot more comfortable with thinking of him as the #2, where he'll be one of the best second options in the league.

Do you remember AB's epic block on WADE?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuVc7RW-B5Q

Oh, man. Thanks for that. I can watch Avery defensive highlights all day. So great.

But I do remember and I think the two blocks are different. For one, Hayward's was a jump shot 12 feet from the rim not a lay up near the basket which are much easier to block than a jumper. Hayward is also bigger than Wade.

But most importantly, Hayward's was an iso at the end of the game for the win. As I said, Avery gets all the credit for being an absolute monster of a defender but at the same time getting your jumper blocked on a buzzer-beating iso play is... not a good look.

[liam]

I feel this is a bit of an exaggeration tbh.

I like Hayward and he's a very good player, but I wouldn't consider him a great player.  Among NBA SF's I don't think I'd rank him top 5. 

I also feel his defence is being overrated here.  I think he's improved as a defender compared to earlier years (he used to be pretty poor) but I still wouldn't rate him any more then average, maybe slightly above average at best.

That said, I'd be very happy for him to prove me wrong

I'd rate them:

1.Kawhi Leonard
2. Kevin Durant
3. LeBron James
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Paul George
6. Gordon Hayward

I'm sorry, but did you really just put Lebron 3rd?

As much as I hate Lebron and love Kawhi, I'd put Lebron #1, Kawhi #2. Kawhi is a superstar still and I know he's done well against Lebron in the Finals, but Lebron is currently the closest thing to Jordan and that says something. KD is a solid #3.

Kawhi is the better two way player at this point. I think that KG out played LeBron in the finals. That's why I put LeBron #3.

[csfansince60s]

I'm excited about bringing in Hayward, too, but I also have nightmares about that game last season where Avery Bradley blocked his jump shot at the buzzer. Avery is a monster but even still, who gets their jump shot blocked by someone 6 inches shorter?

With Kyrie coming in, I'm more excited about Hayward, because I think Hayward is one of the best second options in the league, which is what he should be. A great second option.

That blocked shot was more about how good Avery is than anything bad about Hayward. AB timed that perfectly and surprised everyone. I think Hayward can get his shot off constantly against good defenders but AB does some spectacular things on defense sometimes just ask Kyrie...

Avery is amazing. All credit to him on the play.

But it's hard to shake that imagine when I'm trying to imagine Hayward being the best player on a championship team. I'm a lot more comfortable with thinking of him as the #2, where he'll be one of the best second options in the league.

Do you remember AB's epic block on WADE?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuVc7RW-B5Q

Oh, man. Thanks for that. I can watch Avery defensive highlights all day. So great.

But I do remember and I think the two blocks are different. For one, Hayward's was a jump shot 12 feet from the rim not a lay up near the basket which are much easier to block than a jumper. Hayward is also bigger than Wade.

But most importantly, Hayward's was an iso at the end of the game for the win. As I said, Avery gets all the credit for being an absolute monster of a defender but at the same time getting your jumper blocked on a buzzer-beating iso play is... not a good look.

Hard to judge Hayward on that ONE play.

If you did that you'd have to judge Kyrie the same exact way when AB played monster D on him to shut him down at the end of the game and win the 103-99 game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivMIIbKJez0

[crimson_stallion]

Gordon Hayward vs Warriors in 2017 WCSF - 24.8 PPG, 4.3 APG!

Paul George vs Clevleland in 2017 ECF - 28 PPG, 7.3 APG, 7.8 RPG
Jimmy Butler vs Cleveland in 2017 REG Season - 22.2 PPG, 7.2 APG, 7.5 RPG, 4-0 record