The problem is not Gordon Hayward

[Sophomore]

I gave up on Hayward two weeks ago. He should be out of the rotation until he gets 100% confident again.

The only way Hayward can regain his form is to keep playing through his struggles.

Sure, that might mean fewer regular season wins, but it will serve the team better in the long run to let Hayward play through this so he can get to where he needs to be.  If he's still struggling in the playoffs, yeah, then you might have to sit him.

I start to wonder if that’s true - that he needs to play through it. Maybe he needs some time away or in more structured work (one on ones or three on threes in a gym; drills) to get back his strength and confidence. Right now he’s having a lot of negative experience, maybe reinforcing the fear or learning bad habits. He’s learning that trips into the lane end badly, he’s learning to pass instead of shoot.

Some ppl say he looks to have normal explosiveness. I don’t see it. I see a guy who has trouble finishing his eurostep - like his leg lacks the push off he needs.

[jambr380]

I gave up on Hayward two weeks ago. He should be out of the rotation until he gets 100% confident again.

The only way Hayward can regain his form is to keep playing through his struggles.

Sure, that might mean fewer regular season wins, but it will serve the team better in the long run to let Hayward play through this so he can get to where he needs to be.  If he's still struggling in the playoffs, yeah, then you might have to sit him.

I start to wonder if that’s true - that he needs to play through it. Maybe he needs some time away or in more structured work (one on ones or three on threes in a gym; drills) to get back his strength and confidence. Right now he’s having a lot of negative experience, maybe reinforcing the fear or learning bad habits. He’s learning that trips into the lane end badly, he’s learning to pass instead of shoot.

Some ppl say he looks to have normal explosiveness. I don’t see it. I see a guy who has trouble finishing his eurostep - like his leg lacks the push off he needs.

Yeah, I was pushing for Hayward to take some time off a little while ago. I would love to see him focus on physical strength training and confidence building for the month of Feb (and even Mar) to get him up and running for the playoffs. I think it would also help a number of other guys in the rotation get in more of a groove.

Semi might be about as valuable the way Hayward is playing right now. The thing is, we all know what he was and what he can become, though - that is why I think he should take some time to work on himself.

[SHAQATTACK]

he is alot of the problem , even if he can't help it. 

He had a role to play as a leader and scorer ....not doing it ....fail

He has lost the trust of his younger teamates , who aren't as understanding

His slow reaction and lack of aggressive play is killing the team when on the court.

He is using up a huge chunk of money , we need results against the good teams . 

Its a huge problem

CBS is coaching strange this year ....i think its alot to do with Hayward ...the poor decisions on rotation.

Rozier , Brown and Tatum are some what casualties of trying to play Gordon when he is broken

[Roy H.]

I would love to see him focus on physical strength training and confidence building for the month of Feb (and even Mar) to get him up and running for the playoffs.

What sort of confidence building are you thinking of?

I think shutting him down is more likely to damage confidence than help it.

And, the fact is he hasn’t been bad. Since moving to the bench he’s got a .567 TS%, he’s moving the ball, the team is outscoring opponents while he’s on the floor, etc.  He’s not performing like a $30 million star, but he’s been a solid role player

Semi might be about as valuable the way Hayward is playing right now.

GH has averaged 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 47.8% FG%, .576 TS% in 24.6 minutes in January.

Has Semi had a month that productive in his career? Had he even had a 3 game stretch that productive?

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

It’s everyone who expected Gordon to be back to all star form already.  This was a SERIOUS injury and it’s goin to take time to make it all the way back. If he’s all the way back by playoffs that would be amazing but if not I think everyone should just hope he’s back to Utah Gordon for next season - and I believe he will be.

I think everyone in the org expects him to be an integral part of our future still - it just may not be this season.  No need to get so worked up about him.  He’s working his way back and doing his best.

This teams has several problems, but "unrealistic expectations from fans" is not one of them. Virtually everyone—fans, pundits, even the Cs players—thought the Cs would rule the East this season, but they've been nowhere close to that. And I don't see how anyone can expect fans to be patient when Stevens wasn't patient, immediately inserting Hayward into the starting lineup—which was a clear signal that he thought "everything's okay" with Hayward.

[gouki88]

I would love to see him focus on physical strength training and confidence building for the month of Feb (and even Mar) to get him up and running for the playoffs.

What sort of confidence building are you thinking of?

I think shutting him down is more likely to damage confidence than help it.

And, the fact is he hasn’t been bad. Since moving to the bench he’s got a .567 TS%, he’s moving the ball, the team is outscoring opponents while he’s on the floor, etc.  He’s not performing like a $30 million star, but he’s been a solid role player

Semi might be about as valuable the way Hayward is playing right now.

GH has averaged 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 47.8% FG%, .576 TS% in 24.6 minutes in January.

Has Semi had a month that productive in his career? Had he even had a 3 game stretch that productive?

Semi doesn’t even average that per36, lol

[RockinRyA]

I gave up on Hayward two weeks ago. He should be out of the rotation until he gets 100% confident again.

How can that happen if he's not playing?

this forums has become dumb, that's why. Constant witch hunting. Last time it was Brown and Kyrie, this time its Hayward they are burning at the stake. Disgusting. These people call themselves fans?

[Wretch]

Gordon Hayward  net rating  +3.4
Terry Rozier net rating +.6
Jaylen Brown net rating +2.4

Even playing at what ever percent he is of his old self has still greater positive affect on team performance than either Rozier or Brown.

[gouki88]

I gave up on Hayward two weeks ago. He should be out of the rotation until he gets 100% confident again.

How can that happen if he's not playing?

this forums has become dumb, that's why. Constant witch hunting. Last time it was Brown and Kyrie, this time its Hayward they are burning at the stake. Disgusting. These people call themselves fans?

Whoever happens to be expected to play well yet plays badly gets scorched.
Not many people expect Rozier to be that good anymore, so he gets less abused (I still hate what he brings to this team though).
The worst was when a poster came after Hayward's wife as a reason. Joking or not the line was certainly crossed.

[nickagneta]

So Gordon is the new scapegoat now? Sigh.....

Well, it was Kyrie but he is having his best season as a pro so had to go to a different scapegoat. So then it was Brown but Brown has turned his season around and over the last 6-7 weeks has been playing better than he did all last regular season. So a new scapegoat was needed. Then it was Rozier because, well, he just sucks when he doesn't start and Hayward because Hayward isn't the player who left Utah yet after a grissley injury.

So right now, I think the current worse scapegoat is Hayward, then Rozier, then Stevens, then Brown, then Kyrie. Oh and a little Horford because......he is the oldest player on the team.....Maybe. Not sure about that.

[SparzWizard]

So Gordon is the new scapegoat now? Sigh.....

Well, it was Kyrie but he is having his best season as a pro so had to go to a different scapegoat. So then it was Brown but Brown has turned his season around and over the last 6-7 weeks has been playing better than he did all last regular season. So a new scapegoat was needed. Then it was Rozier because, well, he just sucks when he doesn't start and Hayward because Hayward isn't the player who left Utah yet after a grissley injury.

So right now, I think the current worse scapegoat is Hayward, then Rozier, then Stevens, then Brown, then Kyrie. Oh and a little Horford because......he is the oldest player on the team.....Maybe. Not sure about that.

How dare you forget about Morris (recent struggles), Smart (chucking 3 balls left and right), and Tatum (with his inconsistent Kobe-like shots)!

[manl_lui]

I took hundreds of downvotes on Reddit for saying Hayward could take 18 months to get healthy. Not only were fans expecting him to be a star immediately this season, but a good portion expected him back playing like a star in the playoffs last year. 

Yes, a big part of our contender expectations were built on the idea of us having multiple (as many as 5) stars.  We have 1 + horford.

idk why you got downvoted, i mean it's not an exaggeration nor is it crazy to think that, the dude literally snapped his ankle bone!

[Vermont Green]

We signed Hayward to a massive contract and then he suffered a gruesome injury 5 minutes into his first game (I know this is obvious but feel it needs to be restated).  I agree though that it is wrong to blame him for the team underachieving.  For example, Hayward has nothing to do with how Brown is playing or how Tatum is playing relative to last season.  These are young players who are have a bit of a sophomore slump so to speak but really it is just that the element of surprise is gone.  The NBA is now ready for Brown, Tatum, and Rozier.

It would be nice if we had Hayward playing at an all star level but we should be playing better (winning a little more) even without him.  I think our soft spot is our bigs past Horford.  At some point, if Hayward does not improve, the contract will be a burden but right now, this season, it is not a factor.

[jambr380]

I would love to see him focus on physical strength training and confidence building for the month of Feb (and even Mar) to get him up and running for the playoffs.

What sort of confidence building are you thinking of?

I think shutting him down is more likely to damage confidence than help it.

And, the fact is he hasn’t been bad. Since moving to the bench he’s got a .567 TS%, he’s moving the ball, the team is outscoring opponents while he’s on the floor, etc.  He’s not performing like a $30 million star, but he’s been a solid role player

Semi might be about as valuable the way Hayward is playing right now.

GH has averaged 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 47.8% FG%, .576 TS% in 24.6 minutes in January.

Has Semi had a month that productive in his career? Had he even had a 3 game stretch that productive?

I more look at Semi as a guy who will come in and play tough defense and have a defined (limited) role on offense. Obviously he doesn't have the same skill level as Hayward and I wouldn't expect him to have him similar numbers. It may even benefit guys like Jaylen and Rozier. With all that said, I acknowledge that as long as Hayward is on the active roster, he should be playing over Semi.

As far as giving Hayward some time off, I understand that it's a little unorthodox and probably should have happened at the beginning of the season because of his 2nd surgery, but something just doesn't look right with him. There is a tentativeness and lack of explosiveness that we just never saw in Utah. It is in all of our best interest for Hayward to succeed, I'm just looking at sort-of hitting the reset button and giving him a chance to work on things that he can't otherwise work on during the grind of an 82 game season.

[trickybilly]

Still about 6 weeks away I would say.