Gordon Hayward reflects on his career, forever intertwined with Paul George and how he wants to be remembered
Hayward was selected 9th by the Jazz in 2010 and has had a successful NBA career. Now back in the Western Conference, he's a positive influence to help guide the youthful Thunder back to the playoffs.
It’s early. Before the sun rises and his four kids are awake, he is up for focused work.
Brownsburg, Ind. native Gordon Hayward will celebrate his 34th birthday this week on March 23rd, and no matter how old he is, he’s quietly attacked his offseason while incorporating game-like shots, movements and actions on the basketball court.
In a social-media age where it’s normal to share Instagram stories, rise-and-grind posts and welcoming a photographer in for workouts, Hayward has gone about his business away from all of that.
By design.
He puts in the work and counts on the results to show during the season. A difficult and mission-driven offseason will be fruitful each October. He counts on it.
This past summer was more enjoyable, too, because it was his first offseason in many years where he was healthy after dealing with several unlucky injuries. So instead of spending time on rehabbing, he was back on the court sharpening his skill set.
“I'm not doing anything crazy, but it's doing it every day,” he said after a practice earlier this season. “Making sure that I'm making myself better in some way every day. But I think that's just it, it's consistency.
“You have to put in the hours, you have to put in the time, you have to make the shots, you have to do the ball-handling drills, and then also on the other side of it, in the weight room, in the PT (physical therapy) rooms and all that stuff.
“But more than anything, just consistency.”
That consistency has enabled the Butler University product to be in his 14th season. Most don’t even make it past their rookie contract. Hayward was drafted ninth overall in the 2010 draft by the Jazz, then spent his first seven seasons in Utah.
I asked Hayward something many have wondered.
If you were still available one spot later, at pick 10, did you get an indication from the Indiana Pacers, who then selected Paul George?
“I was told they were taking me,” he replied. “So you never know what's going to happen, but that's what I was told. And looking back, it would have been amazing to play for your hometown team, the team you grew up watching and dreaming about.
“But at the same time, I think it was good to not be here. There's too many distractions, too many friends, and you're just getting pulled in too many directions. So it's great that I went to Utah and got a chance to be away and all that.”
That’s something players often say, but fans don’t quite understand. Why wouldn’t you want to go home and play for your hometown team?
Many do, just not right away. Returning to a familiar bubble, where there’s increased demands and pressure, at a pivotal time when a player is trying to establish themself in the NBA isn’t productive.
The fewer ticket demands, appearances and such made during that first contract, the better. Because most players don’t learn about the business of basketball until they experience it — whether that’s being cut, traded, or in Hayward’s case, the Jazz matching the Charlotte Hornets’ restricted offer sheet rather than signing him to a five-year deal in 2014.
“The Clippers was the 8th pick and I would’ve loved to been drafted by the Clippers and stayed home, but there was something about going away,” George, a California native, said on a recent episode of his podcast with Hayward as the guest. “And then going to Indiana. Indiana is a basketball culture there.
“I think that young me really benefited off of being hunkered down to playing basketball. There’s no distractions and you literally lock in into the gym. Indiana’s all about basketball so I think it worked out perfect that I went there first.”
Still, it will always be special for Hayward to return to Indianapolis and play in front of the hometown crowd. He grew up 20 minutes from downtown and his parents are always at those games, along with dozens of other familiar faces.
“It's weird how much it's changed since my first year where I did a pre-draft workout here,” he said. “Just with the naming of... what is it? Gainbridge. Yeah, I mean, that's changed probably three times.