Hard-nosed Hayward
Jonah BallowWolves Editor/Writer
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There is one specific play that will always result in gigantic smiles and a round of applause from the coaching staff. It's quite possibly the most difficult call for the referee crew as the defender slides in front of the driving offensive player to draw a charge. A second of silence usually follows the collision before the man in stripes places one hand behind his head and the other arm fully extended, pointing in the opposite direction.
Aside from a blocked shot, the offensive charge is a momentum changing play, which proves the amount of physical pain a player is willing to endure.
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Lazar Hayward Summer League Performances January 18 vs. Hawks - 19 pts, 3 rebs January 17 vs. Blazers - 10 pts, 5 rebs January 14 vs. Kings - 14 pts, 4 rebs January 12 vs. Spurs - 13 pts, 2 rebs |
In a couple of months, Wolves Nation will see firsthand, Hayward does not shy from contact, "No, you know, it's fun just playing and getting into battles and getting into bodies. Really it's just reading into defenses and you know, picking my spots and today the drives were there."
Hayward made the above statement right after dropping 19 points on Atlanta in Minnesota's Summer League finale. Most players would immediately point out their best offensive output of the week-long games but Hayward started with defense, a similar mindset to his summer league outlook before making the trip to Sin City.
"Win as many games as we can, work very, very, hard be a good teammate you know play some D and go out there and have some fun," Hayward commented.
In a Wednesday night summer league matchup while facing Sacramento, rookie Ryan Thompson streaked down the floor and crashed into Hayward in the open court like a tight end and a linebacker on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays. Hayward did not intentionally crack Thompson but only one player was left standing -- the one with the Wolves uniform.
Physically, Hayward is cut with a 6-foot-6 and 225-pound frame built for the 82-game grind. He used that strong physique to battle talented big men in an extremely competitive Big East Conference last year. The former Marquette standout played several positions, the power forward or center spot on a small-ball squad. At the next level, Hayward will most likely move back to natural positions, such as the 2 or 3 this upcoming season. Regardless of his spot on the floor, head coach Kurt Rambis was pleased with Hayward's performances, "So, I see him as a guy who can play a couple positions in this league and you know he's working on his defense and the skill set at this level is much tougher than what he's used to guarding at the collegiate level. But, Lazar is a nice ball player. He's very good."
From an offensive standpoint, Hayward displayed a sense of calm when the initial offensive set collapsed. Showing no signs of fear in his first set of NBA games, he found open looks and drilled mid-range jumpers along with attacking the basket when eyeing any glimmer of daylight. The Buffalo, New York native connected on 10-of-11 free throw attempts against Atlanta while recording 85 percent at the charity stripe in four games.
Expect Hayward to spend a considerable amount of time in the gym during the weeks leading up to training camp in Mankato. This hardworking New Yorker may end up becoming the steal of the 2010 Draft, a familiar story for former Marquette stars. 30 teams passed on Golden Eagles guard Wesley Matthews before he signed with the Jazz as a rookie free agent. Matthews moved into Utah's starting lineup and earned a lucrative five-year, $34 million contract with the Blazers this offseason.
"You know if that's grabbing a coach and getting better at all aspects of my game," Hayward explained. "You know I've never pinpointed one thing you know getting with coaches, getting with teammates, maybe watching film and just trying to learn as much as I can as quick as I can."
The snapshot of Hayward's all-around skill set was visible in four summer league games. At the beginning of the 2010-11 season, Hayward will have a chance to slip on the official uniform and show the rest of the league his hard-nosed approach to basketball.
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