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SALT LAKE CITY -- On Sunday I had a conversation with Jazz rookie Gordon Hayward about his roller-coaster rookie season.
Hayward
I think having those extra minutes and kind of being out on the court a little bit more has kind of allowed me to get into the flow of the game a little better and I also think just playing with those guys more allows them to know how I play and allows me to know how they play more so the trust is there a little bit more...
Tom
I know coming from the program you have come from and being a star in college, confidence is huge, what was the, what did it feel like, what was the low point like a month, six, eight weeks ago?
Hayward
Well it was difficult, like you said, anytime you come from a place where you were like, the man, step into a new level, you're back down on the totem pole, so it was tough mentally. That was the biggest part especially the way that Jeremy Evans would go in and it felt like I couldn't miss in practice and they just wouldn't translate to the game. I just got to keep working I guess, there's going to be ups, there's going to be downs, so you try to stay level-headed through all that.
Tom
Has it hit you yet and how sweet is it that not only are you getting minutes, you are getting every fourth quarter minute, which in Jerry Sloan's world, not a lot of rookies ever do that?
Hayward
You know it is kind of a confidence booster that he has that faith in me but I gotta continue the way that I have been playing in order to keep that trust of his. So, like I said, there will probably be more ups, there will be probably more downs, I know the season is a learning process for me, but I just try to go out there and have fun and play hard.
Tom
I see you talking to Raja, asking him questions in the game and a little bit with Deron too?
Hayward
Definitely. One-hundred percent. You play with a guy who is an all-star point guard like Deron he obviously knows a couple things about the game, Raja has been around forever too and he knows the little things that sometimes coaches can't teach you so when I out in the game and I see something, I'll be able to ask them and see what they feel about it.
Tom
I saw your post(game reaction) to the Clipper game when you had that 17-point second half which is kind of your staple right now, were they (teammates) really saying "Too Big Yo" from your bench when you were hitting shots?
Hayward
They were kind of joking around with it a little bit yeah...just having some fun with it I think...
Tom
Who's the ring leader in that one?
Hayward
They all take turns. It was good fun and kind of fun for them to be able to say that.
Tom
You and Jeremy Evans, you talked about him, I know you have gotten close to him, what's it like watching him play, I mean he is a "wow" guy?
Hayward
Oh for sure, the things that he does, only certain people can do that in the game, it's really cool to see someone that you have become friends with and that you work hard with compete against, and don't get me wrong, we've gotten in fights in practice over one-on-one games stuff like that, but to then be able to see him go out on the court and do well makes me proud, I am happy for him.
Tom
You are kind of a sneaky good dunker, we have seen you go left, we have seen the two-hander in Minnesota.
Hayward
I think I am more athletic than people give me credit for, sometimes I realize in this league if you go up soft and lay it up, they are not going to bail you out. You just gotta try to go up and dunk it and if you get fouled, you get fouled, you should go hard to the rim.
E-mail: tkirkland@ksl.com
