Hayward Interview

[mstang917]

http://www.nba.com/video/teams/timberwolves/2010/05/27/5262010predraftworkouthaywardmov-1329153/

[GoldenWarrior]

Nice interview, hopefully someone gives him his shot in the League!  I think between he and Wes representing Marquette in the league and the type of people they are on and off the court, only good things can come from it!

[HoopsMalone]

Love hearing him say he will do whatever the team wants him to do.  Said he will guard whoever and rebound the ball.  He does not need to score.  Great interview.

I think the NBA is a better product with guys like Wes and Lazar getting minutes.  The best example is Shane Battier.  Unselfish guys who like to defend.  GM's love taking chances that some dude in Eastern Europe will be the next Dirk or some kid out of high school or one year in college will be the next KG.  The NBA has some great superstars and now get guys who know how to play surrounding these superstars.

[PGsHeroes32]

Not the Wolves. Please not the Wolves.

[CrazyEcho]

Not the Wolves. Please not the Wolves.

Beggars can't be choosers.  I'd be extremely happy if he was drafted by anyone. 

[karavotsos]

The best example is Shane Battier. 

Seriously?  If I drafted a guy in the lottery and he couldn't score at all, I'd be pissed (Battier's career average is under 10 ppg.)  Further, out of the guys still playing in June Big Baby Davis, Kendrick Perkins, Artest, D Fish, Tony Allen are all better examples of the kind of unselfish defender hustle guy Lazar would have to be.  Also, the higher paid a guy is, I think the less he can be called just a great defender and the more he has to also be labelled of an offensive underachiever.  No shutouts in bball. 

[mviale]

David Kahn seems like a tool

[karavotsos]

Not the Wolves. Please not the Wolves.

On the espn.com Minnesota Timberwolves roster page Greg Stiemsma is listed as making $5383.  If I was in data entry at ESPN I would have included the additional 48 cents he made to make it an even $5,383.48.   

[martyconlonontherun]

Seriously?  If I drafted a guy in the lottery and he couldn't score at all, I'd be pissed (Battier's career average is under 10 ppg.)  Further, out of the guys still playing in June Big Baby Davis, Kendrick Perkins, Artest, D Fish, Tony Allen are all better examples of the kind of unselfish defender hustle guy Lazar would have to be.  Also, the higher paid a guy is, I think the less he can be called just a great defender and the more he has to also be labelled of an offensive underachiever.  No shutouts in bball.  

Seriously? You would be pissed if your team drafted Shane Battier in the 2001 draft? He was probably the 5th best player in that first round and that is after years of hindsight. That was a great pick for where they were at. Battier was a solid starter on his team and became a 2x 2nd team all-defense, and was just a great glue guy. Hayward would be blessed to have a career like his.

The only player you mentioned that has close to the same style of play is Artest, and that's an extreme best case scenario. Artest is just a better player.

ETA: You'll be pissed all but three guys from the lottery that year. The only ones better than Battier were Gasol, Johnson, and Jefferson.

[Markusquette]

Has anyone else noticed how Lazar seems much more personable and intelligent than a lot of the other draft prospects? Not all of them of course, but it was similar with Wes too.  It really speaks volumes as to how much going to a school like Marquette for a few years really helps these guys.

I've said it multiple times, but I'll say it again; Lazar is probably one of the most humble players I can think of in recent history.  Would love to see him get drafted to one of my favorite teams, but most of all I just want to go somewhere he can succeed.

[IAmMarquette]

Has anyone else noticed how Lazar seems much more personable and intelligent than a lot of the other draft prospects? Not all of them of course, but it was similar with Wes too.  It really speaks volumes as to how much going to a school like Marquette for a few years really helps these guys.

I've said it multiple times, but I'll say it again; Lazar is probably one of the most humble players I can think of in recent history.  Would love to see him get drafted to one of my favorite teams, but most of all I just want to go somewhere he can succeed.

Or, it speaks to the quality of the players that Marquette recruits (of course, we've had a few bad apples as well). Either way you slice it, it ain't bad. Best of luck to Zar.

[Markusquette]

Or, it speaks to the quality of the players that Marquette recruits (of course, we've had a few bad apples as well). Either way you slice it, it ain't bad. Best of luck to Zar.

Yep.  We've had a few bad apples, but it's definitely a combo of both.