2017 NBA Off-Season Thread

Originally posted by Fanaticofnfl:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UtahJazz/comments/6lbojx/haywards_decision_letter_is_a_huge_unapologetic/

Man, I really wasn't expecting Hayward to get any criticism at all for his decision. But this is looking more and more like KD all over again.

It's a very poorly written letter and that Griz fan that wrote that pretty much nailed it.

Originally posted by Niners99:

Originally posted by Fanaticofnfl:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UtahJazz/comments/6lbojx/haywards_decision_letter_is_a_huge_unapologetic/

Man, I really wasn't expecting Hayward to get any criticism at all for his decision. But this is looking more and more like KD all over again.

Utah fans are hardcore and passionate. Hes now dead to all Jazz fans. Will get booed heavily the next time he comes to SLC.

Its just frustrating to lose a guy because he was friends with another coach. We offered him the max, a winning situation on the rise, a great area to play in, a spot as the franchise player, etc. But there was nothing we could do about the reason he left.

The main problem is when it got leaked, his agent came out and said they were torn and still deciding...then that 2100 word article comes out like a giant middle finger to jazz fans. He knew where he was going, but he strung the Jazz along and forced them into an awful situation. The Jazz will now sign Rudy Gay to replace him as he's all that's out there. Had he have been honest this whole time, they could have made moves early in free agency. And for that, I will boo him louder than Fisher.

Fisher never deserved the boos and the fans covering one eye. Hayward deserves to get booed out of the arena. I hope Lebron reups with the Cavs for three more years.

https://theplayerstribune.com/gordon-hayward-decision-free-agency-nba/

So essentially his decision was down to his belief that the Celtics have a better chance of winning a championship than the other two teams. I guess I can understand why he has decided to move on from the loaded western conference to the 'weaker' eastern conference, however it does seem like a slap in the face to a degree to the Jazz. He holds all those great memories, cares about the team, and loves the city - yet, he's happy to pack up and leave for an easier chance at a ring than stay and try to win one with the Jazz. I suppose that's how the NBA is trending these days with players chasing rings rather than remaining loyal to the team that drafted them. It's why I have a lot of respect for players like Dirk Nowitzki, he could have left the Mavericks many times to chase rings yet he's stayed loyal and played his heart out for them. But hey, he's gone to Boston so good luck to him because he's going to need it as long as Lebron stays in Cleveland.

Honestly I feel that players need to stop w some of the statements, "decisions", letters, blogs, etc., explaining their decisions to leave a team. In some ways imo, they are looking for everyone to accept and be comfy with their choice of leaving, and fact of the matter is, you cant satisfy everyone. Everyone will not be happy, and rejection is hard. Say goodbye and thank you and let it be.

This whole notion that its how a player leaves, what they say, how they say it, yadayah, and the questioning of their sincerity is not the real issue. Its the simple fact that they leave, and its ok for folks to have an issue w being rejected.

The modern player is doing what he thinks is best for his career. I personally am ok with that. Others may not be, and thats ok too.

Originally posted by Mike1989:

https://theplayerstribune.com/gordon-hayward-decision-free-agency-nba/

So essentially his decision was down to his belief that the Celtics have a better chance of winning a championship than the other two teams. I guess I can understand why he has decided to move on from the loaded western conference to the 'weaker' eastern conference, however it does seem like a slap in the face to a degree to the Jazz. He holds all those great memories, cares about the team, and loves the city - yet, he's happy to pack up and leave for an easier chance at a ring than stay and try to win one with the Jazz. I suppose that's how the NBA is trending these days with players chasing rings rather than remaining loyal to the team that drafted them. It's why I have a lot of respect for players like Dirk Nowitzki, he could have left the Mavericks many times to chase rings yet he's stayed loyal and played his heart out for them. But hey, he's gone to Boston so good luck to him because he's going to need it as long as Lebron stays in Cleveland.

Also think about this he has more chance to be an All Star in the East than the West. There's no way he will be selected an all star in the west.

Originally posted by nothing03:

Originally posted by Mike1989:

https://theplayerstribune.com/gordon-hayward-decision-free-agency-nba/

So essentially his decision was down to his belief that the Celtics have a better chance of winning a championship than the other two teams. I guess I can understand why he has decided to move on from the loaded western conference to the 'weaker' eastern conference, however it does seem like a slap in the face to a degree to the Jazz. He holds all those great memories, cares about the team, and loves the city - yet, he's happy to pack up and leave for an easier chance at a ring than stay and try to win one with the Jazz. I suppose that's how the NBA is trending these days with players chasing rings rather than remaining loyal to the team that drafted them. It's why I have a lot of respect for players like Dirk Nowitzki, he could have left the Mavericks many times to chase rings yet he's stayed loyal and played his heart out for them. But hey, he's gone to Boston so good luck to him because he's going to need it as long as Lebron stays in Cleveland.

Also think about this he has more chance to be an All Star in the East than the West. There's no way he will be selected an all star in the west.

I was talking about the upcoming year. I wish he woulda sign with the Heat or stayed in Utah. I hate the Celtics. Rumor going around they are targeting Marc Gasol . Now that's a game changer if they could pull it off.

Originally posted by JustinMT:

Fisher never deserved the boos and the fans covering one eye. Hayward deserves to get booed out of the arena. I hope Lebron reups with the Cavs for three more years.

I think the way Gilbert has handled this offseason - there's a good chance Lebron leaves next summer.

Originally posted by nothing03:

I was talking about the upcoming year. I wish he woulda sign with the Heat or stayed in Utah. I hate the Celtics. Rumor going around they are targeting Marc Gasol . Now that's a game changer if they could pull it off.

You said there is no way he'd be an all-star in the West. If he was an all star this past season - how can you say there is no chance he can't be selected an all-star next season?

That makes no sense.

Originally posted by nothing03:
Also think about this he has more chance to be an All Star in the East than the West. There's no way he will be selected an all star in the west.

He made the all star game last season. Granted we have seen Jimmy Butler and Paul George come to the western conference, but there is still a chance that Hayward could make the all star game if he performs well enough and gets the votes. Does he have a greater chance to play the all star game in the east? Sure, but unless there is performance related pay which ties directly to all star appearances and starts, then all star appearances wouldn't be my main concern or motivation when choosing my team.

Let's face it, there have been some very good players to never play in the all star game like Mike Bibby, Ron Harper, Arvydas Sabonis, and Lamar Odom are a few I can name off the top of my head. There have also been some very good players to only play a limited number of all star games. So unless Hayward's primary motivation is to rack up all star appearances or his contract features performance related pay, then all star games should be low on his list. His main priority should be his happiness on and off the court, and what team gives him the greatest chance to win. I guess that is Boston, but it would have been nice to have seen him stay loyal to a good and rising young team in Utah.

Originally posted by 4ML:

Originally posted by nothing03:

I was talking about the upcoming year. I wish he woulda sign with the Heat or stayed in Utah. I hate the Celtics. Rumor going around they are targeting Marc Gasol . Now that's a game changer if they could pull it off.

You said there is no way he'd be an all-star in the West. If he was an all star this past season - how can you say there is no chance he can't be selected an all-star next season?

That makes no sense.

I know he was an all star last season. I was talking about this upcoming season if he stayed with Utah. His chances of being an all star will be pretty slim with the arrival of Butler and George in the Western Conference. In the East he has less competition on the slot on his position especially the Celtics will be a good team his chances are higher to be an all star in the East. Hopefully I made sense?

What an indecisive prick.

Gordon Hayward had a chaotic decision process on the Fourth of July in which it was reported he chose the Boston Celtics, but that report surfaced before he had finalized his decision.

"This entire process was gut wrenching for him," said Mark Bartelstein on the Ryen Russillo show one day later. "Utah has done an incredible job. That was an incredible situation for him."

Hayward met with the Celtics, Utah Jazz and Miami Heat in free agency and after each meeting, he felt as though he would sign with that team.

"There were a lot of looks done before July 1 to narrow it down to Miami, Boston and Utah."

Hayward met first with the Heat and was blown away by their presentation.

"My god, I think this is the spot," said Hayward to Bartelstein following his meeting with the Heat.

"I think this is a wrap. I think this is the place for me," Hayward told Bartelstein after the Boston meeting.

"Utah nailed everything to make Gordon feel like this was the place to stay," said Bartelstein.

Hayward was back to thinking he couldn't leave Utah following their 3.5 hour meeting.

"Hayward was leaning towards staying with Utah on Monday night," said Bartelstein.

On Tuesday morning, Hayward began to lean towards choosing Boston. As that happened, news broke that Hayward had decided to sign with the Celtics.

Bartelstein then called the teams and the media as Hayward had not yet made a final decision. Hayward's decision came several hours later.

"A long time ago we made the decision to go through The Players Tribune," said Bartelstein.

Bartelstein said Hayward had been writing his piece with three different versions over the past week.