Utah Jazz hope to see a 'more aggressive' Gordon Hayward in next games

By Tim Buckley, Deseret News

Published: Tuesday, July 6 2010 11:11 p.m. MDT

Summary

Gordon Hayward felt much more comfy in his second summer-league game — especially at the end, when he hit a 3-pointer and made 4-of-4 free throws in the final minute of Utah's 78-73 win over the Orlando Magic.

MAITLAND, FL. — Gordon Hayward felt much more comfy in his second summer-league game — especially at the end, when he hit a 3-pointer and made 4-of-4 free throws in the final minute of Utah's 78-73 win over the Orlando Magic.

Still, though, the transition from small-school Butler to the pro game is a work in progress for the Jazz's first-round selection in last month's NBA Draft.

"He's feeling his way through it," said Jazz assistant coach Tyrone Corbin after Tuesday's outing at the Orlando Pro Summer League. "He's making the right plays; he's making the right decisions."

But, Corbin added, "With his talent level, he can be a little bit more aggressive. ... He's trying not to make a mistake instead of just playing off it, and that's typical for a young guy."

It's a tightrope, Hayward suggested, between thinking about what's expected and simply playing.

"That's the hard part," he said, "because you're trying to do what the coaches ask — go out there and play hard and follow the system — and then, at the same time, it's just basketball, and you've been doing it your whole life.

"So that's a little bit of the balance you have to make."

Hayward shot 3-for-5 from the field Tuesday, including 1-of-2 from 3-point range.

He also had two rebounds, two assists and a block in 20 minutes, and had the middle pass in a well-run give-and-go fastbreak with Jazz swingman Othyus Jeffers.

"I think the more you get out there and play, the more comfortable you are," Hayward said. "So, another game down, and, for me, more experience."

D-LEAGUE AFFILIATIONS: The NBA announced Tuesday that the Utah Flash again will serve as an affiliate for both the Jazz and the Atlanta Hawks next season.

The 16-team D-League will have four new affiliate matchups for 2010-11: Dallas Mavericks and the Frisco, Texas-based Texas Legends, an expansion team; the Los Angeles Lakers and the Bakersfield Jam; the Golden State Warriors and Reno Bighorns; and the Orlando Magic and the New Mexico Thunderbirds.