Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: 3 reasons Gordon Hayward deserves to be an All-Star

By Josh Anderson

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 11: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts following a three point basket during the fourth quarter of their game against the New York Knicks at Spectrum Center on January 11, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 11: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts following a three point basket during the fourth quarter of their game against the New York Knicks at Spectrum Center on January 11, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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When the Charlotte Hornets signed Gordon Hayward in the offseason, there were a lot of fans and experts that were critical of this move. The criticism wasn’t because Hayward was a bad player, it was more because of the perception that the Hornets overpaid for a veteran player past his prime.

It didn’t take long before all of the critics were silenced, thanks to the impressive play of Hayward. Hayward immediately gelled with his Hornets’ teammates, and he seems to enjoy playing in Charlotte.

While having fun is important for players, it’s also important to keep in mind that “fun” doesn’t earn a player a spot on the All-Star team. A player has to be able to have fun and still take over the game, and that is exactly what Hayward has been doing in his first season with Charlotte.

Related Story. Charlotte Hornets: How to vote Gordon Hayward in as an All-Star. light

Hayward knows what it takes to be an All-Star. In his final year with the Utah Jazz, the NBA fans voted Hayward on the All-Star team. The 2016-17 season for Hayward was by far his best season in the NBA to date. He averaged the most points of his career, he was over 84% from the free-throw line, and he even averaged over 5 assists per game.

Unfortunately for Hayward, this was the last time he was voted to be an All-Star. In the first game of the next season playing for his new team, the Boston Celtics, Hayward suffered a gruesome leg injury that derailed his season. Many believed that he would never be able to play at the same all-star level, and for years those very same people looked to be correct.

In the following two seasons after his leg injury, Hayward only averaged 11.5 and 17.5 points. Not only did he have the leg injury plaguing him, but he was also aging. Hayward has now been in the league for 11 seasons. While signing a veteran can have a nice payoff, too many times these veteran signings don’t pan out.

Thankfully for the Hornets, Hayward looks more like the player he was in Utah, and it just might land him a spot in the All-Star game.

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