Photo by Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
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But Hayward warrants a spot, not only because he plays for a very good team but because it would be silly not to include anyone who has roasted opponents as thoroughly as he has over the past few weeks. In Utah's last ten games, the 26-year-old is averaging 26.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. He's draining 47.8 percent of his threes and 48.5 percent of his overall shots.On top of that, Utah's offense has scored 119.0 points per 100 possessions with Hayward on the court, a team high, and just 102.1 when he sits, a team low.Hayward's all-star problem: Pick 7 of Aldridge, Cousins, Davis, Durant, Gasol, Gobert, Green, Griffin, Hayward, Jordan, Leonard, Towns.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen)December 10, 2016
None of this appears to be a fluke (though the numbers are a bit cloudy thanks to Hayward not playing in Utah's loss against the Golden State Warriors on December 8). Since missing Utah's opening six games with a finger injury, he has been a furnace; only four players listed 6-foot-7 or taller cover more ground on a nightly basis. Under the weight of increased usage, a career-high 29.2 percent, Hayward has never posted a better PER, True Shooting percentage, or free-throw rate, and his lack of turnovers is unparalleled right now for someone who's responsible for that much offense. He's everywhere and does everything.But Hayward's impact has long been perceived as an inch deep and a mile wide. He's a solid athlete at a valuable position, and it's difficult to identify any clear flaws in his game, but he isn't quite strong enough in any one area to be able to lift his team to relevance come springtime.
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