With the 2010 NBA Draft looming over our shoulders, I decided to write a piece focusing on this year’s potential sleeper, Gordon Hayward.  I love pure-shooters, especially those with text-book form, hence Stephen Curry is my favorite NBA sharp-shooter, and this was prior to him being drafted by my Golden State Warriors.  Gordon Hayward has similarities to Curry, primarily their demeanor on the court.  They seem undeterred by the big stage.  We touched on their shooting abilities, but they both let the game come to them, which is uncommon in young players.  The fundamentals have already been established with these two, which usually leads to instant impact once they dawn an NBA jersey.  One thing Hayward has over Curry is size, but then again, Adam Morrison was a bigger guard coming out of Gonzaga, and aside from hitch-hiking his way to a championship ring  last season, Morrison’s career is an obvious bust.

What this all goes to show is that sometimes size doesn’t matter, but more so the system you get placed in.  Although Curry would have been successful no matter where he went, it’s clear he’s benefited from a free-flowing offense, the same offense that a player like Gordon Hayward might flourish in.  I know the Warriors won’t take Hayward at number six, but if a team like Oklahoma City swoops him at 21 or 26, or Memphis takes him at 25 or 28, it should be considered a steal.  Especially if he goes to Memphis, where there isn’t a clear-cut star on the team, so the potential is greater for Hayward there.  Regardless of where he lands, I’m rooting for the kid, and I’m hoping to look back five years from now and read this post and for once, have proof that I know just what the hell I’m talking about.