Gordon Hayward has a classic dunker’s frame — 6’8, athletic, and strong enough handles to frequently attack the rim. His work in Utah has gone underappreciated for several seasons now, as Hayward has emerged as one of the most versatile forwards in the league. But his dunking has especially flown under the radar, and that’s just not right.
Gordon Hayward is the most underrated dunker in the NBA
It’s well past time we acknowledge his dunks.
You’re about to see some unsettling footage of grown men playing in the NBA whose lives are shattered once Hayward comes from above and posterizes them. It’s not a pretty sight, but it’s our duty to relay it to you. This is a public service announcement: try to stop Gordon Hayward at your own risk.
Hayward’s dunking habits have gone on for several seasons now. This weekend inspired our look back, but Hayward has doing this for a while now.
On Sunday, Hayward yammed on John Wall.
This is a damn good dunk. That subtle shift of the ball towards the backboard saved him from Wall’s chasedown attempt, and Hayward received a well-deserved two points in return.
If you were on Twitter after that dunk, you might have caught this wave of reactions.
They’re right, because that’s exactly what’s happening.
On Saturday, Hayward rang up Thon Maker AND Giannis Antetokounmpo.
You’d expect Thon Maker, since he’s super long but also a rookie still very much in development. But not Giannis, with his extendo-arms and impossible reach. Trust me, it happened. We have video proof.
Look ma, two hands! The two-handed poster dunk has becoming increasingly rare, so it’s important that Hayward is bringing it back. There’s something gritty and disrespectful about using both. Anyone can dunk with one hand, but use two and it’s like you really mean the other person harm.
Hayward threw down on Julius Randle earlier this season.
Man, this is dirty.
Here’s another one, where young Dwight Powell never stood a chance.
And it’s not just this season. Here’s a younger Hayward making posters.
First, on Miles Plumlee.
Still, one isn’t surprised when you dunk on a Plumlee. You know what’s surprising? Dunking on someone like Paul George.
Wait, what’s that? Hayward did that too.
AND THE HAIR. Paul George really got himself dunked on with someone rocking the Dumb and Dumber haircut. No wonder Indiana nearly traded him at the deadline this year.
Still, sometimes dunk attempts go wrong.
Just in case Hayward reads this, it’s important to retain some humility. This was an attempted dunk over Chris Bosh, and it ended very poorly.
Dunk responsibly, folks.
