Gordon Hayward should eventuallly become Butler's first NBA player since Ralph "Buckshot" O'Brien in 1953.
Yo, yo, the name’s G-Time
Big frame, big game, call me big time
Ball hard every night and day
From the ‘Burg I rep it in a big way
Come too close I’ll hit you with the blow-by
Straight to the rim I’m just too high
Stay back and I’ll hit the J
Try to stop me there’s just no waaaay
But it’s not about me, it’s about the team
Going to the tourney with a full head of steam
‘Chip’s real close, it’s at our back door
Get a few dubs we’ll be in the Final Four
Not stopping there, that’s not in store
Push it to the limit we want more
The lyrics may be cheesy, but Gordon Hayward called it. The Butler sophomore — and artist known as “G-Time” — rapped about postseason success with former Brownsburg teammates in a video shot before the NCAA Tournament. Butler delivered.
Now in their first-ever Final Four, the Bulldogs find themselves with the biggest bandwagon in college sports. The national media loves them. Hundreds of “Butler fans” are coming out of the woodwork, mobbing the Hinkle Fieldhouse bookstore for anything with a Bulldog plastered on it. After their Elite Eight victory, they had more fans at the airport at 3 a.m. than a typical Pacer game.
Despite holding the nation’s longest winning streak of 24 games, Butler is still viewed as the biggest surprise to potentially win it all since Villanova in 1985. Third-year coach Brad Stevens has heard enough “Hoosiers” references to make any other coach vomit, but seems to embrace his team’s obvious, yet inaccurate, underdog role.
At the center of the massive amount of hype is Hayward, who’s averaging 16 points and 6.3 rebounds per game during the tournament. He may not be a Bulldog for long.
Hayward hasn’t yet completed his sophomore season but has already generated plenty of NBA Draft buzz. MyNBAdraft.com’s mock draft has him going as high as No. 16 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves. NBAdraft.net tabbed him as No. 29 to the Memphis Grizzlies. Countless others have him off the board in the first round.
It’s not yet known whether Hayward will leave school early, but whenever he does, you’ve got to believe some NBA GM will take a chance on him for a variety of reasons.
He’s versatile. The 6-foot-9 Hayward has the quickness of a point guard, but is also big enough to guard moderately-sized post players. Hayward leads the team in blocks (27) and is third in steals (35).
He has a knack for making big plays. Call it being in the right place at the right time if you want, but Hayward thrives in the clutch. He made the buzzer-beater every kid dreams of in high school to win a state championship. He made a similar shot this year to beat nationally-ranked Xavier. He prevented the Bulldogs’ tourney run from going up in flames in the second round, deflecting a pass and diving for a steal in the final seconds to help Butler survive Murray State.
He’s durable. Hayward has played — and started — 65 of his career 66 games at Butler, opting to take the floor on several occasions when obviously not 100 percent.
Whether those factors add up to a successful NBA career for Hayward is arguable. Critics may point to his wiry frame or streaky three-point shot. But guys who may or may not translate well into the NBA but lead their college teams to postseason glory simply find their way into the professional ranks, just ask Larry Bird.
In the last two years alone, the Pacers GM drafted role players who advanced to the Final Four or further — Brandon Rush (Kansas), Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina), and A.J. Price (Connecticut).
With the way Bird has drafted in recent years, it’s not hard to see Hayward in blue and gold.
In the meantime, here’s a link to audio from Hayward’s rap, “Too Big, Yo” in all it’s glory.
Leibrock's Sports Talk 