Despite not choosing the Miami Heat in this year's free agency, newly-acquired Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward admitted that he was very impressed with the pitch given to him by Pat Riley and company.

The 27-year-old Butler product recently appeared on the latest episode of The Woj Pad with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, where he shared what he felt after hearing the Heat's recruitment pitch to him. He also revealed that his wife, Robyn, also told him that she could see their family living in South Beach, as it is a very beautiful city.

“I think the text I sent to (agent Mark Bartelstein) was, ‘Wow, that's going to be really tough to beat.'”

“I asked (my wife) Robyn, and she said something like she could see herself living there and that would be a really great place for us to be. … It was all positive stuff.”

Butler then said that Riley is a great motivator and his experience of luring big name free agents was very evident throughout the meeting. The videos of the Heat's culture also enticed him to consider the team over his other suitors, as their winning tradition left him in awe.

“Mark had tried to tell me, after you talk with him, you're going to be like, ‘Mark, I'm ready to sign right now,'” You do get that vibe from him. He's a great motivator. And we watched some videos, too, of the Heat and their tradition. He definitely makes you feel like you're going to be competing for championships year in and year out.”

“That was the moment where you kind of do get some chills, and everyone's wearing their ring, too, everybody on the staff was. And so that's the moment where you're like, ‘Wow, that's really cool,' an I-want-to-put-on-the-jersey-right-now type feeling.”

The Godfather is one of the most respected front office executives in the NBA today, and has proven that he can bring superstars to Miami, just like what he did in 2010 when he made LeBron James and Chris Bosh bring their talents to his team. That resulted to four straight Finals appearances, winning two championships along the way.

Butler ultimately chose the C's as he believes he will have the best chance of winning a title with them. It also helped their cause that his former college mentor and current Celtics head coach, Brad Stevens, is calling the plays for them. They will be reuniting starting next season, and are geared to make a deep run in the postseason with the very talented lineup they have.