Boston Celtics small forward Gordon Hayward makes his return to Utah Friday night to face off against the Jazz.
Hayward spent the first seven years of his NBA career in Utah. Before the game even started, the Jazz were already showing Hayward some love on Twitter with a video tribute … though it isn't exactly an inspiring one:
Welcome back, Gordon. https://t.co/02WhVVeZaw
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 9, 2018
The Jazz were originally going to play the video in the arena during a timeout, but decided to change their mind, according to Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune.
Update: instead of playing the Hayward video in arena, Jazz are just releasing it on social media before the game. The idea is not to give even more of a chance for negativity tonight. Don’t expect much more than that in terms of recognition, Jazz are trying to keep it positive.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) November 9, 2018
Utah drafted Gordon Hayward with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft out of Butler University. In 516 career games with the Jazz, Hayward averaged 15.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He made the All-Star team in 2017.
Hayward signed a four-year, $128 million free agent deal with the Celtics in the summer of 2017, ending his tenure with the Jazz. Some fans in Utah were upset by the move, as was big man Rudy Gobert.
The Jazz are a classy organization, though. When Gordon Hayward suffered that gruesome left ankle fracture on opening night last season, Utah's twitter account sent out a supportive tweet to Hayward and his family.
In 10 games this season, Hayward is putting up 9.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 40.0 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line.