Boston Celtics swingman Gordon Hayward went on a series of tweets on Monday, denying claims that he purposely tried to help Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant reach 60 points during his final NBA game back in April 13, 2016.
A day after Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others lost their lives in a horrific helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, an interesting clip from Bryant's final NBA game began circulating on social media.
Mike Tirico of NBC Sports noted that Hayward — who was a member of the Utah Jazz at the time — tried to commit a lane violation in case Bryant missed a free throw that would have given him 60 points. Bryant, of course, nailed the free-throw and capped of arguably the best final game send-off in NBA history.
Hayward began his series of tweets by joining the rest of the world in grieving the loss of the enigmatic superstar.
The past day has been incredibly heartbreaking for me. Kobe is someone that I looked up to and admired and developed a personal relationship with. I have struggled so much with trying to understand the devastating news and like many others I’m still trying to process it.
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020
After sharing what Bryant meant to him as a person and a basketball player, the 29-year-old denied the rumors and said he respected the Lakers icon too much to do such thing.
It has also come to my attention that there is a story going around tonight about an intentional lane violation that I took to ensure Kobe would get his 60th point in his final game and many are applauding me for the gesture. The fact of the matter is that is not true.
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020
That was a night that I will truly never forget as I can remember almost every moment of it and my goal that night was to compete as hard as I possibly could against Kobe because that is what he was all about and I wanted to give him my very best.
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020
He got 60 on me and I didn't give him anything free all night. What happened on the free throw line was not intentional. Kobe would have lost respect for me if I gave him something free. That’s what made him so very special!
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020
Rest In Peace Kobe. I’m so honored to have shared our time on and off the court together!
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020
Gordon Hayward will always hold the honor to have matched-up against Kobe Bryant in his final NBA game. He scored 17 points as the Jazz fell 101-96 in that historic night. It is also worth noting that he now plays for the Lakers' archrivals Boston Celtics.
Hayward has since displayed the “Mamba Mentality” since that fateful encounter with Bryant.
The one-time All-Star has recovered from devastating injury setbacks in recent seasons and has become a vital component in the Celtics' dominant start this season.
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