Gordon Hayward wins the game with a step back

Gordon Hayward’s a really good player. Gordon Hayward has really good hair. Maybe the reason the Dallas Mavericks didn’t win tonight’s game is cause they were too busy looking at Hayward’s hair?

This is really a fantastic set by the Utah Jazz to get Hayward in a position to get a good look and win the game without giving Dallas time to attempt a shot of their own. The action begins early with Hayward catching the ball near the inbound, and then running a loop around the arc which not only forces the defense to move, but kills clock. Utah runs a slip screen that forces Dallas to switch and puts Hayward on someone he can create space against. After that, Hayward just gets to a spot on the floor he likes, creates the space and hits the shot.

What’s great about this play is that it’s hero ball, but done in a creative manner as to avoid the turnovers that more elaborate plays risk. Hayward never passes the ball, and only runs through one screen, but the movement he creates causes so many problems for Dallas’s defense. They defended it well, but Utah executed it better and ended the night with a win.