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New Orleans • Gordon Hayward's All-Star night didn't progress without a few hiccups.
The Utah Jazz small forward wasn't used to the open-floor nature of an All-Star Game, so he spent most of the first half figuring out how to fit in. There were some nerves because Sunday night was his first time on the All-Star stage, so he missed all his 3-point attempts.
Through it all, a 192-182 Western Conference win over the Eastern Conference at Smoothie King Center, Hayward's night was still one of the best of his career.
"Just being out there and interacting with the guys made it all worth it," Hayward said. "I had a lot of fun, and this has been a great weekend."
Hayward scored eight points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field. He played 17 minutes, handed out two assists and grabbed a rebound. But admittedly, the loose play took some getting used to.
Hayward played an almost guilty style of basketball. His first few touches in the first half, he found himself adhering to the fundamentals, looking for teammates, trying to make the right play. But the All-Star Game on Sunday night was bizarro basketball. The right basketball play for Hayward was consistently looking for his own offense.
It took him a half to recognize that.
"The style of play is almost like the last pick-up game at the YMCA [when everyone is tired and not playing defense]," Hayward said.
Hayward eventually figured it out, made his adjustments, and made an impact overall.
In the second half, he became more aggressive. He came up with a few dunks, and picked up four steals, which was a high for the game.
Most importantly, Hayward used the weekend as a whole as confirmation. He knows now that he belongs as one of the 24 best players in the world. He knows that he's one of the best at what he does.
Confidence has always been a big thing for him. His play this season, coupled with his All-Star weekend, have given him a lot of it heading into the second half of the season.
"I know now that I belong here," Hayward said. "I took in everything, the introductions, the whole deal. The thing I'm going to take most is just being around the guys. The rest of the season is going to be a lot of fun. We're going to have to play good defense. Offensively, we're looking to have a rhythm. It's going to be fun. I'm looking forward to it."
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