Gordon Hayward spoke on the Dan LeBatard show about his time in the NBA. He joked that NBA players like to target white players in isolation plays. Hayward then told the story of playing against the Lakers in a preseason game, where Ron Artest (Metta World Peace) mocked him to Kobe Bryant, comparing him to Justin Bieber.
“For whatever reason, when you see the white guy guarding you, it’s like ‘Let’s iso him and go at him’. And so, you gotta hope that you can stop that first time, or else they’re just going to keep going at you every single time.”
“I wasn’t the worst defender on the team, but for whatever reason, check in the game – ‘We’re going right at him’… I’m telling you, there’s just some stereotype, people’s eyes light up. I remember, this probably didn’t necessarily have to do with the fact that I was white, but maybe my face and hair and everything.”
“We played the Lakers, I think it was preseason, and they had Ron Artest. I checked in the game and he looks at me and then looks back at Kobe. And he’s like, ‘Hey Kob, just throw me the ball in the post, man. Look who’s guarding me. I’ve got Bieber guarding me’. And sure enough, he just posted me up. I had no chance guarding him. At that point, what am I going to say to Ron Artest?”
"I remember… I checked in the game & [Ron Artest] looks at me, and then looks back at Kobe… and he's like, 'Hey Kob, just throw me the ball in the post man. Look who's guarding me. I've got Bieber guarding me.'"
—Gordon Hayward
(via @LeBatardShow) pic.twitter.com/kZ8ZecCIyi
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 8, 2024
Hayward clearly found the story amusing and didn’t get his feelings hurt by what Artest said about him. However, much like what Hayward said in the interview, it’s not like he could have done much or confronted Artest, who at that time was considered one of the toughest and most aggressive players in the NBA.
Hayward Reflects On Kobe Bryant’s Impact
Gordon Hayward recently announced his retirement from basketball, as he walked away from what had been a solid career in the league. After a 14-year career, where he was named an All-Star once, Hayward’s injuries and his age had caught up to him at the time.
At several points in his career, Hayward was able to rely on and call upon for any advice from Kobe Bryant, who served as a mentor for him, especially in the early years of his career. While the two were not teammates, Hayward could count on Kobe for advice when he needed it.
Hayward spoke earlier this year about the relationship he had with Kobe Bryant. He noted that their relationship was one built on support, as Kobe had his back at any and all times, and helped teach him some important lessons in order for him to succeed in the NBA.
Gordon Hayward also elaborated further on his dynamic with Bryant, noting that Kobe would give him very specific and detailed notes on every workout. Kobe would reiterate his own mindset to Hayward – play to be the best or don’t bother playing at all.
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