Warriors vs Jazz: 5 Keys To The Series

Apr 24, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant (35) look on from the court in the first half of game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant (35) look on from the court in the first half of game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
3 of 6
Apr 8, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) shoots a basket as he is guarded by Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) during the second half at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won 101-86. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) shoots a basket as he is guarded by Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) during the second half at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won 101-86. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Can Gordon Hayward Be Even Better

Gordon Hayward played great all series long against the Clippers, and averaged over 23 points per contest. He’s a star no doubt about it, but can he take the leap into superstardom? He absolutely needs to, if the Jazz are going to challenge Golden State at all. The Clippers are a good team but the Warriors are arguably the best team in the league, and have been in that conversation for the past three seasons – BEFORE KEVIN DURANT.

The playoffs are where the great players separate themselves from the good players. Gordon Hayward is stuck in-between. He’s a very good player worthy of his all-star selection, worthy of being named possibly to one of the all-NBA teams and good enough to get a team to the playoffs. But is he great? Can he be a face of a franchise? For the Jazz to beat the Warriors, he will need to be.

Many questions surrounding Hayward will be answered during this series. It will be difficult for the Jazz to win, but if Hayward is truly the franchise player that many believe he is than he should be able to make this competitive and give his team a chance to upset the top-seeded Warriors.