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Tim BontempsESPN
SALT LAKE CITY – Boston Celtic forward Gordon Hayward has returned to Utah to face the Jazz on Friday night for the first time since leaving as a free agent two summers ago.
It did not have exactly a welcome reception.
A season ended by leaving the Jazz, Gordon Hayward made his long-awaited return to Utah in a very different place from where he joined the Celtics.
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Hayward was introduced to a series of deafening shots before the Celtics faced the Jazz at the Vivint Smart Home Arena, which is how the hometown crowd welcomed the previous stars who left the hall in acrimonious circumstances.
The 28-year-old striker, who spent the first seven years of his career playing Jazz, was booed loud as soon as he appeared on Boston's lay-up lines, before spectators left him. every time he touched the ball – then applaud when he missed.
However, they eventually got tired of the routine – apparently deciding to save their acrimony when the game started soon after, when he came back every time Hayward touched the ball.
While Hayward exchanged pleasantries with his three former teammates – Joe Ingles, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert – as well as his replacement Utah star, Donovan Mitchell, before the match began, the Jazz n & # He lost no time in attacking him once he did it. .
The head coach of Jazz, Quin Snyder, very early called the players one after the other, repeatedly sending Gobert – one of the best league control officers – to put a body on Hayward. The result was an Ingles lay-up to open the score, as well as several other open looks.
Hayward, who had not spoken to the media before the match, made his only shot attempt in the first quarter – a quick break that he converted after a long pass from Jayson Tatum, who started the game by blocking a shot – and also hit Al Horford with a nice pass in his pocket as he headed for the rim with his own pick and roll for a basket.
The Jazz did nothing during the match to recognize Hayward's return. Instead of doing what most teams do in this situation – watch a video to pay tribute to the player who returns to the franchise – Utah instead chose to only publish one on his official Twitter account. this afternoon. .
Knowing what would be the reaction in the arena Friday night after long deliberation, the team determined that it was the best course of action. And, judging by the reaction in the arena during the match and by the tweet itself, their position was meritorious.
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