I gotta go with Hayward, I'm sorry. I like Parsons, but I think I'd rather have Hayward on my team. Hayward - 23 years old Parsons - 25 years old Hayward stats (this season) - 16.5 pts, 5 assists, 5 rebounds. Parsons stats (this season) - 17 pts, 3.5 assists, 5 rebounds. Nearly identical stats, Nearly identical height (Hayward is 6'8, Parsons is 6'9) , and both will likely receive similar extensions.
Lol, no he wouldn't. He would be the #1 option, but you gotta look at it on the flip side - he'd be the #1 focus from the defense as well.
So much is made by looking at their stats. You cannot begin to compare these players without watching each of them play when their shot isn't dropping and when they are on fire. At the end of the day Parsons will land a 10+mill deal and Hayward will get the max. No one will blink an eye.
Hayward is the main offensive talent on his team. Parsons has Dwight and Harden taking most of the scoring burden. As to his other stats: Hayward has to do more for his team to win. Parsons doesn't, statistically.
Hard to compare when Hayward is the first option on his team and Parsons is the 3rd or 4th on his team.
As i said though, Hayward is the main focal point on the Jazz / opposing teams' defense against the Jazz, whereas Parsons gets many open shots due to Howard/Harden having a lot of attention.
No team is going to offer Hayward 5yrs/$80MM. Both guys will get 5yrs/~$60MM. Jazz wanted Hayward to take less and he smartly did not. They will be forced to match what he gets offered this summer. If Hayward wants to leave Utah, he should accept the qualifying offer and become unrestricted in 2015. Comparing the two, I feel Parsons is a much smarter player who clearly understand his limitations and plays within them. Too often I see Hayward blunder and make bad decisions, especially in crunch time. Tonight against OKC was very much out of the ordinary for him. Whatever team ponies up the big money for him (most likely the Jazz) will regret it.
He's still 'sneaky athletic', but I haven't heard the 'intelligent player' label in a while lol... turnovers >>> Harvard
Shooting 40% (31% from 3-point) is good stats? He used to shoot the long ball well but not this year. Hayward could end up being a chucker in the mold of Rudy Gay. On a good team, Parsons is 52%/38%. I don't think there is much debate who is better. Hayward had a career night tonight against OKC like Brandon Jennings did against GS a couple of years ago. Throw this fluke aberration out the window when evaluating him.
