He was so incredibly stout. I loved watching him play defense. You couldn't move him. I don't know what kind of leg program he had, but he had to have one of the strongest lower bodies in the league because despite not being especially heavy or tall, he could hold up to just about any big man that tried to back him down. And he played incredibly smart defense. Loved me some Chuck.
Hayes is easily one of the most sound defenders I’ve ever seen, especially for such an unathletic slow guy in all other aspects.
The man has tree trunks for legs. Still one of my all-time favorite Rockets. I hated to see him leave for Sactown but on a personal level was extremely happy to see him get paid.
I can't remember if it was against Garnett or Cousins, but there was a sequence of plays where one of them tried backing Chuck down and he would. not. budge. It was like trying to back down a fire hydrant. I busted out laughing when this dude is like half-a-foot shorter, but couldn't be moved. lol. There's an interview with Chuck on YouTube where he says a potential draftee/rookie asked him why he would play the post when he's half-a-foot shorter than the guys he guards. Chuck was like "I'd rather try to guard a Tim Duncan than guard Kobe Bryant". He said chasing Bryant would have wore him out. He said he had thick legs and cankles, so he was built for it. He said back when he played with the Rockets in the playoffs, Dikembe went down, Yao went down, they said Scola couldn't guard Pau, Carl can't guard Bynum... Chuck? Get in there. lol. Former and current Rockets legend Chuck Hayes. He's one of the reasons I will always love me some Jae'Sean Tate.
I was going to post this too. He, Scola & Von Wafer (yes I know) are my all-time fav rockets since I started watching circa 2008.
I already knew the link because I still watch it frequently. Love some chuckwagon. It was what I nicknamed my Old Chevy caprice
