What happens when an NBA All-Star hangs up his jersey? In this episode of The Sports Backdrop, Eric connects with Gordon Hayward, a former player for the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, and Oklahoma City Thunder. Now an entrepreneur and family man, Gordon shares his perspective on what it means to move on from professional sports and enter a new chapter of life, including his latest ventures like FORM, a basketball training tool that’s changing how young players learn to shoot.

Gordon keeps it real about life after basketball, staying in shape, youth sports, the college game, mental health, and entrepreneurship. Gordon Hayward is such a genuine and relatable guest. He speaks his mind, shares great insights, and has a clear passion for helping the next generation improve their shot. It was a privilege to have him on the podcast. Thank you, Gordon, for your time, inspiration, and stories.

What Gordon Hayward and I Discuss:

1. Life After the NBA: How Gordon stays active with tennis, golf, and fitness
2. The Power of Relationships: His connection with Paul George
3. FORM: The story behind Gordon’s training tool and how it’s helping kids master shooting fundamentals.
4. Gordon Hayward on Youth Sports Today: Youth sports have lost their way, there are too many games, and the focus needs to go back to skill development.
5. Mental Health in Sports: Gordon shares the emotional toll of a major injury, self-doubt, and social media as a pro athlete.
6. College Basketball and the Transfer Portal: How NIL and the transfer portal are reshaping college sports—and what that means for athletes.
7. NBA Media Deals: What the league’s $76 billion media deal says about the future of basketball.
8. Independent Media and Podcasts: How independent studios, podcasts, and engaged audiences are the new media.

Connect with Gordon Hayward & FORM:
Instagram: @gordonhayward
X: @gordonhayward
FORM products: BasketballForm.com
FORM YouTube: @formbasketballtrainer
FORM X: @formbasketball
Notice to Quit (movie): IMDB

Connect with Eric:
X: @erickaz
LinkedIn: @erickasimov
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Chapters in the Gordon Hayward Podcast:

• 00:00 – Intro: Brief intro and mention of NBA brotherhood.
• 00:43 – Life After the NBA: Transition to new routines, including golf and tennis.
• 03:42 – Journey to the NBA: Early basketball dreams, Butler University, and draft development.
• 07:34 – Mental Health: Managing a major injury, social media, and mental wellness in sports.
• 11:06 – The State of Youth Sports: Issues like early specialization, travel sports, too many games, and parent involvement.
• 31:13 – FORM Basketball: Product purpose, shooting form, and age-specific sizes.
• 34:57 – Gordon Hayward’s Relationship with Paul George: Collaboration in FORM Basketball and career support.
• 36:54 – College Basketball and NIL/Transfer Portal: NIL’s impact, transfer portal challenges, and changes in college basketball.
• 39:01 – $76 Billion NBA Media Deal: Player salaries, league future, and team valuations.
• 45:46 – Notice to Quit Movie: Movie production, distribution, and theater release.
• 47:54 – Podcasting and New Media: Evolution of media, content creation, and marketing opportunities.
• NBA Themes: NBA Mind Health | Butler University | Utah Jazz | Boston Celtics | Charlotte Hornets | OKC Thunder

This show is made possible by:

KazCM: A content production company that aims to create space where businesses can build assets and drive revenue through writing and talking. Learn more here: https://kazcm.com/

Related content to ‘Gordon Hayward | NBA Stories, FORM Basketball, and Youth Sports Today’:

• The NBA Media Rights Deal Details & What It Means for Fans
• NBA and WNBA Mind Health with Dr. Kensa Gunter
• Championship or Bust. Or None of the Above
• Enjoy the Journey

Credits:

• Produced by the team at KazCM: https://kazcm.com/podcast-production/
• Part of QuietLoud Studios (podcast network): https://quietloudstudios.com/
• Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify
• Music credits: Dark Mystery Trailer (Taking Our time) by AlexGrohl | Website | Music promoted by Pixabay | Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license (“CC0 Content”) License

More about Gordon Hayward, NBA All-Star, FORM Co-founder:

Gordon Hayward was an NBA All-Star forward known for his smooth shooting, high basketball IQ, and ability to contribute across multiple areas of the game. After leading Butler University to an unexpected NCAA Championship appearance in 2010, he was drafted ninth overall by the Utah Jazz, where he quickly became a key player. Gordon has enjoyed a successful career with the Jazz, Boston Celtics, and, most recently, the Charlotte Hornets. His resilience and consistent on-court production earned him a reputation as a dependable and adaptable player.

Off the court, Hayward has cultivated a variety of passions and pursuits. A devoted family man, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Robyn, and their four children.

FORM: This patented basketball shooting aid is designed specifically to guide proper shooting form. Its unique shape provides built-in guides to help players of all ages and skill levels shape their shot and build muscle memory for more accuracy and consistency on the court.

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