Boston Celtics

Larry Bird is Gordon Hayward’s dream one-on-one opponent

By Nicole Yang

1 minute to read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0nt_g6Hvkk

Gordon Hayward’s love for Indiana runs deep.

Both his high school and college alma matters are in the Hoosier State. His first basketball jersey (that he can remember) was former Indiana Pacers guard Reggie Miller’s. And his favorite football team is the Indianapolis Colts — which explains why he “can’t stand” Tom Brady.

So when asked who he would most like to play one-on-one basketball with, Hayward, of course, chose another Indiana native.

“Probably Larry Bird,” he said told Utah Jazz reporter Hayley Byrnes. “It’d be pretty cool to play one-on-one against him. Another Indiana guy and one of the all-time greats, too.”

Advertisement:

Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana and attended college at Indiana State. The three-time NBA champion played his entire professional career with the Celtics before returning to his home state to work for the Pacers. Hayward is a current offseason signing target for Boston.