“I Got Bieber Guarding Me”: Gordon Hayward’s Appearance Made Ron Artest Dismiss Him as a Challenge, Recalls the Celtics Vet

Known for posterizing many NBA players from LeBron James to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 14-year veteran certainly left an impact on the league. But starting in the NBA was not as easy as Gordon Hayward thought. The Butler graduate, 9th overall pick in the 2010 draft class, was tested by many for one reason, and Ron Artest had a hilarious way of putting it across.

According to Hayward, when the opposition players saw a white guy, they would definitely isolate that player. The former Boston Celtics player has experienced it one too many times and recalls it light-hearted. One such instance that stays with Hayward involves Artest, when, during a preseason game, the latter could not believe the 2017 All-Star was guarding him.

“They had Ron Artest, and I checked in the game, and he like looks at me, then looks back at Kobe, then looks back at me, and he’s like, ‘Hey Kobe,’ and he’s pointing at me, and says ‘just throw me the ball in the post, look who’s guarding me, I got Bieber guarding me,'” Hayward said on The Dan LeBatard Show, emphasizing that it might not necessarily be because he is white, but more to do with his hair and looks.

“And sure enough, he just posted me up, and this was when Ron Artest was really good. I had no chance of guarding him. I think coach took me out, sat right back down,” Hayward added.

Despite a career of highs and lows, Gordon made $268.4 million from his league earnings. He also became the third player in history at the time to sign multiple contracts worth at least $30 million per year, behind LeBron James and Kevin Durant. But on-court recognition, as evident, wasn’t always a given.

Gordon Hayward had to earn respect from a Celtics legend

It was during his time with the Utah Jazz when Gordon Hayward traveled to the TD Garden. Gordon Hayward proved his theory of not being taken seriously right as he faced the Celtics. On the court, Kevin Garnett -whom the Celtics star considered the best in trash-talk- was guarding him when he starting intimidating Hayward.

So when he made an attacking move, Ticket quickly shut him down and started clapping. Unfazed by it, Hayward had another go and this time he eventually scored over KG. Then he started the banter by barking at Garnett, which impressed the Celtics player.

“You know I’m just this little white kid coming from Suburban Indianapolis. Like there was a lot of trash talk that I probably can’t repeat on here towards me. But when I kind of like barked back at him, he respected that and it was good ever since then.”

Gordon Hayward announced his retirement on August 1st through social media after 14 seasons. Although he couldn’t win a championship, his dunks will forever be etched in fans’ memories.

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