Utah Jazz: Will Gordon Hayward Ever Get Some Respect?

Utah Jazz: Will Gordon Hayward Ever Get Some Respect? by Ryan Aston

Feb 27, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Jazz won 104-82. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

If, like me, you were totally unaware of its existence, today (August 13) is International Left Handers Day. First celebrated in 1976, the day promotes awareness of the challenges faced in daily life by left-handed individuals. The Utah Jazz are doing their part by putting a spotlight on the triumphs of our favorite lefties.

In recognition of the day, the team has created a highlight package honoring Jazz southpaws Trevor Booker, Joe Ingles and Rodney Hood—

Booker, Ingles and Hood are all a credit to “their kind”. The trio was crucial to the team’s effort to overcome both the Alec Burks injury and the Enes Kanter debacle last season. In what is undoubtedly a victory for left-handers everywhere, they are helping to facilitate the resurgence of an NBA franchise.

In honor of their efforts, here are some fun facts about our southpaw friends (thanks Wikipedia!):

A 2006 study determined that college-educated, left-handed individuals earned 10 to 15 percent more than their right-handed counterparts.

Men are more likely to be left-handed than women.

Of Major League Baseball players posting the top 20 career batting averages in history, 14 were left-handed hitters.

Clearly, left-handed people have cracked some kind of code despite living in a predominantly right-handed world. It’s no wonder that the Good Book, Slow-Mo Joe and the Hood were able to play the way that they did last year.

Hopefully Utah’s next left turn is the one that takes them back to the NBA Playoffs. Until then–Happy Left Handers Day!!