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June 4, 2007

GrayWatch: Semi-Post Orlando

Filed under: Alumni,Basketball,Draft,Good,NBA — Chas @ 11:52 am

Overall, Aaron Gray was one of the most consistent performers at the Orlando camp, and that as much as anything else probably solidified his status.

While it is important to remember that Aaron Gray will have limitations in the NBA, he has a great chance at carving out a long career as a rotation big man at the next level, particularly if he continues to shed weight the way he has nicely over the past two months.

The physical limitations of Gray were also displayed this week in Orlando, and were especially apparent on the defensive end of the floor. The 7-footer lacks the speed to get up and down the floor quickly, and will be much better off in a half-court oriented system in the NBA. Gray lacks the reaction time to be an active defensive player, and at times will stand flat-footed on the ground as a rebound sails by him in his area. He isn’t afraid to use his body against players down on the block, but this can only take you so far in the NBA.

Today Gray will be taking part in a workout session with about 20 other players.

As a result, a large number of other teams also are expected to be present when approximately 20 players take the floor today, including Boston College’s Jared Dudley and Florida point guard Taurean Green.

Jason Smith, a 240-pound 7-footer from Colorado State whose stock reportedly has risen, also is expected to be part of the group along with Daequan Cook – a gifted freshman shooter who played with Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. at Ohio State – Pittsburgh center Aaron Gray, Nevada forward Nick Fazekas and North Carolina swingman Reyshawn Terry. Arizona’s LaMarcus Williams and UCLA’s Arron Afflalo, two players who didn’t participate last week, may work out today or tomorrow.

Four teams tried to share the cost of this workout and keep it to themselves, but the NBA rules about when the “private” workouts could take place prohibited it from being closed. Instead they had to open it up to all the other teams or having to cancel it.





You are the only one that gives a shit, Chas. He couldn’t get it done at Pitt, and he ain’t gonna get it done in the NBA. Greg Ostertag would make Gray look like….well, Gray.

He is a second rounder, 5 minute a-gamer, big slow white fat choke artist.

And so are you.

Comment by ben 06.04.07 @ 3:13 pm

Actually, Ben, I think that there are plenty of people out there who want to know this info.

If you don’t like it, don’t read it. I think Chas and Dennis can live with one less reader.

Comment by Tim Z. 06.04.07 @ 3:57 pm

Tim Z – Agree.

Comment by Cris 06.04.07 @ 4:12 pm

What is it with all the Gray-Haters out there? He was a solid player for Pitt who did nothing but represent the University well. That’s a lot more than can be said for a lot of the student athletes out there.

Are you a Penn State fan Ben?

Comment by Matt O 06.04.07 @ 5:44 pm

Nope, huge Pitt fan. But, apparently unlike you guys, I realize, along with every other fan outside of Pitt, that Aaron Gray(with few exceptions, and none when it really counted, re: tourney time) only played well against undersized centers that couldn’t keep him off the block. In the NBA, there won’t be any of those players.

Therefore….

Comment by ben 06.04.07 @ 8:12 pm

Ben, isn’t the point you are trying to make exactly what the article says? Dumb ass.

Comment by Chris 06.04.07 @ 9:32 pm

People like you drive me nuts. You’re talking about a guy who gave his all to Pitt and averaged a double double for two consecutive seasons in the Big East. If we could get a couple more guys like that I would be very happy.

We all realize he isn’t going to be a star (or even a starter for that matter) in the NBA. That wasn’t the point of the original post. All Chas was doing was updating us on a Pitt player who is going to be in the NBA.

A huge Pitt fan would be happy with that. All you are is a pain in the ass looking for an argument.

Comment by Matt O 06.04.07 @ 9:43 pm

Aaron also came back to school to graduate and try to win a championship since we had such a promising team. Think about how many other guys will bolt at the first opportunity to get drafted (Taft, Greg Lee). Over his four years he clearly worked harder than most college athletes at improving his game. So I hope he has some success just because he gave a lot to Pitt and because he represents Pitt basketball.

Comment by bill 06.04.07 @ 10:22 pm

I don’t post often, but unlike a Chris Taft, I actually root for Aaron Gray to succeed. He sacrificed possible money for the chance to give this school a championship (providing a better team for each one of you watching) and around campus, he was as friendly and accessible as any player. He was in class nearly every day and was more than happy to talk Pitt basketball with me and others. Say what you will, short of winning a title, Gray is all you can ask for from a Pitt student-athlete.

Comment by Panther Fan 06.05.07 @ 12:11 am

You guys can have the nice and polite guys. I will take the guys who win games, have talent, have confidence, and don’t shrink in the big games. Mark my words: AG won’t be in the NBA in 3 years. Write it down.

I don’t mind the kid, everyone seems to say similar stuff about how nice and cool he is. But, hell, just because someone is nice and polite, that doesn’t give them a pass on all the times he didn’t show up. And, to any that don’t think he was overhyped coming into last season, you are crazy. Pre-season BE Player of the year? You have to be joking. In big games, he wasn’t even our best player.

Good luck, Aaron. I for one look forward to D. Blair and company coming in. Out with the old, in with the talented. D. Blair can actually catch the ball and make 3 footers in traffic. Right there is an upgrade.

Finally, I won’t have to see his f’n parents anymore on TV either.

Comment by ben 06.05.07 @ 4:04 am

Becareful what you wish for Ben… it’s been a long time since someone had as successful of a career as Aaron Gray has had at Pitt. Do you really think Dejuan Blair is going to average a double-double and carry this team past the Sweet 16? If so, you better be ready to be let down…

Comment by mvk 06.05.07 @ 7:54 am

I agree with Ben..nice kid and a good representative of the school but not a winner-never had the killer instinct needed to elevate the program to the next level.

I wish him well but look forward to a change.

Comment by scoocher 06.05.07 @ 8:37 am

If Ben had voiced his opinion without saying no one gave a shit, or that Gray was a big fat white choke artist he probably wouldn’t have got any responses to his post. He came on here to rile up some feathers.

Alright Ben, I’ll write it down, but what happens if he is in the NBA in three years? What then?

Comment by Matt O 06.05.07 @ 9:03 am

anytime any panther has a chance to get to the next level, all Pitt fans need to get behind them, and pull for them to represent the university well. Maybe Gray won’t be the next “big diesel” But evey time he gets posterized in the nba, at least Pitt will be mentioned. some former Panthers have exceeded expectations before example nick goings. so hopefully Gray will suceed where Taft failed.

Comment by Kurt 06.05.07 @ 11:46 am

Hey Ben,

What you think about AGray really doesn’t matter; whether or not scoocher or another reader agrees with you isn’t the point. (It’s your opinion — this board’s always been about Pitt Sports and it’s always encouraged opposing viewpoints and intelligent debate.) Instead, my problem with your posts is how you say it; the manner in which you present your position-opinion.

As mentioned above, what’s perplexing about people like you is your judgment and subsequent decision making. That is, whether you were raised by a pack of wolves or because your mother didn’t love you enough, it doesn’t make it alright to get personal with (and verbally abusive towards) the editor of this blog; a Pitt grad who generously provides you with this forum and free public service.

For the love of God, Chas, ban this knuckle head, will ya?

Comment by Neil 06.05.07 @ 12:53 pm

I think that Gray will be in the NBA for a long time. He will be a spot player, but in the NBA spot players make seven figure salaries per year. The simple fact is that there just are not that many 7 FT, 275lb humans that can play basketball on any level, much less the NBA level. Also, at Pitt Gray was double and triple teamed every time he touched the ball, often passing the ball out to a wide open jump shooter who promtly missed the shot. In the NBA you just can’t double and triple team an interior player like Gray (who is not a scoring threat), he will pass the ball to the open man, and they will hit a high percentage of open shots. I’m not saying that Gray will score a lot of points, but he may find himself in more one on one situations than he did at Pitt.

Comment by HbgFrank 06.05.07 @ 1:10 pm

Gray will play in the NBA for, at least, a few seasons and will probably have a 5-10 year career. The problem is today’s NBA game favors faster and more agile players. If this were 1999 or 2000, then Gray would be a top-20 pick and have an outside chance at the lottery. The good news is that he will definitely get drafted and have an opportunity to make a roster.

Ridiculing Chas for updating us on Gray’s draft status is absurd. If you don’t want to read the post, then skip it. Why insult Gray and Chas? It is juvenile and disrespectful to the wonderful service that both Dennis and Chas provide. Next time just say you don’t care and move on.

Comment by Omar 06.05.07 @ 2:11 pm

i find the gray updates interesting…best of luck in the pros…

Comment by sid 06.05.07 @ 4:02 pm

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