And all the stories today reflect that. This article concludes that it’s best that he goes in the second round, since he’ll be a back-up player for his career. That way no one can call him a bust.
Part of it is simply that the style in the NBA has changed in the last few years. I keep mentioning this, but Chris Mihm (who Gray reminds me a lot of for the NBA) was the #7 pick. Now, it’s about being able to penetrate the lane and showing much more athleticism.
Gray’s agent is rightly stressing that getting drafted by the right team will help his career a lot more than being drafted in the first round.
”He’s a big center, who can score with his back to the basket, and in today’s NBA that’s not something that all NBA teams use or reserve roster spots for,” Zanik said.”It’s not about being on a roster. It’s about him being able to contribute, so we’ve targeted some teams where that would make sense.”
…
”It really has to do with the fit of the team,” Zanik said. ”That’s what we’ve been concentrating on in the draft process, regardless of the number, because he can step in and help a team right away.
”Whether it’s a team at No. 25 or 45, his ability is going to allow him to get guaranteed years and an opportunity. I have teams where Aaron is going to play.”
On Phoenix’s roster, Gray would have no chance, and would be released or traded quickly. A team like San Antonio, Indiana, Miami or Washington would fit him much better.
Still, there’s a big difference in Gray’s shape and his game from his freshman year to now.
For Gray, this is a time to reflect and celebrate how far he has come. ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas described Gray as a “non-prospect” coming out of Emmaus High in 2003. Four years later, he is on the verge of being drafted by an NBA team.
“It’s ridiculous to think about,” Gray said. “If you saw me as a freshman in high school, people wouldn’t even believe it was me. The NBA was just a dream.
“Things have worked out really well for me. I was surrounded by great people at Pitt. The coaches gave me an opportunity. I wouldn’t change a thing that’s happened to me over the last four years.”
This was the from the first time I noticed Gray playing. It was the February 2004 game against UConn.
Okay, who the hell is the big slow white guy for Pitt that just scored on the nice pass from Brown? Looking at the box score, it’s a 7′ freshman named Aaron Gray from outside of Allentown. This was the 13th game he’s made an appearance in, but the first one I’ve seen.
I believe Gray recounted that story at times this past year about his poor physical conditioning and how he huffed and puffed too late to stop an Okafor score.
