Bringing Back Memories Of The Glory DaysIs Milwaukee’s rookie forward the most significant big man since Lew Alcindor?April 2, 2011
By Woody Hannes
ESPN.com Writer
If I were to make predictions as accurate as
this one, I’m pretty sure I would not be working here for ESPN. The correct prediction does not display any kind of prowess on my part, it was just that this prediction was a no-brainer. Jay Gray was a ‘sure thing’; after all, it’s not every day that Gregg Popovich says that a player could ‘turn a franchise around.’
That’s right! As far as everything is concerned, Jay Gray was always going to be the real deal. In the eyes of respected coaches such as Pop as well as the hoards of NBA scouts and execs at his games for TCU, and in the eyes of guys like you and I; we all knew that Gray was going to be successful.
So let’s just see where I was right. The Bucks weren’t going to let Gray slip past two? Check. Gray is strong enough and smart enough to make a huge impact in the NBA? 20 points, 13 boards, 2 blocks: check. Gray should unanimously win Rookie of the Year? Unless Ray Lliach gets the voters on his side, it’s pretty hard to go past Gray so… check.
Seriously, the only thing Jay Gray has not done is get his team into the actual playoffs but that wasn’t entirely his own fault as the team has done so well with him at the helm after trading away Andrew Bogut earlier in the season. Gray has been phenomenal and the Bucks have actually grown into a respectable team. Gray’s numbers keep rising and don’t be surprised if he gets close to the averages he held in his last season of college ball during his sophomore NBA season. He is just that good.
Gray averaged 25 points, 15 rebounds, and close to 3 blocks during his last year at TCU. In comparison, his 20, 13, 2 do not look too shabby at all. In fact, he’s probably exceeded everyone’s expectations. The ever modest Gray even stated a few weeks ago, “I’ve surprised myself with how well I have adjusted to the NBA game.”
All of the success Gray has had can be attributed to his hard work. Listed at 6’9”, Gray is often said to be close to 6’6”. Many say he is 6’7” and only to be ‘generous’. As San Antonio Spur Tim Duncan said after a close encounter against Gray, “You never know how short he is until you see him. Lining up for tipoff, I felt so much taller than him but the way he plays makes you bite your tongue and take those words back. He is brutal.” Portland Trailblazers PF Carlos Boozer echoed the same sentiments, “Jay Gray is probably one of the best players I have ever played against. He is small but packs a punch.”
Gray’s success and his height disadvantage shouldn’t be seen as unusual as Gray models his game after one of the all-time greats, Charles Barkley. Barkley was shorter than most of the guys at his position too. Like Gray, Barkley stood tall and was a force to be reckoned with. Orlando’s Dwight Howard said, “I can’t believe I didn’t even pick it, the fact that Charles Barkley and Jay Gray are so alike.”
Gray works hard at his game. He is usually the first to make it to practice and then lifting weights to keep up his strength and conditioning. The tireless, hard work has surely paid off throughout the season and Gray admits that it’s a shame that he did not start the season so strong. “It took a while for me to get my feet wet and adjust to the pace of the NBA game,” Gray explains, “But now that I know what it takes, I can be ready to make a bigger impact at the start of next season.”
Gray also promises that there is more in stall for Milwaukee, “This is only the start of something big.”
Bucks fans are excited at the prospect of Gray fulfilling his promise for Milwaukee. It has been a long time since Lew Alcindor teamed up with Oscar Robertson to deliver a title to the Bucks. Alcindor was a dominant big man himself and Gray knows that Bucks fans sure are happy to see him around. Gray is a smart guy and knows that everyone loves him. But being the modest man and hard worker he is, he only brushes all of the bravado aside, “I’m here to help lead the team but without my team mates, there would be no me. These guys are part of my success and I thank them for that. I like to look at the bigger picture. We’re in this together.”
Not only is Gray a great basketball player; he has a most-humble personality and also professionalism to the highest degree to boot. What is there to hate about Gray? Nothing. You just cannot make yourself do that. And that is the beauty in all of this!
In a world of LeBron James’ and Moses Chara’s, it’s rare to find a star like Gray. He is a total gem.
And the best forward to come to the Bucks since Lew Alcindor?
Yes indeed.
Congratulations on the win Sit, I think you're definitely looking at a Conference Final or even NBA Final spot at the post-season this year.
Sit wrote:...the shorter Watson with 16.9 42.6 seconds left, Seattle up 89-92.
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