OT- Austin Daye 6-10 190 SF, 19 years old, Freshman- Gonzaga

99 Problems · Post #1 » by **99 Problems** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:42 pm

Anybody catch the Gonzaga-Pepperdine game on ESPN last night? I was bored so I tuned in. Then I see this 6-10 kid named Austin Daye breaking people off the dribble, pulling up for threes, crossing over and doing some crazy Lebron-like passes. I had no idea who he was, but once I heard he was a freshman I was wondering if anybody knew him...

Turns out he's a nationally known player who's supposed to be the #2 overall pick in the 2009 draft according to nbadraft.net.. He's compared to Rashard Lewis, but he looks like a Durant type player with Lebron's passing and court vision...

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchek and some NBA scouts were at the game, and the ESPN guys mentioned he might come out early this year since his stock was rising so rapidly... ESPN has him ranked late first to early second if he comes out, but there's no way he'll fall out of the first round.. He could potentially be around where we pick and might be a steal..

http://www.krem.com/sharedcontent/Video ... &catId=218

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/austin-daye/

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profile ... ndaye.html

http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/dra ... ateChanged

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280142492

Test of Wills · Post #2 » by **Test of Wills** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:48 pm

Yeh hes suppose to be in the 2009 draft but if eligible he could be the steal of the draft dont worry BC prolly has his sights set on him

Griff83 · Post #3 » by **Griff83** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:02 pm

Theres no way he declares for this years draft, hes just way way too weak physically. If you think Durant is weak physically, Daye is about as weak you can get at his weight (alot weaker then Durant was in college). He will certainly stay another year at Gonzaga.

99 Problems · Post #4 » by **99 Problems** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:08 pm

Yeah I noticed he was pretty skinny and weak... He was getting pushed around a lot, and even when he made a nice move off the dribble he nearly lost the ball because they were bumping him around in the paint... and the refs sucked...

Thing is, I think he will definitely be drafted on his potential, this guy has way too many skills to pass up... If Bynum was drafted in 2005 and only developed now, Daye will be given a couple of years as well to develop... I wouldn't mind drafting him as we have AP and Moon at the SF/SG position, he can take his time and be a nice replacement for Garbo and AP eventually...

reptar15 · Post #5 » by **reptar15** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:10 pm

kid has a nice cross over for someone of his height

kingr · Post #6 » by **kingr** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:32 pm

video?

99 Problems · Post #7 » by **99 Problems** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:35 pm

kingr wrote:video?

check my first link...

Griff83 · Post #8 » by **Griff83** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:55 pm

Warya wrote:Yeah I noticed he was pretty skinny and weak... He was getting pushed around a lot, and even when he made a nice move off the dribble he nearly lost the ball because they were bumping him around in the paint... and the refs sucked...

Thing is, I think he will definitely be drafted on his potential, this guy has way too many skills to pass up... If Bynum was drafted in 2005 and only developed now, Daye will be given a couple of years as well to develop... I wouldn't mind drafting him as we have AP and Moon at the SF/SG position, he can take his time and be a nice replacement for Garbo and AP eventually...

For sure he will get drafted on his potential but he would most likely be a top 3 pick in the 2009 draft where as if he declares for this draft he would be around the 10-13 range imo. He should return to school next year with some added weight and dominant the college scene similar to how durant did in his freshman season. I dont see the point in declaring for this years draft and just sitting on the bench next season because he's too physically weak when he can spend a whole year of being the go to guy on the Zags and trying to add some much needed strength.

jim rockford · Post #9 » by **jim rockford** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:01 am

hey did robert sacre get benched at gonzaga, or was he injured? zero minutes for 3-4 games in a row (and i think the pepperdine game he came in really late, which probably answers my question)

basketball420 · Post #10 » by **basketball420** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:18 am

Saw him last night vs Pepperdine...very good..they were going nuts over him

SpaceJam · Post #11 » by **SpaceJam** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:36 am

He better not put himself in the draft this year, He cant play the 3 or 4 with his body...he still has a highschool type build. He could play the 2, he's fast but maybe not quick enough to guard the likes of Kobe. Another year or two, i would say two if he dosent put weight on over this year or the next.

If he was in the draft, i dont think teams would want to take a chance on him so he would drop deep. But whoever gets him of he decides to put himself in, will have to keep him on the bench and/or send him to D-League. I think TJ Ford can body this guy...but nice find.