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I still dont think people are talking about this enough. I thought Dray was the real deal at the end of last year and wouldve been even better this year. I was maybe even more excited about watching him play this year moreso that Gil & Wall. Wall is supposed to be great because he's #1 & Gil is supposed to be great because he got the Max but people even around here still question if Dray is really good or not. Im not just talking about off the court stuff but even on the court they question him.

I honestly think that it wouldve been a situation where everyone is talking about the big FA's in Bosh, Amare, Dirk, Boozer, Jefferson, and so on but Dray wouldve gone head up with all of them and more than hold his own this season. Thats how good I think he wouldve been. I think people wouldve come away saying that these guys got all the money & the offseason hype but maybe the most talented guy out of the group is the one who makes 3mil.

Then you add to that the rumors that people were saying that he was doing everythign that the fans always wanted. EG said Dray was working out super hard. He was even lifting weights now. I agree with what Dray said at the end of last season that people are crazy if they think it will be harder for him this year to do what he did at the end of last year. He said just like I felt. With Gil back & some new guys, he wont ever get doubled, and will get some easy looks from Gil getting doubled & having more scorers. That was even before we got Wall. Put Dray on the court with Gil & Wall and watch him easily put up numbers.

I love Gil but last year was the 1st time ever that I saw Gil turn into a walker, meaning he walked the ball up the court all the time. Flip was yelling at him to run & he never did. Gil use to push the rock more than anyone in the league. Thats the best thing about having Wall. He will push it, which will make Gil follow, and which will definitely lead to easy baskets or easier baskets for Dray. Imagine the pick & roll with Dray & Wall or Gil. If you thought it was good with AJ, then thats nothing because Dray can hit the J and put it on the floor.

Even better is that he can pass it when he gets it back and is a willing passer which AJ couldnt & wouldnt do. I even see Dray having alot of assist of his own to Gil, Wall, & McGee or whoever. Now you can argue that its just the offseaon and he shouldnt miss any games. Thats what I keep hearing around this town so its like it doesnt matter but the Dray we get now will not be the same. He now will probably be even less than the guy he was last year due to the fact that he will be out of shape, not lifted any weights, havent been able to work on any moves or add anything to his game. It sucks. He couldve had 3 months of hard core weight lifting, post moves work, adding burst & lift, and getting his conditioning right to be a starting PF for 82 plus games.

If you listened to him he was so confident. He was talking just like me. He dont have any fear. I would pick him right now over Amare any day. If he didnt get hurt and we played NY 4 times next year then I bet Dray outplays him in atleast 3. Now it will probably be the other way around as he wont ever be as good as he couldve been and wont start rounding into real form until the 2nd half of the season. Dont get me wrong, he has alot of talent so he will produce no matter what but it wont be the same. He will be rusty. Again, I think all of his flaws wouldve been so much better this year. I think he wouldve hit the boards hard because he wont have to carry the Offensive burden. I think he wouldve played much better D with better conditioning.

Even if Gil leaves then he still wouldve been alright because now he gets the Offense ran through him again. No doubt in my mind that he wouldve been one of the best 4's in the league this year. I think its crazy because I think McGee will play alot more this year and they will look like one of the best young combos in the NBA. The year after is when McGee will be fully ready & Dray will have the full offseason in a contract year and thats when they will really look great together. I think the same can be said with our backcourt if Gil stays. My only fear about Gil is that he's now at the 2 so he never thinks about passing the rock in a PG manner anymore. Just because youre at the 2 doesnt mean that you still cant put up 6apg like Iggy and others. If he still does that then we can be good.

Hopefully Dray's foot heals well and he wont miss any extra time which is super possible because he's a big man with a foot injury and the worst medical staff in the league. The good thing is that I think they actually put his date back further than normally. I think they feel that he will be healed sooner but will still keep him out just to make sure which is a great change for us

dlts20 wrote:I love Gil but last year was the 1st time ever that I saw Gil turn into a walker, meaning he walked the ball up the court all the time. Flip was yelling at him to run & he never did. Gil use to push the rock more than anyone in the league.

I think this point is much under reported around here. Gil looked much more comfortable using his quickness in the halfcourt and seemed quite averse to the pounding of the fullcourt game. He's still got speed, but I think the heavy strides up and down the court gives him aches and pains nowadays and that was throwing him off his game more than anything.

Hopefully more time will have alleviated this, but it's definitely worth mentioning.

Hoopalotta wrote:

dlts20 wrote:I love Gil but last year was the 1st time ever that I saw Gil turn into a walker, meaning he walked the ball up the court all the time. Flip was yelling at him to run & he never did. Gil use to push the rock more than anyone in the league.

I think this point is much under reported around here. Gil looked much more comfortable using his quickness in the halfcourt and seemed quite averse to the pounding of the fullcourt game. He's still got speed, but I think the heavy strides up and down the court gives him aches and pains nowadays and that was throwing him off his game more than anything.

Hopefully more time will have alleviated this, but it's definitely worth mentioning.

Combine that with his new found need to show doubters that he could produce higher assist numbers, like Wilt. I hope at least part of that is a passing fad.

Hoopalotta wrote:

dlts20 wrote:I love Gil but last year was the 1st time ever that I saw Gil turn into a walker, meaning he walked the ball up the court all the time. Flip was yelling at him to run & he never did. Gil use to push the rock more than anyone in the league.

I think this point is much under reported around here. Gil looked much more comfortable using his quickness in the halfcourt and seemed quite averse to the pounding of the fullcourt game. He's still got speed, but I think the heavy strides up and down the court gives him aches and pains nowadays and that was throwing him off his game more than anything.

Hopefully more time will have alleviated this, but it's definitely worth mentioning.

Which is why Gil and Wall are the perfect back court pairing. Wall can be the guy to drive the fullcourt game. Gil can be the guy to spearhead the halfcourt game. Sort of like Rondo and Pierce, only Gil is a little better at creating offense than Pierce in Boston.

Not worried about Dray. He will be ready.