DJ Gay

[aztecprof]

Watching the MWC conference semi-final against New Mexico and watching DJ Gay's performance reminds me how impressed I am with him. While he might not be a "true" point guard, he is a great one nonetheless. His poise and ability to handle the ball is unmatched. Looking forward to seeing him in action this year.

[monty]

I've been a big fan of him since he starting getting big PT as a frosh. He has always had poise and competitiveness. The thing I've been most impressed is how he has improved every year, and last year his improvement was staggering - to play so hard and so under control for so many minutes (he basically had no safety net - he had to play the big minutes) says a lot about dj the gamer. If he is able to again improve -- wow!

[Deleted]

I was pretty skeptical of having DJ as our starting PG but he had a very good season in 2009-2010. I'm really looking forward to seeing how good he can be as a senior.

[steveaztec]

I can't believe DJ is already a senior...

And I'm not so sure that he won't be a better senior point guard than one of my favorites Richie Williams.

As with Richie, DJ is a player that has worked very hard and has done everything he has been asked to do by the coaching staff.

And that is invaluable.

[azteccannon]

His improvement trajectory follows Richie's. He may never be the defensive "pest" that RW was, but he's been solid.

[AztecTom]

He his a good floor leader and rarely makes a mistake.

[Have A Mounter]

I told DJ in his freshman year, "...don't shoot the ball if you're not going to make it..."

He has it down!

[AztecBill]

Jun 30, 2010 21:48:29 GMT -8 @Have A Mounter said:

I told DJ in his freshman year, "...don't shoot the ball if you're not going to make it..."

He has it down!

He sure does.

The Aztecs were the only team in the MWC last year whose two main guards shot over 40% on 3s, in conference games.

The Aztec players who return next year shot 37.9% in 3 point attempts, in conference. That would have been good for 2nd in the conference last year.

We will need them to keep shooting well so defenses don't totally collaspe on our great inside players.

[aztec70]

Good info, Bill.

[steveaztec]

Jul 1, 2010 7:31:20 GMT -8 AztecBill said:

Jun 30, 2010 21:48:29 GMT -8 @Have A Mounter said:

I told DJ in his freshman year, "...don't shoot the ball if you're not going to make it..."

He has it down!

He sure does.

The Aztecs were the only team in the MWC last year whose two main guards shot over 40% on 3s, in conference games.

The Aztec players who return next year shot 37.9% in 3 point attempts, in conference. That would have been good for 2nd in the conference last year.

We will need them to keep shooting well so defenses don't totally collaspe on our great inside players.

Great stats Bill. We have quite a tandem with Gay/Tapley from 3.

Add Rahon to those two and we are in real good shape at guard this season from 3.

[83aztec]

He still needs to improve his penetration and his assist totals need to go way up. He needs to create havic by himself. Alas this is not what he is. Hopefully the new kid can take up some of that slack.

[DukeAztec]

I will say I was not a big fan of him at PG. but he has stepped up to the plate. played extremely well under pressure, has done all the staff has asked of him and even played 40 min some games. He may not have the wirey type play like Richie (my fav) but he is defintely a great player. I look forward to seeing him this season with the supporting cast behind him.

[steveaztec]

Jul 1, 2010 8:59:20 GMT -8 83aztec said:

He still needs to improve his penetration and his assist totals need to go way up. He needs to create havic by himself. Alas this is not what he is. Hopefully the new kid can take up some of that slack.

Just a couple of thoughts on DJ Gay.

I think his assist totals will go up (a little) this year and his penetration will also be better, but no real big jumps in those areas.

DJ's game to me as a point guard seems to be run the show, calm the team down, and don't make mistakes.

As for DJ's defense. I like the fact that he plays straight up tough D and does not take chances. I really miss the exciting play of Richie Williams causing concern on opponents, but Richie could do that. I don't think DJ has that type of quickness to be as effective as Richie was at gambling.

In LaBradford Franklin, we will see a totally different style point guard than DJ or Richie. I can't wait to see his game.

[AztecBill]

Jul 1, 2010 9:27:09 GMT -8 @steveaztec said:

Just a couple of thoughts on DJ Gay.

I think his assist totals will go up (a little) this year and his penetration will also be better, but no real big jumps in those areas.

DJ's game to me as a point guard seems to be run the show, calm the team down, and don't make mistakes.

In LaBradford Franklin, we will see a totally different style point guard than DJ or Richie. I can't wait to see his game.

I agree. There will be some games where LBF's style is better suited. When a team packs the middle to take away the inside game, we either have to shoot well outside or we need a guard who penetrates to create movement in the defense that allows open inside and mid range shots. LBF is a penatrator that can create. In some games he will be the better option.

[pokinsky]

Penetration and assists will never be a major part of his game, but he does both good enough to keep teams honest. And DJ has never been flashy, but his consistency is what makes him a good player. He defends well without gambling, he does not turn the ball over (lowest TO's per game for a PG in the MWC) and more importantly ... he is one of the hardest workers on the team and a leader.

I think that LBF and Thames will both be more talented PG's in a few years, but the intangibles that they will learn from DJ this year will make them better, whether it's work ethic or media training ... DJ has been a class act and a great example for current and future players on, and off the court.

[Morpheus]

After the first few games last year he caught more, much more, flak than he should have. He got better as the year went along an d stepped up big time. Seems like a good dude too. Says all the right things. Never in trouble. Besieds being an Aztec how can you not root for him. Looking forward to a big senior year.

[steveaztec]

Jul 1, 2010 9:35:15 GMT -8 AztecBill said:

Jul 1, 2010 9:27:09 GMT -8 @steveaztec said:

Just a couple of thoughts on DJ Gay.

I think his assist totals will go up (a little) this year and his penetration will also be better, but no real big jumps in those areas.

DJ's game to me as a point guard seems to be run the show, calm the team down, and don't make mistakes.

In LaBradford Franklin, we will see a totally different style point guard than DJ or Richie. I can't wait to see his game.

I agree. There will be some games where LBF's style is better suited. When a team packs the middle to take away the inside game, we either have to shoot well outside or we need a guard who penetrates to create movement in the defense that allows open inside and mid range shots. LBF is a penatrator that can create. In some games he will be the better option.

One more thing on DJ.....I know that Coach Fisher thinks that DJ Gays game will be much better this year in all areas, due to having to play less time.

DJ will get about 28-30 minutes this year a game (as opposed to 38-40 last year a game). With LaBradford getting time, DJ will be more refreshed and game elevated.

[hoobs]

Jul 1, 2010 9:35:38 GMT -8 pokinsky said:

I think that LBF and Thames will may both be more talented PG's in a few years, but the intangibles that they will learn from DJ this year will make them better, whether it's work ethic or media training ... DJ has been a class act and a great example for current and future players on, and off the court.

+1
Very, very good point.

[AztecBill]

Jul 1, 2010 10:16:33 GMT -8 @steveaztec said:

Jul 1, 2010 9:35:15 GMT -8 AztecBill said:

I agree. There will be some games where LBF's style is better suited. When a team packs the middle to take away the inside game, we either have to shoot well outside or we need a guard who penetrates to create movement in the defense that allows open inside and mid range shots. LBF is a penatrator that can create. In some games he will be the better option.

One more thing on DJ.....I know that Coach Fisher thinks that DJ Gays game will be much better this year in all areas, due to having to play less time.

DJ will get about 28-30 minutes this year a game (as opposed to 38-40 last year a game). With LaBradford getting time, DJ will be more refreshed and game elevated.

And some of those 28-30 minutes may be with LBF playing PG. DJ is a good SG and Tapley's rests will open 10-12 minutes a game at that position. This is very similar to Leonard's minutes last year (and should be this year). Leonard played some minutes at PF. This opened up not only the minutes Leonard rested but also those additional minutes to Davis and Shelley (this year J. Franklin).

[miners22]

No question that DJ did an admirable job at PG last season and will start next season as the team's PG. Unfortunately, DJ is a shoot first-PG because of his prior playing experience as a shootng guard. Its very difficult to make the transition from a shooter, to be a creator and facilitator.

The telling stat for a true PG is assists. Yes. DJ does a great job of not turning the ball over. And there is a reason for that. Its difficult for a PG to turn the ball over when select passes are made and too much ball control (dribbling). DJ is more of a control
tempo type PG (i.e. he does not like to play too fast). With the players on the roster, it is going to be difficult for him to play slow
ball!

Also, DJ played a lot of minutes because there was no back -up PG. Tapley can play the position, but he is not comfortable controlling the ball for long periods of time. If you watched him when played PG, the ball was out of hands quickly. From what I hear, LaBradford Franklin likes to push the ball, is a creator and facilitator. Nevertheless, Fisher does not like for his guards to make careless mistakes or turn the ball over, so DJ will be at the Aztecs controls next season!

Hopefully, as other posters stated, DJ will penetrate more, push the ball and kick it to open shooters instead of pounding the ball for duration of the shot clock. Too much dribbling by your PG stagnates your offense and frustrate the players who are open!