Note- With the June 25 NBA draft poised to be the weakest in years, it seems like every player has a shot of being picked. With the help of some special guests, we're going to take an in-depth look at some players whose names NBA GM's might not have heard about.
He's such a talent that I took the word "Longshot" out of the series title for this post. Daye will be drafted.
Without a doubt, Austin Daye has been the most analyzed and criticized of any Gonzaga player in this year's NBA draft. In fact, he's been that way since the moment he stepped onto the floor for the Zags.
The son of former NBA player Darren Daye. One of the top recruits from the West Coast. Seemingly limitless game and the ability to play multiple positions. In my mind, this kid was the most highly touted recruit in Gonzaga history.
You could see the potential for greatness in him. The way he made it seem so effortless driving to the basket. The way his arms stretched for yards to make an impossible block. His ability to make his jump shots seem so smooth. A player with his kind of talent and physical tools doesn't come around often. Give him time and hand him the reins, and this kid could be something special.
But for every moment of pure talent, there was a flash of immaturity. The complaining after foul calls. The eye rolls. The whining to coach Mark Few when he was taken out of the game. And every so often, even with all his superior skills in a weak conference, he would disappear: 5-15 shooting in a loss at home to Portland State, or a meager six points against Memphis on national TV.
You got to thinking when this kid finally grows up, he has the talent to dominate.
But after his sophomore season in which he averaged 12.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 2.1 blocks, Daye felt that he had proven himself enough to make it in the NBA. We never saw him fully grow up. We never saw him put on muscle. And we never saw just how good he could've been. So from now until his rookie season begins, Daye will leave everyone wondering just how great he can become.
For an expert opinion on Daye, once again I've turned to my go-to source: Kevin O'Brien of The Ex-Call Taker:
On potential and upside alone, there is no better candidate in this draft than Austin Daye. He’s a 6-foot 11-inch small forward that can put it on the floor, hit from beyond the arc, block shots and is a matchup nightmare for even the best small forwards in the NBA. On paper alone, how can you defend him? You take your chances with a small forward or do you put a less skilled but stronger power forward? Either way you are going to get hurt in one way or the other. That is how difficult it is to game plan a guy like Austin Daye.
But the knock on Daye has never been his God-given skills. Rather, it has been his mental game that has frequently been put in question. He is more known around Spokane circles for his constant complaining to the referees during games than his ability to make inbounds plays downright hellish for opponents. He is more known for being skinny and “soft” than blocking shots and making big ones on the offensive end. The negatives of Austin Daye’s career have somehow outshone his positives and it’s safe to say, that there may be a majority of Gonzaga fans that are actually glad the highly touted forward is gone.
Granted, whether or not he was beloved as a Zag, really has no merit on his future NBA career. On skills alone, Daye can compete at the next level. If anything, his style of play would excel in the NBA. He excelled in one-on-one matchups, and has good touch around the rim in addition to an excellent long-distance shot. Furthermore, the guy has a keen sense when it comes to blocking shots and not fouling. He knows how to come and swat a guy from behind, even if he gets beat off the dribble. I would like to see another player in the college game today that can recover as well as him after getting beat. Maybe one, two guys at most could even be put in the conversation (Vanardo from Mississippi State is the only candidate I can think of). And unlike guys like Dwight Howard or even Josh Heytvelt, Daye has that Bill Russell-esque awareness to block shots and keep them in play to set up the transition offense (something Vanardo doesn’t do). IQ wise, I think Daye has what it takes to play in the NBA, and I’m sure a boat load of that credit goes to his dad Darren Daye who made a career with NBA champion Boston Celtics.
Unfortunately, his IQ doesn’t always show from time to time. The knock on him and most frustrating image for Zag fans has been Daye shaking his head after missed shots, jogging back down on defense, not picking up his man or getting into position on the zone. The guy has more brain farts on a consistent basis than Miss Teen South Carolina had at the Miss Teen USA pageant. The thing about Daye is that at times, he has the confidence and the swagger that can produce a winning attitude, but at the same time, he exhibits the selfishness and immaturity that can bring down even the most talented teams. You know when Daye isn’t happy out there or not playing his best, and it is not only a frustrating trait for fans to watch, but it is also a humongous weakness strategically. I guarantee on many occasions, the opposing coach was saying to his players in the timeout “You see Daye? He’s out of it mentally. Drive it on him every chance you got!” And that’s just college. Imagine what they would do to him in the NBA.
There is no question Daye can be successful at the next level and that is why his draft stock is going as high as Top 10. He’s a special player, the kind of player that you don’t see very often. But for all the endearing qualities about him there are plenty of knocks: lack of good competition in college, needs to gain weight, not that fast, maturity etc. How will those things affect his draft status? Who knows. Despite the warnings though, some team will take a waiver on him. You just can’t pass him up considering his pedigree and what he brings to the table skill wise. If I was a GM, I certainly would use a first round pick on Daye. He has that much upside in my eyes.
The only sad part of this is how he departed GU. There was great hope when Morrison left for the NBA. Same thing with Ronny Turiaf, Dan Dickau and even Blake Stepp. But you can’t get the feeling as if somehow a majority of fans are almost glad that Daye is leaving for the NBA. Like I said before, that has no impact on how good of an NBA player he will be, but considering this guy was considered the best recruit ever to come through Gonzaga, well…you can’t help but feel this was a bitter breakup between Zag fans and Daye, eerily similar to Shannon Doherty leaving an Aaron Spelling show.
Once again, huge thanks to Kevin for helping with this series. I can't thank him enough for the hard work he put in to his contributions. Go read The Ex-Call Taker and see why he's one of the best in the biz.
Something tells me that Daye is going to turn out well. He has too much talent and too much potential to not end up being a successful NBA player. Sure, there are valid criticisms, it still remains to be seen when his talent will truly come to ths surface, if at all.
But that's the thing I learned from two years of seeing Austin Daye play. Love him or hate him, he always keeps you watching.
Best Case Scenario: Given time and a gym membership, has the potential to be in the mold of Dirk Nowitzki.
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