The 2010 @tH Approval Ratings: Aaron Gray

by Rohan on Sep 3, 2010 2:00 AM CDT

Positives: An impressive 18.4 PER over 24 games IN HIS FIRST YEAR, high defensive, offensive, total rebounding rates, 121 offensive rating in 24 games (career - 105), effective defensively, 18 for 21 on free throws (career 59% from line) DURING HIS INAUGURAL SEASON

Negatives: Fouled a lot (6.1 pf/36 minutes) FOR A NEW NBA PLAYER, high turnover rate (19.5%), only averaged 10.9 minutes per game AS OPPOSED TO LAST YEAR IN COLLEGE

My Grade: 4

Poll

On a 1-5 scale, how well did THE ROOKIE Aaron Gray fit his role in 2009-2010?

1

10 votes

2

14 votes

3

29 votes

4

37 votes

5

9 votes

99 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I wasn't really a fan of Aaron Gray until

We played against the Magic. Gray outplayed Dwight Howard down the stretch in that game. Okafor spent most of the second half on the bench because Gray was playing so well. He hit crucial shots and played great defense on Howard. We won that game because of how he closed out the 4th

Peyton, I can eat Oreos faster than you!!!!

by mknkachow on Sep 3, 2010 12:24 PM CDT reply actions

I recall

I remember that game well. It’s that very performance that gives Gray value for Hornets and for other potential playoff teams.

But othe than that, Gray was so so, used sparingly and doing so so.

Main reason why I don’t mind that we picked up Gray is that some teams, like Boston etc. will always have it in their mind how Gray held Howard in check and that will intrigue them.

It shouldn’t be too hard to pawn him off if we ever want to raplce him or throw him in as part of a trade.

by MZURK on Sep 6, 2010 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Aaron Gray Is The Bomb

That’s right: the bomb. He deserves a 90’s reference. In all honesty, he probably didn’t play spectacular basketball but he’s big, he’s goofy, we love him, he shut down Dwight Howard and he’s a back up. If I wouldn’t feel like an idiot doing so, I’d give him a five. But for some reason, it seems OK to give him a 4. So that’s what I’ll do.

"You play to win the game."

by MrWayneKeller on Sep 3, 2010 1:25 PM CDT reply actions

The New Gray

I saw that Aaron Gray has lost more than 25 lbs. this off season and is still working today to get in better shape before training camp. If this guy can get healthy he can be a legit player.

by Chris Paul on Sep 3, 2010 2:55 PM CDT reply actions

I meant “in shape”…not healthy

by Chris Paul on Sep 3, 2010 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Extra point for passion!

Even before he started getting playing time, Aaron was up on the sidelines cheering every non-mediocre play made by the Hornets.

On the court, I was impressed with his touch around the rim, his strength, and his hustle getting up and down the court. Yes, hustle. His on-man defense of Howard made me happy. Neither Tyson or Emeka had much luck there.

His drawbacks wer his lateral foot speed and slight confusion on defense when faced with a lot of interior passing. He isn’t very creative as a rebounder. Not much hops at 300+ pounds.

Gave him a 4. I am very happy to have him on the team!!!!1

by NOEngineer on Sep 3, 2010 5:29 PM CDT reply actions

scouting reports

According to the pre-draft camp reports, Aaron actually had a pretty decent vertical for a big man (I know hard to believe, but at least that’s what the reports said.

Check his profile. I think it was 32 inch. Pretty solid.

by MZURK on Sep 6, 2010 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions

I gave him a four

his is a very good backup center he does his job well now if only they play him more

by sd3 on Sep 4, 2010 10:58 PM CDT reply actions

Hahahaha

Based on an isolated, not even episodically consistent good job against dwight howard in one game, people think he’s going to lose weight & keep it off and realize the potential “he’s always had!” Hahahahaha, Bulls fans hated him because he was literally worse than michael sweetney. Sure yay! we love him because he’s like our lovable walk-on player! Hahaha right. Polls/opinions like this put the “homer” in ‘homer’

by Grand Tanyon Sturtze on Sep 5, 2010 11:02 AM CDT reply actions

and no, i don't expect him to be pau gasol

my opinion which i think is shared by most people who objectively watch basketball & see aaron gray, is that he’s an abomination of a backup center

by Grand Tanyon Sturtze on Sep 5, 2010 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Let's not start on this again please

by Rohan on Sep 5, 2010 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions

well...

He’s a player who we signed for a minimum salary.

What’s the worst case that can happen? He gives 0 and 0? He’ll be considered a failed minimum salary player.

That’s why it’s called the minimum. Minimum comp, minimum expectations.

by MZURK on Sep 6, 2010 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

rohan

if you need to feel good by posturing online like i went overboard by simply saying that outside of that isolated showing against howard gray has shown zilch, have a field day chief.

by Grand Tanyon Sturtze on Sep 6, 2010 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions

mzurk you have a point

it’s true, looking at what we pay him i stand corrected, i guess my beef is not that his play is incommensurate with his salary, but how silly some people sound when talking about him & referring to him as a bona fide backup center. esp w/emeka, we need more size/talent than gray, i would only put him in if we were playing centers like nathan jawai or hilton armstrong, certainly not a starter or genuine #2 centers like brad miller/gortat/blair.

by Grand Tanyon Sturtze on Sep 6, 2010 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll just say this... He played 24 games for the Hornets

And in THOSE games… he played pretty well, considering his role.

That’s really all people are saying here. No one knows whether he’ll keep it up, or regress to his old self. But that’s not really the point right now.

Another New Orleans Hornets Blog

by Caleb462 on Sep 6, 2010 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions

agreed

i guess my point is that that, like the dwight howard luckfest, probably isn’t predictive of what we can rely on if we want to be competitive/eg we can’t use him as our #2 center. I most assuredly am not keen on beating a dead horse, & my point was merely that above.

by Grand Tanyon Sturtze on Sep 6, 2010 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions