I don't know what his summer plans are or which role he sees himself playing on his new team but I hope he is wise enough and surround by sound advisors. I say this because I see a death of descent PG in the NBA and serviceable PGs that are 6-6 and well built. This is indeed a needed fresh start for him an a great opportunity to fulfill his first round selection. He has the physical tools needed to excel in the NBA. All he needs to do all summer long is to get stronger, improve his ball handling, improve his long range shooting and post feeding. All of the listed skills are not out of his ability range. He played for a great college coach (Rick Pitino) and he was outstanding as both the point and 2 guard. I don't see any reason why he cannot excel in the NBA. Whatever it takes Reece, spend time in the gym with a strong desire to be the starting PG for the 2004/2005 Hou Rox. It is not an unreachable goal for him. I will be dissapointed if he does not come to training camp and drawing rave reviews about his improved game. Check out some important tit bits about Reece....... Some scouting report more.... In closing, I will leave you with the words of an NBA fan (heehaw138).......the jury is out on Gaines but I thought he did better in the last few games of the season when he got a little more playing time.
Good info. Thanks. I like the fact that he's rangy (long arms). He can come in and be our "Bruce Bowen" or "Stephen Jackson"; good backkup to McGrady/JJ.
If we end up signing or acquiring Brent Barry somehow, Reece shouldn't have to look far to find a role model/somebody to gear his game after. Granted, Reece is nowhere near the shooter Barry is but both are 6'6 versatile combo guards. What Barry could provide in terms of leadership and experience to Reece could pay dividends in the years to come for Reece's development.
It always worries me when I see anyone describe a PG as someone who needs to work on his ball handling skills. That being said, I'm hoping he can be a defensive guard moreso than just an offensive one. The luxury of being able to throw him at some of the bigger 2's and maybe 3's of the league while TMac roams around a bit is intriguing. It will also help keep TMac out of foul trouble. I wouldn't factor in anything from this guy's time with the Magic, especially since it was only his rookie year. One season is way too quick to give up on anybody. That being said, you know that JVG isn't going to go deep into his rotation so how much more time do you expect this kid to get, if any?
Gaines is the Rockets 1st round pick this year, much like Boki was like the 1st round pick last year. Gaines was a good player in college, I think he could become a Jim Jackson like player.
That would be a pleasent surprise. However, depending on what other FA's we pick up; I don't expect much developemental PT for im this year. Next year should be his year to break into the rotation.
For that to happen first Gaines would have to FIND a game because from what I saw of him at Orlando he has none. He's a 6'6" PG who cannot play the point. That's why the Magic was MORE than happy to dump him and keep Jameer Nelson who CAN play the point. A fresh start is OK but at some point the guy has to show that he belongs in the NBA and so far, that hasn't happened. AND, until he shows something ON THE COURT, there is no reason to believe otherwise.
Yes, sounds like maybe he should develop his game to be a solid backup SG instead of PG. All the weaknesses described of him says he's not a natural PG so why force him into that mold. Otherwise, it would be just another failed Stevie Francis experiment.
Rg was a cap fodder throw in. Maybe he'll develope, maybe not. Why are we concerned about Reece Gaines. This is Reece Gaines, after all.
Gaines will likely just pick up a couple minutes a night in garbage time next season. If we do get Barry I'd like to see Gaines develop into a decent bench player so he can backup Barry in the 05/06 season, assuming we don't re-sign Lue after next season. By then Barry would probably begin to decline, but Spano could be ready to come play in the NBA.
You and I are charter members of the Reece Gaines Fan Club. Looks like Fegwu wants to be President. On a serious note, I don't see PG on a Van Gundy/Yao/McGrady team being the traditional distributor role. Lots of post entry passes, PnR and spot up shooting when the ball is kicked back out. At 6'6", both Barry and Gaines are able to see over most defenders. Post entry (without over-dribbling) and pass recognition out of the PnR were weaknesses last year IMHO. If Gaines comes to camp in shape, plays D with an edge and can hit a wide open shot, he's going to get PT. If Gaines were really on the ball, he'd already have moved to Houston and started working out locally with the pool of talent that resides here. John Lucas...any time available for Gaines?
I guess Gaines might had the the TMo-Nachbar syndrome last year - lack of rookie confidence. Gaines' situation is worse because he needs to transform into an NBA point guard, while he is more of a shooting guard by some reports. If Gaines can fix his confidence, he can be a player.
If he does it is all good as he could not have been counted on for more than cap fodder in 'the' deal.
