Gaines

[Medill90]

Makes his fair share of freshman mistakes....but I absolutely love the guy.

Reminds me of Tyrone Corbin his freshman year at DePaul. Corbin couldn't throw it into the ocean but Ray Meyers couldn't keep him off the court because of his hustle and athleticism.

Physically one of the more imposing defensive guards in the entire Big Ten.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Makes his fair share of freshman mistakes....but I absolutely love the guy.

Reminds me of Tyrone Corbin his freshman year at DePaul. Corbin couldn't throw it into the ocean but Ray Meyers couldn't keep him off the court because of his hustle and athleticism.

Physically one of the more imposing defensive guards in the entire Big Ten.

Sounds a lot like Sanjay

 

[Palindrome]

Sounds a lot like Sanjay

Yes, Sanjay-like... we can hope. Let’s wish that he’s the reincarnation of Jitim Young.

Also, anyone remember Quinn Buckner? 10 points per game in college (a few bricks DID go in). 55% FT shooter. 3-year Hoosier captain. Then, 7th overall pick in NBA draft where he played 10 years. NCAA Championship, NBA Title, Olympic gold --- one of only seven to do those 3 things. College BB HOF.

I cringed when my Bucks picked him, actually, because he was SO college hoops and shot like I used to. Even layups would often ricochet off the iron.

From Wikipedia, "his low-trajectory shot was jokingly said to have been responsible for more bent rims than Darryl Dawkins's dunks."

"My strength is defense," he said in the Boston Globe. "Another is my overall knowledge of the game and being able to get everybody involved in the game. I’ve never had an illusion that shooting is one of my strengths. In fact, it was a very known weakness that I had.…You play with a lot of pride and work hard every night out.

"... Red Auerbach told the Boston Globe, 'He's a winner, a leader. He rises to the occasion. He has a good personality, he's team oriented, and he's disciplined.”

So let’s put Sanjay, Jitim, and Quinn into the DNA blender and see if the hybrid comes out with the name “Gaines” on his uniform.

 

[salukicat]

If he gets a mid range jump shot, look out, the sky is the limit for this impressive athlete.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

If he gets a mid range jump shot, look out, the sky is the limit for this impressive athlete.

Love Gaines,but he is shooting around 20 percent from three point land

 

[Sec.112]

Love the Tyrone Corbin reference!!

Here's your worthless Tyrone Corbin trivia for a Monday morning.

What high school teammate of Corbin's was DePaul originally recruiting when they discovered Corbin? He went on to score 13,000 points in the NBA.

 

[Walker Fan]

I think you were asking about the "X" man Xavier McDaniel. And I was thinking that a more apt analogy of Gaines would be Kevin Edwards (who played 6 years in the NBA) and Kevin Greene who were DePaul alums who were 6'3" - 6'4" SGs and not 6'6" SF types. But Tyrone had a great college and good pro career that has led to a successful coaching career.

 

[NUCat320]

I watched him as a misplaced, thick bodied point guard a bit on Saturday and had Jitim flashbacks.

Now, you knew Jitim was out there every moment he was out there, and Gaines certainly isn't that way yet. But he could stand to watch video of the best 6-2 (not really) post defender the world has ever known.

 

[Sec.112]

You get the prize, Walker!

If we're going for DePaul accuracy in a comparison to Gaines, my vote would be Stanley Brundy. Joey Meyer should get HOF votes alone for turning him into a first round pick.

Anyhow, I hope Gaines becomes Corbin.

 

[NUCat320]

When John Stockton broke the record for assists, Magic Johnson said, in recognition of the achievement, "Think of all the great teammates he played with , like Karl Malone and (scratching his head) Tyrone Corbin." Somehow, Magic didn't get to Thurl Bailey or Bryon Russell.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I think you were asking about the "X" man Xavier McDaniel. And I was thinking that a more apt analogy of Gaines would be Kevin Edwards (who played 6 years in the NBA) and Kevin Greene who were DePaul alums who were 6'3" - 6'4" SGs and not 6'6" SF types. But Tyrone had a great college and good pro career that has led to a successful coaching career.

Kevin Edwards was a really good offensive player. I love how Gaines is improving, but he gets even close to Edwards, I will be happy.

 

[freewillie07]

So, does anyone predict Gaines will be a starter next year? Meaning he jumps Turner, Falzon, Kopp and Nance?

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

So, does anyone predict Gaines will be a starter next year? Meaning he jumps Turner, Falzon, Kopp and Nance?

He is a starter right now.

 

[mikewebb68]

In a lost season, kinda a blessing in disguise that he is getting his PT now, Valuable time for next season.

 

[willycat]

So, does anyone predict Gaines will be a starter next year? Meaning he jumps Turner, Falzon, Kopp and Nance?

Doubt it.

 

[mikewebb68]

Doubt it.

Agreed but he will provide the depth that we desperately need off the bench.

 

[620Linc]

I would like to see NU take a page from Bo Ryan era Wisconsin and concentrate on getting Gaines post up opportunities against other guards. This is a little difficult to do right now because we generally need to have Pardon down on the low block. I'm not sure Gaines will ever have a consistent three point shot, but he could be a poor man's Alando Tucker if we get him touches down low.

 

[Jonny2TheP]

Doubt it.

I'd actually be surprised if Gaines doesn't start next year. Don't get me wrong, the class coming in next year is a good one, but I think most people on here are a little overboard on the expectations of what true freshmen can offer right out of the gate. I'd be surprised if either Kopp or Nance are starters next year (maybe later in the year, but not from the start). Lathon is a different story as it's pretty clear he's getting the keys from day one. I'm thinking Lathon, Turner, Gaines, Law, and Pardon on Day 1 of next season. People get the small lineup they have been hoping for...

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

So, does anyone predict Gaines will be a starter next year? Meaning he jumps Turner, Falzon, Kopp and Nance?

For sure!

 

[haywood jahblowme]

So, does anyone predict Gaines will be a starter next year? Meaning he jumps Turner, Falzon, Kopp and Nance?

don't be surprised to see

lathon
law
kopp/nance
gaines
pardon

 

[NJCat]

don't be surprised to see

lathon
law
kopp/nance
gaines
pardon

I like that line-up.

 

[SmellyCat]

I think you were asking about the "X" man Xavier McDaniel..

X was one of my childhood heroes. I was a WSU fan, and he and Antoine Carr were probably the greatest college players I ever saw up close until I saw Glenn Robinson.

Plus his cameo in Singles was great.

 

[NUCat320]

I like that line-up.

They always look best before they arrive on campus.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

don't be surprised to see

lathon
law
kopp/nance
gaines
pardon

Surprised? Seems likely to me.

 

[Dugan15]

You get the prize, Walker!

If we're going for DePaul accuracy in a comparison to Gaines, my vote would be Stanley Brundy. Joey Meyer should get HOF votes alone for turning him into a first round pick.

Anyhow, I hope Gaines becomes Corbin.

Sec. 112: I thought you were going to focus on X’s star turn in his cameo role in “Singles”. Great seeing you last evening!

 

[Sec.112]

Yes, I did search for a video of X's line. All I found was the extended cut.

 

[Katatonic]

Not wanting to put place too much expectations on a frosh - coming into the season, wasn't expecting Gaines to match Crawford's freshman campaign, but was hoping that he would get close to Cobb's level in his 1st year.

Well, disappointingly that didn't happen.

But some players need more time to develop (see Hearn, Lindsey, etc.) and Gaines has certainly shown strides the past few games.

I'll take a Lumpkin mini-me any day (too bad the 2 didn't intersect for a year for Sanjay to teach him some of his tricks), or better yet, a mix of Lumpkin and Jitim (Jitkin?).

So, does anyone predict Gaines will be a starter next year? Meaning he jumps Turner, Falzon, Kopp and Nance?

Not Turner, but if Gaines keeps on improving it's certainly possible he sees time ahead of the others as CC places a premium on defense (and doing all the little things).

 

[EagerFan]

From what I've seen, Gaines can hit a three if they leave him alone for a few seconds and let him get set. He seems to have figured that out and doesn't take them unless times is desperate. He reminds me more of Julian Bonner than Jitim Young, even as a freshman, Jitim could break down a defense and score. Him and Vedran made watching the Cats bearable.