Why was Andrew Gaze not in the NBA for longer?

[sonicman]

I mean the guy was like the best player in the NBL every year he played, highest scorer in international games, helped lead Seton Hall to the finals, but he played hardly any minutes in the NBA.

Surely he was good enough to come off the bench and have a long career, so what was the problem? Was he a locker room problem? Did guys not get along with him?

[sick_brah07]

you got to rememeber andrew played for melbourne while his dad linsday was the coach, not taking anything away from his achievements it just was a lot easier for him to make such a big name for himself when every play was ran for him or ended up in his hands.

to answer your other questions i dont think it would have been locker room issues andrew is a very nice guy actualy and i dont see how many people could hate him or dislike him that much he would be forced to leave

[sonicman]

Surely he wouldve wanted to play in the NBA though.. Maybe he got disillusioned the first year he played in the league?

Yeah I wouldn't have thought it was locker room issues either, he always seems to come across as a genuine likeable bloke

[Darsh]

Andrew Gaze is a complete tool, Melbourne Tigers train about 3 minutes form where i live and play basetball myself. He struts around like such an arrogant bastard in the gym, never givres anyone the time of day. Mind you, im sure he's probably fine around his teammates.

Speaking of which, i just came back from basketball and saw the tigers training as i was leaving. Anstey and the gang... I dont pay attention to Australian basketball anyway so its not very exciting.

[sick_brah07]

i guess nba is on every basketball players mind because its the highest competetion but maybe he found it hard going from 30 pg to 2pg and playing scarp minutes

[Manute for Ever!]

Surely he wouldve wanted to play in the NBA though.. Maybe he got disillusioned the first year he played in the league?

Yeah I wouldn't have thought it was locker room issues either, he always seems to come across as a genuine likeable bloke

I was on the Tigers squad for two years (never suited up) and this where you truly see how great NBA players must be. The guy moved about as fast as molasses pours out of a jar but he was still unstoppable. I guess the Spurs just weren't after an unathletic early-30's SF, even if he could shoot the lights out. Locker room wouldn't be an issue, you wil never meet a nicer bloke.
Still, he got an NCAA championship and an NBA ring, further proof he is the greatest Aussie player (don't mention Longleys 3 rings :) )

[sick_brah07]

Andrew Gaze is a complete tool, Melbourne Tigers train about 3 minutes form where i live and play basetball myself. He struts around like such an arrogant bastard in the gym, never givres anyone the time of day. Mind you, im sure he's probably fine around his teammates.

Speaking of which, i just came back from basketball and saw the tigers training as i was leaving. Anstey and the gang... I dont pay attention to Australian basketball anyway so its not very exciting.


i always thought he was arrogant on the court and good with people off it maybe i jus caught him on his good days, i do agree with you on australian basketball it's very low level of entertainment you rarely ever see any players that have flare or just somthing about them.

do you follow big v championship or seabl?

[sonicman]

I guess the Spurs just weren't after an unathletic early-30's SF, even if he could shoot the lights out.

Isn't that what half their team is now? :D

[Manute for Ever!]

Isn't that what half their team is now? :D

Yeah, I guess you could say he was before his time :oldlol:

[hawkfan]

He couldn't play any defense whatsoever.

[El Kabong]

i always thought he was arrogant on the court and good with people off it maybe i jus caught him on his good days, i do agree with you on australian basketball it's very low level of entertainment you rarely ever see any players that have flare or just somthing about them.

do you follow big v championship or seabl?
That's why when you see any imports, who do even the most basic of dunks, the announcers go crazy over it.

Gaze was good, but he wasn't a great fit on the Spurs since they had Steve Kerr who did the exact things Gaze did. And who would you turn to if you needed a shooter? A proven NBA player, or a NBA rookie (Even if he is 50 years old). He was injured during the later bit of the season too.

I remember he played a little bit with the Washington then Bullets in the early 90's too.

[Manute for Ever!]

I remember he played a little bit with the Washington then Bullets in the early 90's too.

That was just a 10 day contract if I remember right.

[El Kabong]

That was just a 10 day contract if I remember right.
Yea, something like that. I was only 6 or 7 at the time, so I really don't have much recollection of any of it.

[Manute for Ever!]

Yea, something like that. I was only 6 or 7 at the time, so I really don't have much recollection of any of it.

I was a teenager, so I remember it being all over channel 10 :oldlol:

[El Kabong]

I was a teenager, so I remember it being all over channel 10 :oldlol:
Ah yes, I remember NBA Game of the Week and NBA Action all being on Channel 10. I used to love NBA Action.

[Manute for Ever!]

Ah yes, I remember NBA Game of the Week and NBA Action all being on Channel 10. I used to love NBA Action.

Bill Woods, Baby! I actually remember when Peter Gee hosted the NBA on ABC on Friday nights.
Good thing about living in Singapore is that we still get NBA Action

[3stat2]

Never cared too much about the player, but I always get a chuckle when I see his shoes for like $49.95 at Amart, trying to undercut Nike/Adidas :oldlol:

[Gad23]

but we only get to watch the eastern conference finals in sg. good to see someone else staying on the tiny red dot. lol. i dunno much about andrew gaze but the nbl is a much more inferior league compared to the nba and its a lot easier to dominate there. I actually have a friend who plays for the singapore slingers but hes like a 6'7 PF/C. lol

[Manute for Ever!]

but we only get to watch the eastern conference finals in sg. good to see someone else staying on the tiny red dot. lol. i dunno much about andrew gaze but the nbl is a much more inferior league compared to the nba and its a lot easier to dominate there. I actually have a friend who plays for the singapore slingers but hes like a 6'7 PF/C. lol

I know, what's the deal with that? I can't stand the Lakers but I still love watching basketball.
The NBL is obviously inferior, but there is some good individual talent coming out of OZ (not prison)

[Lebron23]

but we only get to watch the eastern conference finals in sg. good to see someone else staying on the tiny red dot. lol. i dunno much about andrew gaze but the nbl is a much more inferior league compared to the nba and its a lot easier to dominate there. I actually have a friend who plays for the singapore slingers but hes like a 6'7 PF/C. lol


Speaking of the Singapore Slingers their is a Filipino that would be playing for that team next season, and his name is Jayson " Castro" Williams a 3 time MVP in the Philippine Basketball League.

The Slingers are one of the worst team in the NBL, and i am sure the addition of Jason Castro will helped them to at least get a decent record next year.



http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n95/ubelt/2006/06/005778_554castroPCU.jpg


He is one of the most talented player in the PBL today, and even though he is barely 5'8" in stocking feet. I think one of his biggest assets is his ability to drive into the basket and finish at will.

I think signing with the Australian League will give him some exposure in the style of play in the other country, which is still superior compared to the competition he face in the PBL, and if he became successful in his stint, i think other ball club might signed another Filipino Cager in the near future.


Strengths: Jayson Castro is the Ultimate Combo guard. He is a mature leader, wise beyond his years. He can score and get into the paint and he also have a decent shooting from the perimeter.

He lead the Harbour Centre to a back to back title in the Philippine Basketball League, and He is already a proven talent in the International Competition by leading the Batang Pier to the 2007 SEABA CUP Championship last April in Jakarta, Indonesia.

PBL Regular Season Stats ( 2007-08 Season)

15.7 PPG
6.9 APG
5.10 RPG
1.8 SPG
0.9 BPG
21.5 mpg ( Playing time)


PBL Finals Stats ( 2007-08 Season)


19.0 ppg
4.0 apg
5.3 rpg
2.7 spg
0.7 bpg
28.3 mpg ( Playing time)

http://www.philippinebasketballleague.org/harbour-stats.php



2006-07 PBL Unity Cup

12.28 PPG
5.33 RPG
4.0 APG
1.6 SPG
23 MPG ( playing time)


Source: http://www.philippinebasketballleague.org/harbour-stats.php


NCAA Stats ( 2003-2006)

2003 Averages

8.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 0.1 bpg, 1.2 spg

2004 Averages

14.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 0.3 bpg, 2.8 spg

2005 Averages

12.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 0.6 bpg, 1.3 spg

2006 Averages

12.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.4 apg, 0.6 bpg, 2.0 spg


Source: http://www.ubelt.com/ncaa/mbb/player.aspx?id=1435&year=2006

Awards and recognition

MVP of the Philippine Basketball League Silver Cup 2006
MVP of PBL Unity Cup 2007, 2008
First Team Silver Cup ALL-PBL 2006
First Team Unity Cup ALL-PBL 2007
First Team Unity Cup ALL- PBL 2008
2006 SEABA Club championship (Jakarta Indonesia)
2006 PBL Silver Cup finalist
2007 PBL Unity Cup Champion


I posted this one in the Insidehoops International Forum.

[Gad23]

its some dumbass espnstar agreement where they show the east then west one year. Last year they showed the west finals.

this castro guy is supposed to be quite good. at least he will put some pinoys in the seats.

[Manute for Ever!]

its some dumbass espnstar agreement where they show the east then west one year. Last year they showed the west finals.

this castro guy is supposed to be quite good. at least he will put some pinoys in the seats.

At least they are showing NBA classic! Boston vs Indiana from '91 playoffs last night, Kings vs Dallas from '01 playoffs tomorrow!

[32MJ32]

I can't believe Gaze is getting a bad rap in here. If there's a nicer guy in basketball, I haven't met him.

For what it's worth, I think the timing of his peak was unfortunate and held him back. Gaze was a shooting guard in an era in which many coaches decided they wanted athletes and defenders in their rotations instead of shooters. The early 90's was littered with dudes like Doug West, Pete Myers, Harold Miner, Gary Grant, Bryant Stith etc. starting at the 2 for their teams. None of them and a whole heap of other guys, in my opinion, could hold a candle to Gaze as a ballplayer but were obviously much better athletes. He was never going to be a starter in a league that valued raw physical talent over basketball ability. And there was no point in sticking around as 12th man/battling for 10 day contracts when he could star in his hometown and in Europe and make a steady wage.

If he was around today as a 22-23 year old, he's a lock to crack somebody's rotation. He could easily do what Brent Barry does for the Spurs or what Sasha does for the Lakers or what Wally Szcerbadiasdifjck (<--spelling?) is supposed to do for the Cavs. No, he wasn't a fearsome defender, but he was good enough to hold his own guarding some very good players at the international level. I remember him and Reggie Miller having a great battle at the World Champs in like 94 or 5. Instead, he goes down as the best player in the history of the NBL with some of the craziest numbers you'll find anywhere. Go and look up his record and check out the year he put up like 44, 6 and 6. And the number of years he was averaging 35 or more. Dude was a machine.

As for the NBL not being "exciting," you guys are clearly big basketball fans, because you've made your way to this board.. and I'd implore you all to give it a chance. No, there isn't guys throwing down windmills 3 times a quarter but its a great level of basketball. And contrary to popular belief, there are a whole heap of dudes who can genuinely get up - a couple of Ebi Ere's tip dunks last season were equal to anything I've seen in the NBA. The calibre of imports has been very good lately (Julius Hodge, Orien Greene, Darnell Hinson, Ebi Ere, Homicide Williams etc.) and our homegrown talent is the best it has been in years. Furthermore, FIBA is lengthening the international 3 point line and putting in the "charge restricted area" within the next year which is going to open up more space for guys to make plays.

Go and watch a few games. The league is dying and if guys like us, who love this game, don't support it, its doomed. I guarentee you'll have a good time.. tickets run for like $12 in most arenas. There will be at least one guy on your squad you'll enjoy watching. I saw every team play last season and there's at least one crowd pleaser on each.

Go. For me.

And for yourself.

/emotional plea

[Big_Dogg]

A) he was too slow for the NBA
B) He was not physically strong enough
C) He couldn't play D to save his life
D) He was 1 dimensional

Compare him as an international player to someone like a Manu Ginobli, Gaze isn't even in the same league.

[jinsanity]

same reason why JJ Reddick or Adam Morrison are nothing but scrubs in the NBA.

Like Gaze, they dominated a smaller(physically) and weaker level of basketball in the NCAA(while Gaze did it in the Aussie NBL) The thing is, both were dominating in college. They were the superstars in college and at their final year in college basketball I remember were considered the two best players in the NCAA (they're weren't considered to be the best NBA Draft prospects though, keep that in mind).

Like Gaze both had insane shooting ability,range and scoring ability. Size-wize they didn't differ too much from Gaze with Reddick being a 6-4/6'5 SG and Morrison a 6'8 small forward. Like Gaze also, they weren't exactly good defenders either.

That is the reason why in my opinion. Although as someone said before, it might work as a role player ala Steve Kerr he may have had some form of success. And well, considering in the 90s the NBL actually got good attention, he probably preferred to be the best player in the L than rather than sit on the bench.





As for why the NBL is going terribly, this is my opinion of why

1) There aren't any big names that the average fan might get excited over except for hardcore basketball fans. At least in the 90s there was Gaze and Shane Heal and so on. I can't really see the average Aussie getting excited about seeing Sam McKinnon, Mark Wothington, David Barlow etc etc even though they are sold players.

2) Australia were actually medal contenders back then. Sure they always got 4th and missed out on the bronze. But they had a solid team who performed better than they do know relative to the rest of the world. I remember the Aussie media gave alot more media attention to Atlanta 96 then the Athens version. I remember seeing the Charles Barkley-Shane Heal quarrel
on channel 10(9 or 7) news... well the non-cable news channel because I didn't have cable back then

For Beijing, realistically Australia is a very distant shot for a medal. However, if Andrew Bogut and co. can exceed expectation and manage to get some specutacular results I would assume it would increase attention for basketball in Australia and for the NBL.

3) The drop in the NBL popularity coincided with the drop in the popularity of NBA in Australia (mainly due to Jordan's retirement). Michael Jordan alone created enough attention for basketball which had spillover effects for the NBL(and the NBA as well) in Australia. Collecting NBA cards and trading them at school was extremely, popular, it was the "in" thing when I was a school kid in the 90s.
The loss of Michael Jordan created a huge void. No NBA player today except MAYBE Shaq (yes not even Kobe Bryant or Lebron James) are household names to the average Australian, so that also has to play a part in reduced interest in the NBA as well in Australia.

4) The introduction of cable TV. Well the NBA/NBL are just not as accessible now because Channel 10 doesn't show it.

[joel]

Gaze was a glorified version of jay Triano, the raptors assistant. triano was an unbelievable shooter, like gaze but just not a good enough athlete i guess. I met gaze at the goodwill games in Australia about 7 years ago. Seemed like a pretty cool down to earth guy.

[32MJ32]

A) he was too slow for the NBA
B) He was not physically strong enough
C) He couldn't play D to save his life
D) He was 1 dimensional

Compare him as an international player to someone like a Manu Ginobli, Gaze isn't even in the same league.

You've gone too far here, chief. To say he was one dimensional is a joke. He was a lot more than just a shooter. Gaze got to the rim more than enough to keep the defense honest. And he was 6'8", which meant he finished at a good rate. No, he wasn't a great athlete but he wasn't an awful defender.

And the Manu comparasion is ridiculous. You're comparing him to arguably the best foreign player in NBA history (if you don't count Hakeem), of course he's going to come up short - most players will. You need to go and watch a few Boomers games where he carried us against much better teams before you say stuff like "isn't even in the same league," though. You're right, he was no Manu, but he could have easily hung in the NBA.

I'm not a Tigers fan (far from it, actually) and I've got a heap of respect for Drewy. You guys are: a) too young to remember Gaze in his prime b) underrating the NBL c) forgetting how he played for Australia or d) just really hard to impress.

[Big_Dogg]

You've gone too far here, chief. To say he was one dimensional is a joke. He was a lot more than just a shooter. Gaze got to the rim more than enough to keep the defense honest. And he was 6'8", which meant he finished at a good rate. No, he wasn't a great athlete but he wasn't an awful defender.

And the Manu comparasion is ridiculous. You're comparing him to arguably the best foreign player in NBA history (if you don't count Hakeem), of course he's going to come up short - most players will. You need to go and watch a few Boomers games where he carried us against much better teams before you say stuff like "isn't even in the same league," though. You're right, he was no Manu, but he could have easily hung in the NBA.

I'm not a Tigers fan (far from it, actually) and I've got a heap of respect for Drewy. You guys are: a) too young to remember Gaze in his prime b) underrating the NBL c) forgetting how he played for Australia or d) just really hard to impress.

Actually Chief, no I haven't, your analysis is correct in NBL terms, but if you ever watched him play in the NBA for the short period he was there, all he did in the games he got any court time was be a spot up shooter, Shane Heal had the same problem.

As mentioned before by jinsanity, being the big fish in a league that is less physically challenging counts for jack.

Don't get me wrong, he is one of the greats if not the great of the Aussie team, but then again, so are Larry Sengstock, Phil Smyth and Ray Borner so what does that tell you about the strength of the NBL in those days.

And for the record, Gaze was a $hit defender, even in the NBL, he only didn't look so bad because he had Bradtke, Simmons and Copeland to pick up the slack.

And for the record, I'm in my 30's and have watched Gaze play for many years against my Wildcats, so all your quotes of a, b, c and d count for nothing but BS!

The only hanging Gaze did in the NBL was the rest of the teams jock straps after he washed them.

[32MJ32]

same reason why JJ Reddick or Adam Morrison are nothing but scrubs in the NBA.

Like Gaze, they dominated a smaller(physically) and weaker level of basketball in the NCAA(while Gaze did it in the Aussie NBL) The thing is, both were dominating in college. They were the superstars in college and at their final year in college basketball I remember were considered the two best players in the NCAA (they're weren't considered to be the best NBA Draft prospects though, keep that in mind).

Like Gaze both had insane shooting ability,range and scoring ability. Size-wize they didn't differ too much from Gaze with Reddick being a 6-4/6'5 SG and Morrison a 6'8 small forward. Like Gaze also, they weren't exactly good defenders either.

That is the reason why in my opinion. Although as someone said before, it might work as a role player ala Steve Kerr he may have had some form of success. And well, considering in the 90s the NBL actually got good attention, he probably preferred to be the best player in the L than rather than sit on the bench.





As for why the NBL is going terribly, this is my opinion of why

1) There aren't any big names that the average fan might get excited over except for hardcore basketball fans. At least in the 90s there was Gaze and Shane Heal and so on. I can't really see the average Aussie getting excited about seeing Sam McKinnon, Mark Wothington, David Barlow etc etc even though they are sold players.

2) Australia were actually medal contenders back then. Sure they always got 4th and missed out on the bronze. But they had a solid team who performed better than they do know relative to the rest of the world. I remember the Aussie media gave alot more media attention to Atlanta 96 then the Athens version. I remember seeing the Charles Barkley-Shane Heal quarrel
on channel 10(9 or 7) news... well the non-cable news channel because I didn't have cable back then

For Beijing, realistically Australia is a very distant shot for a medal. However, if Andrew Bogut and co. can exceed expectation and manage to get some specutacular results I would assume it would increase attention for basketball in Australia and for the NBL.

3) The drop in the NBL popularity coincided with the drop in the popularity of NBA in Australia (mainly due to Jordan's retirement). Michael Jordan alone created enough attention for basketball which had spillover effects for the NBL(and the NBA as well) in Australia. Collecting NBA cards and trading them at school was extremely, popular, it was the "in" thing when I was a school kid in the 90s.
The loss of Michael Jordan created a huge void. No NBA player today except MAYBE Shaq (yes not even Kobe Bryant or Lebron James) are household names to the average Australian, so that also has to play a part in reduced interest in the NBA as well in Australia.

4) The introduction of cable TV. Well the NBA/NBL are just not as accessible now because Channel 10 doesn't show it.

First off, does anyone actually know if JJ Reddick is a scrub or not? He never plays. There's a difference between sucking and never playing. Morrison struggled his rookie year, granted, but when you have a look at his teammates and coach, it's not hard to see why. He was never going to succeed trying to carry an offense by himself but I can definitely see him coming off the bench next year and sinking some shots. That's what I'm saying about Gaze in his prime: he could have easily been a Vujacic, a Sczerbiak, a Brent Barry, a Finley, a Keith Bogans. Someone you could build a team around? No. A rotation guy good for 10-12 a game? Definitely. He just came up at the wrong time.

Onto your NBL theories.. all good. All make sense. I'm not arguing that the league is in good financial shape or popular. Clearly, it isn't. My point is, there's 4 guys in this thread that wont goto games because they think the product itself sucks. It doesn't. The league's standard is as high or higher now than it ever has been. There a higher quality of imports, many ex-NBAers and Div 1 college grads. There's a lot more Aussie college returnees and AIS grads kicking around, back in the early-90's Vlahov going to Stanford was the biggest story in basketball. Now? There's probably a 500+ Aussies hooping in the NCAA's. The standard is great. The problem is.. no one shows up.

If the guys that love basketball enough to get on a message board like this don't goto games... then who's going to? It doesn't get much, if any, mainstream media coverage, as you said. So where does that leave the league? Screwed.

If the NBL dies, the game will suffer at all levels. Australia will lose a lot of good coaches/staff/programs. Dudes need to support it or at least give it a chance and goto a game or two before passing judgement.

[Big_Dogg]

I've been attending games for almost 20 years, so I think I qualify as a supporter of the league.:pimp:

[32MJ32]

Actually Chief, no I haven't, your analysis is correct in NBL terms, but if you ever watched him play in the NBA for the short period he was there, all he did in the games he got any court time was be a spot up shooter, Shane Heal had the same problem.

I saw them. Different era then. My argument is he came up at the wrong time. The way the league is now, the pace, the changing of the illegal defense rules, the changed emphasis on hand-checking.. no way Gaze doesn't play minutes and get buckets in his prime.


As mentioned before by jinsanity, being the big fish in a league that is less physically challenging counts for jack.

Averaging 44 points in a season and near on 35 for like 10 years anywhere has got to count for something. There's been a lot of NBA calibre dudes who've come out here and been swallowed up by our "less physically challenging" league and sent home.


Don't get me wrong, he is one of the greats if not the great of the Aussie team, but then again, so are Larry Sengstock, Phil Smyth and Ray Borner so what does that tell you about the strength of the NBL in those days.

You're really going to compare Gaze with those 3? Really? With a straight face?


And for the record, Gaze was a $hit defender, even in the NBL, he only didn't look so bad because he had Bradtke, Simmons and Copeland to pick up the slack.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree here. He was no Mike Kelly but I never thought he was that bad. Matter of opinion.


And for the record, I'm in my 30's and have watched Gaze play for many years against my Wildcats, so all your quotes of a, b, c and d count for nothing but BS!

Okay. My bad. I still think you're underrating the NBL and you're hard to impress, though.

[32MJ32]

I've been attending games for almost 20 years, so I think I qualify as a supporter of the league.:pimp:

Sweet man. I'm glad there's another one out there.

And you're a Laker fan. Good times, good times.

[Big_Dogg]

I just love hoops man, and yes, I'm very hard to impress.

[Manute for Ever!]

.

Onto your NBL theories.. all good. All make sense. I'm not arguing that the league is in good financial shape or popular. Clearly, it isn't. My point is, there's 4 guys in this thread that wont goto games because they think the product itself sucks. It doesn't. The league's standard is as high or higher now than it ever has been. There a higher quality of imports, many ex-NBAers and Div 1 college grads. There's a lot more Aussie college returnees and AIS grads kicking around, back in the early-90's Vlahov going to Stanford was the biggest story in basketball. Now? There's probably a 500+ Aussies hooping in the NCAA's. The standard is great. The problem is.. no one shows up.

If the guys that love basketball enough to get on a message board like this don't goto games... then who's going to? It doesn't get much, if any, mainstream media coverage, as you said. So where does that leave the league? Screwed.

If the NBL dies, the game will suffer at all levels. Australia will lose a lot of good coaches/staff/programs. Dudes need to support it or at least give it a chance and goto a game or two before passing judgement.

Very well said :cheers:

[WoGiTaLiA1]

He just wasn't that good.

He was an undersized SG, who played no defense and severely lacked athleticism. That was the basketball reason, I also got the vibe with him that he would rather be the star in Australia than be a scrub in USA, he was the kind of guy who could have hung around as an IR and 12th man in the NBA if he wanted but why do that if you can be the star(financial reasons aside).

To me Gaze was a lot like Tyus Edney is now. Due to a being small it was always going to be tough and both were/are just happy to be the star in a lesser league as opposed to being a role player in the NBA.

He was never good enough to be a starter on a good team though.

[plowking]

Wow, there are quite a few Australians on ISH. Never realized.

[DJ Leon Smith]

Gaze could have easily had a long NBA career, was the last cut from the Sonics when he left Seton Hall, if he made the team then he might have hung around for a long time. He was like a lot of guys though, who don't like doing the minor league/summer camp thing every year to try and crack a roster spot. Never would have been a Ginobili but he could have been a typical 8th-9th man on a decent team. Would have needed the perfect system, team, situation, though.

To the people saying he had a bad attitude, couldn't handle not being a star, etc (oh and that he was undersized for a SG), you're on crack.

I heard a rumour that Jeff's favourite NBL players of all-time were Bruce Bolden, Simon Kerle, Trevor Torrance and Isaac Burton. He currently enjoys watching Chris Anstey and Ben Pepper.

[lowblok]

To the people saying he had a bad attitude, couldn't handle not being a star, etc (oh and that he was undersized for a SG), you're on crack.

I agree. When did 6'7 become undersized for a SG!!!!


I just think teams weren't ready to take that chance on a foreign player like they are now.

[32MJ32]

He just wasn't that good.

He was an undersized SG, who played no defense and severely lacked athleticism. That was the basketball reason, I also got the vibe with him that he would rather be the star in Australia than be a scrub in USA, he was the kind of guy who could have hung around as an IR and 12th man in the NBA if he wanted but why do that if you can be the star(financial reasons aside).

To me Gaze was a lot like Tyus Edney is now. Due to a being small it was always going to be tough and both were/are just happy to be the star in a lesser league as opposed to being a role player in the NBA.

He was never good enough to be a starter on a good team though.

^ This is quite possibly the stupidest thing that's ever been written here.

More importantly, its good to see plenty of Aussies on the boards. Great, even.

[sonicman]

More importantly, its good to see plenty of Aussies on the boards. Great, even.

Basketball seems to be sorta like soccer was before the A-League.. Like theres a lot of kids that play it and everything but the 'premier' league isnt package very well... Once they got rid of the old NSL, soccer just exploded. They need someone to do the same with the NBL, the market is there but needs someone to invest and turn it into a great product

[El Kabong]

Basketball seems to be sorta like soccer was before the A-League.. Like theres a lot of kids that play it and everything but the 'premier' league isnt package very well... Once they got rid of the old NSL, soccer just exploded. They need someone to do the same with the NBL, the market is there but needs someone to invest and turn it into a great product
There was an article in the Adelaide paper saying the same thing. Said they basically need to completey shut down and restart or at least overhaul the entire league. They can't even get games shown on free-to-air TV for crying out loud. At the tiem everyone made a big deal about that guy from America becoming the Commishiner, but other than adding a couple new teams (Which isn't necessarily a good thing) he didn't do all that much. Plus they need to get rid of the retarded point salary cap system.

And they need to hire a commentator to replace Steve Carfino.

[sonicman]

There was an article in the Adelaide paper saying the same thing. Said they basically need to completey shut down and restart or at least overhaul the entire league. They can't even get games shown on free-to-air TV for crying out loud. At the tiem everyone made a big deal about that guy from America becoming the Commishiner, but other than adding a couple new teams (Which isn't necessarily a good thing) he didn't do all that much. Plus they need to get rid of the retarded point salary cap system.

And they need to hire a commentator to replace Steve Carfino.

Glad its not just me that thinks along those lines then!

And whats wrong with Steve Carfino? I like the dude :D

[El Kabong]

Glad its not just me that thinks along those lines then!

And whats wrong with Steve Carfino? I like the dude :D
He's ok, it just seems to me he sometimes sounds like he's trying too hard to be cool and hip.

[sonicman]

Yeah I get what you're saying

[Lebron23]

its some dumbass espnstar agreement where they show the east then west one year. Last year they showed the west finals.

this castro guy is supposed to be quite good. at least he will put some pinoys in the seats.

Jason Castro just recently lead Harbour Centre to their 5th Straight title in the Philippine Basketball League, and He was also chosen as the PBL Finals MVP.

PBL Final Stats

19.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.7 spg, 0.7 bpg

http://www.philippinebasketballleague.org/news.php

[Lebron23]

I think he was rarely given an opportunity to showcase his skills in his first stint in the league back in 1993-94 NBA Season. When he was given a second chance Gaze was already 32-33 yrs.old when he played for the Spurs. He was a very good player under the FIBA Rules. Watch some of his games in the 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

[G-train]

Has Bogut surpassed Gaze as greatest aussie bballer?

[Lebron23]

Has Bogut surpassed Gaze as greatest aussie bballer?


Yes

Kyrie Irving is technically an Australian. He might become the all time GOAT Aussie player at the end of his NBA Career.

[G-train]

Yes

Kyrie Irving is technically an Australian. He might become the all time GOAT Aussie player at the end of his NBA Career.


I'd say Gaze, Longley then Bogut still.

Will probably end up Bogut, Gaze, Longley if he can beat injury.

[outbreak]

Yes

Kyrie Irving is technically an Australian. He might become the all time GOAT Aussie player at the end of his NBA Career.

Irving isn't an Aussie. Bogut and Mills grew up here, he was only here for afew months after he was born wasn't he?

[G-train]

Irving isn't an Aussie. Bogut and Mills grew up here, he was only here for afew months after he was born wasn't he?

Irving has dual citizenship as he was born in Melbourne. He is considering playing for the Boomers in London. I'd say that counts regardless of him leaving soon after being born.

[outbreak]

Irving has dual citizenship as he was born in Melbourne. He is considering playing for the Boomers in London. I'd say that counts regardless of him leaving soon after being born.

But i read he can't play for the Boomers as he has already played for a USA national team (even though it was an under 19s or something). I'm Australian btw just don't like when we claim people who aren't really Australian.

[Big_Dogg]

But i read he can't play for the Boomers as he has already played for a USA national team (even though it was an under 19s or something). I'm Australian btw just don't like when we claim people who aren't really Australian.

Like Mel Gibson and Russell Crowe, Ozzies have a habit of doing that, makes me laugh.

[B-Easy8]

I think Gaze is still the number 1 Australian player followed by Bogut. Gaze was a superstar of the Australian league when it was at its peak popularity, he would have been payed well and he had his own shoe deal compared to warming bench in the NBA.

[Walker]

Ugh too many people to quote so **** it.

First, STOP NECROING THREADS FFS.

Gaze is still the greatest Aussie player ever with Longley next then Bogut (yes it will likely change eventually). Right now it's not even close. If you're talking NBA success then clearly Longley by a LONG way.

Kyrie wants to play for the Boomers. All that is required now is for USA Basketball to allow it as for FIBA to allow it all parties must agree.
I doubt the US will let it happen considering how well Kyrie has done in the NBA.

[KDthunderup]

Ugh too many people to quote so **** it.

First, STOP NECROING THREADS FFS.

Gaze is still the greatest Aussie player ever with Longley next then Bogut (yes it will likely change eventually). Right now it's not even close. If you're talking NBA success then clearly Longley by a LONG way.

Kyrie wants to play for the Boomers. All that is required now is for USA Basketball to allow it as for FIBA to allow it all parties must agree.
I doubt the US will let it happen considering how well Kyrie has done in the NBA.
Would be pretty selfish of USA Basketball to stop him from playing for the Boomers if he wants to, there unlikely to select him anytime soon.

If we could have Irving + Bogut for the Olympics we will be extremely competitive

[Euroleague]

Gaze is the best Australian player ever.

[Euroleague]

Irving isn't an Aussie. Bogut and Mills grew up here, he was only here for afew months after he was born wasn't he?

Don't start this xenophobic BS again.

[JtotheIzzo]

he didn't move very well. great shooter though, but had trouble getting it off in the NBA. had a nice career at Seton Hall.

[Lebron23]

He was already 34 yrs.old when he played in the NBA. He only played a few minutes in the NBA, and he was injured for the most part of the season.

Great International player. I wish he had played much earlier in the NBA.

[outbreak]

Don't start this xenophobic BS again.
Well this is an old thread but I never saw this reply and it's been bumped again. How is it xenophobic to say someone who was born in a country but never really lived there and now is playing for another countries national team is not really from my country? If he moved here and wanted to be Australian then sure he could be Australian but he just uses it as a marketing gimmick when it suits him. I'd consider Baynes Australian even though he was born in New Zealand.

[Im Still Ballin]

Stop pretending to be Australian

You're not one of us

[Euroleague]

This forum never ceases to prove how stupid it is.

[JtotheIzzo]

I mean the guy was like the best player in the NBL every year he played, highest scorer in international games, helped lead Seton Hall to the finals, but he played hardly any minutes in the NBA.

Surely he was good enough to come off the bench and have a long career, so what was the problem? Was he a locker room problem? Did guys not get along with him?

Slow feet, slow reaction, terrible off the dribble, no defense, no transition game, o rebounding.

He is basically a three point shooter that can't get open.

A homeless man's Brady Heslip.

[Lebron23]

He would definitely get some major playing time in today's nba ala Joel English. He was a good scorer in fiba and australians competitions, but back then international players gets less playing time in the league. By the time Gaze returned in the nba in 1999. He was already declining as a player.

[Shooter]

Greg Poppovich's son

https://i0.wp.com/nbastraya.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27972334_971964282981607_5137437921292607982_n.jpg ?fit=960%2C960&ssl=1

[GimmeThat]

players who were less than him were living in better home, that got to him.

[aceman]

He would definitely get some major playing time in today's nba ala Joel English. He was a good scorer in fiba and australians competitions, but back then international players gets less playing time in the league. By the time Gaze returned in the nba in 1999. He was already declining as a player.
Yep - overseas players just didn't get chance back then. Joe Ingles wouldn't have been looked at in 90's (not that his game is similar)

[SATAN]

Lanard Copeland is like the Gaze situation in reverse. I still have this card. It's probably worth less than it cost to make it back in the day.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41TolCa1eKL._SY445_.jpg

He averaged like 2-3ppg and then went to the NBL where he looked like a freak athlete playing along with Gaze :biggums:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ9Yd5upYr0

Like Payton and Kemp shit :biggums:

[SATAN]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDRMaHy0Li0

:lebronamazed:

[oldtimer28]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDRMaHy0Li0

:lebronamazed:

Watched this live. Was impressive.

Miss Isaac Burton and Leon Trimmingham...

And remember Calvin Talford of Hobart Devils could fly!

[oldtimer28]

He couldn't play any defense whatsoever.


This.

Also hope he has a comeback so he stops being a commentator...