Comments on: Kevin Durant’s lessons could pay off big for Austin Daye

By: rob

rob — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:49:00 +0000

cool, thanks

By: Murph

Murph — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:18:49 +0000

Good post. I agree that any comparison between Daye and Durant is ridiculous. The only thing they have in common is that they’re both 6’11 and skinny.

Durant is a rising superstar in this League. He’s a two time All-Star and a two time Scoring Champion. He’s an outstanding scorer and shooter, as proven by the fact that he’s averaged 26 ppg in the NBA for his entire career, while shooting 46% from the floor.

Daye has been struggling to find minutes ever since he was drafted two years ago. He’s averaged 6 ppg for his career, and he shot an anemic 41% from the floor last year.

And the most ridiculous part of this comparison? Austin Daye is actually OLDER than Durant.

I can’t think of any player that compares to Daye, but it sure isn’t Durant (or Prince for that matter).

By: detroitpcb

detroitpcb — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:43:34 +0000

Daye has the potential to play like a combination of Durrant and Reggie Miller.

He is not a poor defender. He has two weaknesses: lateral quickness and strength. His height allows him to compensate somewhat for both deficiencies. i expect him to get stronger and while his lateral quickness is unlikely to improve, Daye is a very smart player who will learn the players, their moves, and the best angles he can use to defend them. His length allows him both to challenge outside shots while playing off quicker players and to recover and block shots from behind when they go by him. He is going to be a solid defender.

He is also a very good rebounder. He blocks out. He rebounds in traffic despite his slight frame. He will never be a rebounding liability at the two or three and as he gains strength he will also be able to rebound and defend the four.

Daye does not have the twitch explosiveness of Durrant has the same range and confidence in his shot. Daye also has very good court vision and a nice handle. Despite being smooth and not explosive, Daye is going to be able to finish in traffic as he develops and gets stronger. His handle is also going to get better when defenders can no longer physically knoch=k him off the ball.

This kid is going to be a 20 point scorer in the NBA if he is handled right and be a great #2 option for a NBA offense.

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:55:11 +0000

I have no idea if that lineup will be any good, but I agree with you … I am really excited to watch it.

By: Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:29:14 +0000

I’ve been saying this since almost day one. Play him at guard (SG) At 6′ 11″ he will be able to get his shot off on anyone. And he will be able to contest shots with his length. He wont get posted up much by other 2 guards. He doesn’t have to average 28ppg like KD but he can give us 15-17 easy. I would start him with Stuck or Knight if Stuck leaves and bring BG off the bench. We need to be innovative on this team and that’s what a 6 11″ two guard does. Imagine your 4th quarter lineup with Stuck or (Knight) BG, Daye, Jonas and Monroe…nice

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:16:06 +0000

I don’t think Daye can play like Durant does in the NBA, but I think he can score 59 points in a game where he gets to shoot nearly every possession and little defense is played. I think a lot of NBA players can do that. Not everyone, mind you, and probably not Daye right now. But I think Daye can get to the level at which Durant played Tuesday night. There’s a big difference between that level and the level at which Durant plays during NBA games.

I should have been more clear.

By: jayg108

jayg108 — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:13:18 +0000

I watched a bit of the Dom v Cuba game and CV looked alright. I saw him grab a good rebound and found the fast break with a great pass. Though, I did see that he still liked wandering around the 3 line instead of getting inside.

By: jayg108

jayg108 — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:06:27 +0000

RIF:lol
I’ve read before (maybe here?) that Daye was more suitable for SG. That’s when I started comparing Daye to Durant. Daye seems a bit more cerebral than Durant, but that doesn’t mean Daye cannot stretch himself to be more explosive. (Daye stretching himself-LTMS).

Daye is a student of the game. He will get even better in his deficits with the right atmosphere/mentors/trainers. I wish T Mac was going to be around to work with him more.

Great article on ESPN Dan. How much were tickets going for?

By: hazen

hazen — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:33:01 +0000

Why does everyone have a hard on for Austin Daye? Yes, he has a smooth shot, that is it. He is a liability on defense. He is WEAK. We do not need a skinnier Tayshaun Prince. He is more interested in twitter than his game. What worries me more about his developement as a player is that he is mostly keeping in touch with the worst AND LAZIEST Piston singing in recent history, Chuckie V!

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:37:21 +0000

Hahaha. Speaking of Mr. Villanueva, he was reportedly benched during crunch time of the Dominican Republic’s game against Venezuela in the FIBA Americas tournament today.