Stats: 36min 22pts (8-13, 0-2, 6-6) 10reb 5ast 0stl 1blk 3TO
Gay ( A ) -- becoming so smooth and consistent that you run out of things to say. Another strong, efficient game. Actually turned the ball over on the very first play of the game trying to feed JT in the post, as that was a major pillar of our early game strategy with the Magic trying to smallball us. But later hit him two times easily on the same pass, and throughout the night again showed himself capable of making nice passes to create for teammates as well as himself. Not really that involved offensively in the early going as we happily went about pounding the itsy bitsy Magic inside, but got a nice baseline shot to fall in the mid quarter, and followed that with a big block on Afflalo the other way. First guy out in our new substitution pattern for Wiliams, and unfortunately when he returned might have been too eager to get going and first thing he did was throw up a random too quick contested three. Started to score, but was taking higher degree of difficulty shots than just about anybody else. But when the Magic went back to the mini lineup, we responded again by having Gay play some SG and were able to basically post with any of our SG through C. Played a nice smooth third, passing the ball, hitting jumpers that look contested, but apparently aren't due to his great length, running the floor with Cuz as those two guys really took control of the game with IT having an off night and sort of did everything from running the point to finishing. Took a hit to the, er, lower stomach again in the early 4th that actually caused one of his turnovers, but revived and was back to solid play. As we returned to our new mega Gay/DWill swingman combo, gave us a major boost on the glass as well. We're 6-8 now since he arrived in the starting lineup. Project that out and if he'd been here full year we would be about 15-20, around the same record as New Orleans or Memphis. Not yet good without moves for some defense, but not laughingstocks either.--Brick
