re: Josh Gray's importance to this team

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This is exact post is why I take up for Gray. So we are blaming Gray for Jones calling a pick and roll from mid court with 5 seconds?

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Certainly this play was doomed before it started, I agree.

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Gray could have 10 assists and 1 turnover and the mouthbreathers on this board would shite all over him for the turnover.

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Let's cross that bridge when it happens, eh muchacho?

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But what I'm saying is Tim and JP also forced things last night. To call him a liability and not the other 2 just doesn't seem right IMO.

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He was a liability, period. Tim killed us late in the game also by running out of control (with a lead, with 30+ seconds on the shot clock). I don't blame Gray exclusively. I like all of our players and coaches, but objectively speaking - Gray hurt us more than he helped.

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I know he shouldnt have went in there but it worked twice and who knows if he would have gotten one more over them mickey or martjng could have gotten a offensive rebound.

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Not even sure what you're saying. "If" means nothing. He had 2 assists total in 24 minutes as the point guard. He had 1 'official' turnover, but getting your shot blocked 4 times and the other team getting it is a turnover as well. One block ok, maybe even two. After that you should learn. By comparison, Tim had 7 assists.

Gray is a great ball hander. The absolutely the berst hands down on this team. In my opinon, he needs to attack the basketball more than to penatre deep in the lane and kick it out to the wing. He much more of a scorer than a shooter and sometimes tries too hard to set up plays. Although I do like Patterson and Q also, none of them have the ball handling skills that Gray has. He just needs to let the game come to him.

That is one of the problems with the game today. So many of the better players leave early that a lot of guys feel that they have to do it immediately. Gray will get better but guard play overall has been inconsistent all year and you can't have streaky play against great teams and expect to win. LSU lacks that guard that can be counted on to stay cool and make the plays when they are needed. He may get there next year, but he isn't there yet.

While not technically called for a turnover, he drove the lane 5 times, against the tallest player/s on the court, and had his shot blocked all 5 times. 1 or 2 times, mabe. But when he continued to do it 5 times, it is just another, season long example of his poor mental approach to the game as a point guard. And while not alone, this doesn't take into consideration of the free throws he continues to miss.

Pretty strong words considering Gray shot that ball less than 9 seconds into the shot clock, it was a horrible decision. He didn't even look to pass, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you are thinking of an entirely different play. This was after their big man hit a prayer long two to beat the shot clock and then Gray shoots a 3 which was in fact a brick, killed our momentum.

I'm going to clarify something- I am in no way saying Gray is currently consistently playing at the level he needs to be. He does make a lot of wild mistakes.

But he also has the ability to make plays.

Football comparison: DJ Welter probably rarely made mental mistakes; but he physically lacked the ability to play vs the top competition.

Gray is the exact opposite- he can physically play against anyone, (and has the ability to make big plays in crunch time, something not everyone has), but he makes a lot of mistakes.

But, he still has another year after this. There's still time for the light to go on.

Some of last night's game I can accept. He did score on a couple of those drives, and I think it helped keep Kentucky's defense honest. Let's be real- Mickey did admirably one on one vs the Kentucky bigs, but he was overmatched (think Scottie Pippen vs Pat Ewing in the post). If they would have double-teamed him, he'd have been destroyed.

Gray played a good game last night which isn't the norm. Lets see if he can keep it going. I hope for him and the team it continues.

He seems to make bone headed decisions at crucial times is the problem.