I know it is only pre-season..but he has been very dissapointing...averaging just 1.9 points per game..Somehow shooting only 23% from the field Doc Rivers goes quoted in saying he does not have any confidence in him nor can he play the point. I hope he improves as I liked his game in college..don't know whats wrong with him now...
i'll post the actual article in today's paper on orlando sentinel. he had his preseason high 5 pts yesterday, he looked good, getting 2 steals, hitting a 3 and a tough layup. MAGIC 83, HAWKS 91 Rookie Gaines still struggling By Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted October 23, 2003 The coach called his name during a recent game, and Reece Gaines hopped off the bench. He rushed to check in at the scorer's table, which is protocol in college but not in the pros. His Magic teammates got a good laugh. Just like they have when Gaines has been whistled for a foul -- and habitually raises his arm to identify himself. Again, rook, this is the NBA, not the NCAA. Not necessary. "We've had some rookie moments," chuckled Coach Doc Rivers. Gaines, the Magic's first-round draft choice, has been caught often in that transitional twilight zone between college and pro basketball. He's tried to leave Louisville behind, but at times, it has looked as if he could use a redshirt year. Gaines came into Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks -- a 91-83 loss -- wearing a disguise. At least he wanted to be incognito after averaging 1.3 points in six games. Playing 12.5 minutes per game, he was shooting 18 percent (3-of-17) and 13 percent from 3-point territory (1-of-8). Reece, we're not in Conference USA, anymore. Rivers left the game against the Hawks up to the rookies and reserves to win in the fourth quarter. He brought Gaines back for the final five minutes, and Gaines' game twitched to life. He hit a 3-pointer to cut the Hawks' lead to 83-78, then made two steals and a dunk. He finished with five points -- his preseason high. "Reece is slowly cracking through," Rivers said. Gaines has been straddling the fence between point guard and shooting guard. Rivers said after the Magic's sixth loss in seven games that he'll take the pressure off Gaines by leaving him at shooting guard - even though Gaines says he's more comfortable running a team. At least he'll receive more playing time: The Magic waived guard Jeryl Sasser after the game. "It's a very humbling experience, because you have to take pride in doing the little things," Gaines said. "You can't be worried about points." On the positive side, Gaines has 10 assists and five steals. And Rick Pitino on speed dial. His confidence shaken, Gaines has called Pitino, his old coach at Louisville, for advice. "Coach Pitino told me it takes awhile for a coach to get used to a rookie," Gaines said. "He says I'll be a good player, so keep working. I trust his judgment." In the judgment of the coach who counts, Gaines has been playing meekly, save for one aggressive stretch against the New Orleans Hornets. "He's been playing passively, thinking instead of playing on instinct," Rivers said. Gaines says that now, "I just try to play my game. The biggest thing you got to do coming off the bench is, you have to be twice as good as you were when you're a starter. "You have to come out and make plays right away so you can stay on the floor."
I'm a Louisville fan, but I think that was a horrible pick. He's not a true PG and really (i feel) struggled at times last year with Louisville at the point. I bet at some point he gets moved back to his natural position.
