Rudy Gay's about to show the world he's on Durant's level

There has never been a single #2 on a championship team that's worse than Rudy Gay in modern era.

 

In another thread, the OP has already admitted being wrong about Rudy and he even listed why. If a guy will admit he's dead wrong, that's all you can ask.

The Grizzlies are in deep trouble and probably won't make the playoffs.

 

Thanks for the post. Didn't see it. What thread is the post in?

 

Click on the red arrow and it will open up.

 

Wow, you learn something everyday in this board. Repped for that tip.

 

Thanks.

I wonder what people think is the difference between this year's Grizzlies and last years. Obvioulsy Zach Randolph is VERY important and the Darrell Arthur injury doesn't help, but it's kind of suprising how much of a drop off it is when they supposedly have other good players in Gay, Conley, the recently paid Marc Gasol, Tony Allen, etc.

 

I think the Grizzlies were underrated, a top 4 WC team and Finals contender. But Z-Bo is far and away their best player and no one should be surprised by their drop off. Without his overwhelming presence on offense and not-so-great outside shooting, the Grizzlies are in bad shape.

Marc Gasol has to assert himself more and score 20 points/game. It's his time to go to another level.

 

I wonder if the OP will ever post again in this thread.

 

I agree. Just kind of interesting that the Grizz still have to "max guys" (or at least "near-max" guys) in Gay and Gasol and have not been able to muster a better record than they have so far.

Another interesting thing to me:

http://www.82games.com/1112/11MEM13.HTM#onoff

The Grizzlies were not really doing better this year even back when Zach was playing (small sample size, but everything is at this point). The team is just in a funk.

If this continues, the Grizzlies will be continuing their streak of never making the playoffs without someone named "Shane Battier" on the team.

 

Obviously, its Shane Battier.

Since 03/04 season, he's won greater than 50% of the games he's played in each year. Actually, since that season, the Grizzlies record is 155-108 when Battier is playing for them, and 145-255 when he isn't. That's the difference between a 48 win team and a 30 win team. He is their lucky charm (well, regular season anyway).

 

I think I understand what you're saying here. That he can't be a championship caliber #2, right?

A 6'8 athletic swingman with a a career 45% shooting percentage, averaging near 18pts and 6 boards per. Come on now, put this guy with an elite play maker and leader and he is a SOLID #2.

 

Shane did lead them into the 2nd round last season, when they finally improved Shane's supporting cast over what they had in the early/mid 2000s. Shane used to have only Pau Gasol as his Robin (the rest of the crew-- J-Will, Posey, Bonzi, Stro Swift, etc. were pretty underwhelming). The 2010/11 Grizz supported Shane with Randolph, Marc Gasol, Conley, Allen, etc. But of course the Justice League doesn't work without their leader.

 

would you say that Rudy Gay is the Georgia Satellites of basketball players?

 

He's been in the league 5 years and barely averaged 20 PPG once. He's never even really been a star, he's a role player. Sorry, Gay is a really nice player, but Durant is elite.

 

Yeah, he might as well sing about the change in his pocket and the lack of a ring.

 

The two "worst" 2nd best player on championship teams of the past decades were David Robinson(16ppg/10rpg/2bpg and dominating defense) and Otis Thorpe(14pg/11rpg/2apg and dominating defense). Both players are head and shoulders above Rudy Gay. Rudy Gay is also not better than either Wallace nor Chauncey if you want to compare to the Pistons team.

 

The hate Rudy Gay gets on this website isn't irrational. Practically all of it stems from posters who look for ways to justify the Rockets' "amazing" move in trading him to the Grizzlies for a role player. Case in point is the poster in this thread who classified Gay as a role player. A guy who averages 20 ppg on over 45% shooting along with 6 rpg, 2 assists, 1 bpg, 1 spg, above average d, and can close games out over the likes of LeBron, Durant, and Duncan is not a role player. If he was a role player, the Cavs would not have offered the #4 pick in the entire draft for him last year.

Rudy had a really good and highly efficient game tonight....26, 5, 2, 1, and 1. His ball handling and jump shot, which are both good to begin with, will get even better as he practices improving those skills in the offseason. People have to remember that's he coming off of a major injury. There are two major things that he needs to work on: First, he needs to be more aggressive offensively either as a scorer or play maker. He's too unselfish at times and defers too often to others. He needs to learn to takeover games. Second, he needs more defensive intensity. He has all the tools and has been improving on the defensive end, but more commitment to defense along with the other things described above will help him transition from a top tier talent to an all-star to an elite player.

 

I'd put Rudy Gay above Jason Terry, the #2 of last year's Mavs.

 

Maybe coming off an injury with a mini training camp, it will take more than a month with almost zero practices and revolving injuries to the Grizz best player and to the PG. Rudy turned the corner last year, I expect a ramp up of his effectiveness and dominance weekly.

 

Dear Darwin...