Dennis Rogers
drogers@vegassummerleague.com
April 25, 2007
Through a mid-season coaching change, a 20-win season and coming up very short of the expectations set by last year's playoff berth, the Memphis Grizzlies had a bright spot throughout a disappointing season.
Rookie guard Rudy Gay gave the Grizzlies something to smile about. And he hopes to make them happy for seasons to come.
Originally chosen by the Houston Rockets with the eighth overall pick in the NBA Draft, the 6-9, 206-lb Gay was traded, along with center Stromile Swift, to the Grizzlies in exchange for role player Shane Battier.
Immediately following the trade, critics and journalists wondered why the Rockets would give up so much talent in both Gay and Swift. Overall, the move was thought to be a great one for the Grizzlies.
And while Battier and the Rockets are still playing basketball in late April, the Grizzlies have a player in Gay who can help them back into the postseason.
The former Connecticut Huskie had modest start to his NBA career, averaging just under nine points a game before the new year. But with 2007, Gay's offense-and defense-came alive. In 46 games in 2007, the former first team All-American averaged 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds (3.4 DR) and 1.07 blocks.
He finished the season with averages of 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.0 blocks and 27.0 minutes in 78 games (43 starts).
Among rookies, he ranked fourth in points, sixth in rebounds, third in block and fourth in minutes.
Gay credits his increased on-court production with simply becoming more comfortable with the game and the system.
In late February, he said that along with confidence, he was just more comfortable being out there.
"It's just experience," he said, "and learning how to play with these guys." Not to mention getting acquainted with new head coach Tony Barone, Sr.
Gay's efforts on the court were recognized with an invitation to play in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam on All-Star Friday in Las Vegas. The crew of talented rookies included Gay as well as the sensational Brandon Roy (Portland) and Charlotte's Adam Morrison.
February proved to be a satisfying month for the rookie, who, in addition to participating at All-Star Weekend, was injected into the Grizzlies' starting lineup and scored a season-high 31 points at Indiana. As Gay told Grizzlies writer Graham Kendrick, "I don't think there was just one moment (where everything clicked), it was an ongoing thing where I just got better and better, shots started falling and it went from there."
Gay has been mentioned in Rookie of the Year discussions, though it seems at this point to be a foregone conclusion that the award will go to Roy.
But Gay's motivation was never to win a trophy. It was and remains to make the Grizzlies a better team as his career continues.
"I'm just trying to make the team better," Gay said. "And I'm staying behind my teammates no matter what."