On the Shoulders of Rudy

Rudy Gay is healthy and poised to return from a dislocated shoulder, but is that a blessing or curse for the Memphis Grizzlies? By Matt Rose

(AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

In 2010, the Memphis Grizzles placed their future in Rudy Gay’s hands when they signed him to a five year $81.6 million dollar contract. At that time, few could have predicted that the Grizzlies would do so well in the 2010-2011 playoffs. None could have predicted they could have done it without Gay. Their success without him raises many questions: Is he worth the money? Is he going to take shots and minutes away from key role players who meshed well to form a deep playoff team? Or is he the missing link that makes them a championship caliber team?

Gay has a long 6’8’’ frame and is a freak athlete, but that does not always equal NBA success (see Darius Miles). Right now he is one-dimensional and his numbers have remained nearly identical since his sophomore season. He averaged upwards of 19 PPG, 6 RPG, and 2 APG each of the last three seasons, but played the second most minutes out of any player last year. Also, his field goal percentages hover around 46%, which is not overly impressive.

In a season where he only played fifty-four games due to a dislocated shoulder, Gay did not stand in the ranks of the NBA’s elite. Gay ranked 19th in player efficiency rating (PER) and 22nd in scoring, but no better than 31st in any defensive category and nowhere close to that in the remaining offensive categories.

When he returns in 2011-2012—if there is a season—he will take minutes away from defensive force Tony Allen and offensive spark OJ Mayo, and he will take shots away from Zach Randolph, one of the most efficient scorers in the league. The Grizz meshed magically in the playoffs last year. Gay needs to enter with a less centralized attitude. While the offense can, and likely should, flow through him, he needs to work the ball to other players and coach Lionel Hollins should consider reducing some of his minutes.

Gay has shown minimal progression over the last few seasons, but still has the potential and tools to be a premier player in the league. At his best, he has the ability to lead the Grizzlies deep into the playoffs; however, Hollins must take advantage of his deep bench and rely less on a player who has not lived up to the hype he receives.