Thoughts on Rudy Gay

[TMagic]

What is your guys' opinion about him?

He seems like he's forgotten sometimes as one of the young stars in the league. He's only 23. I think he came into the league the same year as Brandon Roy.

I just never hear much about the guy. This summer, it seemed like the coaches were really impressed with him in camp and he was one of the best at the Team USA camp.

I haven't watched kid play too much. So, I can't really speak too much on his game.

I know that he's athletic as hell. That he can get you 20+ on any given night. So he can definitely put the ball in the bucket.

But I'm not sure if he is really all that impressive in other aspects of his game.

In the future, he's got to be considered one of the top 5 SF's that we will have. Bron, Melo, Durant, Granger, and Gay.

He will become a restricted free agent if he doesn't get a contract extension on Monday I believe. So he could potentially end up on another team in the hyped 2010 off-season.

Do you guys see him as an all star in the future?
Can he become one of the leagues best?
Is he a guy that you would build around?
What's this guy's ceiling/potential?


Thoughts...

(Hov...This has you written all over it...)

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

I'm a big fan of Rudy Gay, have been since UConn. A lot of people questioned his abilities coming out of college, his desire and clutchness, but he's been proving the critics wrong. He's really athletic, he can shoot the ball. I think he has all the tools to become one of the top wing players in the league.

He just hasn't been heard about much because of playing in Memphis. He has a lot of potential. He's a decent defender, but with his length and athleticism, could be a whole lot more than what he is now. I'm not sure if he's a number one scoring option that you'd build a team around, though.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

I think Gay has all the athletic abilities and skills to be a real star in the NBA...however, ever since UCONN, he's had a lot of trouble staying focused and really showing his passion for the game.

I know that a lot of guys have that quiet passion, but sometimes it looks like Gay just plain isn't having fun on the court. And like most really good players on bad teams, if they could find a good coach, he'd probably take off, although I think Gay is destine to be second fiddle to Mayo.

Edit: To answer your questions:

Do you guys see him as an all star in the future? Yes, absolutely. He has the skills to be a fan favorite.
Can he become one of the leagues best? He may be one of the best scorers, but not all around players, I don't think so.
Is he a guy that you would build around? Absolutely not.
What's this guy's ceiling/potential? On a title winner, he's the 2nd or 3rd option and if he really figures it out, 2nd option and possible lock down defender.

[AUChase]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay is one of my favorite players in the league.

[tehova]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay... the short version is he cant become an elite player because he doesnt handle the ball well. You know how Kobe Bryant relies on making tough jumpers because he cant really drive to basket like when he was young. Well thats the version of Rudy Gay you get everyday, (minus the post game,triangle offense,hall of fame coach,killer instinct etc..)

Downside is without ball handling its very hard to draw fouls, he has to add the Paul Pierce spin-move-into-the-lane-throw-yourself-into-the-defender-and-pray-for-a-foul-call-move.

Thats the difference between 19ppg to about 26ppg, at 26ppg you will get the credit regardless of the team around you (Danny Granger 2009)

He is rebounding the ball ALOT better this year even tho its only 2 games.

[DustinT]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

Gay has all the potential in the world, but I feel he is too inconsistent.

[dossier]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

The guy is a hell of a ball player.

He can shoot, and can drive, just got to get to the line more.

The charity stripe is such a underrated part of offense.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

Do you guys see him as an all star in the future?
Can he become one of the leagues best?
Is he a guy that you would build around?
What's this guy's ceiling/potential?

1. Of course he can. Doesn't really say much IMO.
2. Hell no.
3. 2nd/3rd option AT BEST.

[KG]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

The guy is a hell of a ball player.

He can shoot, and can drive, just got to get to the line more.

The charity stripe is such a underrated part of offense.

Been watching this kid since HS.

He can't drive. He has no handle and doesn't play D. He also doesn't have any of the go-to ability that most All-Stars have, he floats way too much.

Deep down I don't think he wants to put in work or has the desire to be great.

[ehh]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

Yeah he can't get to the hole, people see his flashy dunks (almost always in the open floor or off a pass) and think he can drive but it's always been a hole in his game - no pun intended. Plus as others have said he can't handle the ball, really limits the ways he can score.

At UConn it was really evident, days when his J wasn't falling he had quiet games offensively outside of hitting the offensive glass. He couldn't even take DI defenders off the dribble, he's always gone sideways too much and can't/doesn't go shoulder-to-shoulder past a defender. He pretty much doesn't have a first step lol. UConn had enough talent on the '06 team that if Rudy wasn't hot early they'd stop going to him consistently. Marcus Williams and Rashad Anderson could score in bunches so there was no point in forcing things to Rudy, plus Josh Boone and Hilton Armstrong did their thing inside.

Its always been a bogus accusation IMO that he doesn't love the game or lacks focus, etc. Seems like that's a blanket statement for people who haven't seen him often and are looking for ways to explain his inconsistency. While he may not have a MJ/Kobe work ethic or love of the game I don't think he's any less invested than the average NBA player.

[tehova]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

Yeah he can't get to the hole, people see his flashy dunks (almost always in the open floor or off a pass) and think he can drive but it's always been a hole in his game - no pun intended. Plus as others have said he can't handle the ball, really limits the ways he can score.

At UConn it was really evident, days when his J wasn't falling he had quiet games offensively outside of hitting the offensive glass. He couldn't even take DI defenders off the dribble, he's always gone sideways too much and can't/doesn't go shoulder-to-shoulder past a defender. He pretty much doesn't have a first step lol. UConn had enough talent on the '06 team that if Rudy wasn't hot early they'd stop going to him consistently. Marcus Williams and Rashad Anderson could score in bunches so there was no point in forcing things to Rudy, plus Josh Boone and Hilton Armstrong did their thing inside.

Its always been a bogus accusation IMO that he doesn't love the game or lacks focus, etc. Seems like that's a blanket statement for people who haven't seen him often and are looking for ways to explain his inconsistency. While he may not have a MJ/Kobe work ethic or love of the game I don't think he's any less invested than the average NBA player.

Thats the biggest thing I picked up on by being on twitter, Rudy was always working out and training 2-3 times a day like everybody else. It made me more convinced he was committed to his game, and then the reports from the USA Basketball trial came out that he was really performing.

A good offensive scheme could really disguise his weaknesses

[KG]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

Yeah he can't get to the hole, people see his flashy dunks (almost always in the open floor or off a pass) and think he can drive but it's always been a hole in his game - no pun intended. Plus as others have said he can't handle the ball, really limits the ways he can score.

At UConn it was really evident, days when his J wasn't falling he had quiet games offensively outside of hitting the offensive glass. He couldn't even take DI defenders off the dribble, he's always gone sideways too much and can't/doesn't go shoulder-to-shoulder past a defender. He pretty much doesn't have a first step lol. UConn had enough talent on the '06 team that if Rudy wasn't hot early they'd stop going to him consistently. Marcus Williams and Rashad Anderson could score in bunches so there was no point in forcing things to Rudy, plus Josh Boone and Hilton Armstrong did their thing inside.

Its always been a bogus accusation IMO that he doesn't love the game or lacks focus, etc. Seems like that's a blanket statement for people who haven't seen him often and are looking for ways to explain his inconsistency. While he may not have a MJ/Kobe work ethic or love of the game I don't think he's any less invested than the average NBA player.

I was hoping you and tehova would post since I doubt anyone else have seen them hoop as much in college then the league.

He has one of those games where things look easy at times which can give off his lack of caring. I remember seeing him kill in Bmore in HS with the same game that he had at UCONN. I think he's refined the things he was good at but his game overall is stagnant.

[jrich05]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

Meh, not too impressed with him. I was thinking that he could be something really special 2 years ago, but he just doesn't seem to give full effort on both ends of the floor and doesn't really have good handles. He's kinda like J-rich except not as athletic (in primes), not as good handles, not as good 3 point shot, not as good at rebounding, better build for position (body) and better defense (although still pretty bad)

[DC]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

Has his defense improved at all?

Tehova, what would you rate his on ball rating and def. awareness on 2K10? Don't be biased

[sportyguyfl31]

Re: Thoughts on Rudy Gay

I'm a UCONN Alum ('96), and I absolutely detest Rudy Gay.

I believe he is a world class bow-wow, who is perfectly satisifed with getting by on 70% of his ability.

He doesnt pass, he doesnt defend, he's not great off of the dribble, and he doesnt compete.

He has Jamal Crawford Level Basketball IQ, and he's the classic front runner- He'll wow you with the aggressive dirve, and make difficult, contested shots look easy, and he'll dazzle you with his Tracy Mcgrady like elevation on his jump shot..when things are going well.

He'll back down in a heartbeat when challenged, or when things get the least bit difficult.

Guys like Rudy Gay end up getting GMs and coaches fired. They get traded 4 or 5 times during their career, and every time, people will ask "Wow, how can someone that talentd bounce around so much?"

Rudy Gay is a flat out dog.