Grizzlies' Gay sees future with Knicks
Last Updated: 12:46 PM, March 13, 2010
Posted: 4:44 AM, March 13, 2010
Comments: 15
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Former UConn star and free-agent-to-be Rudy Gay can see himself playing the Garden next season. The Knicks can, too, if things break a certain way this summer.
"It's the most famous arena in the world," Gay said yesterday before scoring 20 points in the Grizzlies' 119-112 victory over the Knicks at FedEx Forum. "It's great to play there. Every time I play there, I get chills. To play in that arena would be nice, but FedEx Forum has been home to me."
If LeBron James is Plan A, Joe Johnson is Plan B, Gay is Plan C-plus.
According to a source, the Knicks, who fell to 22-43 last night, have solid interest in Gay, but consider him a second-tier free agent. But if they can land Johnson and Gay and still keep David Lee, it's not a bad July.
Gay's alma mater has fallen on hard times, but his NBA career is thriving. The 6-foot-8 silky-smooth small forward is averaging 20 points and 5.9 rebounds.
Gay seems lukewarm to the idea of spending the rest of his career in the league's smallest market, Memphis, which has a rich history in blues, barbecue and civil rights -- but not NBA basketball.
And Memphis owner Michael Heisley made an ominous comment this week that he can't pay Gay if the fans don't start filling the building. The Grizzlies were ranked second-to-last in attendance at 13,000 per game despite a 34-31 record. Last night drew a paltry l2,236 with scores of empty seats in the lower and upper bowl.
Gay becomes a restricted free agent in July, and the Knicks and Nets will be two of his options.
"I wouldn't mind staying here, if I feel they were going to make a commitment to me," Gay said. "It's a business. I'm only the one here from my first year so I know the business more than anyone on this team. It really doesn't matter which way it goes."
Not exactly a ringing endorsement for wanting to remain in the arena off Beale Street. The Grizzlies control his fate. They can match any offer because he is a restricted free agent.
Ex-Knick Zach Randolph, who would like to sign a contract extension to stay in Memphis, gave a warning to Grizzlies brass that he could be stolen by the Knicks.
"If you want to win, you got to take care of your best players," Randolph said. "If we don't take care of Rudy, somebody will be quick to offer him a big number."
Knicks president Donnie Walsh has a juggling act with room to sign two maximum-contract free agents, with Lee still in the mix. The Knicks will explore the bigger fish in James, Joe Johnson, Dwayne Wade, paired with either Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire.
But if two maxes aren't worked out, Gay comes into play. The concern is extending Gay an offer sheet would tie the Knicks hands for as long as a week.
When asked about Heisley's attendance remark, Gay said, "It's obvious. What can I say? [Better attendance] needs to happen. I think in the future this team can help with that."
In Memphis, Gay missed out being an All-Star reserve and he's missed out on endorsements outside Tennessee.
"It's a small market and we're not on TV a lot," Gay said. "It is kind of tough to get your name mentioned. But with the way we're winning and playing people are going to want to watch."
Maybe next season in New York.
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Comments (15)
Post Your Commentoldyank
03/14/2010 10:26 AM
I hope Donnie did not destroy the team to get Guy/Johnson, Camby or Harris. He gave away the future draft choices til 2013, gutted the team so we have junk ball for 2 years for that? Please. He would have been better keeping Marbury, Zack, Crawford and what he has and drafting another point guard, center and good power forward. His moves are terrible. Trade anyone on this team for draft choices or players that can play. Who wants 2nd tier small forwards that you are going to overpay for?? Get a real gm and build with the draft and trades like a smart team should.
KnicksNut
03/14/2010 5:25 AM
The whole idea of Walsh suspending the rebuilding of NYK by sacrificing 2 seasons was to have the money and nucleus of incumbent players to lure AT LEAST ONE of the top 2010 FAs -- Lebron, D-Wade, Bosh, Amare, Joe Johnson -- to come here, and possibly getting a second one of those five. That's the only way to get a jump on a quick rebuild. Anything less points to a much slower rebuilding job than Walsh has been gambling on.
Rudy Gay is, at least for the time being, that level of NBA player who are almost a dime-a-dozen; solid, young players with the potential to be great. He has an upside but is far from being a superstar.
To put him into perspective, Rudy Gay's present per-game numbers (@36mins-per-game) fall between David Lee's and Wilson Chandler's.
KnicksNut
03/14/2010 5:24 AM
The whole idea of Walsh suspending the rebuilding of NYK by sacrificing 2 seasons was to have the money and nucleus of incumbent players to lure AT LEAST ONE of the top 2010 FAs -- Lebron, D-Wade, Bosh, Amare, Joe Johnson -- to come here, and possibly getting a second one of those five. That's the only way to get a jump on a quick rebuild. Anything less points to a much slower rebuilding job than Walsh has been gambling on.
Rudy Gay is, at least for the time being, that level of NBA player who are almost a dime-a-dozen; solid, young players with the potential to be great. He has an upside but is far from being a superstar.
To put him into perspective, Rudy Gay's present per-game numbers (@36mins-per-game) fall between David Lee's and Wilson Chandler's.
Sick
03/13/2010 11:17 PM
Are the Knicks still playing ??? I haven't seen them in years ! Oh well , isn't it baseball season too ?? New York teams S-u-c-k !
Moose
03/13/2010 7:24 PM
2Q 4:57 46 to 37. MDA takes out Douglas. Puts in big lineup.No time out or substitions.
halftime:63 to 42.starts with 3 bigs , Rodriquez & Chandler
3Q 6:16: 82 to 57! no time outs,MDA looks lost,Berman looks annoyed
3Q 5:47: MDA calls first time out since 2Q 4:57.
3Q 4:33: 85 to 57. MDA puts in Walker & Douglas.Both get score down to only 5 behind.
MDA post game says team lacked energy,didn't compete. Wrong, MDA did not coach- he has packed it in.
Donnie Walsh
03/13/2010 6:35 PM
Just go get Ginobli, Devin Harris and Boozer and if you're a real GM you shouldn't have to overpay either.
Harris can be had in a sign and trade w/NJ Nets after they draft John Wall.
johnnyb
03/13/2010 6:31 PM
I can't watch this team anymore. Wake me up when there is talent and people who give a damn on the roster.
blo-Joba
03/13/2010 6:11 PM
See 3/12/2010 Yankee Article titled:
FLU BUG KO's JETER
Posted 3/12/10 1:00 pm by "Burn Baby Burn"
Now this clown claims jeter is dating babies? Sick, very sick. We suspected there was a jeter/NAMBLA/blogger connection and this proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Burn Baby Burn !
03/12/2010 1:00 PM
"Hey, why don't you repost that list of all the hot babies that Jeter dated ..."
Nice try son....the proof is the paper! Very very telling about you two. We shall continue to refer to this article daily in all future yankee articles.
Or was it just a "FRAUDIAN" slip on your part?
PLEASE CALL AND REPORT "BURN BABY BURN"