Mr.Bottomtooth
10-07-2006, 07:55 AM
Gay shows 'highlight reel' stuff
Mike Brown/The Commercial Appeal
Rookie Rudy Gay has already gotten the attention of his Grizzlies teammates. They appreciate his smooth transitions and exclamation point dunks.
Griz rookie's talent apparent to teammates
By Ronald Tillery
Contact
October 7, 2006
An injured Mike Miller just kicked back and watched veteran teammates observe and revere rookie Rudy Gay.
Miller, recovering from recent toe surgery, had already previewed Gay's work.
He knew what to expect when assessments began pouring in after seven training camp practices.
It is human nature to constantly make appraisals.
First impressions happen within seconds of a new encounter and are often irreversible. So here is what Gay's new teammates believe fans will think while watching today's open practice in FedExForum.
"He's got a lot of talent," point guard Chucky Atkins said.
Gay's initial week left Damon Stoudamire sensing that "he has a chance to be very good."
"What I like," Eddie Jones said, "is that he's working his butt off every day."
Got proof?
Jones began reciting a story substantiated by several teammates.
With a broad smile, Jones recalled a moment Thursday when Gay emphatically stopped practice.
The 6-9 forward exploded off the dribble. He charged into the crowded lane, leaped with his right arm bent back beyond his head and slammed the basketball off the back of the rim.
"Remember back in the day when Michael Jordan went in the lane and tried to dunk but missed it?" Jones said. "It was so amazing that you still remember it. Listen, (Gay) was crazy that day."
It already is safe to say the Griz are crazy in love with Gay's game.
They aren't certain just how the former Connecticut standout's impact will compare to that of Shane Battier, who the Griz traded to Houston to acquire Gay.
But early indications of his adjustment have been encouraging.
For starters -- and there is a good chance that Gay will crack the starting lineup -- the eighth overall draft pick is proving to be a student of the game. Miller picked up on Gay's basketball acumen the week of Aug. 21 when they spent two days working out in FedExForum. Gay returned to Memphis, looked for a home and also participated in a couple of electrifying workouts with Miller.
"He understands the game," Miller said, describing workouts over the past week. "He's not trying to do too much, which is impressive for a guy who is expected to do what he's expected to do. He plays the game the right way. There's no doubt he's a highlight reel. He'll be fun to see this year."
Gay should see most of his time at small forward. The Griz allowed him to concentrate on that position from summer-league action until Friday. Front court injuries forced Griz coach Mike Fratello to shift Gay to power forward during the morning session.
The situation proved something else about Gay.
He isn't easily flustered.
"You're going to see some things that make you believe there's a chance he'll be special down the road," Fratello said. "The more comfortable he feels the better he'll play. When you're playing and thinking all the time you're not comfortable."
Expect to see a good mid-range shooter who can bury 3-pointers on occasion. Gay, like most first-year NBA players, has the difficulty of trying to learn concepts at an accelerated and unfamiliar pace.
Raw talent, though, will apparently allow Gay to overcome adverse situations on the court. The early read is that he'll make a play instinctively.
"Some guys have a pace to their game that's not jerky," Fratello said. "It's an effortless transition from one end to another. He glides. He gets in the lane easily. That's how the tempo is to his game right now."
And then there is this final, first-week assessment from Jones.
"He's trying to learn, and he's accepting when guys talk to him," Jones said. "With those things, the sky is the limit for him. The kid is just so talented. We're lucky he was there at eight."
Tip-ins
Miller participated in drills, and ran through 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 workouts Friday morning. He didn't scrimmage but is on pace to regularly compete in camp next week. ... University of Memphis men's basketball coach John Calipari and assistant coach Rod Strickland attended the morning session. New Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy visited Griz camp earlier this week. ... Fratello on his plans for today's open practice with fans in FedExForum: "At the end, I'd like to get the crowd involved like last year when they helped count our baskets. And I can tell you that I'm not going in there specifically trying to showcase anyone. We want to get some work done."
-- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353
Mike Brown/The Commercial Appeal
Rookie Rudy Gay has already gotten the attention of his Grizzlies teammates. They appreciate his smooth transitions and exclamation point dunks.
Griz rookie's talent apparent to teammates
By Ronald Tillery
Contact
October 7, 2006
An injured Mike Miller just kicked back and watched veteran teammates observe and revere rookie Rudy Gay.
Miller, recovering from recent toe surgery, had already previewed Gay's work.
He knew what to expect when assessments began pouring in after seven training camp practices.
It is human nature to constantly make appraisals.
First impressions happen within seconds of a new encounter and are often irreversible. So here is what Gay's new teammates believe fans will think while watching today's open practice in FedExForum.
"He's got a lot of talent," point guard Chucky Atkins said.
Gay's initial week left Damon Stoudamire sensing that "he has a chance to be very good."
"What I like," Eddie Jones said, "is that he's working his butt off every day."
Got proof?
Jones began reciting a story substantiated by several teammates.
With a broad smile, Jones recalled a moment Thursday when Gay emphatically stopped practice.
The 6-9 forward exploded off the dribble. He charged into the crowded lane, leaped with his right arm bent back beyond his head and slammed the basketball off the back of the rim.
"Remember back in the day when Michael Jordan went in the lane and tried to dunk but missed it?" Jones said. "It was so amazing that you still remember it. Listen, (Gay) was crazy that day."
It already is safe to say the Griz are crazy in love with Gay's game.
They aren't certain just how the former Connecticut standout's impact will compare to that of Shane Battier, who the Griz traded to Houston to acquire Gay.
But early indications of his adjustment have been encouraging.
For starters -- and there is a good chance that Gay will crack the starting lineup -- the eighth overall draft pick is proving to be a student of the game. Miller picked up on Gay's basketball acumen the week of Aug. 21 when they spent two days working out in FedExForum. Gay returned to Memphis, looked for a home and also participated in a couple of electrifying workouts with Miller.
"He understands the game," Miller said, describing workouts over the past week. "He's not trying to do too much, which is impressive for a guy who is expected to do what he's expected to do. He plays the game the right way. There's no doubt he's a highlight reel. He'll be fun to see this year."
Gay should see most of his time at small forward. The Griz allowed him to concentrate on that position from summer-league action until Friday. Front court injuries forced Griz coach Mike Fratello to shift Gay to power forward during the morning session.
The situation proved something else about Gay.
He isn't easily flustered.
"You're going to see some things that make you believe there's a chance he'll be special down the road," Fratello said. "The more comfortable he feels the better he'll play. When you're playing and thinking all the time you're not comfortable."
Expect to see a good mid-range shooter who can bury 3-pointers on occasion. Gay, like most first-year NBA players, has the difficulty of trying to learn concepts at an accelerated and unfamiliar pace.
Raw talent, though, will apparently allow Gay to overcome adverse situations on the court. The early read is that he'll make a play instinctively.
"Some guys have a pace to their game that's not jerky," Fratello said. "It's an effortless transition from one end to another. He glides. He gets in the lane easily. That's how the tempo is to his game right now."
And then there is this final, first-week assessment from Jones.
"He's trying to learn, and he's accepting when guys talk to him," Jones said. "With those things, the sky is the limit for him. The kid is just so talented. We're lucky he was there at eight."
Tip-ins
Miller participated in drills, and ran through 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 workouts Friday morning. He didn't scrimmage but is on pace to regularly compete in camp next week. ... University of Memphis men's basketball coach John Calipari and assistant coach Rod Strickland attended the morning session. New Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy visited Griz camp earlier this week. ... Fratello on his plans for today's open practice with fans in FedExForum: "At the end, I'd like to get the crowd involved like last year when they helped count our baskets. And I can tell you that I'm not going in there specifically trying to showcase anyone. We want to get some work done."
-- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353