| As the season draws nearer, nearly half of
Memphis is still angry over Jerry West's draft night move
that sent Shane Battier to the Houston Rockets for the rights
to Rudy Gay. Even after numerous press conferences and interviews
to the public, Gay still has yet to be completely welcomed
into the city. I can understand where most Memphians are coming
from because it is going to be a hard task to fill in the
shoes of one of the greatest personalities on the courts today.
However, I am a believer in Jerry West's decisions. West trust's
that Gay will deliver on the court as well as the community
in his first season in the NBA so who am I to say he won't?
If Rudy Gay really wants to win over Memphis, he is first
going to have to step it up on the court. He will get limited
playing time at the beginning of the season so he will have
to take a stab at every opportunity that he is given. Gay
is quiet the talented young man. He was arguably the most
athletic prospect in this year's draft but most questioned
his work ethic. Rudy is going to have to work overtime to
prove to people all over the state that he is ready to be
the swingman for the Memphis Grizzlies organization.
For Rudy to be the ambassador for the Grizzlies organization
both on and off the court, he is going to have to display
a great amount of sportsmanship and charity work in the community.
Shane Battier epitomized what it meant to be a professional
athlete with his countless acts of giving back to the community
and being one of the classiest athletes on the court. Gay
is going to have to step in and do the same if he wants to
be accepted as a Memphis Grizzly. In a recent press conference,
Rudy mentioned his plans for the community. Let's all hope
he stay's true to his word.
I am still asking myself why people are questioning Jerry
West's decision. He had a lot of nerve sending away the face
of the franchise for a rookie, but that also means that West
has a lot of faith in Rudy Gay. Remember the last guy West
had faith in? Wasn't his name Kobe Bryant? The point is, Jerry
West is the best general manager in the history of the NBA.
Even all Memphians agree with that. So, why would they question
him when he makes a move? Give West and Gay a break. Jerry
knows what he is doing, and I can promise that Memphis will
not be disappointed when they finally start to realize the
potential that Rudy Gay possesses.
Does Rudy Gay have the passin and potential NBA
scouts see him needing to suceed in the NBA?
BBC writer Mark Jenkins belives so.
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