Figured we'd get some talking going on here about players of interest.

Last year Rudy was one of my main picks, I thought for sure he'd be a top performer. I'm still sold on him, I think this year he will progress greatly. Maybe I just have a man crush on him.

What is the outlook of Rudy Gay 2009?

I really like his athleticism but his team really lacks direction

He could be a fantasy monster.
I watched a fair amount of his games last year (I drafted him high as well thinking he would be Danny Granger-ish) but it just seems like he takes a lot of plays off. I guess that's what happens when you play in an arena night after night that is only half full.

Let's talk ADP

where does rudy gay go (what round) in a yahoo 9 cat 12 team league?

We shall find out in our Mock Draft.

Completely agree.
the whole Memphis Grizzly organization is a joke.

the team doesn't have a skilled enough PG.
last year it was just a damn free for all.

The GM fired all the scouts for a team that is FOREVER in rebuilding mode... How do they expect to get better???

main reason for Rudy Gay stalling last year was the arrival of OJ Mayo. I believe that this coming season, there's a chance that we see the Fantasy Madness we long from him

Why? Mayo is still there.

It's a weird statement... but I Agree. I think after one year of settling with his new teammates it could be a very good year. Although, once again, im very biased towards him for some reason.

you guys must have forgot about ZBO being traded to the grizzlies....

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh Indeed I did, he's one of my most hated players. Seems everywhere he goes he is the ultimate black hole. Nothing comes out of him.

How does others here think it will effect Rudy's performance?

Good point Ace

How could you forget about fat zach??

But obviously it will negatively effect Rudy, Zach is a perennial 20/10/2 guy.

For this very reason I am staying away from Rudy and from Mayo. I dont think either get to 20ppg this year if Zach plays over 75 games. Just my gut feeling at the moment...

Exactly.

dude cant shoot

Is Rudy destined to disappear in that offense full of chuckers (Mayo, Randolph and now Iverson)?

Im debating if I should release Gay from my keepers squad and replace him with Wilson Chandler?

Mayo is still there, but there is a new offense in place. They will be running more and conley will definitely look for Gay on the breaks. There is also the addition of AI and Mayo will improve over last year. I am looking for a typical season for Gay.

I feel sorry for Rudy Gay and I am baffled by The Grizz... Rudy should be ready to explode this year. Now is the time when good young players break out. After they have been in the league a few years...But with the offseason acquisitions the grizz made,and Oj Mayo drafted last year, this guy will be lucky to get very many shots at all. And I am not exagerating when i say,VERY TOUGH for him to find any rythm in a game now. Good lord, 2 ridiculously selfish chuckers in the back court and the black hole at forward... Poor Rudy

I couldnt articulate it any better. I feel bad for Gasol's touches as well. He really earned his keep last year in his first season and deserves more touches this year (which he will not now obviously get).

What is typical? he been in the league 3 years and his numbers have been all over the place.

I am not sure what to think about Iverson this year. After watching his press conference and a couple of other videos you can tell that he is going to be tremendously motivated - that is something you can not put a price on.
Saying that, I will probably not draft him unless he falls but he may do better than people think.

I'm staying away from Gay. No amount of talent can overcome the black hole which is Z-Bo. You know what this thread needs? More Amazing video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh2fn01cngg

We've all seen that video a thousand times now and I still crack up every time I see it...

rudy is the starting 3. regardless of a.i.,zbo,randolph. gay will still get his.

You serious? My point is precisely the opposite. Every team Z-Bo goes to, he prevents others from "getting theirs". That's because Zach ALWAYS gets his, at the expense of others. When the ball goes to him, the ball stops. I don't think there is another player in the entire league who is more self-serving, and less likely to pass to Gay, than him. Add in Iverson, who is not a pass-first guard, and you have the makings of serious problems for Gay. On top of everything else, Gay himself is not particularly good at making plays. Frankly, I haven't seen the progress in terms of an expanding array of moves that we all expected early. I'm sorry, but I will be letting others take a gamble on Gay this draft.

It was bad enough with just Mayo last season, and now he has to share with AI and Z-Bo who are black holes on offense as well...I learned my lesson after last season so there's no way in hell I'm taking Gay again this year unless he falls considerably down the draft or this supposed new offense involves using 4 basketballs simultaneously.

gay may not average 22 ppg.
but he is still capable of getting 17ppg/ 6 rebounds/ zero assists(likely 2)/ 1steal/1block/1.5 threes. 45%fg 77%ft
that is very serviceable.
but i'm not saying/arguing you should take him in your draft. as you have reason to be skeptical with the guys the grizzlies owner has assembled - he calls the shots, not chris wallace.
the grizzlies could be decent this year, but their season is likely going to be train wreck/oil tanker spill

Gay will be decent, but he will most likley be drafted before he should.

Rudy struggled at times in 08-09 to reach his potential just Mayo and Conley breaking out and teams keying in on him more after an impressive 07-08 season. I think he's going to struggle to play to his 07-08 level with Iverson and Randolph on board. I'm staying away.

I would stay away from all grizzlies players unless value is really compelling

obviously he's a bigtime risk/reward. i had him as a late-1st/early-2nd round value going into last year. still, for someone who won't help your %'s, the downside is way too great for me.

I think Rudy might surprise some people this season. He's a restricted FA after this season. That should be some added motivation for him to do well.

And Zach Randolph looks like he's going to just try to fit in and not try to take away from the young guys. So I wouldn't be worrying TOO much about him.

Not knocking on you, but this shows you really dont know much about Zach Randolph. As a Knicks fan I'm so glad hes gone. I would stay away from Gay this year. I got burned by him last year. Took him in the 3rd round or something. I thought he was going to improve, but he couldnt even handle a rookie in Mayo competing with him for shots. He made a lot of poor shot selection just so he can get his killing his % and all around game.

Don't know much? I watched him play on the Knicks last season. Trust me, I definitely know what he's capable of. I just don't see him hurting Gay/ Mayo as much as people think.

On the flip side, I would draft Zbo this year again. He looks like a easy 20-10 this years too. Plus his backup is down for a few months too.

Zach and AI will take away a lot of Rudy's stats and they still have Mayo, an improving Conley, stay away

This is just my opinion, but I think people are overestimating the effect Z-Bo and AI's presence will have and overlooking the fact that Gay's a restricted free agent next year. He's going to be looking to score this year. I think he can put of 20 ppg with 1.5 threes and solid peripherals. That's pretty darn solid for the fourth round.

According to Yahoo!, Gay has broken off contract negotiations with Memphis and is set to become a restricted free agent after this season.

As an owner, this can only come as good news; now there's even more incentive for Gay to play hard, score the ball and get rewarded either by the Grizzlies or someone else for a solid '09-10 campaign. So far he's been able to find enough shots to be productive in that crowded lineup—let's hope this trend persists. If he can come anywhere near to the line he posted when he officially broke out he will be a steal for where he was drafted in most leagues.

Gay will be a good value this year. 20 pts, 7.5 rebs, 1.5 3's, 1 stl, 1 block.... Solid percentages he's a roto wet dream to nab him late in the 4th round.

Pretty solid stats last night(...although his free throw shooting struggles remain)...any insight from someone who watched the game?

Rudy's off to a great start! I know it's still early but hopefully I won't regret not picking this guy anywhere this year.

trying for a West/Gay trade right now. Hopefully the other guy assumes West's number will start piling in since CP3 is out.

Hopefully Gay keeps it up and doesn't fall off for me if the trade goes through.

Can this guy get some love? Been quietly producing...although I wouldn't call tonight's game quiet:

33 points on 14/22 from the field(63.6%), 2 three pointers, 10 rebounds 2 steals 2 blocks

I called him a poor mans Granger at the beginning of the year. People forget this guy was a top 20 player just a season before last years mild disappoint. He has ZERO backups on his team so he plays 40+ minutes every night barring foul trouble or blowout. He fills the stat sheet in Points, 3's, boards, steals, blocks, FG + FT% are generally very solid and his only category that is below average is assists. He is playing for a contract as well so it looks like he is stepping up at the right time.

Another gross stat stuffing performance by the underappreciated Rudy Gay. This guy is quickly becoming an elite stat stuffer on a nightly basis. In 07-08 he was 17th on player rater, he contributes positively in just about every category and the defensive stats are filthy. The "experts" really misread this one when they thought Randolph coming there would stunt his stats, he is the go to guy on the team and looks hungry playing for that new contract.