One of the best to lace ‘em up in a Uconn Huskies uniform, Rudy Gay checked in with the Scoop B Radio podcast and discussed the future of the NBA.
The eighth overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Gay has career averages of 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in stints with the Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz
With about a month before the NBA season begins, the eighteen year NBA vet still wants to play this season and believes that he will get a call to do so. “I think a lot of teams need my veteran leadership,” Rudy Gay tells Scoop B Radio.
“Basketball is a tough sport. It’s a very mental sport. It’s going young. The game’s changing a little bit, but I still think there’s a lot to having the vets out there kind of leading these young guys in the right direction.”
One team that has a mix of veteran leadership and youthful talent is the San Antonio Spurs, a team that Gay knows well having spent four years with under head coach Gregg Popovich. Already stacked with Victor Wembanyama as the face of the franchise, the Spurs’ youth movement also includes Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson and Zach Collins.
To fortify the roster, the team added point guard, Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to their roster this offseason.
With all of that talent, Rudy Gay likes Wemby. “Well, he’s a once in a lifetime talent,” he said.
“A person to be able to move like that at that height? They just drafted my UConn brethren, Stephon Castle. Who else? You know, they still have Devin Vassell, who is a great pro and they just proved it with the contract they gave him. So they’re going to be a very good team in the future and also they have a great GM in the organization, so they’ll be fine in the future.”
High praise from the former Spur; especially the praise that he gave to Stephon Castle, who UConn coach Dan Hurley in the past has compared to Boston Celtics point guard Jrue Holiday.
Although Rudy Gay insists that he doesn’t like to play the comparison game with hoopers, he sees how the Holiday and Castle comparisons can be made. “Definitely, definitely,” he tells Scoop B Radio.
“I mean, I’m not big for comparisons, but I think he can be great. I think he can definitely help a team right now. And you know, with the right coaching and they have it with Pop, he can be as great as he wants to be.”
Holiday was teammates with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, Castle is the teammate of budding superstar, Victor Wembanyama. That said, during Wemby’s Draft process some experts compared Wemby’s height and skillset to the Greek Freak.
Million Dollar Question: Could Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama be the second coming of Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo? “Yeah, I think, I mean, this is just my opinion, I think Wemby is more of a dynamic player than Giannis anyway,” says Rudy Gay to Scoop B Radio.
“So I think the possibilities are endless.”
The Sacramento Kings made a splash in free agency this offseason when they added DeMar DeRozan to their potent lineup that includes De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk and Keegan Murray. A former King, Rudy Gay likes the upside of the team.
“I think they’re moving in the right direction,” he said.
“I think they could be a contender in the future.”
The Minnesota Timberwolves were busy last offseason. Led by 23-year old superstar, Anthony Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves put together arguably their best season in franchise history which carried over into the NBA Playoffs.
In case you forgot: Minny had an incredible series against the Denver Nuggets before ultimately being run out of the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks. The success of last season caught the eye of Rudy Gay and he was impressed. “Yeah, I didn’t think it would happen,” he told Scoop B Radio.
“I think the person I don’t think gets enough credit is Mike Conley. He’s been a leader. I played with him twice. He’s been a leader his whole life. And, you know, I didn’t think anything less of that. Now, what will they do next year? That’s on them. But I knew they would be a good team this year.”
The New York Knicks were also a surprise to many. They got better this offseason and made a trade with the Brooklyn Nets to add Mikal Bridges to their squad. “I think it’s great,” shared Rudy Gay.
“You have to be comfortable with whoever you play with. It’s not usual that you get that kind of opportunity to be able to play with your college teammates in the league and so many of them. But, you know, they were successful in college. Hopefully they can be successful in the league.”
Lastly, the Los Angeles Lakers made headlines in June when they drafted Bronny James, son of LA superstar, LeBron James out of USC in the second round.
Never in NBA history have you seen a father-son tandem on the court at the same time.Nepotism has been a buzz word throughout the summer.
Serious Question: Why has nepotism been made such a big deal?
“I’ve talked to a lot of people about it,” said Rudy Gay to Scoop B Radio.
“And I see no problem with it, man. I mean, who doesn’t want to help their kids out? I think he’ll be a good pro. I think he’s going to have a good career, but, you know, everybody needs a push every now and then.”
You can Watch Rudy Gay’s full interview on Scoop B Radio Here.
