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Sacramento Kings Report Card: Rudy Gay

By Tyler Watts

Nov 23, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Golden 1 Center. The Kings beat the Thunder 116-101. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Golden 1 Center. The Kings beat the Thunder 116-101. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21)during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21)during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

OFFENSE: Grade- B

Rudy Gay bounced most of the way back to his previous electric form on offense this season.  The presence of Rajon Rondo stifled Gay in 2015-2016, but this year he was back and ready to be the Swiss Army Knife on offense again.  He produced 18.7 points, 1.4 three-pointers made, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 turnovers per game this season in 33.8 minutes a night.  Gay shot 45.5% from the field, 85.5% from the free throw line and 37.2% from three-point territory.  Overall, Gay produced outstanding statistical numbers on offense during this campaign.

Below is a highlight video of Rudy Gay dunking this season so you can get a glimpse of his athletic and finishing ability.

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I was thoroughly impressed with Rudy Gay’s three-point production this season.  According to Basketball-Reference, the NBA league average three-point percentage was 35.8%, and Rudy has been slightly below the league average most of his career until this season.  This year, Gay took the second most three-point attempts per game for his career and connected on 37.2% of them.  His season only last 30 games, so it is hard to glean if it was a small sample size effect or if Gay expanded his game, but it was a welcome sign for the Kings either way.

Overall, I think Gay earned a B grade on offense this season based on his production.  Maybe my expectations were too high after what I witnessed in the 2014-2015 season, but I thought Gay played well this season despite not reach that same level.

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