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A year later, Gay is again healthy and has resumed his leading role with the team. He’s also on a mission to prove the Grizzlies can be even better with him in the lineup. “People were saying they did it without me,” Gay said. “It would mean a lot for me to make the playoffs to show how good this team is – not just me – and how much of an impact I could have on it.” Yahoo! Sports

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay 

After beating the Spurs, the Grizzlies lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a tough seven-game series in the second round. Their success had people questioning Gay’s value to the franchise. “I heard all of it,” Gay said. “It was to be expected because this was the furthest the team had gone in their existence in Memphis. I’m out, and they’re doing good. So, of course, they would think they would do better without me since I’ve been there the whole time. “That just motivated me. I know what I can do and I know what I helped this team get to, up to this point. And from talking to some of my teammates, they said, ‘We wouldn’t have got here if it wasn’t for some of the games that you won and some of things you’ve done.’ ” Yahoo! Sports

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay 

Eight 2008 Olympic gold medalists, 10 members of the 2010 USA World Championship gold medal winning team, one national team player and one newcomer to the USA Basketball National Team were among the 20 finalists named today for the 2012 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo. The official 12-man U.S. Olympic team roster will be announced later this year. Named as a finalist for the 2012 USA team were: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers); Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks); Chauncey Billups (Los Angeles Clippers); Chris Bosh (Miami Heat); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (New Orleans Hornets); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); LeBron James (Miami Heat); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Lamar Odom (Dallas Mavericks); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder); and Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets). Griffin was also officially added to the USA Basketball National Team roster. USA Basketball

New Jersey Nets, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Rudy Gay, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Blake Griffin, Carmelo Anthony, Lamar Odom, Jerry Colangelo, Dwight Howard, Chauncey Billups, Tyson Chandler, Deron Williams, USA Basketball, Derrick Rose, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon 

Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay received some good news amid his recent struggles. Gay has been told that he will be among 19 players vying for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, according to an NBA source. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay, USA Basketball, Team USA, Olympics 

Pete Pranica: Addressing who's "the man" on the Grizzlies, @Rudy Gay says, "me and Zach are brothers and nothing will come between us." Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph 

But, as things stand today, it seems a new mentality is taking hold in Memphis, perhaps a product of the incredible excitement the team generated with its postseason run. It sounds as though a maximum offer may be in the offing for Gasol, and that the next obvious cost-saving move – trading Rudy Gay – is not an option. It actually seems that the Grizzlies will come back even better than last season, with a healthy Gay in the starting lineup and Gasol locked up long-term. It might be somewhat of a nightmare for NBA commissioner David Stern, who prefers to see the bigger markets going deep into the playoffs, but the Memphis Grizzlies just might be one of the teams to beat in the West . . .not just this season, but for years to come. HoopsWorld

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay, David Stern 

Wallace on rumors that he's discussed trading Rudy Gay to Golden State for Monta Ellis: "We're committed to this core. It's obvious. We've stepped up and extended three of them so far. What could we have done if Rudy was healthy (last season)? You're going to see Rudy Gay. We have no interest in trading Rudy Gay. We see Rudy as a cornerstone for this franchise." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Monta Ellis 

Is there any chance Marc Gasol might not be back in Memphis? Wallace: "It's not in my wildest dreams." Where is Rudy Gay going to fit back in with the team? Hollins: "He's going to be the starting small forward." What's the situation with Shane Battier? Wallace: "Shane's going to be a guy who is in great demand by a wide variety of teams." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Trade, Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, Shane Battier 

A team source confirmed the Warriors have had talks with Memphis. Reports surfaced Wednesday that Golden State and the Grizzlies had discussions involving Monta Ellis and Rudy Gay. The source wouldn't confirm or deny who was involved, but said a trade involving Monta is extremely unlikely. The Warriors do have Memphis restricted free agent center Marc Gasol on their free agent wish list. San Jose Mercury-News

Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Monta Ellis 

Ronald Tillery: Griz management doesn't think team is better without Gay because of playoff run nor do they believe Gay's contract is troublesome. Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay 

Ronald Tillery: ESPN rumor (Gay for Ellis trade talks) baseless, source tells CA. Griz have not entertained offers for Gay. Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Monta Ellis 

Ric Bucher: Mentioned on SC a Monta Ellis + asset for Rudy Gay deal. Came from GS side. If Mem considered - big if - it would be for financial reasons. Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Monta Ellis 

Team officials are still barred by the league from talking until the labor deal is final. But according to sources with knowledge of the Grizzlies' thinking, team brass find it amusing that Internet speculation persists about O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay being prime candidates for the waiver wire. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay 

Gay is considered a franchise player along with forward Zach Randolph. The expectation is for Mayo to flourish this season as a sixth man. Mayo's departure -- if that ever happens -- would most certainly be through a trade. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Trade, OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay 

The venue for the game has not been finalized, but a number of former and current NBA players already have committed to participate. They include: Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen and Chris Bosh. Sources also said Baron Davis, Vince Carter, Alonzo Mourning. Jamal Crawford, Rudy Gay, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Amare Stoudemire, Blake Griffin, Tyler Hansbrough, Derek Fisher, Antawn Jamison, Juwan Howard, Quentin Richardson, Dahntay Jones, Brandon Knight, Jerry Stackhouse, John Wall, Dikembe Mutombo, Patrick Ewing and Doc Rivers are expected to play. Veteran WNBA star and all-time leading scorer Tina Thompson and former USC great Cheryl Miller also is expected to participate. ESPN.com

Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Amare Stoudemire, Chris Paul, Rudy Gay, Doc Rivers, Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin, Carmelo Anthony, Tyler Hansbrough, Derek Fisher, John Wall, Dwight Howard, Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Ewing, Juwan Howard, Quentin Richardson, Antawn Jamison, Lockout, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Jerry Stackhouse, Baron Davis, Jamal Crawford, Barack Obama, Dikembe Mutombo, Dahntay Jones, Brandon Knight 

MTV star Rob Dyrdek has a 25 foot basketball rim hangin' at his legendary Fantasy Factory indoor skate park ... and last night, NBA superstar Rudy Gay decided it needed to be DUNKED ON. TMZ has learned ... Gay was at the downtown L.A. skate spot Wednesday shooting a promo video for the Young and Reckless clothing company, when he noticed the hoop ... suspended 25 feet above a foam ball pit. TMZ.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay 

Chris Palmer: Meeting of the minds between Rudy and Melo. Both working out everyday. Not keen on overseas. #BMore Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Rudy Gay, Carmelo Anthony, Lockout 

Playing overseas is on the minds of Gay and Randolph as the league's labor dispute heads into overtime. "If there's no season, I'm definitely going to explore going over the water," Randolph said. "This is horrible. I feel bad for the fans and players like myself who love to play. ... But I support the union. I want to play, but I stick by what they're doing." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Lockout 

Meanwhile, Randolph echoed a sentiment he expressed two months ago. He still wants to confer with teammate Marc Gasol in hopes of playing wherever the Spaniard lands. "Marc (a restricted free agent) is supposed to come to Memphis in a couple weeks," Randolph said. "We'll talk then." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Lockout, Marc Gasol 

"With what's going on now you have to explore your options," said Alex Saratsis, Gay's agent. "A lot of people are going to find out that a lot of money isn't there. But if you're savvy enough you'll find something. "Rudy and everybody in the league have to explore those options. It's just a question of what they're going to find. Will Rudy consider going overseas? Absolutely. He missed out on a lot of time and he wants to be prepared whenever the NBA season starts." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Lockout