Gay ready to make impact for Spurs — Veteran swingman Rudy Gay has played in 753 NBA games in his career … and just seven playoff games in his career. That run in 2011-12 with the Memphis Grizzlies is all he’s ever tasted of the postseason and played a big part in why he chose to sign with the San Antonio Spurs this summer. Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express News has more on Gay’s mindset as training camp nears:
“I think it was a do-or-die point in my career,” said Gay, who is 31 and coming off a major Achilles tendon injury. “I wanted to be with an organization that was known for winning and can help me raise my game to the next level.”
Gay’s health in the season to come will go a long way toward determining whether he can get his career back on track in his 12th season.
It has been nearly eight months since that night in January when Gay collapsed during a game against Indiana, his left Achilles tendon in tatters. He opted out of $14 million in Sacramento to ink a two-year, $17 million deal with the Spurs.
His first San Antonio training camp begins Sept. 26. Gay says he is ready. He was been cleared for all basketball activities. He has been working out all summer and does not not expect to miss time once practices begin.
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The rehabilitation to get to this point, Gay said, has been grueling.
“It’s one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do,” he said.
Gay’s desire to make his comeback worthwhile, instead of languishing on a losing roster, is what led him to San Antonio. The next step comes in 12 days.
“I haven’t played since January,” Gay said. “I’ve worked so hard to get back to feeling normal. I didn’t want to do that for nothing. I came here to possibly play for a championship.”
