Memphis forward Rudy Gay is finding life as his team's go-to-guy rather challenging. Unlike last year, when his shots seem to come in the flow, he's trying to create more early in this season, and the results haven't been impressive.
While he's averaging just over 20 points per game, his shooting percentage, three-point shooting, rebounds and assists are all down from last season. "Teams are really focusing on Rudy more," forward Hakim Warrick said. "They know he's our guy so they're throwing double- and triple-teams at him."
Gay said he has to do a better job of being the focus of defensive attention.
"It's what every good player wants," Gay said. "What I have to do is learn how to play out of it."
Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni understands Gay's struggle with his newfound status.
"When you focus more on points and scoring, it makes it harder, and I think he understands that," Iavaroni said. "He's another guy on the team who if he focuses on being tougher and being more disciplined and really focusing on defense, it'll take pressure off his offense."
Gay said he wants the pressure, so he better learn how to handle it.
"I put a lot about this team on my shoulders, for us to not win games I take the responsibility," Gay said. "Whether I'm trying too hard or taking bad shots, those might be the answers. But whatever it is, I take full responsibility for what this team is doing."
HAWKS 105, GRIZZLIES 95: Another road game, another dead on arrival performance by the Grizzlies, as they lost the 11th of their last 12 games. Memphis couldn't stop the long and athletic Hawks from getting to the rim, as Atlanta shot 56 percent from the field. The Grizzlies trailed by 26 points, sucked it up and played with a little pride on a 34-14 run that closed the lead to 88-82 on Hakim Warrick's dunk with 6:36 left. But Memphis missed two shots, Atlanta made two shots and another Grizzlies' loss was in the books.
"We didn't show the urgency to win this game," Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni said.
