Memphis Grizzlies Dying for Rudy Gay's Return

Rudy Gay's teammates can't wait to have him back.

MEMPHIS, TN - Injured Grizzly Rudy Gay is more excited than anyone by his team's unexpected playoff run, and he can't wait to reclaim his minutes next season. The Grizzlies, who shocked the basketball world by upsetting the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs in round one of 2011 NBA Playoffs, have enjoyed unprecedented success with their franchise cornerstone Rudy Gay sidelined by injury.

The feeling is mutual among Gay's fellow Grizzlies. A sincere Mike Conley lamented, "Before Rudy got sidelined, I was an afterthought in this league. Now I'm a core piece of a postseason juggernaut. So of course I can't wait for Rudy to come back. We're not the same team without him."

Zach Randolph, enjoying his own emergence as a top tier player in Gay's absence, appreciates how his teammate has contributed in other ways during his absence from the court. "Nothing gets our team more amped during a game than seeing Rudy in the stands, dressed to the nines. Man, that guy cleans up good. When he's ready to play again, I'll sure miss seeing him all dapper like that."

Recently surging guard Tony Allen is as eager as anyone to see Rudy Gay reinstated in the Grizzlies rotation. "Can't wait," he deadpanned at a recent press conference.

"I'm a competitor, so it kills me to see my team playing so well without me," Gay told SFF reporters. "All I want to do is get back on the court and lead our guys back to the promised land, most likely around 9th or 10th place."

Allen Iverson Wants to Want to Play for the Grizzlies

by Allen Iverson

Don't get Allen Iverson wrong. If Allen Iverson had ever really wanted to play for Memphis, this would be so much easier. Sometimes when a team shows interest in you, you want to reciprocate that interest by signing a contract with them. However after six whole games with that team, only three of which Allen Iverson played in, it became clear that Allen Iverson had fallen asleep for a year and found himself playing for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Allen Iverson wishes it didn't have to be this way, but at the same time he can't respect himself when he's coming off the bench, for $3 million, for the Grizzlies. Allen Iverson used to be the No. 1 pick, the MVP, not to mention cover of NBA 2K through 2K4. But what is Allen Iverson now? Mike Conley ain't never been on the cover of no NBA 2K.

Allen Iverson has no regrets though. He's glad he signed that contract that the Grizzlies offered him. It was very gracious of them and Allen Iverson is more than happy to take their $3 million. However, it's important to know when to leave a situation that isn't working. Just imagine if we were twelve games into the season and Allen Iverson had to walk away. After those Grizzlies saw what Allen Iverson brought to their team, they could never go on without him.

Overall, Allen Iverson's legacy with Memphis will be one defined by a trio of classic A.I. performances - like that one night we played the Warriors and he scored 18 points (season high!). Allen Iverson wishes the Memphis Grizzlies the best in all of their future endeavors, and hopes to stay in touch with OJ Mayo.