Yesterday, 17 year NBA veteran and former Kings star Rudy Gay announced his retirement by penning a piece for the Player’s Tribune. It’s a good piece, and as a fan of Rudy I’m happy that he’s in a good place even if his career didn’t necessarily turn out the way he wanted it to, particularly his time in Sacramento.
Rudy joined the Sacramento Kings during a time of great change. The relocation efforts had finally been defeated and the new regime led by Vivek Ranadivé was looking to make its mark. Gay ended up being the first big acquisition in the Ranadivé-era as the Kings sent John Salmons, Patrick Patterson, Chuck Hayes and Greivis Vasquez to Toronto for Quincy Acy, Aaron Gray and Rudy Gay, just over one month into the NBA seasons.
Gay immediately made an impact for the Kings after struggling to find a rhythm in Toronto. At the time the Kings acquired Rudy, he had been shooting 38.8% from the field for a struggling Raptors squad. Over the next 55 games in Sacramento, Gay proved to be a solid pairing with DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas and averaged 20.1 points on 48.2% from the field, a career-best. The Kings as a whole struggled in that first season under new head coach Michael Malone, but with Cousins, Thomas and now Gay, all of whom averaged 20+ points, there was optimism that the Kings could turn the corner. Of course, that didn’t last long.
The next season, even after allowing Isaiah Thomas to walk in free agency (no, sorry, I’m still not going to let it go), the Kings got off to their best start in years at 9-5. That start directly led to Rudy signing an extension with the Kings under the belief that Mike Malone would continue to be the coach and that this team could build from there. Instead, two weeks later, Mike Malone was shockingly gone after the team struggled to maintain their hot streak after DeMarcus Cousins missed some time with mono. Funnily enough, neither of the other two coaches the Kings had that year (Tyrone Corbin & George Karl) won more games than Malone that season, despite having more games to do so. By the end of the season, it wasn’t just Malone gone, but also the GM who fired him, Pete D’Alessandro, and in was Vlade Divac, who had his own ideas on how to construct a roster.
Gay’s time in Sacramento was one of constant change and turbulence, with infighting amongst players, coaching, executives and ownership. Gay himself remained a professional, even if personally he felt like Sacramento was “Basketball Hell“. And to top it all off, the worst moment of Gay’s career also happened in Sacramento, when he tore his Achilles tendon in a mid-January game against the Indiana Pacers. It wasn’t fair. For Rudy’s sake I wish he had gotten to experience playing in a Sacramento environment like we have now, where the team is good and the fans are engaged. We’re not exactly “Basketball Heaven”, but it’s a far cry from the experience that Rudy went through here.
But no matter what, I’ll always appreciate Rudy for giving his all for this city while he was here, despite the chaos surrounding him. Thank you, Rudy.
Here’s where Rudy Gay stands in the Sacramento Kings record books (Sac-Era only):
18th – Points Scored (4,305)
19th – Field Goals Made (1,582)
19th – Free Throws Made (903)
23rd – 3 Pointers Made (238)
23rd – Steals (282)
I wish Rudy the best, he struggled with injuries and always seemed to get traded to rebuilding teams, but he was a professional and showed up to work each day. I hope he finds enjoyment and fulfillment spending time with his family.
I forgot he coined Basketball Hell. Much respect and 18 years in a professional sports league is nothing to sneeze at. Super impressive. Hope he enjoys what he does next.
I could be completely wrong about this, but I thought that the first person to use the welcome to hell phrase was Spud Webb, upon “welcoming” Mitch Richmond to Sacramento. If it wasn’t Webb on the giving end, it was definitely Richmond on the receiving end.
It was indeed Spud Webb to Mitch Richmond. IIRC, there is a mention of this in Reynolds Remembers, authored by The Great Jerry Reynolds.
Ah yes, that must be why I forgot Rudy coined it…it’s cause he didn’t. Lol Thank you Sir
I may be in the minority, but I truly believe the trio of DMC, Gay, and IT could have cracked the playoff drought had D’Alesandro had a working basketball brain. The trio each averaged over 20 points in their one season together after the trade. Their supporting cast was shit, but they were a solid 3 and coach to build around. Alas, IT walked for nothing, DMC got sick, and Malone was sacked. Shit really went sideways when they really could have taken off. Rudy, unfortunately, was caught in the middle of it.
Rudy was so smooooooth. I loved watching him play. I actually see a bit of him in Keegan’s game. He was truly a professional and class act. Enjoy the post player life. It’s not retirement! There is still so much to accomplish at the young age of 38!
I agree. That team was fun to watch. There was so much hope and excitement in the fan base, then the carpet got pulled. F*#k Pete!!!
Rudy may have been the most-fluid basketball player I’ve ever watched. Even among elite athletes, he stood out that way.
I think you’re right, had Malone not been fired for losing some games while their best player was out sick? Rudy, Cousins & IT was one hell of a big three to build around, each capable scorers, shooters, and playmakers. Grab a few guys who can stretch the floor and defend a bit, and maybe you’re onto something that could be a lot of fun to watch. Alas, no…
But I like where the Kings are now, and I guess going through all of it was necessary to get here. Well, maybe not all of it.
All the best to Rudy in his retirement, he’s got a great family and can do pretty much anything that he wants with the second half of his life. I hope the organization has him back as a guest, maybe do a bobblehead. The man busted his ass while he was here, and made the team a much better watch. I am going to will Rudy Gay Night into existence.
The thing is, with DMC, that team was always one giant tantrum away from imploding. Not a mature leader, not conductive to team chemistry.
And as much as I liked Gay, he wasn’t a leader or imposing enoughg to keep DMC in check. And maybe it’s my imagination, but I felt there was always a sort of distance between DMC and IT.
They were a very talented trio. But yes, neither Rudy or IT (nor many, many others) could channel DMC. Shame, they had the potential to be fun.
A gentleman on and off the court. Congratulations on a superb NBA career.
Man, I remember when the news broke that the Kings were trading for Rudy Gay (and only giving up folks like John Salmons and Chuck Hayes), my jaw dropped to the floor. Aside from the “can he play SF?” memes, it felt like the first time in a long time we were trading for a very good, quality starter. I watched a few Kings games in-person while Rudy was on the team, including two at the Staples Center (one against the Clippers and one against the L*kers), which the Kings won both.
It sucks that his time with the Kings was hampered with injuries, but he always seemed like a pro’s pro and I enjoyed having a SF who could shoot. And his two free throws were the final points scored ever at ARCO/Sleep Train Arena.
As Will Griffith on Twitter said: “Enjoy basketball heaven, Rudy!”
congrats Rudy! Reading about his tenure here really made me shiver. Rudy was really a bright spot in the pouty Cousins era.
Yeah, taking this little walk down memory lane helps me appreciate how good we have it at the moment. All those years of hoping Cousins would turn into a leader, only to be disappointed repeatedly…
One of my favorite basketball memories was being in person in Utah when Rudy Gay hit this dagger to win a game we had no business winning.
Happy trails, and thank you for good basketball in bad times.
I remember being in the stands when Rudy and the other two were introduced in their street clothes. Was so happy to have real talent come here for next to nothing. Wish it had turned out better for all of us, but it did give a jolt of hope for a while. Hope he enjoys his next chapter.
Didn’t the Kings also go bananas that game? I remember watching and thinking “Rudy must think they can build something here”
The Great Rudini,and Rudy Trey. All timers
Wish him the best in retirement. A professional in an unprofessional organization. Young players can learn a lot from watching the patience and smoothness of his offensive game. I was at the Kings Rockets game when he postered Patrick Beverley. Thanks for that and the other fun memories Rudy!
Badge Legend