Obviously, his efficiency at that level was abysmal. In Toronto, Gay was up at 30 percent, which is really high. Usage rate is the percentage of all possessions a player ends (via a shot, drawn foul or turnover) while on the court. The other theory suggested that at lower usage rates, Rudy could still be an efficient scorer. One was that a shoulder injury had destroyed his shooting mechanics and left him as a highly paid shooter who can't shoot. When the trade happened, I offered up two theories on Gay's devolution from a near-All-Star in Memphis to a laughingstock in Toronto. The pieces fit a whole lot better without the pressure of Gay's 20 shots (most inefficiently) per game on the offense.īut less explored is the reality that Gay too has been much, much better removed from the Raptors. I n particular, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry have thrived with more opportunities to shine. Toronto is now 13-5 since Gay was shipped to Sacramento for spare parts after starting 6-12. The Raptors' rise has been well-documented to date.
