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Sacramento Kings: Why Rudy Gay Made The U.S. Squad

By Adam McGee

April 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Kings 102-69. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Kings 102-69. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 3, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay (8) gestures towards referee Bill Kennedy (5) with head coach Michael Malone after being called for a foul against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 96-89. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay (8) gestures towards referee Bill Kennedy (5) with head coach Michael Malone after being called for a foul against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 96-89. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Versatility

As I alluded to earlier, the expectation has long been that the USA intended to play with a small, athletic lineup that provided scoring threats across the floor. That would likely have seen Paul George at small forward, and Kevin Durant at the 4, but now the team have to decide who fits as their replacements.

Gay is a natural choice, as he’s capable of playing in either of those positions. Although more often than not, Gay plays as a small forward, regularly throughout his career he has slotted over to the power forward spot during games.

As long as he was accompanied by a dominant defensive center, Gay could help get the offense rolling from the power forward spot on the other end.

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