Rudy Gay and LeBron James (Photo By Imagn Images)
The Miami Heat’s 2013 championship title run will always remain in the hearts of millions. However, Rudy Gay believes the Memphis Grizzlies could stop the Heat and their key presence, LeBron James. The Los Angeles Lakers star has a promising career in the league. His milestones and big numbers at even this age, including 2016’s finals historic block, define him as a true legend.

The veteran guard is making headlines regarding his trade speculations as he enters the last year of his contract with the Lakers. The franchise shifted its primary focus to its rising star, Luka Doncic, but James’ contribution is not unnoticeable. Doncic shares a strong bond with his tenure teammate and aims to make a strong push with James’s guidance.

Gay joined the Grizzlies in 2006 and helped turn the team around. By 2012, they were playoff regulars. However, in early 2013, Memphis traded him to the Toronto Raptors to gain financial flexibility. Before the trade, Gay was the top scorer in the Grizzlies’ depth with a 17.2 points average per game.

“With all due respect to that team, they won a championship… but I don’t think they could’ve beat us that year… That was our year,” Gay said. “The year I got traded. I think that was the year. That was our year.”

Even without Gay, the Grizzlies finished the season 56-26 and reached the Western Conference finals. So it’s hard to jump to a steady conclusion about whether they could win a whole series.

Rudy Gay Opens Up About His Childhood Idol In The NBA

Rudy Gay (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Rudy Gay idolizes Tracy McGrady and wants to play like him. When the Houston Rockets drafted Gay in 2006, he was excited to play behind McGrady, possibly. But the Rockets traded him to the Grizzlies, and instead of learning from his idol, he had to face him.

“I remember, T-Mac did. T-Mac, bro. T-Mac bust my a—” Gay said. “This was the time when he had the back issues, when he was like not himself. But bro, when he got on that court, I’m like, ‘Bro, I don’t see any back trouble.’ He didn’t miss. I’m like, ‘Yo, this must be personal.’ I thought it was personal.”

The Moment taught Gay a significant lesson: In the league, you are on your own, and your childhood hero becomes your competition.