Fansided

Every NBA team’s most underrated player

By Tom West

Oct 31, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3), right, dribbles by Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3), left, during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Suns won 101-90. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3), right, dribbles by Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3), left, during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Suns won 101-90. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) runs up the court in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) runs up the court in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Sacramento Kings: Rudy Gay

Even though he’s not quite good enough, Rudy Gay is still one of the best players in the NBA to have never made an All-Star game. Of course, he’s never lived up to his defensive potential as a hyper athletic 6’8″ small forward with a 7’3″ wingspan, but he’s consistently produced on offense throughout his 10 year career.

During his seven seasons with the Grizzlies, Gay turned in six straight seasons averaging at least 18 points per game and finished his tenure in Memphis ranked 2nd in franchise history with 8,562 points behind Pau Gasol’s 8,966. Then, after being traded to the Toronto Raptors in January 2013 before being sent to the Kings at the end of the same year, Gay was able to find a new home at last.

Now, since landing in Sacramento, Gay has been able to put up some of the best numbers of his career.

With a career-high 21.1 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting and a mark of 35.9 from beyond the arc (the third best three point shooting season of his career), Gay had one of his best seasons yet in 2014-15. Now, to start off his 2015-16 campaign, he’s improving his often moderate shooting efficiency from mid-range. From 10-16 feet he’s shooting an excellent 54.2 percent, while going exactly 50 percent from over 16 feet out. Even at such an early stage, it’s an encouraging sign to reach such efficiency to go along with his 18.3 points per game.

Next: Memphis Grizzlies

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