MEMPHIS - Rudy Gays performance in Mondays double-overtime loss to the Rockets was historic for all the wrong reasons.
Frank Gore Youth Jersey . The Raptors forward scored a team-high 29 points and made some big shots - most notably a buzzer-beating three pointer that forced the second overtime period - but a day later, most of the discussion surrounded the shots he didnt make. All 26 of them. Gay attempted a career-high and franchise topping 37 field goals, hitting just 11 of them. Since 1985, an NBA player has attempted 37 or more field goals in a game 28 times (per Basketball-Reference.com). Gays percentage (.297) is the lowest on that list of 28 single-game performances -- ironically sharing that distinction with former Raptor Damon Stoudamire, who also went 11-for-37 with Toronto in 1996, the franchises second season. Sitting on the sideline at the FedExForum, both knees wrapped in ice, Gay fielded questions from a cluster of reporters ahead of his first return to Memphis as an opposing player. Most of the local scribes asked about the trade that sent him to Toronto last winter, his six-plus years spent with the Grizzlies, his recent marriage or the upcoming birth of his son. However, his poor shooting night was the elephant in the arena. Finally, the Toronto Sun broached the subject, asking Gay about the hoard of Raptors fans that took to social media after Mondays loss, seemingly hoping for - some expecting - an apology or admission of guilt from the teams leading scorer. "No," Gay responded emphatically. "Why? Why should I apologize?" "Obviously Im not the only one who had trouble scoring out there and we were still winning," he said following practice Tuesday afternoon. "
took the team to double overtime. Really I could care less what happens outside this court. If my teammates had a problem with me doing that or trying to give us a chance to win than Id have a problem but people [can] say what they want to say." "Apologize?" he repeated one more time in disbelief. To his point, Gay was not the only member of the Raptors launching bricks on Monday. DeMar DeRozan was just as bad, albeit in fewer attempts, shooting 6-for-25 while Kyle Lowry went 6-of-16. The team shot 33 per cent as a whole including an abysmal 18 per cent in the second quarter. "It was just one of those games where guys were looking to me to make baskets," said Gay, who is averaging 19.3 points on 36 per cent shooting in Torontos first eight games. "Sometimes they went in and little bit more [often] than that they didnt go in. A lot of us are having trouble, not just this team [but] the whole league is having trouble scoring. Thats something we have to come in and work on." "Today I put shots up just to make sure it doesnt happen again." Ball movement was the focus of Tuesdays practice for Dwane Caseys club, who registered a season-low 10 assists the night before. Gay, the hub of Torontos offence, is largely responsible for the lack of ball movement that has plagued this team throughout the early portion of the season but as Casey noted, its on everyone to ensure the offence is flowing and the ball-watching stops. When and if they can correct their stagnant offence, Gay and the rest of the Raptors should benefit from easier looks at the basket. "Weve got to get better ball movement," "Weve got to get the ball moving, get the ball hopping. If [Gay and DeRozan are] going to catch it teams are going to try to take them out, theyve got to move the ball and quarterback out of their position." Rudy returns to Memphis Wednesdays road tilt against the Grizzlies will mark Gays first return to Memphis as a visiting player since the three-team trade that sent him to Toronto on Jan. 30. Gay was selected eighth overall by the Rockets in the 2006 draft and was immediately traded to Memphis, where he played the first six-plus seasons of his career. "Obviously for me its going to be a little bit more emotional," Gay said. "But other than that we still have to win. Weve taken steps in the right direction but for us to scale back because Im back in Memphis is selfish." Gay averaged 17.9 points and 5.8 rebounds in 479 games with the Grizzlies. He remains their franchise leader in steals, games and minutes played, ranking second in total points. "Its a lot different [in Toronto], I can say that," Gay admitted. "Its a great city. Obviously its different being here in Memphis so long. It was a transition but now Im adjusted." What does he miss most about Memphis? "My house," he replied with a chuckle. "I live in a condo now so thats one thing I do miss." Gay will host the team and coaching staff for dinner at his house Tuesday evening but he joked he may not even be able to eat the food his wife prepares after getting hit in the jaw on three separate occasions in Mondays game. The forward also tweaked an ankle in the fourth quarter of that contest and has been nursing a sore knee. "I dont even know how I got up this morning," he joked. "But I did and if its time to work Ive got to do it." A special visit Following Tuesdays practice the Raptors players, coaches and staff paid a visit to St. Jude Childrens Hospital. "Its something thats close to my heart," Casey said prior to the visit. "Being from Kentucky we used to donate a lot to St. Judes. Cancers been in my family and a friend of mine, George Karl had it." "So this is a way for our players to give back. This is what the NBA should be about and is about." LeSean McCoy Youth Jersey . - Erick Torres scored his 10th goal of the season on a stunning volley, and Chivas USA edged 10-man Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Saturday night. Andre Reed Youth Jersey . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers agreed to terms on a two-year contract with quarterback Kellen Clemens and signed inside linebacker Kavell Conner to a three-year contract on Thursday. Clemens will take over for Charlie Whitehurst, who became an unrestricted free agent. Clemens spent the last two seasons with the St. Louis Rams as a backup to starter Sam Bradford. Clemens started the last nine games after Bradford went down with a knee injury, completing 142 of 242 passes for 1,673 yards and eight touchdowns, with seven interceptions. 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