Rudy Gay Must Carry the Memphis Grizzlies in Order to Beat the Kings, T'wolves

It's time for Rudy Gay to step up for the Grizzlies.

In their first of many back-to-backs during this young season, the Memphis Grizzlies will face two teams they should handle in their sleep, the Sacramento Kings and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Unfortunately, they will more than likely have to win at least the first game without two of their five regular starters, Mike Conley and Zach Randolph.

Conley is apparently close to getting back on the court after turning his ankle last week. But according to Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal, Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has said Conley will not play in Tuesday's home game against the Kings. 

Z-Bo's situation is even worse. He has a badly swollen knee that was injured in Sunday night's trouncing by the Bulls. He can't even get it checked until today, so he is almost guaranteed to miss the Kings game as well.

For all the noise made in the offseason about the importance of re-signing Marc Gasol (which in large part was correct), he can not and will not ever be able to take over a game with his athleticism. Tony Allen has been atrocious this season, and basically his entire career, on the offensive end. 

And let's all be honest. O.J. Mayo just isn't working out.

This brings us back to Rudy Gay.

This sixth-year vet is a gold-medal winning Olympian. A max contract player. An amazing high-riser. He is a highlight reel waiting to happen. And the waiting has to end here. 

All players of Gay's athletic ability want to be the go-to guy. After his game-winner over LeBron and the Miami Heat last year, most of Memphis were primed for Gay to be the player they all had been waiting for him to become. He was well on his way until getting derailed by a major shoulder injury that cost him the end of the season and the Grizzlies magical playoff run.

Life doesn't always give us second chances. Gay gets his tonight against the Sacramento Kings.

Gay is having a decent season so far. He started out strong, averaging 19 points and 11 boards in the Grizzlies first two games. However, in the last two games his stats have been well below that, with Gay averaging 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. That won't do if Memphis plans on beating anyone without the services of Conley and Z-Bo.

The Grizzlies need Gay to carry them, and probably for a couple of games at least. Gasol is a great all-around player, and Tony Allen is ferocious on defense. However, neither of them can get their own shot, and Mike Conley isn't there to set them up.

No offense, Mayo fans—but without Z-Bo, Gay is the only player on the team that is capable of scoring in the high 30's or even 40's. Especially without a point guard.

If the Memphis Grizzlies want to avoid a horrendous 1-5 or 1-6 start, they will need everything Rudy's got.