"They never used Rudy Gay's absence due to injury as an excuse for losing.

But the Grizzlies, unprompted, brought up their talented small forward time and time again as a reason they will be better next season.

"When Rudy Gay gets back we'll be a better team," Griz guard O.J. Mayo said. "It'll definitely help us on the perimeter as far as scoring and I think we'll be a better team."

Gay sat in the locker room looking dejected Sunday after the Griz lost Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in their Western Conference semifinal series. He'll wear a sling for another two weeks, then begin treatment on his surgically repaired left shoulder.

He won't be allowed to participate in contact activities for another four months, but is expected to be ready for training camp in October. Although players, coaches and media didn't harp on Gay's absence, the Griz made a surprising playoff run without their best perimeter player."