When the clock strikes midnight tonight, the NBA's freeagent period begins, with Rudy Gay a key supporting player in this unfolding drama. With Gay a second or thirdtier free agent in a pecking order that begins with the likes of Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, and Chris Bosh, he may have to wait for a few dominoes to fall before truly determining his options. And even then, as a restricted free agent, if Gay signs an offer sheet with another team, the Grizzlies will have a full week to decide whether to match the offer..1 seed in the Eastern Conference on Friday night in New Orleans, Miami coach Eric Spoelstra opted Sunday to sit James, AllStar guard Dwyane Wade and starting point guard Mario Chalmers, all with nagging injuries. James sat out the fourth quarter of the Heat's easy victory in New Orleans with a tight right hamstring. He scored 36 points in the first three quarters of that game.

Analysis: The initial firstround call of the McKenzie era finally reac