Time for Rudy to show he is a starting NBA SG

I dunno about that... J-Bay has GOT to get smarter about the way he attacks a collapsing D. It drives me nuts when he barrels into 3 defenders hoping and praying for a favorable whistle. With good ball movement, he could work wonders. If he just brings the ball up and charges, he will do more harm than good.

 

Sure. Same, to be honest - is for LMA. He is now the focal point of the team, against a team that does not have a real bruiser in the paint - if he can not deliver now - I would be disappointed.

 

if you take a lot of 3s you're going to miss a lot of 3s... per 36 minutes he puts up 6.6 attempts from deep.

63% of his shots this year were 3 point attempts. That he shot a respectable 37% from there overall including the stretches when he was playing through well documented injuries lends some perspective on why it's not so fucking sad. But who needs perspective

STOMP

 

Count me among those who think Rudy hasn't been used to his ability. Sure, he's a good three point shooter, but his game is best when he's running off screens and in constant movement. I don't think he's really in the flow when he just stands around and waits for the ball.

Do I think he's bound for NBA superstardom? Not really. However, I think he can be a valuable contributor in this series.

 

Rudy has done nothing to prove that he can step up as an effective starter for us. He wants more minutes but he doesn't produce. We started him at SF in Game 6 last year. He played 41 minutes and only scored 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting. Bayless is the key to this series not Rudy. Bayless dropped 29 on the Suns in our first win against them this season. I hope Bayless gets the majority of the minutes.

 

I agree with this, but it's one thing to have the skills and another to produce. This is finally Rudy's stage. I think we will fully see what he's made of. I hope it's good.

Also, I have full confidence in letting him take a game winning shot.

 

People will likely focus on his character and not his play, but this situation reminds me a lot of 2003 playoffs and Zach Randolph stepping up against Dallas. He was a monster against them and it really transformed his career. I hope we have another player step up that way against Phoenix.

 

My sincerest hope is that it will be LMA, without Brandon in there being option numero uno; it's his chance to really take over and assert himself ... I'm not super confident this is going to happen, but man do I ever want to see him step up and hit one out of the park -- it could potentially transform him into something much more than we've seen to this point.

 

I dont think we use Rudy correctly, or rather, I do not think this offense curtails around his strengths. So, I still think he will be "average" in the playoffs, but may have a higher scoring average, because of increased minutes.

 

Nice post...this is what I was trying to open discussion about...

The point is, whether you think he is a career bench player or potential NBA starter...the fact is this really is put up or shut up time for him in a lot of ways....

He is going to get the opportunity to show what effect he can have as the starting SG, and on a BIG stage. Unless Nate jerks his minutes around, which I don't forsee, then he doesn't really have any excuses....

The last few games Nate has been utilizing screens more for Rudy...running Artest & Durant all over the court, which IMO had positive effects...However, Rudy needs to look to score more when he gets the ball off those screens...quick release, mid range shots...that SHOULD be right in his game...POR is going to need his scoring to beat PHX IMO...that means he is going to have to look for his own shot more....

Yeah and this is really story #1 concerning POR...This is Aldridge's time to prove to everybody that he is a legit All-Star caliber talent who is capable of carrying his team...I really think he has the ability to do it...The question is does he have the will to do it?

 

That's funny; I read through almost that entire thread before I realized it was from last year. Amazing how the situation is pretty much the same now as a year ago, even with Aldrige and Bayless.

 

Rudy is a HUGE BUST! After the last two games it's clear the pine or Europe is the only place RUDY should be feeling comfortable!

 

oops!

 

Forget starting NBA SG. It's time for Rudy to show he is a damn NBA player.

 

+100

 

I don't know what's up with him. All he does when he gets the ball is either shoot a three or look around desperately for Andre to give it to. He seems to have absolutely zero confidence. He can't handle pressure of any kind. Maybe it really is time to trade him to the Clippers, so he won't ever face pressure of any kind.

Is it time to revive the LaMarcus-and-Rudy-for-a-signed-and-traded Bosh? suggestion?

 

Um, what about LaMarcus-and-Rudy-for-a-signed-and-traded Bosh?


You kinda answered your own question.

 

That's pretty much what I'm waiting for. People can psychoanalyze the root cause of Rudy's horrendous slump all they like and point fingers at coaches, rhythm, melancholy, time of the month or whatever, but the fact remains his shitty play and lack of aggressiveness falls squarely on his shoulders. He's been a pro or club level player since he was 17 -- step up or shut up.