Fwiw, I'm holding a glimmer of hope that we retain Rudy. I think he just had a bad year last season. I've seen him beast it up so much in Europe and want him to stay.
Uh, he failed in the NBA and is shipping himself back to Spain. As to Rudy, I still give him a pass due to his back surgery. I'd like to give him just one more year.
Uh, just a sick twisted joke. I love Rudy, if he's not happy he needs to go, but that's not what I want.
Obviously I don't know Rudy or any other current Blazers. But sometimes you just get a gut feeling on whether or not a certain player (with a certain personality or back ground) would be happy playing in certain cities. I never thought Rudy would be happy in Portland for too long. Being a young single "Rock Star" in Spain is a far cry from many NBA cities in the US. (The women are unbelievable) That doesn't mean you don't take a chance on that type of player. I am just saying there is risk and sometimes when we are throwing out trade proposals for certain players you have to at least consider keeping certain players. Trading BRoy for example would be very very risky. Getting equal value would not be enough.
This is the kind of situation\trade that KP deserves criticism over..... You take a guy whose value was higher last year and then end up dumping him for NY for lesser talent.... Rudy had a bad year, but he is a better player than he showed last year, and worth more than Toney freakin Douglas....
You know if Rudy worked hard I would have no problem keeping him around and giving him another shot. But reality points to the fact that he doesn't work hard. He doesn't hit the gym and take his body to the next level so he can perform. Before games he just sits in one corner throwing up 1 handed 3 pointers and trick shots from the corner instead of actually practicing shots he will get in game. If you don't put in the effort, there is no chance to succeed. All I saw this year when he was in the lineup, was a guy fucking around and planning on leaving Portland, with no intent to help at all.
Maybe it would be a good idea to wait to see what kind of a trade KP actually makes for Rudy (if any) before critcizing him over a rumored trade.
Well the gamble with Rudy is that he's rumored to not even wanting to come back. So what do you do if you're KP? Do you get what you can out of him and do yourself and him a solid by putting him in a situation where he can succeed? Or do you sit on your hands another year and have him jump ship to Europe.
OK buddy - I am going to put you on the spot. Either he *can't* play because of his back, or he *won't* play for Nate. Which is it? Even the biggest homer can't deny that his game went south in his second season. If he is legit hurt, I feel sorry for him, but that's life in pro sports. If you can't perform, somebody takes your job. If the problem is in his head/ego - then fuck him sidewise. He doesn't want to be here? Ship his ass out.
