This is just a strategy question. Against GS right before the half, Blake passed the ball to Rudy on a fast break and Rudy was a good 12 feet ahead of the first GS player for a wide open layup. But instead of taking the layup himself, he slowed down to let Outlaw catch up, toss the ball to Outlaw who slammed it for a wicked dunk. The play worked out great, Outlaw made the slam and it was a thunderous one. But the question still remains, was that the right move by Rudy? It was a generous move by Rudy, and he rewarded Outlaw for running the court, but things could have gone wrong. Outlaw has missed many slams in the past. the defender, who was also catching up could have fouled Outlaw to make him earn the points at the stripe. If Rudy had taken the layup, and missed, Outlaw would have been in position to slam in down the miss, but if Outlaw missed, the GS defenders would have been contending for that rebound. So, did Rudy do the right thing?
The "right" play would have been for Rudy to take it himself, since he had a clear path to the basket, and he was far enough ahead to have not been rejected from behind. That's about as right as it gets. He was giving the hoop away which probably falls under one of the many definitions of showboating, and it could have gone wrong, but fortunately it didn't.
I would like to play devils advocate for a second. Outlaw seems to slip in and out of games, and by rewarding him, in the end, it was the right play to give it to Outlaw to pump him up and keep him in the game. After all, the very next play down the court, Outlaw, still pumped up, quickly ran back down and blocked a shot right before the half ended. Was Rudy just showboating or was he trying to let Outlaw know that if he puts in the effort, he will be rewarded? I don't think any of us can know the answer to this, only Rudy does.
I was going to say Hell No it was not the right move as Outlaw could have missed or could have been fouled and possibly missed a free throw. But you make a good point. Still if it was the 4th quarter and it was that close of a game, I would say "don't do it again"
Rudy should have took it to increase his chances to get in the SDC! I must say I was surprised though. He's trying to make it in the dunk competition, he's got a wide open lane to the basket to perform any dunk he wants, yet he passes it off to Outlaw.
Believe me i love to watch Rudy. However.....he needs to stop with the "showman" passes to our centers in traffic. The tough bounce passes at their knees is not reliable enough. Although I do think he can increase his alley oops to them. He certainly worked it well with Pao Gasol. (And BROY)
Rudy rewarded Travis for a big defensive stop, was it the "right" play? Probably not when looked at as an isolated play, but in context doing things like that for your teammates only builds trust and a sense of selflessness. In the grand scheme I think it was great.
this is really the only explanation that would make sense. From a pure basketball perspective, Rudy should have taken the shot himself with him being so wide open. However, being that Outlaw seems to be an emotionally reactive player (as probably many are), the added slam pumped him up and kept his play at a high level. Or maybe Fernandez is just trying to not draw attention to himself so that he doesn't get selected for the dunk contest.
I'm just glad TO flushed it . . . imagine if he just laid the ball in. If Rudy is going to take that gamble . . . make it pay off and get the crowd pumped (is that the play I saw KP up an applauding?). I din't have a problem with the pass . . . unless TO misses it.
Rudy is just an unselfish player....rewarding Trav for the great energy on D. I saw Drexler do it numerous times to teammates. It is verysmart as it does build a bond and trust and keeps their motors running
That sums up my opinion. Rudy and Travis are two of the best bench players in the league, and Travis, by every account I have read, is an exceptional teammate. Great move by Rudy to share the fun with his bench buddy.
