I didn't see him doing anything like this this past season. We haven't used him to his full potential. [video=youtube;MZh2eK5Mo-o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZh2eK5Mo-o[/video]
Kobe went for the steal and left Rudy a wide open lane to the hoop. Rudy can't get to the hoop when someone is playing defense on him.
Rudy's handle was his biggest weakness, when I read prospect analyses of him. Great shooter, intelligent (though undersized for the NBA game) defender, very good passer...but suspect handle. If he can develop really good ball-handling skills and combines that with his court vision, passing and shooting, he could be an All-Star. If he never develops a strong handle, he'll be a merely solid player.
This is the first I've heard about Rudy having really bad handles. I mean, he's not Chris Paul or anything, but I trust him every time he has the ball. He averaged just 1.1 turnover a game. I would actually like to see him put more in a role of a playmaker.
I trust him, too. But the reason is not because he has really strong ball-handling skills but because he understands his limitations and makes good decisions. He rarely tries to dribble against defensive pressure or dribble-drive. He mostly catches and shoots or catches and passes. Beyond that, he moves without the ball. He doesn't expose himself to the possibility to committing turnovers off his dribble.
I don't think he was put in much position to create much though. We saw a bit of that in the preseason when he was leading fast breaks, throwing oops and behind bounce passes to Martell, throwing passes between the legs of defenders. I think Rudy's got a lot more to offer with his creativity and handles, and am hoping he gets to play a little more free next year. He's more than just a spot-up 3 shooter, I think.
I think he was learning the NBA game last season. He has never played against this talent level. I think he will start taking it to the rack more next season. Shit the guy set the league record for 3's made by a rookie, I'm cool with that!
...because NBA teams play better defense than Team USA? Agreed with all the stuff about dribbling: Rudy does not try to penetrate with the dribble. He'll pick up the dribble and take a long stride and hoist a runner, but not try to get into the paint with his dribble. This is one area where Sergio is clearly superior. (Actually Sergio may have the best handle on the team. His turnovers come from attempted passes rather than getting the ball poked away.)
Do you have a link to that? I'm not calling you out or anything, I actually agree, but some comments on MB's blog has said Rudy should be our starting PG and it's the only time I've heard of him playing PG except for short stints with Roy when actually Roy is the PG. His argument is this list of PGs: http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/5/29/893086/so-theres-an-upper-limit Which is a second part to this article which criteria is for a good match with Roy during the 4th quarter. http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/5/29/893082/whats-the-point
Sooo...all of a sudden you have to be a wizard ball-handler in order to drive towards the hoop??? Nonsense. Rudy is perfectly capable of penetrating, he just has to do it more often.
I was in the sportsbook at 1am at the MGM Grand watching that game with about 200 other people. I jumped up and went NUTS after that dunk. The Knick fans sitting with us asked what I was doing since I wanted the USA to win. I reminded them I was a BLAZER fan, first and foremost. What a fun memory.
Here's an example, his Draftexpress draft profile: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Rudy-Fernandez-22/
