There is no problem with the 2nd one at all.... But Rudy isn't playing very well, and Blake has simply outplayed him this year. Nate was right to go with that lineup, obviously. We just really need a consolidation trade. Bad.
You are right. I missed that part. Sorry. I would like to comment on that stat though. I believe Rudy has been hindered by the offense more than anything else with regard to passing. Last night we saw more of what he is capable of because the system he was playing in wasn't dedicated to ISO. He passes very well in a team movement oriented system and that's what we were able to see out of the 2nd team last night, hence his success in passing. That you saw his comments as negative is telling of your general regard for the player that Rudy is. I saw no such negativity such as whining from his comments. You cite his poor shooting, but do you consider that he set the rookie record for threes last year and did so with a relatively efficient percentage? Do you really assume that he'll stay in a shooting funk for the entire season? Anyway...
Rudy should start. He's too good to insult with a "role player" position on the bench. We should start: Miller Rudy Roy LMA Oden Second Unit: Blake Webster Batum Outlaw Pryz Edit. Let's just dump Blake and play Bayless more.
As much as many worry about Rudy, just remember if he doesn't work out, he has great trade value. Who knows, he may be our future PG. True professionals can change their game to fit the new style. I think if Rudy becomes more of the facilitator, then Nate will be more comfortable using him at point.
The article specifically said that Rudy was not thrilled about his role. That wasn't my interpretation. My interpretation, however, would involve noting this about Rudy's comments: Yes, I see the addendum about working hard to help his teammates when he's on the court--seemed more like a CYA addition to me than anything else. But yes, I do think Rudy is over-rated and limited, and I would be amenable to a trade involving him. Yes, I'm aware that he set a rookie record for 3's, and I'm also aware that he did so taking more 3's per 36 than Rashard Lewis did. I'm also aware that he spent all summer playing EuroBall and is likely much more tired than the rest of his teammates, which likely is contributing to his early shooting slump. Sure, he'll probably snap out of it relatively soon (by December hopefully?), but I still maintain that he has little room to complain about "his role" until then, or until he begins consistently contributing in other ways.
I haven't seen the rest of this thread but these are my thoughts too. I see nothing wrong or inflammatory with what Rudy said. He's just telling it like it is. He's not asking to be traded. Just stating some facts. I too would play Rudy ahead of Blake. It's going to take Nate a while to make that 'transition' I'd imagine. In the mean time, based on my experience it's probably going to take a while for Rudy's back to heal and for him to be 100% while continuing to play. For now, Rudy's all important 'offensive stats' (aka shooting percentages) aren't good enough to even dream of justifying such a move to most fans.
Why does anyone believe Nate will bench Blake? Sorry folks, that just isn't going to happen. Nate LOVES Blake and believes the team is better with him on the floor. The only way Blake doesn't start for this team is if either Nate gets fired or the team let's Blake walk. Since Nate is not going to get fired this year and I believe Blake will retire a Blazer Blake is going to start in Portland for the next few years. I just hope Blake is productive since he is most certainly going to play big minutes. No one would be happier to be wrong about this then I will be.
What does it say about his LOVE for him that he never trusted him to run or call his own plays? I think he LOVED that he wasn't telfair, Bayless, Sergio, etc. That he was smart enough to not be stupid, basically.
WOW! You really have in it for him, don't you? He communicated in the first person? How dare he! I think you are projecting far too much into his words. He talks of getting his teammates involved and of taking care of his ailing back injury. You do know that English isn't his first language, right? When he talks of not knowing his situation, maybe that just means that he doesn't quite understand his role yet. Should he? I don't understand it. Do you? So is that a selfish complaint or just an innocuous observation on his part? You cannot justify by his quotes anything that would warrant dissatisfaction on his part, period! It's dishonest for the paper to imply such a thing by those quotes and I found your interpretation of his quotes to be equally absurd.
Awfully defensive aren't we? Rudy gave the quote, so it's not like he can point fingers at people trying to smear him. He likely is feeling like he doesn't have a role with the team and is frustrated with his PT, he just decided to break the unwritten rule about giving the media canned answers.
I guess you weren't watching the game as Blake was part of the fast-break fest, including an excellent 2 on 1 feed to Miller for a score. Blake also did this all the time with Denver. The change is pace is more breaking away from Nate's iron-fist control, than who is playing.
Sure, I'm defensive. I guess you missed my point as well. You are associating his quotes in negative terms. People trying to smear him are doing the same thing. My point is that you cannot justify associating his quotes in negative terms without first projecting your thoughts unto him. He made an observation and gave no hint either way what he thought about it - good or bad. How is that breaking an unwritten rule? How is that considered complaining in any context? Talk about jumping to conclusions.
It would be a mistake to get rid of Rudy with the thought being that Bayless will make up for his loss. Bayless is aggressive and can score (although I don't get the people that like Bayless but not Outlaw) . . .. but Rudy is a much better player than Bayless.
? So you think he was telling a beat reporter he's not sure where he fits and what his role is because it's a positive thing? As for "justifying" putting his quotes in negative terms, he used words, I read words, I interpreted them accordingly; that's how language and communication work. Anyway, I'm not particularly bothered by his comments, even though I tend to think it was a complaint (talking about losing money, not knowing where he's going to get his minutes, etc.) it's a player's prerogative to complain if he feels he's being misused/underused, and it's equally my prerogative to discuss his complaining. Rudy's a big boy I'm sure he can take it.
Brandon Roy is the only guard on this team that should play more minutes than Rudy. The others are a few rungs down the ladder in all aspects. This Miller blunder is going to end up destroying 6 years worth of rebuilding in a matter of months.
Yes, you are subjectively interpreting data. We agree. But you are also projecting motive into his statements that are yours and not his. Because he states a fact, does not hold one way or another whether HE thinks they are positive or negative and to what degree either way. I've subjectively interpreted your understanding of his comments to mean that HE is complaining about playing time. This is where we disagree. Him stating simple facts does not lead to any concrete and objective notion that he's complaining. Therefore, it's entirely unfair for you to assume any such derogatory judgment of the man's motive. I don't mean to quibble, but your reactions to my posts make it a must.
It's not data, it's a quote ... there's nothing purely objective about language because it's all interpretive. Secondly Rudy is not stating a fact with respect to his PT and role, that's an opinion. the only objective fact he stated is that he's losing money playing in the NBA vs. Euroleague. Likewise I'm stating my opinion that he seems to be complaining (or at least unhappy) about his role ... In any case I'm done talking with you; there's no reasoning with people this emotionally invested in an "issue."
Do you like throwing stones? Nice colors you are showing. So it's a fact that he is losing money by playing here but it's an opinion when he says he is unaware of his role? "Roy is african-american". Is this not data and a quote? Is that quote purely subject to objectivity? Why yes, it is. You cannot subjectively determine such a quote or piece of data to be anything else but objective, can you? And likewise, I am done trying to reason with someone who only seeks to define the world subjectively and/or who is unwilling to learn something new. Fucking pathetic, you see?
