I don't like Iguodala for Portland but only because he makes WAY too much money. If he concentrated on lock down defense and was willing to be the second or third option the team and cut his salary in half then it would be great. I just don't see any of those things happening. As for your assessment of Rudy vs. Bayless I think you are really selling Bayless way short. He may be a strong guy who gets to the line like Maggette but he also plays defense (the next time Maggette plays good D will be the first) and Bayless will pass the ball (Maggette doesn't). Bayless may not be as complete a basketball player as Rudy is but he isn't the steaming pile of crap that Maggette is.
If it was explained already, I am sorry I missed, but................Why exactly does Philly make that trade?
That's fair. Of course, a lot of people love the fact that Maggette is an efficient scorer who is always among the league leaders in shooting FTs... and ignore the pile of crap part. But let's be honest: there are lots of facets to being a good basketball player, and Rudy surpasses Bayless in the majority. Skill: player who's better 3 point shooting: Rudy Passing: Rudy Post Feeding: Rudy (he was our best player overall at this last year) Court awareness (and general BBall IQ): Rudy Ball-handling: Bayless (although Rudy knows his limits, and I haven't seen him dribble the ball out of bounds off his foot, like Bayless) Getting fouled: Bayless Defense: Bayless tries hard, but is pretty clueless (and stumpy-armed), Rudy is sneaky but easily pushed around. Both are non-ideal, but at least... Steals: Rudy (this is something Rudy has really excelled at this year) Clutchness: Rudy Big-time international experience: Rudy Hops: probably Bayless, but Rudy's no slouch Hair highlights: Rudy Designer stubble: Rudy the list just goes on.
I guess it would be a pure salary dump and getting a moderately useful and young prospect back. Frankly I have a hard time believing that this is the best offer they'd get for Iggy, especially since they're still over the soft cap after it's all over with.
You've disliked Bayless since he was drafted, why would we expect anything less now? Facts: Bayless has a higher assist rate, a lower turnover rate, a nearly identical true shooting percentage, better handles, better man defense and has the raw physical tools to guard point guards, which is something that Rudy will never have. But you're right, Rudy's stubble > Jerryd's manicured eyebrows.
Big-time international experience? Man Bayless sure had a chance in that one. Also, Rudy may be clutch (although he really isn't all that clutch) more than Bayless, but I'm willing to give this to Bayless over time. This is essentially his first season and he has hit big shots as well (just seems to choke at the free throw line).
Interesting. Let's try this exercise with some different players. Prime Shaquille O'Neal and prime Allen Iverson. Skill: player who's better 3 point shooting: Iverson Passing: Iverson Post Feeding: Iverson Post Scoring: Shaq Court awareness (and general BBall IQ): Iverson Ball-handling: Iverson Defense: Both are non-ideal, but at least... Steals: Iverson Blocks: Shaq Clutchness: Iverson (he's hit more game-winners, I believe, than Shaq, plus his free throw shooting close-and-late is much better) General excitement: Iverson the list just goes on. So, hmm...a scientific proof that Iverson was a superior player to Shaq. He "wins" many more categories. The Lakers probably would have won more championships with Iverson instead of Shaq. After all, every arbitrary "facet of the game" is equally valuable and should be given equal weight. Ultimately, it's about effectiveness, not breadth of skills. Shaq had a few skills (post scoring, rebounding, help defense) and those were so overwhelming that he didn't need anything else to be one of the most impactful players in the game. Many, many perimeter players had "more" skills, but they didn't add up to anywhere close to the same total effectiveness. So, the exercise is really pretty meaningless in determining who the better player is. Rudy, despite his court awareness, passing ability and three-point shooting skill, is simply not that effective. He has a fatal flaw to his game, the inability to handle the ball well (by NBA standards). That weakens the effectiveness of all his other tools. Being a stand-still three-point shooter has only limited application. Being a stand-still passer is even worse...great play-makers have to be able to dribble, force the defense to react and then pass to exploit that defensive reaction. Rudy can't do that. Bayless has less natural passing talent/flair than Rudy, but his superior ability to handle the ball gives him equal or better potential as a play-maker for others. He's already a more dangerous and effective scorer, because he can create his own shot. Rudy can't (the limitation of being stand-still shooter). And while neither is ideal on defense, right now, Bayless has the better lateral quickness and strength, giving him the chance to be an average or plus defender in the future. I don't think Rudy will ever be anything but a liability in man defense, though he does provide some value in team defense with his ability to generate steals.
I wouldn't disagree with the idea that Rudy is a more complete player. However, I do believe Bayless is better then Rudy at two crucial things that Portland needs very badly: On the ball defense and attacking the rim. Rudy is a better shooter, passer, off the ball defender etc.. My preference, keep them both and use a three guard rotation of Rudy, Roy and Bayless.
