I guess most of us are "trolls", then, if we're going to hold to the strictest definition of the term: "As described by Robert Bond in The International Review of Law, Computers & Technology, trolls usually exhibit a typical pattern of behavior: In ‘The Art of Trolling’ published on the web it is suggested that ‘in Usenet usage, a “troll” is not a grumpy monster that lives beneath a bridge accosting passers by, but rather a provocative posting to a news group intended to produce a large volume of frivolous responses. The content of a “troll” posting generally falls into several areas. It may consist of an apparently foolish contradiction or common knowledge, a deliberately offensive insult to the readers of the news group or a broad request for trivial follow-up postings.[3] In general, then, trolls actively seek confrontations whenever they post, for their own enjoyment and that of lurkers who read their posts. Typically, the best trolls only reveal their true intentions to lurkers observing the troll’s activities." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)
I don't think they are. However, they are HUGE in Europe and since Rudy plays well under pressure there, I have no reason to think he can't play well under pressure in the NBA playoffs. All good players struggle at times in playoff situations. My point was that if he can play well in Euro playoffs, he can easily do so here. Now, that said, the NBA playoffs offer more defense, but Rudy hasn't been overly defended, he just isn't playing well this year. I attribute some of that to his back surgery.
Our Dream Team playing against Spain's National Team is the equivalent of a European Dream Team playing against a US Team constructed only from current players born in Oregon. Yes, a Euro Dream Team, something that has never been constructed, would be on par with our Dream Team, probably better. The FIBA World Championship is a world basketball tournament for men's national teams that is held quadrennially by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The World Championship gold medal is considered to be just as prestigious as the Olympic Basketball Tournament gold medal. This is how we have fared against teams in worldwide competition: [edit] FIBA World Championship record 1950: 2nd 1954: 1st 1959: 2nd 1963: 4th 1967: 4th 1970: 5th 1974: 3rd 1978: 5th 1982: 2nd 1986: 1st 1990: 3rd 1994: 1st 1998: 3rd 2002: 6th 2006: 3rd
I don't understand. What's the opposite? Why post if you're not trying to elicit responses and or discussion? Who would read a board full of posts that say: "I like Blazers" People come to these places for argument and banter and others opinions. It's like saying the only reason Bruce Springsteen records music is to get people to listen to it. Not that his trolling works on me mind...
It's a simple formula any 3rd grader can understand, it's one of the most commonly used due to it's incredible accuracy under all conditions, and I've seen several posters on this very board use it repeatedly. But your post goes a long ways toward explaining many of your misconceptions about who can play well and who cannot. Since you're apparently new to the game, here's an explanation from ESPN (they report sports stuff in case you've never heard of them). AFG%: Adjusted Field Goal Percentage = [(PTS - FTM)/FGA]/2 AFG% measures shooting efficiency by taking into account the total points a player produces through his field goal attempts. The intention of this adjustment is largely to evaluate the impact of three-point shooting. For example, if Shaquille O'Neal has 3-5 FG, all two-point shots for 6 points, then his AFG% = [(6/5)]/2 = .600. Meanwhile, if Ray Allen is 2-5 FG, but his 2 FGM are both three-pointers for 6 points, then his AFG% = [(6/5)]/2 = .600 http://espn.go.com/nba/teams/stats?team=por Don't be embarassed to ask questions next time you're in the dark. We're here to help.
One glance at where Nate's favorites fall on this scale says Nate trusts AFG% quite a bit to evaluate players. http://espn.go.com/nba/teams/stats?...g&order=true&season=2&seasonYear=2010&split=0
I don't really know, but apparently I have been labeled one for posting my opinions, with the point of generating debate and discussion. It appears that some people resort to name calling, or talking down to someone if they don't agree with their own views... I'm just on here to talk Blazers, and to speak my mind. If I'm going to be labelled a "troll" or a "Suns fan" so be it! I guess that "trolling" is what makes this board so lively and interesting, IMO.
MARIS- you say I'm talking about scoring but I'm talking about shooting percentage!!!! In the three mos important games of his career!!! 18%!!!! If you shoot 18%, you're hurting your team. Period. And his defense is horrible. Who, exactly, has he shut down? He loses his man a lot too. I do not care about Rudy's regular season or Euro league production. What matters is the NBA playoffs. We're trying to win a title and he's not delivering.
Nor did anyone else on the team deliver. Why not get on Andre's case? He looked stoned in game 2 and was the start of nearly every breakdown on offense, unable to handle a simple double-team over and over and over... AFG% is the most accurate measure of overall shooting percentage. Simple FG% penalizes anyone who attempts more 3's as they are obviously require more skill to make. Andre and Jerryd do not possess this skill, so they rarely shoot them, and miss more when they do. Rudy possesses this rare skill and willingly sacrifices his FG% on a nightly basis to make his team better. AFG% takes this into account and reveals the actual benefit (pointwise anyway) of this skill. It does not take into account the added benefit of how much easier it makes things for Andre and other 2pt shooters when Rudy spaces the floor by successfully making 3's. By your reasoning, Andre and Jerryd make us weaker every time they play because nobody has to go out to the arc to guard them and they can pack it in on D when Rudy, Martell and Nic aren't on the floor. I suspect this is why Nate preferred to start Blake and why Jerryd gets fewer minutes. I would also say I don't think this series is anywhere near as important to Rudy as winning the World Championship or representing his homeland at the Olympics. He is not American and cares little about money. The NBA is all about money, not patriotism. Rudy declined several million dollars to represent his country in the NBA, and all he wants to do is show what he can do when allowed to utilize his many proven talents which surface anytime the pace is quick, or at least be appreciated for willingly sacrificing his stats for what Nate thinks will make the team stronger. But hey, go ahead and spit on him if that's your style. I always love your enthusiasm, but you sometimes tend to shoot first without being sure of your target. If we win this series, it will be because of all the immeasurable ways Rudy makes us better.
Miller is the only reason we've won a game. He's ranked 11th in PER league wide. If everyone on the Blazers. played like Rudy, we'd have lost both games by 90 points each.
Rudy had the 13th best FT% in Blazer history. http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=laOzu