I thnk we paid him to play both the 2 and the 3.. and probably in a backup role. But I think he will get good mnutes out of Nate, if his D is what its suppose to be. This team is going to be beter defensivley next year for sure Rudy will be replaced by Wesley, and Wesley will do much more
Certainly Matthews will be a better fit with Nate, and a much better defender. But "do much more"? Questionable. Rudy has talents that Matthews can only dream of. Matthews will not be dunking on Dwight Howard or threading passes through opponents' legs any time soon.
It's Nate's inability to utilize individual players and their unique talents in an effective offense that diminishes his value, and as in previous years, player after player will follow his lead and seek out better coaches to play for.
Nate from Quick's article: http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/07/trail_blazers_looking_for_a_fa.html Say what you like about Nate and his coaching style, but he pretty much nails it with that. Just like Martell, Rudy is a player most effective when he's given lots of shots and lots of minutes, and those were never going to be in abundance with Brandon Roy and Nic Batum ahead of him on the depth chart.
And that's why I said during his rookie season that I thought Rudy would be gone eventually. I never thought he'd be happy as a backup.
Yea that all makes sense. I just thought if we were a solid winning team atop the Pacific Conference and Challenging the Fakers that Rudy would be satisfied coming off the bench... Wishful thinking I guess, but still a real possibility if he does stay
You mean bench player after bench player will seek other coaches who will give them minutes. Isn't that how it always works?
This isn't prep hoops, these guys play for enormous sums of money that is directly tied to their performance on the court -- limited minutes, limited role, subpar performance means lost money in their next contract ... wishful thinking indeed.
I will take the fact that Wesley actually plays defense and shoots as well as Rudy for the occasional 2 highlights a year Rudy brings us. Wesley has a good attitude.. Rudy does not...
That was his greatest moment as a Blazer. I don't know what happened to him and it wasn't Nate's fault. Rudy is an asshole. He was given a starting job in the playoffs to show who he was as a player and he didn't just blow it. He didn't even try. Sad.
OK, so what do you want from the Bulls? Reportedly we're offering James Johnson, but I don't see that as making much sense for you. If we were serious, I think simply a future #1 is the most obvious choice. And I don't see the Knicks or Celtics offering much more than that either.
Can't wait to watch RF5 flourish under a coach that knows how to take advantage of a players strengths instead of a coach who trys to make a roster full of players fit into his scheme.
The way Sergio set the league on fire under D'antoni? Rudy played very well for Nate in his first year. I doubt very much this is a Nate issue, to be honest, it was either an injury problem or Rudy quit on the team.
Plays don't make players, players make plays. As for Rudy I expect he'll rebound a little when he's not feeling so down and out, but he's already 25, he's got no left hand, he has no in-between game, he's great at playing the passing lanes on defense, but man-to-man he's a major liability. I predict he'll top out as a 16 PER player in his prime who can probably hit the long ball at around 40%, but probably won't ever make an all-star game, might win a sixth man title but will probably go back to Spain where he can make more money, be closer to family and be a "star"
That's actually a very good use of the word "symbiotic". Living together, but not necessarily in a way that benefits each party. barfo