Most player related threads are either in support of a player or pointing out how that player fucked up. I would like to see if we can do a different type of thread where we go through the players one by one (starting with Rudy) and just discuss his strengths and weaknesses, how he should/shouldn't be used on a more specific level. This is not suppose to be a pro or con thread, but a more analytical one. Please play along and we will see if this type of thread is enjoyable, and what tangents are created by a more honest discussion. Rudy I will start by pointing out a few things that I noticed about his play. Please add to my points or dispute them. I have noticed that when scoring, Rudy seems to do best with two diverse actions. The catch and shoot, and the 2+ dribble to the paint. In between, he seems to either miss or lose the ball. He is a good ball handler and can get to where he needs to on the court, but since he is not the speediest player (not slow however) he really seems to need to make more than one simple move to create his own shot. Also, he seems to be very good going baseline or driving in at 45 degree angle, but not so good going head in or backing in from any angle. He also does not seem to use pics very well. I think he would greatly benefit from driving more as that will open him up for more three pointers. Even if it's just a drive and kick, which he does well, he should not always be swinging the ball on the outside. I will let others cover defense and passing, which are two areas that desperately need to be covered. Also, please tell me if threads of this variety appeal to you or not.
Fernandez is probably the best Blazer at using screens - running, running, running, getting his man hung up on defenders in the middle of the paint, then breaking free, catching a pass, putting it up, and knocking it down. I can't think of the most recent Blazer who was as good as Rudy at doing that (Stoudamire?). He's also great at getting free for alley-oops, and has the athleticism to finish. He does need to perfect his pull-up, like lots of younger players. But he's streaky - when he has some confidence, he can make those shots, too. Of course, he needs to work on his defense, but his D is actually quite good for a rookie, especially his help/team defense.
I don't like when he turns into a volume shooter, but at the same time I don't think he is being used correctly. I actually think he would benefit from playing less minutes w/ Sergio to where Rudy is the main playmaker. He needs to attack the rim more. I know he has that ability, and i'm sure it will come. I've noticed he has been attacking a bit more recently. But he really needs to take more shots infront of the 3 point line, be it at the rim or a pull up mid-range J. His D is underrated just because he is a European/Spaniard, imo. He isn't the best defender and gambles a lot, but he puts a lot of effort into it and comes away with postitive plays a lot of the time. He is a phenominal passer also, which is why I would love to see him play more like Roy does, but for the 2nd unit (pretty much at all times Roy is out of the game at least). Rudy's potential is extremely high, and imo, he didn't really hit the rookie wall a couple of weeks ago... I think it was more a slump that he is starting to come out of. I wish he would work better w/ Roy, but hopefully the more they play together the better they will get. Those are some of my thoughts on Rudy. yeah, I agree. He is def. streaky. Hopefully he can start being more consistant... but when he is ON, he is ON.
I think up until he reached the NBA, Rudy had been "the man" or at least pretty close to it, and I could see that in the Olympics. And I hope he remembers that, because he's playing a little less aggressive and confident right now. But he is a rookie, and I think he has an impressive IQ for a player. He has a street ball style. He plays to throw you off. Not necessarily a fundamentals guy, but he can be effective. He seems to be the kind of guy that can get into a zone, so I think he's very emotional. He does have another gear, and I think we'll see more of that when he matures. I think by next year he'll be someone teams will really focus on. His shooting is good as averages go, but it can be up and down. His quick release can make you look bad when it goes through, but sometimes he hits the front of the rim and it goes straight down to the defending post player. I don't know if that's just simply how he has to shoot it, but Blake has a funny looking shot too and it goes down, so I won't knock him for that. Excellent free throw shooter. He can pass the ball really well, but sometimes a little too well. I don't know if some of his turnovers due to his man not following through are because his man really should have been paying more attention or if Rudy expected a little too much of them. I'm leaning more towards Rudy having the right idea, and our guys just needing to have the experience to read what's open for them. He can drive the lane well and get his hands set just right to lay it up around a defender or throw it down, but he doesn't do that nearly enough. He has the passing ability to give himself the option on a drive, so he really shouldn't settle out on the perimeter as much as he does. I don't mind that he's more finesse than strong. He can slip pass the defense and receive passes around the basket. In fact, what's the Spanish word for ninja? He has lateral speed, but sometimes he tries for the steal and commits himself in the wrong direction, allowing his defender to blow by him. But he can read and intercept passes well, and he can sneak in and swipe a dribble when he helps a defender. He has good charge taking potential as well. He's a true shooting guard, so I wouldn't have him try another position for the length of a game, but he certainly could do it on a play by play basis to throw off other teams every once in a while. Although, I know the small forward usually throws the ball in, but I'd be content if he did it every time after timeouts. He's a very nice guy, and a really handsome one at that. I think he can complain a little too much when he disagrees with a call. He should use that frustration to punish the other team more, rather than letting his moments come to him. I think when you have a certain level of court brilliance, you can pull out the stops when you need to and put a team on their heels. Maybe he's trying to fit into a role. The rookie wall might hit him in the face, but I think he'll be a force to be reckoned with soon enough. Overall, he's a keeper. I don't see a place in the starting lineup for him as long as we have Roy, but he could be very important to us at the end of games. There might come the day when Rudy is too good to be a backup, even to a superstar. But if he can accept a Manu Ginobili role, I want him to stay.
I like Rudy coming off the bench and getting good minutes. Watching him run circles around screens for a full 14 seconds is enough to make anyone smile. It's such a difference over watching Stoudamire or Telfair run the clock down for 20 seconds before passing it off or missing a mid range jumper with time expiring. Not to mention, everyone else played more like bystanders than participants. He brings a lot of movement and a great outside shot. Now that he seems to be turning to the inside more than he has in the past, he'll start getting to the line more; a place where he's money from. Like Oden, he needs some time to get used to the NBA game. Once that happens, he'll return to his early season form when just about everything was going in for him. He'll be a nice piece to this team. Fans ADORE him.
yes he can shoot and handle the ball and his d is better than most give him credit for but the biggest thing to me about Rudy is his abiltity to keep plays alive. if you watch him he has a great knack for being just where the rebound/loose ball is alot of the time. he has a high "basketball IQ" in that way and will be a great assest for the blazers for years to come.
