But I think he will be good if we bring him over because KP has shown a knack for going out and getting players who improve. Also Sergio will also help ease some of the culture shock, and the two could combine to lead a very exciting 2nd unit (NBA: where white unit alley-oops happen).

26 mpg, 17 ppg(leads team), 3rpg, 4apg(leads team), 50% 2pt, 40% 3pt, 96% ft.   value = 20.6(leads team), the next closest player is Rubio at 17.9

I think the biggest miss-conception about Rudy is that he is going to be dunking and driving all day.  That really isnt his game, the atheleticism is obviously there, but Rudy's real weapon is his deep ball.  He averages over 6 3pt fg attempts every game and still shoots 40%. he uses that threat to get to the hoop and finish. If he cant finish he usually  draws a foul, he is averaging 4 freethrow attempts per game, and that is with Ricky Rubio running the point and taking the lions share of the drives to the basket. Since lots of people like Rubio, Rudy averages a full assist more than the drive happy point guard.

Unfortunately, his stats are in spanish and I cant figure out if they even list steals and turnovers.  But from what I have seen Rudy is a willing and committed defender, he is very good in the passing lanes and off the ball on defense but might get taken advantage of in 1 on 1 situations, but what blazer guard not named Roy isnt get torched 1 on 1.  The zone is what has been working and I think his defense would work nicely in that.

All that said, he is not going to start next year unless there is catastrophic injuries.  I essentially see him taking Jacks role as a scorer off the bench, likely paired with Sergio or Roy in the backcourt.  I think Rudy is the scoring 2 that can start alongside Roy, just not next year.  Rudy is going to have to show he can guard point guards for that to happen, and I think he will eventually.  

Here is the statsheet if anyone can figure it out any further:  http://www.acb.com/stsacum.php?cod_competicion=LACB&cod_edicion=52&cod_equipo=JOV&totale s=0

The last 3 or 4 categories on the right are the ones that dont make sense to me.  I translated "Balones,  Tapones, and Faltas" and got back  "Balls, Caps, and offenses"  I was thinking that offenses might be fouls committed and fouls recieved, but I am not sure.

BUT, Rudy is a terrific prospect, and SHOULD be a good NBA player.  I think it's safe to say he'll be, at the very least, an exciting player who fans love... but until he gets stronger and adapts to the quicker NBA game, he can't be relied on to be our lil' Manu off the bench.

Pritchard loves him, so I love him.  He's really young, and him being picked in the late 1st round shouldn't be held against him.  That is mostly because GMs knew he wouldn't be able to come over for a bit and they don't like "wasting" a pick like that, AND it was a crazy deep draft last year anyways.  Universally Rudy is considered one of Europe's best, most awesomest prospects, so I'd rather be happy we were able to get him for such a low price rather than worry that he must not be good just because others passed on him.

Rudy is something to be excited about, but like any rookie (aside from Oden) he'll take time to be useful.  He won't make us a playoff team.  It's unhealthy to expect too much from the kid, but that's what fans do.

But, Tweener, I understand your worries... if KP and Friends think highly of him, then I think it's okay for us to do so.  Rudy is a lot better than that lame Italian Golden State drafted ahead of him (because he could come over right away), and has a good all round game reportedly.  He doesn't seem to be a streaky Juan Dixon type, and he appears to be pretty athletic for a Euro shooting guard-- and that's what will possibly make him a good NBAer.

I've watched some of his games on TVwhen I lived in Europe for a lil' bit, and he looked dang good.  Manu's slashing and shooting is the best comparison.  He just needs to get muscles and adjust to McDonalds and apple pie and drop that paella and taco junk they eat over in Spain.

So, Tweener, I say keep your expectations low and then hopefully you'll be happily surprised with how he plays.  Me personally ain't gonna expect much next year, but I think he'll at least be a good off the bench scorer.

Mortimer