Rudy's best contribution?

by twggyy on Nov 6, 2008 9:22 PM PST

One of the most interesting things about having Rudy on the team could be his affect on Nate McMillian. I often see Rudy's play involving all the things that drive Nate crazy. He takes risk with wild passes, his play is flashy. He takes risk on defense. He is chaotic on a team run by Nate, who sometimes seem to have O.C.D. A control freak perhaps? We've all seen him pull players (Sergio) for getting overly creative, or for making the kind of mistake that comes with being a gambling type player.

And yet, Rudy gets away with it, gets minutes, because even McMillian cannot deny his skills. He is ultimately a good force for our team and no one can deny it. So what must this do to Nate? I think it could be an amazing learning experience. Nobody would think for a second of trying to change Rudy,, so does this change Nates perspective on what kind of player can make a team better? Does it force him to let the boys just play without fearing being pulled? Will he even begin to add more creativity too his coaching? Could Nate teach Rudy to focus his skills so that he is even more effective? I realize this is a lot like other post, Alpha, Omega, Offense, and Playing with rudy. I am thinking more of how and if this changes Nate. Is it driving him crazy or is he starting to relax and enjoy it? (P.S. I wrote this during halftime, is Nic's defence on Tracy great or am I imaging that, and he can finish! Thank god he didn't somehow end up on a team coached by Larry Brown!)

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Nic's defense on McGrady

I actually thought the Batum struggled a bit on defense against McGrady. It seemed like he was getting pushed around by McGrady’s superior strength and that allowed McGrady a few fairly easy shots and also caused Batum to pick up a few fouls. Now, Batum’s performance wasn’t too bad considering that McGrady is a very good player, but he is not as effective as he will be in a few years when he matures and gains a little more muscle.

by trk on Nov 6, 2008 11:38 PM PST reply actions

ehh

If my memory serves me correct Nic held McGrady to 0 FGs in the first half.

Honor Terry Porter

by Philthyanimal on Nov 7, 2008 12:11 AM PST up reply actions

Looks like you are right

McGrady didn’t make any field goals in the first half when Batum was guarding him. However, McGrady did score 3 times in a row (with and 1 on one of them) while he was being guarded by Batum in the 3rd quarter.

by trk on Nov 7, 2008 1:17 AM PST up reply actions

i dont know specifically what the fg percentage is

but i will say that he shot much better when someone other than batum was guarding him…i dont even think batum gave too many chances to get off an assist either when guarding him. chances are i’m overrating his performance here…but hell the guy is 19 and in his 2nd start at one of the better offensive players in the game.

Honor Terry Porter

by Philthyanimal on Nov 7, 2008 2:40 AM PST up reply actions

batum did fine i thought...

his defense does stand-above the others for the same position

by hotstuffdb22 on Nov 7, 2008 4:13 AM PST up reply actions

I wrote that during halftime...

and he didn’t do as good in the second half but it was T-Mac.
I was impressed with him in the first half.

by twggyy on Nov 7, 2008 7:04 AM PST up reply actions

TMac

was not going to be stopped. We couldn’t contain him. I think Batum is doing a good job out there. If I remember correctly, there was just one play where Nic didn’t put it in basket and he should have. I think his offense with get more aggressive with time.

Hello, my name is J Mo

by J Mo on Nov 7, 2008 8:34 AM PST reply actions

I liked this post

about Rudy’s possible affect on Nate.

by TwoDeep on Nov 7, 2008 11:20 AM PST reply actions

thanks..

for the only comment about anything besides the P.S.!
But I understand, Batum is really exciting and I did leave the door open by adding the comment about him at the end. With the stuff about sergio today, perhaps the idea of rudy changing nate’s thinking becomes more relevant.

by twggyy on Nov 7, 2008 6:32 PM PST up reply actions

I think this shows we may have a AMAZING defender in a couple years on our hands

To hold McGrady to 0 FGS (who scored 26 the game before) is an amazing feat for a 19 year old rookie. In the second half it was a different McGrady, the McGrady who averaged almost 30 one season, you can’t stop that, but just think of what Batum learned form this game alone! I think he will be the best defender on our team by the end of the season, and him and Oden could battle it out (on the same team) for Defensive player of the year in a few years. His offense will come but think we dont need it to be amazing with Alderidge, Roy, Rudy, Webster when he comes back, Outlaw and the occational Oden dunk on ya grill! It will be interesting the next few years to see who starts between him and webster (Webster might become our Outlaw in a year or two and come off the bench, as we use Batum’s defense on the starters, i hope he would be ok with that)

by Trail Ducker on Nov 7, 2008 11:29 AM PST reply actions

Rudy is a poor mans Pistol Pete !

Very flashy creative offensive player who
gambles on defense. Most don’t remember
Pistol, but a lot of swoops, between the legs
bounce passes and legendary creativity.
Rudy is a much better defensive player than
Sergio, even though both are soft euro gamblers.
Rudy has that energy and some ability to recover if
beaten off the dribble. The WF Fan fest was proof to
me that Rudy will be in the ROY & 6th Man voting and
will be a fan favorite. I was lucky to get his auto at the
Fan Fest. I love how he dribbles with his head up and
how he moves without the ball. Quick release on the
jumper. A great package. Now if he can put some time
in the weight room, it would help him take the pounding
of the NBA.

COINCAST SUCKS !!!!! GO BLAZERS !!!!!!

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Nov 7, 2008 12:31 PM PST reply actions