Rudy Recap

by Ben Golliver on Aug 13, 2008 8:07 PM PDT

Spain 72- Germany 59

Rudy's line: 21 minutes, 3 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 turnovers

Game 3 of the Rudy World Tour is in the books and clearly the Spanish national team got the memo. The coaching staff, realizing that Blazersedge was using its second team for the recap tonight, decided to let Rudy off the hook.

"Save the brilliance for the US game," I can hear them ole'ing to Rudy pre-game.

Thanks guys.

This game was very instructive in terms of our collective understanding of Rudy's development. In this game, we were able to confirm some things we already knew, see some new wrinkles, and generally appreciate spending some more quality time with our guy.

Rudy can look good while not playing particularly well. And I'm not just referring to his rockstar looks (ladies...). When active tonight, he was smooth-- whether dishing, flopping, fading away. Always smooth. I am pretty much never smooth so I felt it was worth pointing out.
Rudy floated a lot, particularly in the first half; Spain's offense was grinding on all cylinders, particularly in the first half. A chicken and egg paradox. A tear collects on the side of my eye. And trickles.
As the game progressed, Rudy picked it up and showed flashes of seriously advanced basketball IQ. Daring lob passes, a solid back screen and seal that left Gasol wide open for an and-one, and some scrappy backcourt play alongside Ricky the Fresh Prince that led to chaos for the German guards. In all of the gushing about Rudy I'm sure it's been said, but I'll say it again: dreaming about him playing alongside Brandon is doubly fearsome. The physical skills and creativity are one thing. But the mind games these two will be working on people could be scary. Who knows what they might contemplate by putting their heads together? It's like what Pinky and the Brain were supposed to be, if Pinky was another Brain. Feel me?
Rudy played the top of the 2-3 zone very well tonight. Quick feet, active arms, good court awareness. With Oden in the middle and Rex hovercrafting through passing lanes, we would be silly not to break out the Demopolous toolbox this season.
Rudy is very good at walking around the basketball court. During free throws, checking in to the game, checking out of the game, protesting fouls. He's got that swag. He's a preener fo sho. He trots up the court alongside Ricky like a show pony. I guess it's fair to say his body movement runs a full gamut. it is intoxicating.
Lastly, Rudy is ahead of the pack emotionally, especially for a player of his age. And don't just chalk this up to his euro-ness. Rudy's faux-surprise, faux-injured, faux-contempt, faux-frustrated, and his faux-overly-aggressive are all well, well above-average for his age group. Rudy aced middle school drama and was invited on the big 8th grade field trip to New York City, where he was able to see a doubleheader screening of Lion King and Cats before riding the elevator to the top of the Empire State Building and taking in a beautiful view of Manhattan. Although Rudy pretended that he was bored the entire trip, he was actually having the time of his life. 10 years later, those experiences have paid off remarkably well.

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)

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I just watched the game, and I am kind of surprised that anyone thought he looked good tonight. I want Rudy to be good too, but this guy is a prima donna ball hog who plays defense like he learned it in the bull fighting ring. Whoever was fortunate enough to be ‘guarded’ by him was always open for a three, and several times they hit it easily. Maybe he was just having a bad night, but he looked like he disappeared to whatever dimension Malik Hairston would often go last season. I wanted a show, I just didn’t expect it to be a vanishing act.

by Phalanx on Aug 13, 2008 8:46 PM PDT reply actions

PhaLANX, throwing-down the chain-mail gauntlet at Ben's feet

I didn’t see the game. You two hash it out.

Asked his specialty in the kitchen, Oden paused and said, "Hamburger Helper and tuna fish."

by MiledAnimal on Aug 13, 2008 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I watched about 20 minutes of the jerky video

Then I had an irresistable urge to take a nap. My indelible image is of Rudy protesting a foul call. He is indeed good at walking around the court gesturing in a Euro manner. This is something we Blazer fans hate—on opposing teams. But I’m sure we’ll embrace our very own theatrical Euro with unbounded enthusiasm.

As for the rest of it: Saturday morning’s un-jerky broadcast of the USA-Spain game will tell the tale. If Rudy can match up effectively against Kobe, LeBron, Wade, et al, then we should hold a parade. If he gets burned: oh, well: he has lots of company.

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Aug 13, 2008 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions

China game

Rudy sets a blind pick on Yao. Ming comes across the lane and flattens Rudy. Rudy complains to the ref and gets a T

s’ good to be the host country team’s superstar

by two4larue on Aug 14, 2008 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Are you sure you're not mistaking Calderon with Rudy?

by Mike-Fu on Aug 13, 2008 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Exactly

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that. I've got you covered bro... much love.

by johnv59 on Aug 13, 2008 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions

I saw it

Closer to Ben’s take, if you ask me. Rudy was doing a ton of the little things not showing on the box score, being useful when he isn’t scoring. Sorta an Anti-Martell

Norsktroll -"Carlos Boozer.............is known in China as "Fan Gu Zai," which, loosely translated, means "Betrayal Skull Guy."

by 92wastheyear on Aug 13, 2008 9:12 PM PDT reply actions

PS .....the commentator (on the scroll thingy)

kept referring to Rubio as Chachi

Norsktroll -"Carlos Boozer.............is known in China as "Fan Gu Zai," which, loosely translated, means "Betrayal Skull Guy."

by 92wastheyear on Aug 13, 2008 9:14 PM PDT reply actions

Code Red

Roy’s knee. Check Blazer’s main page for details.

Blazer's fan since '84, Currently exiled in Tennessee and North Carolina

↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A

by HurraKane212 on Aug 13, 2008 9:19 PM PDT reply actions

thanks for the heads up

it’s on the mainpage.

as for rudy, which barely matters at this point…

aside from points 3 and 4 (which stand, for sure) i’m failing to see where i was giving rudy any undue praise.

read between the lines on some of these…

"You'd rather say 'whoa' than 'giddyup.'" ~ Dean Demopoulos

by Ben Golliver on Aug 13, 2008 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions

It does matter: He will get tons of additional playing time now

He or Bayless, R.O.Y. candidates now. Book it.

Oh, and as for Rudy’s game: I didn’t like him in that game either. Germany was playing with three guards who are all somewhat undersized (5’11, 6’1, 6’3) for much of the game. He should have killed that defense, who at times ran around like chicken. He – and Spain – didn’t do more than necessary for the win, and that wasn’t a lot considering that they took Dirk and Kaman out of the game. Combo-guard Hamann, the guy matched up with Rudy most of the time, was the top scorer on both teams, and as I pointed out in my game preview, he should be pretty easy to defend as he loves to drive to the rim and isn’t a great shooter.

Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."

by Norsktroll on Aug 14, 2008 2:59 AM PDT up reply actions

I swear we are cursed

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that. I've got you covered bro... much love.

by johnv59 on Aug 13, 2008 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Sir Ben

May I humbly opine,

How you could transform:

“Rudy’s line: 21 minutes, 3 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 turnovers”

Into a poetic 6 stage piece of artwork.

Is quite simply put.

Brilliant.

Bravo Sir Ben, Bravo

Oh S**T, B Roy news not good….....Looks like it may be GO’s turn to return the favor this year.

The Oden Era, Day 413

by Heymoe on Aug 13, 2008 9:22 PM PDT reply actions

at least one person saw this post!

BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON (SERIOUSLY DOG)

by Ben Golliver on Aug 13, 2008 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Just pray it's not in the center...

by Mike-Fu on Aug 13, 2008 9:24 PM PDT reply actions

Something didn´t work when a guy who makes 90% of his free throws miss them.

The Midnight Rambler

by amlmart1 on Aug 14, 2008 12:29 AM PDT reply actions

He missed at least two last game also!

Why is Rudy such a BUST now?

Tell me the truth Amlmart1, because I count you as a friend: Is Rudy real, or is this just an elaborate hoax by the country of Spain to pilfer Paul Allen’s gold? You scheming Spaniards crave American gold with an unquenchable LUST that underlines your every move. Was Rudy real the first two Olympic games and was just in a car accident while staring at a meter maid and replaced with the most recent winner of the Rudy Fernandez look-a-like contest?

In the picture where they make the Asian eyes, why is Rudy barefoot and slanting his eyes out of step?

Something is wrong here… I just watched the Spain/Germany game in reverse while rewinding the game, and I kept hearing “Rudy es Muerte, Rudy es Muerte”. What does that mean?!??

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Aug 14, 2008 2:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Just kidding, only an off game, perhaps a bad night.

He´s not Sergio “two good games” Rodriguez.

That picture stole his soul, you know, that´s why he played bad perhaps., he didn´t sleep after a nightmare about how his life will be at Portland each time he makes the wrong gest or say the forbiden word. ;-)

You should make check your video by an exorcist.

The Midnight Rambler

by amlmart1 on Aug 14, 2008 5:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Priceless!

Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."

by lee3022 on Aug 14, 2008 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Nate's Take on Rudy

Casey Holdahl: Just speaking about Rudy individually, have you seen anything new from him or have you been surprised by anything you’ve seen from him?

Nate McMillan: I saw him a couple of years ago and he was young. He wasn’t starting or getting a lot of playing time. Now he’s starting and he’s playing a lot. He’s a talented player. He plays with a lot of energy; a lot of passion. I think the fans are really going to be excited with the style of play that he brings to the floor. He plays the game very passionately. He puts everything out on the line. He doesn’t hold back. He seems to be, in the two games I’ve seen him in, fearless.

I went down to the locker room the other night to talk to him. He’s excited about coming to Portland and looking forward to playing for us. And we’re excited about him coming. I think there’s going to be a learning curve for him, of course, as it is for any young player, but his ceiling as far as what he’s capable of doing: I think he’s got a high ceiling. I think he’s going to be a really good player.

(This is my personal take on Rudy, just as it is on Bayless. Both have high ceilings. Both will have some blow out games, and both will show some inconsistency. However, when the game is in doubt – and this one never was – they both want to be on the floor. Rudy is the real deal. He’s going to make a fine contribution to the Blazers – as will Bayless)

by Eben Calder on Aug 14, 2008 5:00 AM PDT reply actions

Nice Ben: +1

I enjoy being a Blazer fan. And your blog helped me better enjoy my enjoying of that deal.

(Is there video on that class trip? How many points did Rudy put up?)

'77

by LaoTzu on Aug 14, 2008 9:52 AM PDT reply actions

So

Does anyone else think Roy faked his injury to steal attention from Rudy?

"I grab every opportunity to tweak Timbo." - annthefan

by tominhawaii on Aug 14, 2008 4:51 PM PDT reply actions

No second string here - the standards have been raised! (despite timbo)

Laughed all the way though Ben!

In case you missed this post in last night’s thread:

i dont know if i wanna read Dave’s recap on Rudy tomorrow

by Trail Ducker on Aug 13, 2008 7:40 PM PDT reply reply actions actions 0 recs
Dave said he won´t watch the game. Rudy´s lucky.

We´ll see what happend against your boys.

The Midnight Rambler

by amlmart1 on Aug 13, 2008 7:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions 0 recs
But Ben is here

The Ben is mightier than the sword!

Aldridge said. “We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we’ll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We’re going to be here for a long time.”

by lee3022 on Aug 13, 2008 7:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions 0 recs
………………………………… but only half as sharp!

(nerk nerk!)

“He shoots………………….. he scores!!!”

by timbo on Aug 13, 2008 10:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply