Oden #5 and Rudy #9 ranked soph espn.com

INSIDER LINK but here is Rudy and Oden blurb:

5. Greg Oden, Trail Blazers
This big guy's confidence is coming on strong. He's averaging 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks a game in November, while hitting almost 62 percent of his shots. All in just 24 minutes a game. (It's not his fault the Blazers have the best rebounding center in the league playing behind him.)

He's often been dominant on the defensive end and on the backboards. If he begins to assert himself more on offense, we'll be talking about All-Star Game appearances soon.

and Rudy

9. Rudy Fernandez, Trail Blazers
Some guys take major and obvious steps forward in their second season. Others, such as Fernandez, take incremental but pivotal steps that significantly impact their team. Fernandez is still shooting and making a lot of 3s this season (19-for-47 -- 40 percent), but it's his defense that has people taking notice. Fernandez may well be the Blazers' best perimeter team defender. In other words, their defense may be at its best when he's in the game compared to any other guard or wing.

about 2 years ago lanepete 13 comments 0 recs |

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top 10 if you are interested:

1. Marc Gasol
2. Westbrook
3. Hibbert.
4. Jason Thompson
5. Oden
6. Brook Lopez
7. Ryan Andersen
8. Anthony Randolph
9. Rudy
10. Chris Douglas-Roberts

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Nov 20, 2009 10:48 AM PST reply actions

Note that it's an "as of right now" ranking, like Thorpe's rookie rankings

E.g. Derrick Rose is only 19th thanks to his foot injury, but there is no way Thorpe thinks all those guys are better.

Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam

by Norsktroll on Nov 20, 2009 10:49 AM PST reply actions

yes good point.

it is a “moving” rankings. and obviously subjective.

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Nov 20, 2009 10:51 AM PST up reply actions

Nonetheless, I enjoy some honest writing about Oden

acknowledging defense, and limited stats in limited minutes. Often ‘pundits’ just say “hes averaging 11/8” and fail to point out thats in 24 min with PRzy behind him.

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Nov 20, 2009 10:52 AM PST up reply actions

This is a good example of stat based analysis

It’s hard to watch Rudy and praise his perimeter defending. It is true that he does some things well, such as getting steals. That’s valuable. It is also true that his man defense is like Swiss cheese. Anyone holding the ball, being guarded by Rudy, knows they can get by him in a heartbeat. Then they can challenge Joel/Greg at the basket.

Still on the Rex bandwagon.

by dan_the_man on Nov 20, 2009 11:56 AM PST via mobile reply actions

but because of the way rudy plays the lanes, the dudes he guards tend to get the ball less...

"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.

"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.

by Tofu Anonymous on Nov 20, 2009 12:05 PM PST up reply actions

Rudy makes defense fun to watch...

good or not, he’s entertaining when he’s on the floor. A good steal is like a good dunk for me.

...and that's a good thing

by In Walks Rudy on Nov 20, 2009 12:12 PM PST up reply actions

it's often both

for rudy

Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash

by HurraKane212 on Nov 20, 2009 12:50 PM PST up reply actions

Exactly

Hence why I think steals by perimeter players are underrated defensive stats. It’s true that you might give up few easier buckets, but it discourages opposing player from touching the ball, as well as a sure-fire fastbreak bucket at the other end. (except when we have Blake or Roy running the break…) It’s similar to blocks by big guys in modifying behavior of opposing players.

by xedubx on Nov 20, 2009 12:56 PM PST up reply actions

reminds me of the Drexler vs Payton debate

that Ben and KP2 were having on the Wingcast the other day

Drexler was like Rudy, a weak-side gambler who made spectacular defensive plays, but if they misses the steal they wind up “trailing” the penetrator into the paint

Payton was “the glove” The only Blazer who is close to him is Batum, when healthy

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 20, 2009 3:03 PM PST up reply actions