A Frustrated Rudy Fernandez Starts to Ponder
by Ben Golliver on Feb 24, 2010 11:24 AM PST
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PrintIt has been an injury-plagued, incredibly inconsistent season for Rudy Fernandez, a season that has seen his jumper regularly abandon him, his confidence and energy fluctuate and his soulmate/basketball life partner Sergio Rodriguez escape to a fast-breaking, free-wheeling offense that, for now, offers limitless career resuscitating hope.
In many ways, last year's season for the Blazers was something of a dream: 54 wins, solid health and consistency, and a nice mix of great play in close games and high-octane blowouts of lesser opponents to ensure that everyone stayed reasonably happy. Throw in the national attention of a slam dunk contest appearance, throngs of fans cheering his every movement, the excitement of an entirely new country, and the added bonus of a close friend to ride wingman on and off the court and the 2008-2009 season set the bar pretty high for Rudy Fernandez.
Certainly we shouldn't totally over-simplify and over-glamorize that season. It wasn't pain-free. There was a difficult cultural and language adjustment period, times when his skills seemed to get lost in Nate McMillan's system and a hard foul that found him spending the night in a hospital.
Compared to this season, though, those struggles (even the hospital visit) are trivial by comparison. The injuries. The physical pain of the injuries. The mental pain of the injuries. The surgery. The carefully-laid plans thrown out the window. The rotation changes. The lowering of team expectations. The hopelessness.
And, for Rudy, this is the second time through a no-longer-new, no-longer-as-exciting, slightly-lonelier NBA experience. Less fun, less magic and less minutes; more grind. So it should come as no surprise that translations of two stories have found their way to Hoops Hype, stories that suggest Rudy isn't particularly comfortable or happy with his current role in Portland and is leaving open the possibility of returning to Spain next season.
To Eurosport, Rudy says that he is feeling great physically but that...
Pero ¿tú sabes lo que McMillan quiere de ti? Y de saberlo, ¿qué es?
(Pausa larga) Es lo de siempre. McMillan es un entrenador que tiene las cosas muy claras, que va a muerte con su filosofía. Y muchas veces yo no entro en ella. Yo intento amoldarme a lo que él dice y jugar como él quiere. Pero no noto esa confianza que en el primer año tenía.
Qué difícil parece tu posición en estos Blazers, ¿no?
Sí, es complicada. La verdad es que es difícil. Tengo por delante a un jugador que es una superestrella como Brandon Roy y está claro que hay que convivir con ello. Y difícil también porque durante este año he tenido menos minutos que el año pasado. Así que tengo que tratar de ser mentalmente fuerte para conseguir mis objetivos.
Google translation...
How are things with Nate McMillan?
(Long pause) It's business as usual. McMillan is a coach who has things very clear, going to death with his philosophy. And often I do not get it. I try to adjust to what he says and play the way he wants. But I do not feel that trust that was in the first year.
Your role is difficult?
Yes, it's complicated. The truth is that it is difficult. I have in front of me a player who is a superstar like Brandon Roy and it is clear that we must live with it. And also because during this difficult year I have had fewer minutes than last year. So I have to try to be mentally strong to achieve my goals.
I can laugh about Nate McMillan's pigeon-holing of players and then sleep easily because I'm not one of his players. But if I was Rudy Fernandez, Olympics star and national icon, and I was watching Jerryd Bayless or Steve Blake or Martell Webster start at the two spot (and play pretty inconsistently too) and I was left to remain in my role as the offense/energy off the bench guy, my thought process would be pretty simple: this is my ceiling on this team with this coach. If I can't start and play full starter's minutes when the superstar in front of me on the depth chart is injured and the rest of the roster is stretched due to injuries at practically every position, then I will never start and get to play the minutes that I want to play.
If you remember back to before the season started, Kevin Pritchard told me quite clearly that increasing Rudy's role was a priority this season. Rudy might bring the ball up the court, the coaching staff hinted. There was some early offensive focus given to Rudy, plays called specifically for him to run around and through screens to free himself for open looks. Was it a token attempt? Was it genuine? Either way, whether due to his back injury or something else, Rudy wasn't able to capitalize and those looks and touches became less frequent pretty quickly.
In recent weeks, fully healthy now, Rudy has played desperate. Flopping as much to cover for wild shots as to draw fouls. Missing wide open jumpers. Forcing bad pass after bad pass, connecting just enough to justify to himself that he should continue to look to make the home run play. His offensive efficiency rests at .91 Points Per Possession: 50th percentile.
Perhaps, also, reality is starting to set in. Rudy is a fine player but will never be an NBA All Star. Like Sergio Rodriguez before him, he does certain things very well and he does other things not at all. His lack of progress is due as much to a lack of personal skill development (no left hand, limited dribble-drive moves, no mid-range game, not great at finishing in traffic) as it is role-related. The fact that he has been spending time working on perfecting a contested floater -- a flashy, inefficient and rare shot that he's shown no knack for being able to create, let alone make --suggests that he is perhaps not being honest with himself when it comes to truly realizing success in the NBA. Instead, he's busy improving his greatest strength: playing to the crowd.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
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Rudy, you want more minutes?
EARN THEM! Stop almost airballing 3s and just play better. Its no secret dude.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
But Rudy IS a BARCA FAN (him signing for madrid is unlikely)
I don’t think it’s so much the PT but McMillan’s erratic/trust-less system he’s trying to mold himself into
Unless there’s a system/coach change He might go to Europe but for FC Barcelona or want to get traded to another nba team maybe for the Timberwolves they are need of a SG + he’ll be alongside with ricky the double RR hooks up again
Agree skywaker9
I don’t see realistically how he can stay here long term, but if he was really contributing I would keep him. To me, he hasn’t had the same flare and fire since he got hit by Ariza. Now he’ll pass up some dunks or even 3 pointers that he would take without even thinking about it last year. Now, instead of hitting a 3 pointer, he’s patenting his “fake a 3 pointer and travel” move. Before he can talk about more minutes, he’s got to DO SOMETHING.
Travis Outlaw fan from the beginning.
since when does nate allow his players to earn their minutes?
last year batum got the starting role by default, blake this year started over andre despite andre playing significantly better, there was a stretch where sergio (last year) and bayless (last year and this year) have played pretty well only to get demoted without playing their way out of the rotation. there were stretches where travis consistently got the most minutes of the bench yet his performance did not dictate the time he received.
I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Feb 25, 2010 10:09 AM PST up reply actions
cancer
please trade him kp. i dont care if he’s a fan favorite, he’s a little cry baby.
Heartbroken..... Our goats have escaped.
by Starvin' Marvin on Feb 24, 2010 11:28 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
You'd think they would stick together
But Miller never throws the ball to Rudy unless it is Miller passing up a jump shot.
by tominhawaii on Feb 24, 2010 12:11 PM PST up reply actions
He complained a lot more about PT than Rudy has
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
You honestly don't see a difference??
Rudy has Roy in front of him. Miller had Blake standing in his way. The difference is huge and if you can’t see that, I have to wonder about your “vision.”
Rudy didn't have Roy in front of him for more than 10 games
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
My point is Rudy had Blake start in front of him
and Bayless who was struggling and inconsistent, and even Batum, who is a SF.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
agreed
I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Feb 25, 2010 10:10 AM PST up reply actions
Blake starting over Miller had nothing to do with their ability
Blake did what Nate wanted him to do and Miller did not do it because he was lazy and out of shape. Instead of doing what Nate wanted, Miller complained to the media and yelled obscenities at the coach.
Rudy not getting minutes isn’t as cut and dry as Roy being better than him. It has to do with Rudy not playing good defense and being very inconsistent on offense. Rudy could take minutes from the other guards if he do what Nate wants him to do.
lol,
your continued skill level and dedication is downright amazing
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Feb 24, 2010 1:13 PM PST up reply actions
I pretty much became a hate Miller specialist
Coach only calls on me when he needs to spread the hate.
but, I mean, YOU'VE BEEN CALLED OUT!
Admitted it, and then kept right on going.
God help us if you run for congress…
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Feb 24, 2010 1:19 PM PST up reply actions
not at all
I’d vote TiH in 2012
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Feb 24, 2010 1:22 PM PST up reply actions
You have my vote TIH
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
and my axe...
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Feb 24, 2010 1:53 PM PST up reply actions
He is fairly on target none the less.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
Miller = vet who was probably told he would be the starter, and has been a starter his whole career.
Rudy = 2nd year player.
Not that it excuses anything. Guys shouldn’t whine about playing time,.
Actually I don't think it matters.
If you are unhappy you go talk to the coach and then try doing what he tells you it will take to earn more time.
Whining about a situation shouldn’t be an option.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
by timg56 on Feb 24, 2010 2:22 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
that's probably the best point
that has been glanced over. Nobody really knows whats going on behind closed doors, as in player/coach meetings. But I guess we did already know that the flying accusations were all just that anyway
Absolutely a rec
but to be clear I don’t think Rudy is whining about his situation in the Marca interview.
"One of the bright spots of the young season has been rookie point guard Jonny Flynn, whose name sounds like he should be the lead character in a Broadway Musical. "What are you doing here, Jonny Flynn?" "Why I'm here to court trouble, and woo a girl, and build the most fantastical contraption the world has ever seen!" -- Dave, Game 7 Blazers versus Timberwolves preview
by BlazersOrBust on Feb 24, 2010 5:12 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, but we are the Internets
We can make it a whine if we want to.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
i dont either
i rather a player be honest yet professional than give lame answers that really dont say anything.
I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Feb 25, 2010 10:11 AM PST up reply actions
I honestly think the translation has something to do with this
I read it as the coaching staff not making his role clear. Every player should have personal goals, but the team goals should be integrated into those personal goals, that way bothe the player and the team improve. It sounds like Rudy’s personal goals and the teams goals for how to utilize Rudy are different and creating the tension.
I agree he needs to generally play better, but be honest, how much better has any of the other role player guards have been. Blake was having an off year, Bayless is real inconsistent right now (trying to learn his role there, a bit of confusion there I imagine), Miller seems to chaffe under the system as well. The whole shooting match really.
Coaches need to work to integrate team goals into player goals, a process that does not sound or look like has occurred…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
Or something that was lost in translation through the article.
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
what is it with Spaniards that think they are entitled to playing time and extended minutes? He sounds like someone else
caugh
Sergio
caugh
my goodness Rudy, we need him to be a good basketball player. With Roy less than 100% Rudy has to score, when he’s not scoring he’s not effective.
My advice to Rudy : quit blamin the coach, focus on how to get better and do it.
-Sophia
The Princess of Blazersedge
Twitter.com/sophiabiabia Follow Me!!!
" It just takes an iron fist to keep the riff raff under control and her princess hand is mad strong" - Idoltime
by BlazerFan1 on Feb 24, 2010 11:29 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
No doubt
Enough whining, Rudy, there are minutes to be had now, up to 20 per. Make shots like you’re paid to do.
Or, like I said on Twitter, don’t let the door hit you in the lower back on the way out, Rudy…
Nate was playing him last night
Even though Rudy was not playing particularly well. If that’s not a sign that Nate is giving him a chance to succeed, I don’t know what is.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
and one more thing if Rudy keeps this whining act up, trade him this summer, he'll be worth a fair amount on the market b/c of his current cost
KP would do well not to sit on him until its too late
S
The Princess of Blazersedge
Twitter.com/sophiabiabia Follow Me!!!
" It just takes an iron fist to keep the riff raff under control and her princess hand is mad strong" - Idoltime
by BlazerFan1 on Feb 24, 2010 11:33 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Yup. If this keeps up, we gotta trade him while he still has decent value.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:11 PM PST up reply actions
Isn't it odd though
this recurring theme about Nate’s inflexibility? Rudy’s not the first guy to tip-toe around the coaches my way or the highway guide to playing Nate McMillian basketball. Don’t good coaches coach to their players strengths as opposed to making square pegs fit into round holes?
I think it’s really flippant to rail on Rudy. The guy is a great talent making not just the cultural transition but one coming back from injury. córtelo algunos flojo.
"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."
by bow4meow on Feb 24, 2010 12:35 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
exactamundo
"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."
Yeah I didn't mean to seem like I'm flipping on him. I think Nate is the problem, not Rudy.
I just think there is WAYYYYYYY more chance that rudy is traded than finding a new coach. I’m convinced that Nate is going to coach this team to mediocrity for at least a few more seasons. That is not good news for Rudy. So if KP keeps Nate around and Rudy gets more unhappy, we better get value for him before it plummets like Sergio’s did. We had to pay the kings to take him on.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:43 PM PST up reply actions
I'm not concerned
BE feeds the hysteria whenever a Trail Blazer shows some inconsistency. Look how the trade ideas start immediately surfacing. Outside of Brandon, this is the case for every Trail Blazer.
Rudy simply is rusty and playing below 100%. When he finds his groove, and assuming Mcmillian doesn’t continue to box him in, Rudy is going to do fine. I would agree if he is traded he should command a good value exchange.
"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."
by bow4meow on Feb 24, 2010 12:52 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
This is exactly what I was going to say
People all over this site ridicule Nate for his extremely predictable offense after the jazz game. When Nic Batum calls it “playing a portland”, its funny. When Miller has a scream fest with Nate and then proceeds to play amazing basketball that is more his style, most people applaud him for it. When Rudy comes out and becomes the 3rd player this season to openly question Nate’s basketball philosophy, the reaction is basically send him back to Spain.
I agree that Rudy hasn’t done a whole lot to earn more minutes than he is getting, I just think his complaints are a signal to a greater problem that seems to be brewing, and that is a total lack of creativity in Nate Mcmillans offense. Its kind of sad to see KP going out and getting such versatile, offensively talented players, only to see them plugged into the same roles as the players that preceded them on Nate’s teams. At some point the front office and/or Nate himself will have to take a hard look at whether an offense, which is often used in youth teams that need to quickly learn a simple system, will ever maximize this rosters talent…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
by Rudiculous on Feb 24, 2010 2:06 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
As much as I love Rudy, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Don’t complain about minutes if your play doesn’t back it up. The only person who would’ve been valid complaining about minutes the last month is Batum, and he of course didn’t.
Because Batum is awesome
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Feb 24, 2010 11:57 AM PST up reply actions 4 recs
I can think of another player on the current roster like that as well
by tominhawaii on Feb 24, 2010 12:09 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, who would that be? Surely not one of our point guards.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:12 PM PST up reply actions
I saw Noone maybe 3 years ago in the LA airport.
He was using his cellphone like a walkie talkie or something.
Holding it to his mouth to yell into it, then holding it to his ear, then his mouth.
He was also a teenie tiny man.
dinasour type of guys choir boys
To be fair ...
… assuming a fairly accurate translation, I would not characterize Rudy’s comments as whinning.
He sounds like he is honestly answering questions put to him and in doing so we are seeing some of the frustration he is apparently feeling.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
Fair? FAIR?
Did you say FAIR?
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
Your utter hotness renders me powerless to disagree.
by mlsinpdx on Feb 24, 2010 2:27 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs
rec for something or other
though I’m not sure what….
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
why bring spaniards into it?
what andre did is by far worse than what sergio or rudy is doing.
I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Feb 25, 2010 10:13 AM PST up reply actions
hell even roy wasnt happy with nate
to start the year…i dont see how rudy is being any different than roy who was complaining about touches.
I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Feb 25, 2010 10:15 AM PST up reply actions
Yes, drawing comparisons between two players
just because they are from the same country is, well, hrm, I don’t think I’ll say it.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
Here's my suggestion:
Rudy and a future pick to New Orleans for Darren Collison this summer.
Works for everyone, no? I still think Rudy can be a great player in this league, but I don’t see it happening in Portland.
We gotta offer more than that for DC
that kid is ballin’ with cp3 out.
Heartbroken..... Our goats have escaped.
by Starvin' Marvin on Feb 24, 2010 11:32 AM PST up reply actions
Maybe
But the salaries would match, which is basically what matters, right? I mean, in addition to talent. Collison is ballin’ for sure, but we have a small sample size and teams clearly haven’t YET adjusted to his speed and quickness. Two picks, plus Rudy?
So you're sayin'
we should pick up this guy after teams are able to adjust to his speed and quickness, when he’ll be less effective?
He'll be fine
Teams will adjust to him, but Collison will adjust to that, too. He’ll be fine. I’m just saying that it’s clear he’s a very talented, capable PG, but the sample size is a bit small right now.
I think CP3 being there actually lowers the cost of what he'll need.
Despite all of what we’ve seen, teams clearly still value Rudy very highly and he commands a higher price than one might expect on the open market. I think Rudy for Collison would be more than doable.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
I don't see Rudy moving
because of his status in spain. the Blazers are working hard to become profitiable, one of their goals is to expand the brand overseas. Rudy, Nic and Mills are all a part of that business strategy.
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
That marketability is one of the reason why his trade value is higher.
As much as Portland wants to continue to reach out to European fans, they’re not going to base any roster decisions on that. if they feel they can get a player of more value to the team than Rudy brings in exchange for him, they would do it.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
I am not so sure on that front
vulcan has made it transparent they want a profit, Mills was kept on when we really were log jammed at guard when we could have used an extra banger….
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
I don't think the Mills decision had anything to do with money.
That was the team not having long term confidence in any of their point guards. Considering their erratic play this season, I don’t blame them. There weren’t any players available then that were going to make an instant impact on the team. Mills was better than anything else available, even if he never plays.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
Nate wanted Udoka
Paul Allen wanted Patty
Jason Filippi was interviewed last week and said this:
"Paul Allen, just like I said, he loves our team, but if Rudy it´s not his favorite he´s definitively one of his favorites. And that´s one reason why Rudy is considered untradable. The opposite teams wanted Rudy Fernandez …broke the deal, Paul Allen, our management, say no way, Rudy is untradable, it´s like Brandon Roy.
I´ve heard that his jersey is the most popular one in Portland now. And I can see why because Rudy connects with fans and Rudy has the advantage that not all the players in our team have, Rudy (…. I don´t understand a word here) ) be the favorite of the female fan base, so I guess that helps to sell some extra jerseys.
translation by amlmart1
http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/19/1317525/jason-filippi-interviewed-by-marca
I suspect everyone is barking up the wrong tree. Rudy’s future is in PA’s hands. If Rudy wants out of his NBA contract, he’s got to appeal to Caesar
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I agree
In the end, Portland and Vulcan will make much more money by becoming a championship caliber team than by keeping any single player no matter how popular they are. Furthermore, the brass still has to be thinking of multiple championships, in which case the money any single player brings in is dramatically lower, than the overal profit of getting multiple championships.
However, I do think they might let his popularity influence their decision to keep him around longer than they might if he were from Texas instead of Spain.
Rudy + CA$$$$$$$H should do it, easy
We’re talking about New Orleans. We know what drives their deals.
The question then is, what do we do with Bayless? Keep him, knowing Andre’s days are numbered, or package him with someone else to consolidate talent?
"...it was like he brought his own personal cross-wind to the arena." - Dave
Bayless in that case...
Yeah, I don’t know, and I thought about that. I’m one of the few fans I know who actually thinks Bayless can be a good PG and play alongside Roy. I think it could work well. But Collison is at a high level already at the position. So, I don’t know. NO wouldn’t want Bayless in their system, I don’t think.
Duct Tape and Cellophane
Trailblazers should be forbidden from talking to anybody in the media unless they stick to the approved script. Anyone expressing a genuinely personal opinion should be sequestered until we can find a suitable trade partner.
Oops
On re-reading this after posting I realize it looks serious to the irony impaired. I forgot to mark the sarcasm, so in all seriousness let me state that I actually appreciate athletes that speak candidly to the media. I don’t always agree with them, but airing your disagreements can have positive effects in unforeseen ways.
Good thing you clarified
I did take you seriously at first. I agree with your second take.
" It was as if the Suns hatched a fiendish plot to ruin John Wayne's movie career by casting him as a cowboy." - Dave 2/10/2010
Roy has gotten into trouble with this sort of thing to
Roy is questioning what is happening in his mind, a reporter asks and he raises his concerns and the whole town flips out. It is natural and I appreciate the candidness of the players in general.
I think this whole rudy kurfuffle is largely a translation problem anyway, but the team does need to work better to make sure players understand their role and team goals. Roy expressed teh same confusion at the beginning of the season if you will recall and he is the most solid guy in terms of role on the team…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
airing your disagreements can have positive effects in unforeseen ways.
It seemed to work for Nate and Andre
But I suspect KP would rather not hear/read about a player’s discontent via the media
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Spanish media are the real cry babies IMO
They are nuts
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Feb 24, 2010 11:35 AM PST reply actions 4 recs
Nailed it.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
by blzrfan on Feb 24, 2010 11:37 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
What about his Blazer contract?
The team has an option on him this summer (and next), until his rookie deal runs out. Assuming the Blazers exercise the option—on what basis could he play for Real Madrid? The NBA honors ACB contracts; and I would expect that the reverse is true as well.
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Feb 24, 2010 11:37 AM PST reply actions
He can't
which is why all of this talk about Rudy being upset, (not just Ben’s post, but Dwight and the MSP crew on the radio) is basically fear mongering to Blazer fans. The Blazers already picked up his option for next year, which means unless the Blazers decide to buy him out, he will be a Blazers next year, Rudy has no choice, unless he wants to sit out the full year and not get paid at all from anyone. NBA and FIBA honor each other’s contracts, but they are different type of contracts, NBA players can’t buy out their contract like FIBA players can, (Rudy had to pay a buyout to get out of his contract with his Euro club to come to Portland), but in the NBA only the team can offer a buy out to a player.
Rest assured Blazer fans, Rudy will be a Blazer until 2012 at least, unless they Trade him, they will not lose him for nothing.
Now Ben at least got into the meat of the problem, which is Rudy’s lack of minutes, and lack of production, and the style of which coach Nate wants to play. Alot of this falls on the Coach, there was no reason to not start Rudy when Roy was out, he was the teams best option as a 2, and everyone put in front of him played like crap, so there was no excuse for what Nate did.
There is also no excuse for Nate not playing to his players strengths, this team is built to play a more up tempo style, I am not talking Phonex, but maybe a tempo that is middle of the pack in the league instead of dead last by a long shot. Besides Roy no player on this team benefits that style, and Roy would adjust to an increase in tempo and still get his points. LMA, Batum, Webster, Miller, Rudy, Cunningham, and Bayless all play better when they can get up and down the court, and get easier shots against a defense that is not set yet. Teams like the Spurs who play slow, do so because they have experienced players who can break a team down over the course of a 24 second shot clock. Portland can not do that, only Roy can, but this team relies on Roy way too much for way too much of the teams total offense. This is a coaching issue, and KP needs to fix it, because the players they keep bringing in are built to run, not slow it down and work the clock.
The ESPN announcers made a comment during the last Utah game about coach Sloan, he has had 21 winning seasons during his 22 seasons with Utah. A big reason for the success is his system, which is about getting points in the paint, and being aggressive at both ends of the court. They were lementing the fact that if Sloan was doing this was a smaller front court of Boozer and Milsap, and that when facing the Lakers it would be harder because of it. But what if Sloan had players like LMA, Oden, or Camby? Big’s who if taught the right way to play would be very effective in that type of system.
One of my biggest worries as a Blazer fan is that this team could be wasting the talent it has been blest with, by continuing to run at a snails pace, not get shots inside the paint, and relying on 3 point shots to win games.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
by usmcr3049 on Feb 24, 2010 12:30 PM PST up reply actions 16 recs
Yes sir. Very well said.
Ultimately I think Nate is the problem. The problem is who is the solution. I’m not for firing Nate unless we have a plan in place that is a clear upgrade.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:40 PM PST up reply actions
I wish Rick Adelman would coach the Blazers. Why in the world did they replace him with Cheeks?
What was THAT about? Also I want the fitness/training staff audited…
Cheeks actually replaced Dunleavy.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:53 PM PST up reply actions
But yeah, I really miss Adelman. Letting him get away was a mistake.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:54 PM PST up reply actions
He wasn't
Mike Schuler replaced Adelman in 1986
"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."
From Wikipedia
From 1977 through to 1983, Adelman coached at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, after which he was hired by the Portland Trail Blazers (then coached by Jack Ramsay) as an assistant. When Ramsay was fired and replaced with Mike Schuler in 1986, Adelman was retained; when Schuler was in turn fired during the 1989 season (when poor team chemistry resulted in the team having a losing record), Adelman was promoted to interim coach. After leading the team into the playoffs that year (despite a 39–43 record), Adelman was given the coaching position on a full-time basis in the 1989 off-season.
The next three years were quite successful for Adelman and the Trail Blazers; the team went to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992 (losing to the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls respectively) and went to the Western Conference finals in 1991 (losing to the Los Angeles Lakers). Adelman spent two more years with the team, but was dismissed after the 1993–1994 season.
In 1995, Adelman was hired as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He was unable to duplicate his success in Portland, and was fired after only two years with the team.
After a year’s absence from the sidelines, Adelman was hire
The.
1986? You mean 96?
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:55 PM PST up reply actions
Adelman coached from 89-94 as well
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Feb 24, 2010 12:59 PM PST up reply actions
Adelman was replaced by PJ, IIRC.
Even worse than Cheeks, really.
"...it was like he brought his own personal cross-wind to the arena." - Dave
that's debatable
but I wasn’t fond of either coach, for different reasons. Both were in ’way over their heads and Paul Allen could afford anyone who was available at the time
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Excellent post
I came on this thread to say essentially the same thing – you saved me the trouble of having to type it, so thanks.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
Agreed. KP and Nate aren't on the same page.
I think that’s why Nate has avoided long contracts. He’s unwilling to change his style to suit the team KP is building, and KP is either unwilling, or unable, to build a team that fits Nate’s style.
That said, I still think Rudy has more value to very fast-paced teams than he could ever have to us. We should be able to get a nice return for him.
"...it was like he brought his own personal cross-wind to the arena." - Dave
What is his value really?
People assume he has value, but how many teams need a three point specialist shooting sub 35% from three that contributes an occasional flashy pass or alley-oop, takes a lot of risks for steals and plays matador defense. Yeah some teams might want him, but I think his trade value has significantly dropped in last year and a half.
The.
This:
“One of my biggest worries as a Blazer fan is that this team could be wasting the talent it has been blest with, by continuing to run at a snails pace, not get shots inside the paint, and relying on 3 point shots to win games.”
You’ve just described that sick feeling I get when I watch Blazer games. It’s usually the Brandon Roy show and generally I like it, but I keep feeling like there’s a lot more that I’m missing out on. But what do you expect, Paul Allen hired one of the most inflexible personalities out there. The offense will never change.
this team is built to play a more up tempo style
If that’s true, that’s not on Nate, it’s on KP
First you draft Roy. Then you draft Oden.
Along the way you also draft Sergio, Rudy and Patty Mills?
“Three of things things are not like the others…”
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
so Greg gets the rebound, makes the outlet pass and never crosses halfcourt?
how long do you think that would go on?
Tonight was a good example. Portland did a good job running when it was there, but during the postgame interview Brandon was on NBATV talking about how the Blazers play at a slow pace and still scored 100. There is a compromise that can be reached re: pace and style, but that doesn’t mean that I see a future in Portland for Rudy and Patty, anymore than I saw one for Sergio for the previous 2 years. OTOH, Greg will be a big part of the halfcourt offense, and the problems he’ll create for the opposing defenses will be essential for the Blazer’s playoff success
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Not only does having a player like Oden help the rebounding and shot blocking aspect
of running, he’s one of the quicker centers as well. Although he’s typically the lumbering kind of center, he’s more than capable of running the floor when the situation calls for it. His sprint time at the combine was 3.27, right between Ramon Sessions and Taurean Green. Not that he hasn’t lost some of that with the increased weight, but he’s still in the upper 10 or 20 percent of centers when it comes to running the break.
I call your attention to this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhnvYmgRPv0
I saw the video of Greg at the Olympic training camp last summer
Durant and those guys were running out like crazy and Oden wasn’t getting over halfcourt
If the break is there, run it (like, tonight?)
if it’s not there, pull back, set it up and play to your strengths (Roy, LMA, Greg)
But change the Roy-based system? Good luck with that. We’ve been down this road before, it will take repeated playoff failures for Nate to be replaced. Even if that happens (and I assume no one here is seriously rooting for it…) by then Rudy will likely be gone
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
It's not Rudy I'm promoting the running for
well, I guess he’s part of it. But LMA, Miller, Bayless, Batum, Cunningham are all better suited to run a ton more than we do.
Oden not getting past halfcourt at any point, especially in Olympic training isn’t a question of can’t. It’s silly to say he’s part of a reason we can’t run.
I’m also not calling us running as the rule, but we have to, on more than an occasion or two, take advantage of our gigantic athletic advantage on our opponent by running. Not just running when it’s there.
And if we continue down the Roy only slow snail pace Nate’s offensive ignorance type deal for the playoffs, we WILL lose. It’s not even a question really. No team can hardheadedly do the same thing over and over and over and win. It’s not how things work. Even great teams have switch things up, that being Nate’s eventual demise here.
Its not a Roy-based system, it is a system that Roy has done very well in...
I hate hate hate it when people say that Roy cant run. I have seen him break out down the floor for easy layups in the last two games. Of course Roy will always be at his best in a half court set, but does anyone really believe he doesn’t want to leak out and get easy buckets, or that having the fewest fast break points in the nba is going to lead to a championship? The worst assumption of all is that Roy’s game would somehow be mitigated if the blazers looked to run more, bullhonkey. He would benefit from it just like everybody else on this roster. The key is being able to recognize when its time to run, and when its time to hold up and play nate mac half court basketball…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
The key is being able to recognize when its time to run, and when its time to hold up
I agree with this, and I expected to see more running once Miller was added to the lineup. But then there was the “adjustment” period last fall when Roy said he preferred playing with Blake, and even now we’re reading comments from Andre that he’s not making risky passes like he has on previous teams.
We know that Nate and Dean are risk-averse, and emphasize ball control (A/TO) Running teams have a different mindset, the opposite extreme would be D’Antoni’s SSOL offense. Teams that run a lot install this mindset in training camp, and the coaches enforce it in every game and during practices. Nate emphasizes ball control and defense, and playing the percentages
Roy’s dad and college coach (Romar) have been interviewed and both mentioned that they had no success getting Brandon to increase his pace when on the court. (His unflappable “steady as she goes” style is part of what makes him great.) #7 is the perfect star for McMillian’s system, and rather than try to “speed things up” to benefit other supplemental players on the Blazer’s roster, my suggestion is to draft/acquire role players who will compliment Roy and Oden better than Rudy, Sergio, Mills, etc
Does that mean Portland will never run a fast break? No. But neither should they play a deliberate style for the starters and a running style for the bench players. That schizophrenic approach will only ensure that neither unit reaches max potential
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Oops, that was supposed to be a reply to HurraKane212
but the point is the same.
It's just Rudy being Rudy..
Numerically Blazers Edge is #25
by Outlaw is Rejector on Feb 24, 2010 11:41 AM PST reply actions
I understand how frustrating it's got to be for Rudy.
He’s been injured, he hasn’t had time to get into game shape on the floor, he’s pressing hard and not getting enough results for his efforts.
But there are realities. Brandon Roy is one big reality. But if Rudy plays like he did last year, I think there’s enough room for them to co-exist. But if he’s not outplaying one of Webster or Batum, then it’s going to be real hard for him to get out there. And Batum has been doing very well. And Webster, though streaky, has been hitting his threes.
I don’t know if I want to judge on just the last few weeks of performance. Especially remembering the Rudy of last year. But something may need to give this summer. Because I’m not sure either Webster or Rudy will be happy if they’re both here fighting for that third wing position.
Still, this season has shown that depth can be a very good thing to have. Best solution: Rudy break out of your slump!
Wearing the black band for Jarrett Jack, Ime Udoka, Fred Jones, Sergio Rodriguez, Channing Frye, Luke Schenscher, Shavlik Randolph, James Jones, Josh McRoberts, Steven Hill, Jarron Collins, Michael Ruffin, Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw. Sacrificed to the unmerciful god of progress.
As far as I'm concerned
This is no bigger than Andre Millers deal.
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
Maybe Rudy needs to start cussing at Nate?
Worked wonders for Dre.
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
by OCBlazerFan1 on Feb 24, 2010 12:11 PM PST up reply actions
Have we presented him with the Rudy Fernandez Center For Kids Who Can’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too? I hear this works well in negotiations. Also, we might need a coach to teach some move; i hear he can’t turn left.
Just send him to the coal mines
Of southern NJ
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
maybe he hasn’t been properly hydrated this year—we all know water is the essence of moisture.
by EvilKaramazov on Feb 24, 2010 11:48 AM PST up reply actions
I think Rudy has a point
I know he hasn’t played amazing in his limited minutes, but I’d be frustrated, too, if I were him. If you look at the roster, he’s our backup 2. I don’t know if this is simplifying everything too much, but if the starting 2 goes down, shouldn’t the backup 2 become the starter?
Maybe he’s just playing inconsistent because Nate hasn’t instilled any confidence in him. I feel like this is like what happened early in the season with Miller. Nate wasn’t starting him and his game suffered some because of it. Look what he’s done since being firmly implanted in the starting lineup, though? I think the team needs to be more direct with Rudy on what his role is and what his future with the team looks like.
In a nutshell, I’d be saying the exact same thing if I were him.
"Nicolas! You're the strongest boy in the world!"
Rudy is a role player here. He is a star in Europe. If I were Rudy I'd return to where I am a star if this is what he wants!
I do think he should have started when Roy was out. Bayless and Webster are no better at all. I do also think that McMillan doesn’t instill confidence. And he has weird rotation/substitution patterns that I do not understand.
I’m sure some of this has been triggered by Sergio’s going to a running team… and New York City..bright lights…
not an NBA starter
the post says that Rudy will not be an all-star; i suggest he is not even a starter on a non-lottery NBA team. he does not have the physique or the strength or the game for the NBA. i say you get what you can for him this summer and move on
Kevin Durant doesn't have the physique or the strength of an All Star either, yet somehow...
"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."
How about Tayshaun Prince, or Rip Hamilton?
Rudy’s physique is the worst excuse out there for why he will never be a good nba player. Prince and Rip are both rail thin, and were major parts of one of the most dominate defensive teams this decade…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
Because Durant is taller, can drive, shoot, leap better...
…etc. Durant may be the best pure scorer in the NBA right now. Okay, I’m going to go drink myself into denial…
This post will divide blazersedge LMAO
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Not necessarily
I think Rudy is a good player but he is a bad rut right now. Thus I am not terribly sympathetic to his pleas for more PT.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
In a bad rut
He is not himself a rut.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
I do not blame him for complaining
PLaying time is $$$$$ in the NBA. You get better, you get noticed, and you end up with more $$$$$$. Basketball is his job, and he’s seeing his ceiling being limited. If he didn;t complain about it he’d be an idiot. Rudy does not ha ve a specified role on this team, and with Outlaw and Blake gone, you’d think the team would thrust one on him.
Yes, he’s in a scoring slump right now, but if he’s Batum everyone chants for more playing time. Batum has been bricking the ball in the fourth quarter at crucial times, but everyone seem willing to give him a pass. If Batum puts up a bad shot, everyone mutters “wel, he’s there for his defense.” Rudy puts up a bad shot and he’s looking over his shoulder because he’s probably going to be taken out the game.
In the Utah game, Rudy made two great plays on defense in the fourth quarter, only to get immediately pulled by McMillan for who knows what intelligent reason. We all know it was obviously the right move based on how the game turned out.
Rudy does a lot more than score, and even when he was hurt earlier in the year and couldn’t shoot he’d still steal the ball, disrupt plays and he’d pass. He is still one of the better passers on our team.
More of a problem is the potentially strangling offensive schemes that McMillan is sticking to. I’ve been a fan of his and defended him most of the season, but after seeing this team collapse game after game after game in the fourth quarter it’s no longer an issue of the players, its him.
Yeah, I'm sick of Nate's rotations. Seems like he pulls players sometimes when they are hot
other times he rides them and keeps them in when they are hot…only to keep them in even after they have gone stone cold…I think the players don’t know there roles. I think McMillan is not a skilled communicator.
there was a stretch last night
where the last guy who scored was teh next to hit the pine, or rather the padded folding chair…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
LaMarcus Aldridge makes 19-foot jumper (Jerryd Bayless assists) – next sub – Jeff Pendergraph enters the game for LaMarcus Aldridge
Brandon Roy makes 17-foot jumper (Juwan Howard assists) – next sub – Rudy Fernandez enters the game for Brandon Roy
Jerryd Bayless makes driving layup – next sub – Andre Miller enters the game for Jerryd Bayless
well it seemed like a longer stretch than just 3 in a row, but these 3 substitutions happened all in sequence. Aldridge was the last make, first out, a few things happen, Roy hits a shot the next sub comes in for Roy, Bayless hits and then is the next player subbed for. I find this a bit wierd…
Like Bernie Kosar being benched after he drew up a play that turned into a touchdown. He never saw the field again as a Brown…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
by PDXBuckeye on Feb 24, 2010 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 5 recs
I think Nate's rotations of generally prepared before the game and he does adjust them well in game
at least that’s what I’ve always assumed watching his rotations
The.
Well, to pull an AK here
have to say I feared this may happen since last summer:
I honestly wouldn’t be shocked to see a regression to Rudy’s game next year, similar to what we saw with Sergio when Blake came back and immediately cut into his court time. We will have far more options this coming season with Nic presumably earning more floor time and Webster making a return similar to Blake at the PG. Also, both of those guys are at least two years younger than Rudy, so time isn’t exactly on his side.
Hopefully this doesn’t happen, and I’m real high on Rudy’s game now, but it’s possible that he’ll never be better for us than he was this year.
Saying anything is settled or he doesn’t have a chance to put this behind him would be laughably premature, but I can’t say this is a good sign. Here’s hoping he does pull it together, though.
#52
If Paul Allen loves Rudy as much as I have heard
I would think that Nate has a much higher chance of being dumped.
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
YES...I'm sure there are players who would be just fine with this. But who would replace Nate?
Adelman isn’t available.
Thibodeau
Tom, Thibodeau
I’ve got an idea for a photoshop, if someone wants to try it. Take a scene from a western flick of a gunfight at high noon and replace the faces with Nate and Rudy
Caption: “This town ain’t big enough for the two of us…draw!”
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
it seems to me...
that we have a number of players who are on the cusp of being something special but never quite seem to make that jump. similiar things about the reality of rudy really being special and making something of himself in the nba have been said about travis (traded), bayless, webster, blake (traded) and even oden. it has been said of all of the aformentioned players that they show moments of brilliance and moments of great disapointment. i have no problem with rudy or any player saying what they really think to the media but my question is, “are you being that candid and upfront with the coach and management and what is the outcome”?
this team will never do anything special beyond maybe getting out out of the first round (not this year) with half of its roster showing potential great potential year after year but never delivering the goods. blame it on injuries, rotations, emotions, coaching, the rain, or cry baby antics; but it is obvious something different has to happen. tighter more consistant rotations, specific role definition and the ability to go out and make plays are key. but there is something less tangable happening to this team emotionally that isn’t good. blame it on injuries or whatever. maybe they are looking for love in all of the wrong places…but somebody needs to gather everybody around and redefine what needs to happen and what is expected. thats a coaching issue and a franchise player issue. if after this season it doesn’t seem to be working then make trades, cut people loose. give some of these players the opportunity to go somewhere else and have a good experience. get the best you can for them and move on and don’t be paranoid about weather it comes back to bite you later.
say what you want but rudy is in no way the same player i saw in the olympics. not even close. he is ultimately responsable for that but cut him some slack!
send him out for a pair of fresh legs
he is not even that darn good …..what a waste =Rudy F
How the hell did that happen? I am Trailblazer fan to the core but I love me some OKC THunder!!! Must be the Hometown pride I feel.
I'll Say it now so you guys can know I'm a true follower: "In Pioli I Trust"
Go Chiefs!!!!!
wut
And Marca dutifully reports that Real Madrid awaits a Rudy return with open arms, promising a larger salary, more minutes and 100 virgins
wut? did that really say that LOL
Yeah dude. All Real Madrid new players get 100 virgins.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:17 PM PST up reply actions
Look at their soccer team. You don't get talent like that without virgins.
That’s what I call a real commitment to winning.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
Whole new meaning to the phrase pritchslap.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:58 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I don't blame him, he doesn't really have a role on this team and Nate isn't going to give him one.
He has holes in his game, but he’s an offensive player not a defensive one and he needs minutes to get a rhythm. He’ll never reach his potential here and he has to know that. From his point of view, a trade or a trip back to Spain are the only things that make sense. I agree with him.
Beautiful
The typical Bedge knee jerk reactions.
Everyone who thinks Rudy should be happy with the way this season has gone for him, raise your hand.
Well, that was easy.
Everyone who thinks that Nate’s system is designed to really use Rudy’s strengths, raise your hand.
Hmm. I don’t see anyone raising their hand.
How come the same people who HATE Nate’s system are quick to throw Rudy under the bus when he expresses frustration with that system, especially when you know that his game would fit better in the exact kind of system you wish Nate were running? Do you hate yourselves or something?
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
by jscot on Feb 24, 2010 12:03 PM PST reply actions 8 recs
Agreed. I think Nate is as much to blame for Rudy's problems this year. He gets yanked the second he makes a mistake some games.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:19 PM PST up reply actions
What does Nate do with every player that makes a bad pass, misses shots(except dre), or commits 1 too many fouls?
Cuts their playing time! Duh
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I <3 LMA!!!! 27 Points and 12 Rebs!!!! Now that is more like it!!!!
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by LaMarvelous on Feb 24, 2010 12:50 PM PST up reply actions
he didnt seem to do that with travis or jack
I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Feb 25, 2010 10:35 AM PST up reply actions
completely agree.
not sure what kevin pritchard intended but he has the pieces to run that floor and get some serious points on that board. rudy, bayless, dre, batum, webster, and aldridge are all guys like that like to get up and down quick. but nate’s system is too conservative and is catered specifically for b-roys game. i don’t think it’s impossible to run a blend of a half/full court game but in all actuality that is what we are equipped to do. It would feed energy to guys that play well off of it (rudy, bayless, webster). which brings me to this thought. i am not a hundred percent certain but i think i heard that Mcmillan declined a contract extension. Do you feel that he is the right coach for this team? In the playoffs?
Reality
You take the running guys, as you say:
rudy, bayless, dre, batum, webster, and aldridge
I’ll take Roy, Oden and three guys off the waiver wire. You guys fly up and down the floor. I’ll let Roy score, and let Oden rebound his misses.
This team should be tailored to the strengths of its two most important pieces. They outweigh everybody else.
That’s not to say Nate’s system is perfect, he needs more variation in the halfcourt. But if your complementary players don’t fit with your franchise cornerstones, you get new complementary players, you don’t adjust the system to suit the complementary guys.
by atomiccafe on Feb 24, 2010 12:29 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
We are not talking about running like the Suns
But being dead last in offensive pace is crazy for this team. They should at least be in the middle of the pack, which would help Roy and Oden just as much as the rest of the team.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
by usmcr3049 on Feb 24, 2010 12:34 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
It does seem like something needs to change
Even though our stats were so good last year, we got totally stuffed when Houston upped the intensity in last year’s playoffs.
So yeah, somewhat more fastbreaking, quicker offensive sets is probably a good idea.
And I still think that is going to happen.
Perhaps the players are thinking too much in trying to execute Nate’s way and that much of that can be laid at McMillan’s door. But I get the distinct impression that McMillan first taught his guys how to walk and now believes they are ready to skip and jog, if not actually run, only they are hesitating.
He’s taught them to look both ways before crossing the street and to make sure the creek is only ankle deep before running across it and they’ve learned those lessons well. Now he has to get them to believe that they can look both ways and recognize much faster whether the oncoming car is moving at a speed that can hit them or will not even have made it to the crossing point by the time they are well across. Personally I believe all it takes is more experience and the guys will get it. Does Nate have to change? Perhaps, but he’s also shown in the past that he can modify his ways. I think what will be more important is having the players reach the point they trust themselves to execute the offense and defense the way they’ve been taught without having to think about it.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
Well said
Nobody’s saying we should around like idiots (and/or Knicks), but we have the skills and youthful energy to run more than we do. Generally, lay-ups and dunks are a higher % shot than a jumper. We certainly shouldn’t be dead last.
Will somebody please go sacrifice a chicken at the Rose Garden to appease the injury gods?
Well, Roy and Oden are both very good rebounders, which makes the fast break much easier.
It seems to me that when we play faster we play better.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:34 PM PST up reply actions
do both!
Oden gets rebound, quick outlets (let’s teach our bigs to do this!) to Miller, who runs the floor with Batum and LMA, with Roy trailing for a spot up 3, etc. If we get a good look – great! If not, flip it over to Roy and see if there is something in secondary transition before the defense sets up. If not, then run your halfcourt sets starting with 19 or 20 on the clock rather than 14
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
What you want is an offense that can take advantage of your opponents weakness'
When you play the ancient spurs, you want to be able to run it down their throat. When you play the suns, you want to be able to control the pace and do damage in the halfcourt. If you rely too much on one side or the other, the team becomes far too one dimensional and easy to gameplan against.
I also don’t believe that Oden is a guy that can’t play uptempo, its actually the opposite me thinks. You need a guy to initiate the break with blocked shots or solid rebounding and outlet passing. With Oden underneath, other blazers can leak out once they see Oden has the position and isn’t going to cough up the rebound. Oden won’t be a guy that finishes on the break, he will be the guy that dominates the boards and initiates the fastbreak…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
I agree with this
we could look to push the pace a bit more with Oden and/or Prz. But with LA and Howard, we need guys like Batum Roy and Webster to help rebound, not run down the court while the other teams gets an offensive board and putback.
Also, when teams are shooting 60% on us its hard to push the pace since each play starts with an inbounds…so defense is a factor
Oden is a really good offensive rebounder.
Our team rebounded 36% of its own misses last year, best in the league, and way above the league average of 26%. It was perhaps our single biggest statistical advantage over opponents.
Fastbreaks negate this advantage by leaving Oden at the other end of the court.
That said, I would like to see us play somewhat faster, more middle of the pack than at the very bottom.
That doesnt mean we cant still get 36% of our own misses in the halfcourt
I think that trying to get easy buckets is far more important than waiting for Oden to get down in the paint with the hopes that the blazers will get 1 out of every 3 offensive rebounds. I will gladly mitigate the advantage on the offensive boards if it means the blazers get more easy buckets…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
Is Nate the right coach?
It isn’t a simple answer. Nate is an artist who was drawing a painting, and someone stole half the paint. In some ways, it was starting to look really good last year, but it sure didn’t look like a championship picture yet. But he wasn’t done, and this year they stole his paint and spilled a bunch of it.
Who knows what the painting would look like if he gets to finish it? I don’t. Would it be a championship painting? Anyone who says they know with certainty, based on an incomplete work and spilled and stolen paint, is blowing smoke.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t have clues. And it looks to me like Nate’s system is NOT designed to maximize the talents of a lot of players on this team, including some of the most talented ones. KP has assembled a stable full of thoroughbreds, and Nate’s system is designed to have a bunch of workhorses (role players) make a superstar look good. Nate’s system relies on one or two players at a time beating you, rather than having 3, 4, or 5 of them all be dangerous at once.
So is Nate a championship coach? I don’t have a clue, and neither does anyone else. Is Nate’s system, as we’ve seen it, the best use of the tremendous array of talent assembled here? IMO, not at all. Not enough off-the-ball movement, not enough quick passes.
Look at the way Utah moves the ball and you get the picture. Because of that, there are a lot of plays that aren’t run for one guy, they have plays that will find the guy the defense leaves open. So you have all five guys part of the offensive play, all five guys a threat to score on most possessions down the court, so if you have five talented guys on the court, the defense is stressed at every point.
Nate’s offense only works, IMO, because A) Roy is unstoppable much of the time and B) LMA’s turn-around jump shot is unstoppable. Those are great tools to have, but if they were used in the flow of the offense while other terrible things are happening to the defense on all fronts, it would be even better.
Is Nate the right coach? Because of those great tools, and the use he makes of them, he’s probably a good coach for this team, but I believe there are others who would be better. But they probably aren’t available.
This probably should be a different fanpost/discussion.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
by jscot on Feb 24, 2010 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs
I lean toward Nate leaving
Because the current rules of the NBA encourage thoroughbreds running.
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
Replaced with who?
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
Ideally someone who would put us above 30th place in the league in pace
But possibly someone who stresses more use of length and pressure on Defense or someone who has an offensive system that doesn’t rely on Iso, Iso, Iso, Pick and Pop, Iso plays.
Thibodeu(?), Budenholzer, JVG, Perhaps someone else.. Monty Williams. Not sure. But its more about an attitude and approach to the game adjustment for me.
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
At least JVG would instill better defensive schemes.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 1:01 PM PST up reply actions
Our defensive scheme isn't horrible...
Its just not aggressive enough to properly utilize our considerable length. How many steals do you think we could get every game if we played the passing lanes more ofteh? Also, How many times do we just wait for a team to cool off as they are shooting themselves into the lead? It doesn’t make sense to me in most circumstances.
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
I just don't like passive defense. We are always REACTING, instead of trying to dictate what the offense does with the ball.
You rarely see us hedge the screen, disrupt it, or hell, even be able to deal with a screen. The screen has absolutely killed us this year. I think it is as much to blame for our piss-poor interior D as our centers going down. Our perimeter guys let cutters get into the lane at will from off the ball screens leading to lay-up after lay-up. I’m just sick of it.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 1:11 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
It also frequently seems like we haven’t scouted anything.
Why were we switching on Rajon Rondo instead of going under picks, for example?
great question! Play the pass
and let Rondo shoot over the top!
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Feb 24, 2010 1:20 PM PST up reply actions
Another one of my complaints
Nate doesn’t really have a sense for in game adjustments. He can’t make up his mind on whether he should try to shut a player down or he should just let them go off…
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
Ok I dont know what goes through Nates head
But I get the feeling he is a coach who likes to set up plays and run a proper offense. He isn’t a coach who likes playing the hot hand and only resorts to it when he feels he has to (so one would expect he is less proficient at it.) As such it stretches my belief that Nate is not trying to teach plays and off ball movements to the players, instead it seems more reasonable that the combination of 1. Young players and 2. Lack of consistent playing time is the reason we do not look completely “together” on the offensive end.
You cannot deny that we have seen flashes of brilliance on both sides of the floor. We have the tools available in our young guys (a star as talented as Roy? A big as quick, athletic and smart as LA? An intense and skilled youngster like Batum?) to run some very good passing sets. Give this team time (though absolutely no longer than next season..) to learn Nate’s plays and I think we can be as fundamentally sound as any other team, and just as close in raw talent.
he can still be bought out
It’s much less painful to buyout one year of a contract than 3 or more, as has happened for other coaches.
I think the problem here is that Rudy is pretty average
I think if it was a legit player whining, maybe there’d be a different reaction
But Rudy…well… Rudy pretty much blows
by Theghostofsomeonefamous on Feb 24, 2010 12:55 PM PST up reply actions
You can get called out just as easy for hating Nate's system as for hating on a player
But Nate’s rotations have pretty much been indefensible when he has choices. It’s not just that he often makes the unexpected choice – but that he is flaky and will change his mind based on very small sample sizes (even when he had large sample sizes to gauge his decision in the first place).
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 24, 2010 1:50 PM PST up reply actions
Rec
How come the same people who HATE Nate’s system are quick to throw Rudy under the bus when he expresses frustration with that system, especially when you know that his game would fit better in the exact kind of system you wish Nate were running?
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
Mcmillan shouldve given Rudy a chance when Roy was out. I’d still like to see the coach get behind him give him considerable minuets for 10 games or so and see how he does. He seems frustrated and desperate out there.
by ODEN on a stick on Feb 24, 2010 12:06 PM PST reply actions
I hate to say I told you so.....but I TOLD YOU SO
I wrote a piece on August 7th about Rudy and his future with the Blazers, here is the link:
http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/8/7/981504/the-future-of-rudy-with-the-blazers
What’s funny is when I wrote that, I got all kinds of comments like “this is irrelevant”, “you are insane”, etc. for even suggesting we wouldn’t do everything in our power to keep him. In fact, 40% of the respondents to the poll voted for Paul Allen and KP paying him whatever it took to keep him here!
Most of the logic remains, and I won’t restate everything in this comment, but Rudy has never appeared to be a long-term solution. We got him for nothing, he’s on a cheap contract, and he’s a decent player – but he can make way more money and see way more minutes elsewhere, and honestly his game has always been more flash than substance.
by rip_city_swagger on Feb 24, 2010 12:06 PM PST reply actions
People went a little crazy over Rudy
It’s funny how quickly Portlanders bash Webster and defend Rudy when they are pretty much the same exact player. I’ll leave it to you to figure out why.
by Theghostofsomeonefamous on Feb 24, 2010 12:54 PM PST up reply actions
I don't think that they are exactly the same player but there are lot of similarities.
Trade Rudy since we already have 1 that Nate likes – Webby.
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I <3 LMA!!!! 27 Points and 12 Rebs!!!! Now that is more like it!!!!
41:11 Mins 12-22 FGs 4-7 FTs +12 4 Off 13 Rebs 3 Ast 1 Stl 28 Points - LMA vs Spurs 2-4-10 - LMA RULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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by LaMarvelous on Feb 24, 2010 12:57 PM PST up reply actions
I think Rudy has a higher BBIQ than Webster. He hustles more consistently. Even when he's not making shots.
It is not because Rudy is white. Which is what you are implying I believe. When Webster’s shooting is off, it seems he also watches many basketballs go into the net instead of preventing this from happening. Rudy at least TRIES. He needs to bulk up some it seems but other than this he doesn’t look lazy or distracted on the floor…when many times Webster does.
I don't think this is right
before Batum came back, Webster immediately made the entire team better on defense. He also largely understood his role, and limited himself to 3 point shots (although he occasionally drives to the basket).
Rudy’s effort is consistent, but his lack of strength makes him a man to man liability in many situations, and he frequently gets caught out playing for steals. He also frequently gets caught doing things that really aren’t in his arsenal on offense: trying to make midrange shots off the dribble, getting caught in the air on drives, and attempting Hollywood passes which “result in a lot of turnovers”: http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fernaru01.html when compared to his ability to make plays. These are hardly hallmarks of a high BBIQ player.
The +/- data bears out that the team is better with Marty on the floor and worse with Rudy
out there. (Obviously small sample size caveats apply).
before greg and joel was injured
Rudy was among the league leaders in defensive rating…something martell has never sniffed all year. Martell may be a better 1 on 1 defender…but i don’t think rudy is a bad defender in contexts of team defense. he’s just not able to take as many gambles as he did early in the year bc we dont have a capable center to back him up if the gamble fails.
I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Feb 25, 2010 10:39 AM PST up reply actions
Here is my take from that post
I still believe it is the way to go today.
Rudy is signed through 2011-2012 the Blazers have two more seasons until they even have to think about an extention on his current deal, let alone act on that extention. Alot can and will happen between now and then, for example by 2011-2012:
-Joel’s contract will extpire and he might not be on the team
-Outlaw’s contract will extpire and he might not be on the team
-Blake’s contract will extpire and he might not be on the team
-Miller’s contract will extpire and he might not be on the team
-Oden will have to be extended, how much depends on this season
-The team could sign another FA or 5
Batum’s contract comes up at the same time as Rudy’s, and at that point as of now only Roy, LMA, Oden, Web, Batum and Bayless should also be on the team’s payroll.
the point is, it is too early to talk about seriously. Let Rudy play these next 2 seasons, then if the team needs to move him they will look at it, but not until then.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
true but....
part of building a franchise and a contender is looking ahead. Yes he’s under contract until 2012, but as we all saw with the Amare Stoudemire banter around the trade deadline this year, is that you don’t want to lose an asset for nothing. While he is still under contract 2 more years, you don’t want him to be disgruntled to the point where he is just waiting to leave.
My stance has always been that because of the presence of BRoy, the high level of value Rudy holds around the league, and the very affordable contract he is on, that we could swing him to a team pretty easily and get at least 1 asset back that will have more of an impact on the team. At this point with the Blazers, we have a lot of pieces in place, but we are going to need to do something about the PG spot once the Andre Miller stint is over.
I honestly am not opposed to the Rudy for Darren Collison idea that’s been floating around, since NOLA now has an expendable, young PG and are in need of a SG
by rip_city_swagger on Feb 24, 2010 2:48 PM PST up reply actions
the high level of value Rudy holds around the league, and the very affordable contract he is on, that we could swing him to a team pretty easily and get at least 1 asset back that will have more of an impact on the team
This^
You gotta know when to hold ‘em, and know when to flip ’em…don’t let ‘em just walk away. And for goodness sake don’t let their discontent fester until there’s a trade demand!
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Why do they need a SG?
If Collison’s recent play proves he’s a starter at PG, Thornton’s recent play proves he’s a SG.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
Visualizing the Suck
Follow me on Twitter @invisininjapdx
by InvisibleNinja on Feb 24, 2010 12:08 PM PST reply actions
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
by fajunga on Feb 24, 2010 12:08 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
In 2 years, maybe
I don’t think Rubio makes it to the NBA until the 2012-13 season….
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
Visualizing the Suck
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by InvisibleNinja on Feb 24, 2010 12:12 PM PST reply actions
This has been coming for a while.
Of course Rudy’s not happy being in this system. I think it was wishful thinking that he would start to “get” Nate’s system, take fewer minutes and be happy with it all. I was hopeful that it might happen, but you knew something had to change after Sergio got traded, or we’d come to this type of situation.
I’ve always found Rudy’s game to be entertaining and I see how he can be valuable to any NBA team. But any young shooting guard with aspirations of being a starter and playing in a system that suits him is going to be sorely disappointed playing on the same team as Brandon Roy. For that reason, I’ve never thought Rudy would be here past 2011. I’m hoping this is the reason the team has been so patient with Martell Webster, that they think he’s the backup SG of the future to Roy.
No matter what Portland’s long term plans are, I’d be willing to bet a good amount that Rudy doesn’t figure in to them, even if both parties say that’s the case. The only question is whether he gets traded, or is let go. I’m hoping the team at least gets something of value for him before he goes.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
I hope ( think ) this can be worked out. Rudy has flashes of being an absolute game changing player.
I think this will blow over, and Nate will get the wake-up call to get him more minutes, and try to instill more confidence in him. This has been a tough year for him, but I think he’ll come out alright. He is a fan favorite, and a good long distance shooter in a system that caters to good 3pt shooters. And he’s cheap. I don’t buy this whole he doesn’t fit our system argument, or that he can’t co-exist with Roy. Both can happen just fine. I just think Nate is not trying very hard to make it work, and Rudy’s recent slump probably hasn’t exactly made Nate want to integrate him more.
Just like Andre-gate, Oden’s third leg, Roy and Aldridge’s contract extensions this will blow over. I feel like KP and PA believe Rudy is a key piece to our championship runs, and think word will come down accordingly to try and keep him happy, and get him the confidence he needs to play better.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
That being said I do think Rudy is a little being whiny, and Nate is being a little over-bearing ( as usual ).
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:32 PM PST up reply actions
Portland Roundball Society gives a different perspective.
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
by fajunga on Feb 24, 2010 12:35 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
The Spanish media is pretty ridiculous
but using the argument that because they might be pandering to the “…Spanish audience, some of which wanted him to start over Brandon Roy last year” is a pretty absurd on its face.
#52
Just an awful sentence there by me
Basically, it’s a horrible ad hom argument to discredit a source based on the ridiculous views of a few of its readers. No one’s saying that we can’t trust Ben’s coverage of Andre Miller because TiH doesn’t like him.
#52
I was trying to help show the tone of the paper and it's readers
they tend to be very nationalistic and think that Spanish players are amazing and just “misunderstood” by evil US coaches.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Feb 24, 2010 1:07 PM PST up reply actions
Understandable
I just think it worked better without that point in there. I think you’d have to say that only the most extremely blinkered Spanish basketball fans thought Rudy should start over Brandon last year, so you gave it too much weight.
We know that the Spanish media can get out there because of the Sergio chronicles, but I’m not sure they were ever THAT far out there.
#52
well
I’d say that it’s a pretty popular sentiment there from my own experience reading comments on Spanish articles and from the tone of the articles themselves. I would also say that the journalistic standards seem to be a bit different. You’d have to ask native Spaniards like alamart1 or fanfaraway, but there seems to be a hypernationalism, kind of like with jewish people and Omri Casspi.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Feb 24, 2010 1:17 PM PST up reply actions
again, that's my own experience
and my own translations. With all the flaws it may carry.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Feb 24, 2010 1:18 PM PST up reply actions
That's a good read.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 1:01 PM PST up reply actions
trade him, Andre draft picks and whatever else new jersey wants (within a reasonable amount)
for Devin Harris(and possible filler). He would put us over the top. Play Harris, Roy and Aldridge 35-37 mpg each, Oden about 32 mpg Batum 30, and give the rest to the bench. And don’t whine about the bench not being happy because championship caliber teams play their best players as much as possible.
as much as I like Rudy and Miller
this would be a great trade for Portland, hopefully NJ wins the lotto, if they do they will trade harris and draft wall.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
Or maybe they feel that Harris IS their PG of the future and they trade us Wall!!!!!
Start sending virgins to Nets management. That works for Real Madrid.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
Yeah I don't think they do that trade unless the virgins are thrown in.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:46 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah Blazer fans definitely should be rooting for the Nets to get the #1 pick.
I mean how many years in a row can the team with the worst record NOT get the #1 pick. The worst team is over-due.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:48 PM PST up reply actions
i was gonna post this exact same trade!
i think the nets would be open to rudy, andre + picks for harris. especially if they get wall, there isn’t much incentive to hold onto harris. he’s in his late 20’s, making a lot of money and the nets of course aren’t going anywhere soon. hell, maybe devin will do us a favor and openly talk about wanting to leave nj.
I noticed Harris hugging Roy and LMA again, after the Net's game
and we know KP loves him some Devin
I think we’ve found “the new Hinrich”
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
What would be sweet? "The new Hinrich"?
That Bedgers would lust unremittingly and unrewardedly for Harris for the next couple of years, instead of for Hinrich like they did the last couple of years?
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
We know Rudy can play
You know what? Ray Allen is having an off year. Does this mean he is sat down on the bench and told to shut up? No, he’s allowed to play through it.
The best rotation the Blazers could have at the guard positions would be:
PG: Rudy
SG: Roy
Backup: Bayless
Spot minutes: Miller
Bayless comes off the bench if Rudy is getting worked by the opposing point guard (not as likely to happen as you think). Miller plays some token minutes to keep his streak alive but otherwise sits on the bench.
Start Rudy. Let him play through it.
" It was as if the Suns hatched a fiendish plot to ruin John Wayne's movie career by casting him as a cowboy." - Dave 2/10/2010
by jamon51 on Feb 24, 2010 12:35 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
You know that Rudy can play.......in Europe
NBA is a different animal and Rudy is pretty much overmatched anywhere on the court here. Even his 3 pt % is mediocre.
by Theghostofsomeonefamous on Feb 24, 2010 12:51 PM PST up reply actions
He will never be a pure point guard
But he will be a combo guard next to Roy capable of playing off of Roy/LA/Oden, with time of course. He is already closer to being a point guard than he is to being a small forward.
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
Well, at least now we're talking about Rudy playing a different position
instead of how Roy “needs” to play PG or SF so Rudy can get more time out on the floor.
I think Batum is closer to becoming a “point forward” than Rudy is to being a “PG” And at least Nic can actually defend NBA PGs
but as long as Paul Allen is the owner, KP is going to have a difficult time dealing #5 away
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I am not really sure where all of this Nico as a point forward talk has come from
In the month of February, he has 5 assists and 9 turnovers in 11 games. Only 3 of the 11 games did he actually manage to get an assist. Rudy has 24 assists and 15 turnovers in the same time frame, and he has largely been considered a struggling player while Batum is considered practically untouchable due to his recent play. I love Batum, but he has not shown that he has point forward abilities by any stretch of the imagination IMO…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
he did over the summer in Europe
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Feb 24, 2010 11:25 PM PST up reply actions
and Rudy hasn't???
He has been Spains 2nd best player next to Paul Gasol, and Spain would eat France’s lunch in national competition. If you are judging Batum on what he has done outside the nba, you better do the same for Rudy. Nic’s resume is nothing compared to Rudy’s outside the nba. Nic’s nba resume is better than Rudy’s tho, yet it doesn’t have point forward listed as one of his skills IMO…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
Finally someone that gets it after reading through all these other posts
I really can’t stand the media and the fans that have this love affair with Andre Miller. Yes, I get that he scored 52 points in a game, but I swear that anytime I watch a game Miller could make the cruddiest series of plays for extended stretches and still get praised for how “amazing” he is…I was just looking, and I’m pretty sure the guy has never won a playoff series, so I don’t know why people think he’ll really get us to another level. Plus, the other night when we went into the Roy and Miller show down the stretch and just looked terrible, I really thought that showed that Miller and Roy together legitimately isn’t a good fit. Because of Roy’s strengths, he really does need a shooter at the other guard spot, and I don’t think that this has to be a “pure” PG. Especially when you consider that Rudy really is one of the best passers on this team and appears to have point guard-like court vision.
I think that the biggest obstacle to guys like Rudy, Bayless, Batum, and Cunningham performing well is getting consistent minutes. For those of you that think that someone can play 5-10 minutes in a 48 minute game and consistently knock down shots, I’m pretty sure you’ve never played basketball before. People need minutes to get in a rhythm and to get in the flow of the game. That’s why going into next year I would wish for this 8 man rotation:
Starters: Rudy (30 min), Roy (36 min), Batum (30 min), Aldridge (38 min), Oden (26 min)
6th man: Bayless (30 min)
7th man: Webster (25 min)
8th man: Cunningham (25 min)
If these guys got this amount of minutes on a consistent basis, I really think they would perform well and give us the best chance to win games. Also, I like Bayless coming off the bench and spelling either Rudy or Roy so that we can have someone in the game to score the ball when those guys (particularly Roy) are not in the game.
Look at tonight's box score for guys like Rudy, Bayless, and Cunningham
this exactly proves my point….more minutes = more production….duh
that's a pretty small team
for the 22 minutes that Greg isn’t in the game
I agree with your conclusion that an 8 man rotation is a good idea for PT distribution, but I disagree that Portland would have success with Rudy as a starting “PG”
Rudy will have to play elsewhere to average 30mpg, and that probably won’t be in a starting role for a top-10 NBA team.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
what can I say, I'm a sucker for small ball
I like the uptempo get out an run sort of a game that would favor guys like Rudy, Bayless, Webster, Batum, Cunningham, and even Aldridge. Thus, w/ the rotation I proposed, I could see starting out the game in more of a slowdown, run the offense through Roy/Aldridge/Oden, but then picking up the tempo and going with a smaller lineup for stretches of the game. Even though you disagree that it would work, I really think it would suit our personnel better, and I’ve seen various games where some version of the uptempo energy units I’m proposing have saved our starters as the offense sputters in the half-court.
Trade him
M 80- So what does Portland give up? Big D- Nothing, Pritchard is such a genius that teams just give him players for free. (Comments from Blog a Bull on July 9, 2009)
Blazers
All I can say is I’m glad I’m not Blazer mgt because it seems to me that the poor play of Fernandez, and the uneven play of Bayless and Webster, show that this team is kind of a muddled mess right now and there is no obvious way to address these problems.
i think we're making too big a deal out of this
i dunno… maybe we’re not used to the candidness of Rudy’s comments? as NBA fans were more accustomed to players, coaches, owners giving stock answers to questions from journalists.
by DefenderOfPants on Feb 24, 2010 12:45 PM PST reply actions
This article reads like a Canzano peice
….. The fact that he has been spending time working on perfecting a contested floater — a flashy, inefficient and rare shot that he’s shown no knack for being able to create, let alone make —suggests that he is perhaps not being honest with himself when it comes to truly realizing success in the NBA. Instead, he’s busy improving his greatest strength: playing to the crowd. … …
The floater is not some kind of globetrottering shot but a reasonable one to get better at concidering his skills and his body type. It also gets him into the paint where he can pass it to someone else, a task we want from him. Also he made quite a few floater shots when he was on the spanish team. Sheesh. Talk about conjecture.
Also you think he pratices it contested? Weird.
I agree the floater would be a good weapon for him
but he hasn’t really shown the ability to shoot a basic jumpshot off the dribble, and hasn’t shown an above-average ability to penetrate the defense off the dribble. Why would he be able to make one of the more difficult shots in the game without having mastered these more basic skills that go into creating and making the floater?
Tony Parker mastered the floater long before he developed a mid range game
Floaters and jump shots are very different types of shots. Its like saying that Oden should be able to hit jumpers before he works on his hook shot…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
Jeff Hornacek
I used to hate it when his floaters hit twine
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The “other” Portland Blazers Blog’s perspective on the issue.
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
They have a point that Marca does stir the pot unnecessarily sometimes.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t an underlying problem with Rudy and his role on this team. Have we ever once heard Rudy say he’s happy with his place on the team and where he figures in to the future of the franchise? Has he ever given any indication that he’s fine with the way things are relating to his place in Portland?
It’s one thing to question sources, it’s another to deny the issue entirely.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
How to enter the top tier of NBA teams aka opening the Championship Window
*besides a healthy and dominant Oden.
Fire Nate, make Monty Williams headcoach (not interim, but permanently). Trade Rudy, Andre, picks, etc for Devin Harris. Let’s say it’s Andre, Rudy, Martell and w/e picks and/or $ it takes for Harris
Blazers 2010-2011 lineup…….mpg
PG: Harris/Bayless…………………………..35/13
SG: Roy/Bayless/Cunningham………..36/10/2
SF: Batum/Cunningham………………….32/16
PF: Aldridge/Pendergraph……………….36/12
C: Oden/Przybilla…………………………….32/16
I love Dante at the SG spot. Total video game line-up.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:52 PM PST up reply actions
Oh God no! This will ruin the franchise!!!
Rudy’s mediocre. Don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.
by Theghostofsomeonefamous on Feb 24, 2010 12:50 PM PST reply actions
Solution
Either A) Use Rudy to get Conley and start thinking about getting rid of Claver, or B) get rid of Nate…
"Get three superstars and then fill the roster with guys willing to go through a wall to win." - KP
B
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 12:52 PM PST up reply actions
Who cares if he is upset.
I am a fan and I am upset.
No one is writing articles about me or offering me any virgins AT ALL!
Produce first, then complain.
we can still win........
by RastaMonsta on Feb 24, 2010 12:57 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, where the heck are MY virgins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
I <3 LMA!!!! 27 Points and 12 Rebs!!!! Now that is more like it!!!!
41:11 Mins 12-22 FGs 4-7 FTs +12 4 Off 13 Rebs 3 Ast 1 Stl 28 Points - LMA vs Spurs 2-4-10 - LMA RULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PENDERBEAST is on the Prowl Looking for an Opposing 4 or 5 to DEVOUR!!!!!!!!!!
I flew into PDX about a month ago
There were no signs welcoming me to the city, no camera crews from the local television stations and nobody asked me for my autograph….
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
I didn't know you were coming. Had I known.....
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 1:13 PM PST up reply actions
LOL
I’ll make my future travel plans known now that I am once again a NW native….
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
Kevin Pritchard did meet me at the airport with a Turkish rap mix tape
which I thought was nice.
Turkish rap mix tape
He did do that didn’t he. How embarrasing. I’m suprised he didn’t offer Hedo a turkey sandwich.
The good news is ...
… that the guy with the rifle didn’t show up either.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
Does somebody need a quilt?
maybe it can have little salary charts all over it ;^)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Rudy is a diva
I don’t think Rudy understands that he isn’t god in America. He doesn’t have that strength or quickness to compete with NBA talent. People need to quit worshiping him and put him in his place or he will never get it. I compare Rudy to the ugly fat chick that wears the tube top, they think they’re someone they’re not.
Love the Blazers. Hate the NBA.
Wow, are we really this fickle?
I think Rudy has a point. I think Ben also made an excellent observation: Roy was injured and Rudy is the second best 2 on the team. So why didn’t he get the nod to start?
Frankly I’m sick and tired of McMillan trying to fit players to his system and make them exhibit the strengths he wants to see in them instead of working his system to showcase the strengths of the players he actually has.
Rudy is a excellent player, he’s not having a good year though. Does that mean he’s “mediocre”, no. Rudy is a very talented player, but he’s not being used correctly, nor is he being given a chance to show his talents because of how McMillan plays him and the opportunities he’s having to work with.
I would be very disappointed to see Rudy leave for Spain or another team in the NBA for that matter. The more and more I look at the team and the weaknesses they have the more I see that Nate McMillan is not going to get the job done.
"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."
Warn the playing time!!!!
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Feb 24, 2010 1:22 PM PST up reply actions
I offer a brief stint of more PT, and if nothing changes...
Then deal him. Its argued that his trade value is very high, right? He is giving us “not so much” lately and frankly I won’t miss him. Like it’s been said he does a lot of things well and a lot of things not at all. I’d rather have a solid 2-guard who knows what consistency is than to have a complaining one who’s only upside right now is selling a few more tickets to Portland’s adoring women.
…That, and we won’t have to see anymore “Rudy’s Spanish Lessons” on the big screen during games.
I guess the question is what could we get for him. I like Rudy, but he just may not be a fit with our guys long term.
Deja vu
Boy, an incomplete but very promising player who has a season to build on, then gets his minutes jerked around to less than acceptable levels in his second season, who starts pressing and playing worse, then gets blamed by fans for not “earning” his playing time his second season. I feel like I’ve heard this story before.
I suppose by next season, folks will forget he ever had any promise at all, we’ll dump him for a second rounder, and we’ll finally see him flourish when he hooks up with a competent player development coach.
by howlingfantods on Feb 24, 2010 1:27 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
BTW, here's a nice little list of players.
It’s all rookie guards who averaged over 25 minutes per game and had PER over 15: here.
It’s no guarantee of anything, but there’s a real and legitimate reason why hopes were high for Rudy’s career.
by howlingfantods on Feb 24, 2010 1:42 PM PST up reply actions
Lost in translation
Guys, you fell for the trap. This link was posted before but it got lost in the shuffle:
Basically, and I know this is true, Im from Spain, it explains how Spanish media will ALWAYS stir things up and ask any player if they want to play there. Anytime they interview Kobe Bryant they ask if hell play for Europe and he gives the exact same reply Rudy gave “hey, maybe”
Read the actual interview and get a good proper translation you’ll see that Rudy never blames the coach. He thoroughly explains that hes having fun, liking the NBA and is disappointed at HIMSELF. Theres nothing wrong with saying him and Nate have different POV’s because its true, and he doesn’t complain about it, he just points it out. You guys are jumping at his throat for something he never said, its not fair.
His last response, about playing in Europe is about as dry as you can get. The media put the words in his mouth. Its like if youre happy at your current job and somebody is like “what would you do if a new offer came along?” Most peoples answer would be “eh, well see” Thats all Rudy did, in Spain were used to it but it seems like Americans are not used to this kind of horrible journalism
by Xavier Garcia on Feb 24, 2010 1:33 PM PST reply actions 15 recs
Rec
Amazing how these things take on a life of their own and start spinning out of control.
I prefer to think the sky is falling
the subsequent panic gives me an excuse to not work for the rest of the day.
shhh
we are trying to freak out here. Don’t ruin it.
I get the paper, so I don't care!
by Name's Ash on Feb 24, 2010 2:45 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
For a lot of fans at BE ...
… forming opinions based on good information is considered optional.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
by timg56 on Feb 24, 2010 2:46 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
It doesn't matter where in the world you go, sports "journalism" will always be sports "journalism"
a home to mediocre hacks who understand you’ll sell a lot more papers with a good story instead of honest reporting.
Marca, ESPN, The Oregonian….it’s all the same. I’m sure somewhere in Spain there’s a Juan Canzano who is laughing his butt off right now.
I ♥ Julie Chu
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Feb 24, 2010 4:40 PM PST up reply actions
Did Rudy forget
that he was out most of the season so far with an injury, and hasn’t exactly lit it up since he returned?
If he really cared that much about his role in the NBA, he might have thought about sitting out the summer and getting his back right instead of playing for the national team.
Trade him.
Re: New Coach
This isn’t exactly a popular coach to have, but I like what Vinny Del Negro has done with the Bulls the last two seasons. In pace the last two years the Bulls have been 10th and 11th. Last season their offensive rating was 15th, and this season they are at 27th. This is no doubt because of the loss of Gordon and the shooting slumps of Salmons and Hinrich. Defensively they 18th last season and 7th this season. By no means am I saying he is the solution, but I think his style would fit well with the Blazers. His system has pretty good balance between pace and defense. Plus they have similar players in Hinrich (Blake/Miller), Deng (any of our SFs), Gibson/Tyrus (LA without a jumper), Noah (Oden), and Miller (Pryzbilla/Juwan.) His staff has done a good job this year developing Rose, Noah and Gibson, and getting Deng back to where he was a few seasons ago. Plus, you have to give him credit for getting the Bulls back above .500 after getting killed in November and December.
With that said, I don’t want Vinny anywhere close to this team, but his style should work in PDX. I’m sure what Rudy said was lost somewhere in translation, but there is at least some truth to what he said. McMillan has not done a great job getting this team to where it should be. They have plenty of talent, and no one seems to be getting better. I’m sure some of that has to do with injuries, but they should be better than 33-26. For this team to reach the next level, they need to find a new coach. The Lakers needed a new coach to get Kobe and Shaq to reach their potential, the Cavs probably need to do the same. Nate is a good coach to foster young players, but I don’t think he can take them to the next level (ex. LA, Oden). His style is way too structured for veterans who know how to play the game (ex. Miller.)
Rudy is the new scapegoat
wasn’t that a fanpost recently>
I went with LMA, possibly Nate, this Rudy thing caught me off guard
Will Rudy hate replace Travis hate? Or Blake hate? or both?
None of the role players have looked good this season, They all look frustrated, not on the same page, probably why we have repeatedly surrendered huge leads in so many games this year. Injuries have played their part, but this team was confused out of the gate this year…Roy was even mentioning it…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
I wish we could have a 5 game span where these two things happen
1. Batum both starts and gets the minutes/trust Webster has gotten all season when he “had to start.”
2. Rudy gets the minutes/trust/worship from Barrett that Blake got. Even when he came off the bench Blake got 30+.
When Rudy misses a shot he has to come out of the game because he’s hot and cold, but Webster is “streaky” so he gets to work through it. Batum is being treated like last year, when he’d start and then Nate forgets about him after he goes to the bench. If Rudy is frustrated I can completely understand. We can’t make the mistake of loosing a player because our coach is making mistakes. As me and others have said who knows how many times, Nate is good with a young team he can get to work hard. He’s not right for managing a talented roster and as evident by the team’s effort the last three games they might be starting to tune him out. I don’t want us to lose Rudy because Nate doesn’t play him, then halfway through next year we fire Nate. Byron Scott is a good coach, but he lost the Hornets and they held onto him too long. Except for the top and bottom few, I don’t think there’s much difference between the 5th and 25th best coaches in the league. Most of NBA coaching is getting them to put in effort, work together and stick to their roles. Phil Jackson isn’t a Xs and Os genius, but he knows how to handle egos (most of the time).
"Maybe we can't stroll to the music of the lute. We must march to the sound of drums." -Captain Kirk
Ok
so then the complaints start rolling in about Bayless not getting any PT, or similar. It’s a neverending cycle of contradictions, based on the underlying assumption that whatever Nate is doing must be wrong, because we aren’t as good or better as we were last year and we’re too short-sighted to realize the true impact injuries and trades have had on this season.
I'm sorry
I forgot I can’t say I think a player should get more minutes because then someone else can say another guy can get more minutes and I’m an idiot. You’re right, Bayless could play more minutes than he is, so I have ability to think about anything but the last game or think clearly in any way.
"Maybe we can't stroll to the music of the lute. We must march to the sound of drums." -Captain Kirk
by terryisntbald on Feb 24, 2010 2:13 PM PST up reply actions
Blake got 30+ as PG and spot up corner shooter.
Rudy can only do one of those things.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
problem was,
Blake could only do one of those things too. In all seriousness though, Rudy could play point as well as Blake if he limited himself to Blake’s repertoire. Rudy frequently tries to push it too far, and that’s when he gets in trouble. If he wanted to, he could bring the ball up and dump the ball in to Brandon or LMA in the post, or runt he pick and pop, just as well as Blake did.
the poster formerly known as sergioftw, in recovery
If that's all we're going to have Rudy do we should kept Blake and dealt Rudy
You can always find guys to just shoot for you and Rudy with Outlaw and something else could have potentially got us the must talked about Point Guard Of The Future. The thing is if Rudy could come off the bench while getting 30+ minutes as our 6th man I’ll bet he’d be happy if we were going deep in the playoffs. If you’re going to win a title you need someone coming off the bench who is better than Rudy is right now. Either he needs to get comfortable with that role (and it’ll take both him and coaching staff making changes) or develop his pg skills enough he can bring the ball up court against pressure and start the offense.
"Maybe we can't stroll to the music of the lute. We must march to the sound of drums." -Captain Kirk
by terryisntbald on Feb 24, 2010 3:33 PM PST up reply actions
Blake is/was also a superior defender
not to mention ability to bring the ball up the court and a much better assist/turnover ratio. Rudy is not a point guard. If anything, he’s more of an undersized small forward.
Frankly, I'm almost ashamed to be a Blazers fan.
Maybe you folks who are getting down on Rudy and don’t appreciate what he can bring to this team don’t really deserve to have him play in Portland.
This guy is a star. A clutch player of the highest caliber. Somebody who almost single-handledly beat the US Olympic team. (Okay, he had some help from Pau.) It is a travesty to treat him like a scrub, as McMillan did by not ever starting him in Brandon’s absence.
In order to come here, Rudy gave up oodles of cash, the company of his extended network of friends and family, a much easier playing schedule, the daily adoration of his compatriots, and—as far as I’m concerned—an opportunity to live in a more civilized society. We don’t know what assurances he was given by Allen or KP, but I’m willing to bet that things are not shaping up to meet his expectations.
Sure the guy has been in a slump. And injured. Etc. If given a reasonable role on this team (i.e., steady minutes, say ~25 per game and crunch-time play), and some time, I’m confident he would play through it. As some have pointed out here, it’s not like he’s the only Blazer who’s had a disappointing season. Etc. Etc.
Ciao.
#52
by CatMan2 on Feb 24, 2010 1:47 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Don't be ashamed
People here care about their team.
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
i agree
honestly when bayless said in an interview that he felt like he could help the team like his draft mates (on other teams IE Westbrook), I didn’t think that was a bad thing…it was Jerryd being honest about his situation without throwing anyone under the bus. Rudy is being no different.
I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Feb 25, 2010 10:26 AM PST up reply actions
I'm confused
I thought Rudy should get more minutes, so my thinking is short-sighted, but if you don’t think Rudy he should play more people say you don’t appreciate what he may bring us in the future and are just focusing on his current slump. Is there any way to win as a Blazer fan?
"Maybe we can't stroll to the music of the lute. We must march to the sound of drums." -Captain Kirk
by terryisntbald on Feb 24, 2010 2:15 PM PST up reply actions
The sooner Nate is gone the sooner most of these side issues will go away
Nate McMillan is the biggest detriment to Championship hopes here and no one ever points that out.
by as11osu on Feb 24, 2010 1:49 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
You’ve been pointing that out for at least a year and a half.
You don't need a Maserati to mow the lawn.
Me as well. He has not done ONE thing to convince me he his anything beyond mediocre.
Took Adelman 4 years to get out of the first round. He runs circles around McMillan in coaching and finally coaching against Nate he goes on to the 2nd round. Adelman still has not had the recipe to WIN a championship either and we are supposed to believe Nate does?
Blazer Pride.
by loyal_blazer on Feb 24, 2010 1:53 PM PST up reply actions
Dont you think
the recipe has more to do with the players than the coach?
Look at the rosters of the last 10 championship teams and tell me where you think our current roster stacks up amongst those 10
No, it has to do with the players AND the coach.
You need both. Nate McMillan as coach, FAIL.
Any guy who’s philosophy is to trade jumpers for drives to the bucket is playing against losing odds every time. Most of the games the Blazers have won this year that were close were the only games Miller, Roy or someone else put there head down to get a dunk/layup/foul to ice or not let the game get away from them.
Blazer Pride.
by loyal_blazer on Feb 24, 2010 1:58 PM PST up reply actions
because
you can force guys to drive to the bucket that won’t. But whatever. I’m not even sure what compelled me to start arguing today. I’ll just say you’re right and I’m wrong and leave it at that
lol
because the constant flux of players coming and going from injuries and trades don’t affect the results as much as the coach? Why do you think Atlanta continues to improve year after year? Health, and a stable roster. The coach hasn’t changed, nor has the system, and yet, they improve
"McMillan is a coach who has things very clear, going to death with his philosophy. And often I do not get it."
Earth to McMillan, better yet, Earth to Blazer management. McMillan is a common denominator in many problems. They are starting to bubble to the surface and the more that McMillan is being questioned the more people will come forward.
Why do so many players seem to not develop as the season goes on? Why does Nicolas shine during the summer, yet he seems to disappear, standing in the corner waiting for a 3?
Hey, I “don’t get it” either when it comes to McMillan.
You cannot tell me that if guided properly that Rudy has the potential to be a key piece on a championship team. The guy is not shooting well now, but he is a dead-eye shooter who can put it up quickly like Ray Allen and Reggie Miller.
Blazer Pride.
you can lead a horse to water...
…but you can’t make him drink. But hey blaming Nate is the new bandwagon so why not jump on it. BLAME EVERYTHING ON NATE ITS ALL HIS FAULT OUR PLAYERS ARE FLAWLESS!
Been doing this for years. Check my logs.
Nate’s coaching was a problem before this season. Add or take away talent/injuries and Nate’s coaching still sucks IMO.
Blazer Pride.
by loyal_blazer on Feb 24, 2010 1:55 PM PST up reply actions
well, it's tough to drink when they are kicking the spurs into your ribcage,
or yanking the bit back into your jawbone.
The great jockeys have that special finesse… “its in the hands”, one with the horse.
Re-sign Travis Outlaw !
how many times have we heard
we have a great coach, the players just won’t listen to them, and then that team actually when a title?
If the players won’t listen to him, then we need a new coach bottom line, or we could rotate the entire roster and start anew.
Aldridge has not complained yet this season, so keep him, ship the rest out…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
This post is a trolls dream. This year has been odd. We’d do well to chill out.
You don't need a Maserati to mow the lawn.
Or, there really is a problem with Nate's "disciplined" execution approach
Nate’s system is analogous to military precision – where discipline is used to gain execution from a highly variable skill set (idiots mixed with geniuses, all required to achieve a team-oriented result).
The higher up the talent ladder you climb, the more discipline must be balanced with dynamic creativity. I’m not talking about opening the doors for a Golden State approach to playground basketball. I’m talking about true genius – giving talented players with exceptional gifts an opportunity to play dynamic basketball.
Nate does not appear to be the best fit for that level of basketball. I’d argue he was a great fit for instilling discipline in a bunch of young players, but this particular team needs more. Talent is not being leveraged to its greatest advantage.
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 24, 2010 1:59 PM PST up reply actions
Well said. A long route to, Nate is not a championship winning level coach, which I agree with.
Nate need an amount of genius to get his team to play with genius. That is required to win a championship. I have not even seen glimpses of that except for one time. Last year he let the team run at the end of the season and they killed people.
It was half a season late after EVERYONE else wanted it. Then he quickly went away from his success once the team reached the playoffs. So those moves were not even genius. The timing of those moves were bone-headed to say the least.
Blazer Pride.
by loyal_blazer on Feb 24, 2010 2:06 PM PST up reply actions
So are you saying that the Blazers are mostly a collection of ...
… SEALS and Delta operators?
Because if they aren’t, then your argument starts taking on water. There is a reason for discipline and a desire for precision with the military. (Although most good military observers will tell you they value accuracy above precision.)
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
I am with you on this characterization,
I am reminded of Walton talking about a great team like a band making music together. Being a musician I relate to that, and certainly appreciate the difference between an artist, or “producer” who gives you room to create with your developed talent, and a boss who chokes the life out of the work imposing his own style irrespective of who he is dealing with. There is a time to learn the fundamentals and set the basic strategy, but you have to open it up and “make it yours” to be the best you can be. I have come to question that Nate is making the most of the team we have assembled. And I hate when players are legitimately frustrated with mismanagement.
Re-sign Travis Outlaw !
I'd do a lot of things to get McMillan outta here
We need a coach who understands his players’ strengths and who plays them by talent and not minutes.
by thetsaiguy on Feb 24, 2010 1:55 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Well, I think posting displeasure here is a start.
Nate has had this stoic attitude, like his authority, strategy and thoughts should not be questioned. Frankly I’m through with it.
C’mon some of these guys improve certain things we talk about on BE the very next game. Don’t tell me management, players don’t read this. If we all feel this way, players may come forward. If there is a consensus a change will come. You can’t get a change with everyone sitting by going, “no way should I challenege Nate’s place with this team”
Blazer Pride.
by loyal_blazer on Feb 24, 2010 2:01 PM PST up reply actions
Clearly defined roles
there has been a lot of talk this season about needing to establish a pecking order.
Establish the core 2 or 3, I would say Roy, Oden and Aldridge are it, in that order (assuming Greg can stay healthy).
And everyone else needs to accept their role on the team. Fair enough, I actually by the argument.
Has Nate actually defined those roles? Evidence suggests not..
Roy said he was confused, pined for the offense of the prior two years. Roy wanted Blake to start.
McMillan said the better performing player would start and Miller languished behind a struggling Blake.
Rudy is the number 2 SG and never started when the no 1 guy was injured. All fare. Batum has been steadier than #webster, only now hit the starting lineup and on and on.
I am confused, it appears so are the players. Who is responsible for that?
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
Nate. He needs to communicate more. I do think he cares. Probably too much about hurting feelings.
He identifies with the bench guys. I think he was affected by the guy who was brought in as a starter..when he played. Anyway…he does his best. Just wish he were better at rotations/substitutions….and communicating clearly yet caringly.
Has anyone from Portland's media talked to Rudy?
I ♥ Julie Chu
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Feb 24, 2010 2:02 PM PST reply actions
who knows...read the post on portlandroundballsociety.com..they say the Madrid paper is
known for stirring the pot. And are NOT accurate. The site states what was actually said…no where NEAR what the blogs/radio stations are making of it.
Also, while KD got to run around learning the game, jacking up shots, the genius of his game is becoming more clear.
Meanwhile Greg Oden has sat out 50% of his games. The games he does play, it takes the coaches over a year to teach him to quit bringing his arms down for a block and hip checking on screens. So either they are not teaching or not teaching right. Then you take him out for said fouls so he gets no continuity in play nor has a chances to go out, ball and find his genius.
Blazer Pride.
by loyal_blazer on Feb 24, 2010 2:21 PM PST up reply actions
Absolutely
KD is the greatest thing since chocolate milk!
Official Adrian Wojnarowski Hater.
The Ardent Optimist.
I am suprised no one has noticed or mentioned the improvement in
Rudy’s D and rebounding
by southern oregon on Feb 24, 2010 2:27 PM PST reply actions
He is too skinny to play defense
Thats the bottom line. Tayshaun Prince be damned…
;)d
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
to be fair
tayshaun has about a 300" wingspan. But yes, Rudy’s D appears better this year than last.
Rudy, you are...
a male primadonna, but I still kinda wantcha.
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the Power of RIP CITY!"
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Remember this from an oregonian article
Before Friday night’s conversation, Roy, in particular, was struggling with what appeared to be a drastically different role. With an early emphasis on feeding the ball to center Greg Oden and letting incoming point guard Andre Miller make plays, Roy rarely handled the ball. That took away his specialty — the pick-and-roll — and left him aimlessly roaming the perimeter, where his outside shot has yet to round into shape.
In the first three games, Roy was averaging 9.3 points while shooting 32 percent from the field (8-for-25) in just more than 24 minutes a game.
“It’s almost like my rookie year again — trying to figure out where I am in the offense,‘’ Roy said in Sacramento after the team’s second preseason game. "I have gotten used to the ball coming to me, I didn’t have to go try and find it. But now I’m in a position where I have to search the ball out and be more aggressive. So, I don’t know.’’
When asked how he felt about having the ball less, Roy was again put in a new position — unable to put his thoughts into words.
“I don’t know yet, honestly. I’ve thought about it, but I don’t know how I feel yet,‘’ Roy said. "It’s definitely not cool, because I feel like I’m still young and there’s a lot I can do.
Roy and Aldridge had no idea what sarge was up to, Roy’s numbers suffered as a result, I imagine it is more confusing for the non-franchise type player….
it is one of the coaches main jobs, making sure his team knows and understands their roles.
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
by PDXBuckeye on Feb 24, 2010 2:41 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
maybe if Roy had floated on the perimeter more, his hammy would've lasted longer?
but we all know what happened…injuries, then Roy was ridden hard to December victories and the wear and tear finally caught up with him
Rudy isn’t selfish now any more than Roy was being “selfish” back in November. Bu the fact remains there’s only 48 mpg at the SG position and Roy is going to get 35 of them when he’s healthy and the outcome is still in the balance
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
true
my point actually was that if Roy and Alridge were confused about their roles, is it surprising that Rudy is?
not saying Roy was selfish here at all…
The article pointed out that Roy’s numbers were suffering, i attribute that to his confusion, also noted in the article.
Therefore, if rudy is confused by his role (as Brandon was earlier this season) it is not surprising that his numbers are down (as brandon’s numbers were when he was confused)
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
Rudy's a 2-guard, Roy's a 2-guard, ergo: Rudy will never start for the Blazers.
Rudy doesn’t have good enough handles to be a point guard.
Rudy is too scrawny to be a small forward.
Ergo: Rudy is screwed on this team.
Trade him to the Knicks for a draft pick in the off-season…
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
Trade him to the Suns for their medical staff
they have Rudy running around with Nash like they would this whole time if Sarver wasn’t so cheap and we get 70+ games from everyone.
"Maybe we can't stroll to the music of the lute. We must march to the sound of drums." -Captain Kirk
by terryisntbald on Feb 24, 2010 3:29 PM PST up reply actions
Please do
The fans cheer for Rudy for what’s done in other teams anyway. They can use the pick to draft some promising young player and keep him in the bench until he starts complaining, then trade him for a draft pick, and then…
absolutely ewwwwww! i could take rudy going to another team in the NBA (UGHHHHHHH!) BUT NOT BACK TO SPAIN!
loveisrespect
by portlandgiirl91 on Feb 24, 2010 4:02 PM PST reply actions
Flashback?
http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/2/9/754412/how-can-this-team-improve
I don’t watch many Blazer games lately because they make me sick.
I just can’t stand McMillan and I’m disappointed even by KP for not taking care of all these situations.
I was angry with all the Sergio-McMillan, and now it’s all over again with Rudy.
I’ve always been a big Rudy fan and loved when he joined the Blazers, not only passing on tons of money from Spain, but even paying his own buyout so he could join the Blazers, and I think that makes him deserving of all fans love and respect, HE IS PAYING TO PLAY FOR YOUR TEAM!
If that’s not love I might just be dumb.
Right now, I don’t want any player I like to play for Nate McMillan, he is the biggest confusion creator and confidence destroyer I’ve ever seen, and that should be enough to ban him from coaching.
Nobody expects a Spanish Acquisition!
by DaniBCN on Feb 24, 2010 4:21 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
Memo to Claver
Portland is a great place but you dont want to play there as long as Nate is the coach
by southern oregon on Feb 24, 2010 4:26 PM PST up reply actions
anything else to get off your chest.
You need to open up more.
RoadBlazer
THANK YOU
I rec’d your post DaniBCN cause that’s how I’ve felt for about two years now. Nate has destroyed this team. He is the equivalent to a high school coach. His greatest skill seems to be convincing peopel around him that he should remain coach.
The Sergio thing is about to blow up in Nate/KP’s faces and and that should be the end of their reign here.
by Blazersaurus on Feb 24, 2010 8:25 PM PST up reply actions
Not trading Martell makes a little more sense now ;)
Til the wheels fall off.... Marcus Camby
Go Blazers !!
Just read that Marca article
and if it’s true that Perez really wants Rudy (thought of as the basketball equivalent of Cristiano Ronaldo) then things could get interesting. Rudy could get a ridiculous amount of money as Perez usually gets who he wants (eventually).
Too bad we couldn't get Claver here and I still would like to see Calderon play in portland
"Good, Better, Best, never let it rest until your good is your better and your better is your best." Tim Duncan
Well, it gives Martell more minutes anyway.
What can we get for Rudy? He could fetch a pretty penny, just depends where to send him.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
well said.
rec, and not just because I couldn’t agree more with every point in your assessment. I’ve been beating this drum for… well, since the early part of last season really. Rudy would certainly post better stats on a faster paced team, though he isn’t one to build a team around nor does he appear to be an ideal fit for this roster in the long haul.
I ♥ Rudy and all… but this team is better off moving him out of the equation sooner than later.
An offensive rebound in paragraph form. -Mr. Golliver
by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Feb 24, 2010 10:00 PM PST reply actions
rudy, rudy, rudy
I think Ben is underestimating Rudy. He disrupts the opponents offense, gets us extra possessions with steals and rebounds, and plays with great agility and speed. His basketball IQ is off the charts. He’s a good passer – although, he does gamble. I think his defense is underrated. He does gamble on defense also, but with real bigs that would be ok. Generally his shot selection, and shots are good, although he has had some shooter’s problems this year…But, he ain’t been the healthiest. Rudy would be even better in a more free wheeling offense, but that ain’t gonna happen with Nate – unless we have a real center or two ( and even then…?) Nate’s conservatism limits Rudy’s game to some degree. Anyway, I like his game as well as his flash:) As an old ratballer, I know it would be heaven to be on the court with him…
I'm confident KP won't mess this up. He knows how good Rudy is, and sees him and Batum as
parts of the championship team. Give Rudy the absolute most you can for his value. What he is averaging, what he contributes, find a similar player and pay him a little more than that guy.
Rudy has been inconsistant, but he is a player that lives for the big moment. So valuable. You don’t just walk away from a guy like that.
by BRoyInThe4th on Feb 24, 2010 11:48 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Leave it to Nate to ruin a blossoming star like Rudy.
Leave it to Blazers’ fans to bad mouth any player for honestly expressing their frustration with NateBall.
The solution is easy: Get a coach who doesn’t try to turn every guard on his team in to NateMcMillanDammitNotGaryPayton.
Rudy = most overrated blazer?
I don’t hate Rudy. I think he can fill a good role on this team as an offensive spark but he’s not a star caliber player in the NBA. I know fans love him because he makes flashy passes and can dunk really well but he has some serious flaws to his game. He can’t create his own shot off the dribble (a must have skill for a starting guard in the NBA), he takes to many low percentage fade away 3 pointers, and his one on one defense is not very good. He’s a good bench player but if he’s your starting 2 guard you’ve got problems. Plus quite frankly he’s gotten the minutes he deserved this year. If Batum or Webster aren’t hitting their shots they can at least help out on defense. If Rudy’s not hitting his 3’s at a decent percentage than he’s doesn’t really have much value on the court.
Maybe he’s the type of player that does better in the less one on one style that is played overseas. Or perhaps he’s just having a bad year and he’s frustrated. Hopefully this story is just something being blown out of proportion by the Spanish media.
JRogero
who says he has to be a star player?
hes just wanting a bigger role on the bench. guys come off the bench for a reason…they dont have complete games. no one is saying that rudy will be a start caliber player in the nba…but he can certainly play a larger role on our team now that our 6th man is no longer here.
I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Feb 25, 2010 10:21 AM PST up reply actions
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