Comments on: Blazers 95, Hawks 99 Re-Thoughts

By: Travis

Travis — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:44:06 +0000

Fair enough, I mean I do have high expectations for him. But I can see how it’s easy to get a little lost coming off the bench and jumping into a game with Roy, LA, etc. all on the floor.

In any case, we certainly agree that Rudy’s ceiling is high and he’s not there yet. I’d love to see him with the ball more. (Although, dribbling with tunnel vision needs to end.)

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Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:36:12 +0000

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By: Coup

Coup — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:27:20 +0000

With Rudy it’s been a season long thing, and I only talk about things like that because he’s still got so much more room for improvement. We can talk about Blake’s shortcomings, but we know they aren’t getting any better.

Ironically I’ll probably criticize less if this keeps up because I’ll be forced to adjust my expectations of him. But until then, I’ll hold out that eventually we’ll see someone who doesn’t take jumpers for 91% of his shots.

By: Travis

Travis — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:38:27 +0000

Yeah, I do still think you’re being a bit hard on Rudy. He made plays, really, considering that there aren’t many touches on this team for him when he’s running with Roy, Aldridge, and — gulp — Blake.

If I see Miller take as many flat jumpers as he did in these past few games again, I think I’ll pull my hair out. And yet, I was so unhappy with Blake’s play on both ends tonight. That pick and roll defense when Johnson went to the hole and scored? My gawd, man, I was livid. At least Miller slows Johnson down on that. Embarrassingly bad defense by Blake. And as I mentioned on Twitter, I’m really not sure why Nate sticks with the 2-PG lineup against a team like Atlanta. Blake is too small to guard Johnson, and so is Miller, while Roy is too small to cover Williams. Granted, Williams can’t really stay with Roy, but defensively, this created some problems at times.

The first half wasn’t the problem, though. Blake’s D in the second combined with Miller and Blake providing little on offense really hurt the Blazers tonight. Miller DID push it and make some plays on the break, though. Blake drove himself into nowhereville a few too many times, too.

As for Rudy, I’m not sure why you’re being so tough on him tonight. He did less one-man crap tonight than in previous games this season. …I specifically remember him dribbling like a maniac and ignoring Martell open on a wing for three one game, but tonight I thought he hit the boards pretty aggressively and, obviously, filled in for Outlaw scoring in the 4th and in OT.

So, ramble ramble, more Rudy, less Blake, please!