More Good News for the Blazers
We knew it was coming, but say it with me… Rudy is a Blazer.
At 23 and with seven years of pro-league experience under his belt, I don’t expect Rudy to have quite the same learning curve as many rookies coming into the league. That said, 82 games will be more than double the league games Rudy played this year (30, so it will be interesting to see how his stamina holds up.
As we’ve heard before, KP considers the Spanish league to be the top level of competition outside the NBA. Again, it will be interesting to see how Rudy’s high-flying game translates to the NBA. He moves great without the ball, which should make him and immediate scoring threat off the bench (sounds like a certain guard we just drafted out of Arizona…). His defense has never been lauded, but hopefully that doesn’t earn him a spot in Nate’s dog-house…
I think we’re going to see good things out of Rudy this year, but he’s not going to be Ginobilli out of the gate. My hope is that Nate finds 18-20 minutes a night for him off the bench, backing up Roy and playing in a three-guard lineup, and that he gels well with Bayless such that they can provide the bench scoring punch we missed at times last year. You never sub all 5 bench players for all 5 starters, so I think the 2-man depth at each spot can be a bit overrated (inevitably, there are starters and benchers on the floor together), but if Rudy, Outlaw and Bayless can be the core of our 2nd unit and take some of the scoring pressure off Roy and Aldridge, then I’d call that big progress.
Its easy to be excited right now. I can’t wait for October to get here and to start getting a look at this team. If Oden is as healthy as the reports indicate, and Rudy and Bayless can contribute soon, this team will be greatly improved even with the loss of James Jones.
Speaking of Jones, I hadn’t mentioned this here yet but was asked about it in the comments to another post. Jones was a huge find last year, much like Ime Udoka was the year before. But the rumor is Jones has an offer of $25M for 5 years - if that’s true, then I’ll wish him good luck. And I’ll hope his agent isn’t bluffing like Udoka’s was. Both players were great to have around and a positive influence on our youngsters, but both limited the minutes we had for Webster and Outlaw, and at this point I think the Blazers need to learn more about these two players. Do we have our long term SF on the roster, or does the search need to continue there? Leaving that spot open for Webster (4th year) and Outlaw (6th) to sink or swim with will inform that decision, and its not going to cost the Blazers a title shot (the window isn’t open yet).
The roster for next year continues to come together. All we’re waiting on now is the official, official announcement of the Bayless deal, and a decision on whether Batum comes now or waits another year or two. C’mon October, hurry up!
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 at 1:49 pm and is filed under The Inferno, Kevin Pritchard, Martell Webster, Ime Udoka, 2008-2009 Season, 2008 Offseason, LaMarcus Aldridge, Blazers History, Greg Oden, Portland Trailblazers, Brandon Roy, Travis Outlaw, Rudy Fernandez, James Jones, Trail Blazers.
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6 Responses to “More Good News for the Blazers”
July 1st, 2008 at 6:01 pm
You know what they say: competition is healthy. It’s going to be interesting watching Rudy fight for minutes in a stacked backcourt. I really haven’t seen this guy play much except for on youtube videos so I’m looking forward to the preseason to see what he can do.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Yeah, it will be interesting to see how much time he gets. He’s really the only other 2-guard on the roster, so between backing up Roy and some three-guard lineups, I’m hoping he gets 20 minutes a night.
There’s been all kinds of worry he’ll be a prima-donna, but hopefully he’s come here to be a part of this team, and not just try to be a star in the NBA. If he swallows some ego, he could be a huge piece here. But the big three is, and always will be, Roy, Aldridge and Oden.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I definitely agree that if JJ really does have that $25 million offer, then the team can’t afford to bring him back.
Outlaw showed some stones last year when he hit a game-winner or two and was taking the big shots down the stretch. He’s one of the guys I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on this season because if he keeps developing like that, he’ll be a solid part of the nucleus for years to come. And Martell is still pretty damn good trade bait if that’s what it comes down to. Especially when you package him with LaFrentz’s expiring contract…damn that would be a hell of a trade offer for a team looking to dump an All-Star with a big contract and rebuild.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Well, Rudy turning down 20 million from Moscow to come to play in the NBA is a good sign certainly. I too hope he can be the kind of player that Ginobilli is. I don’t think I have ever been so excited to see a rookie join the Blazers before. What a steal he was. The Suns got…wait for it…PRITCH SLAPPED!!
I miss Udoka and he became that hidden gem for the Spurs just like he was for the Blazers. I just hope we can bring him back someday because Portland is where he belongs.
James Jones seemed to be the key to the Blazers winning last season for whatever reason and I hope he can be back as well. I would hate to ruin the chemistry that was created last year with him in the lineup.
Houston I don’t agree that “the big three is and always will be Roy, Aldridge, and Oden”. The jury is still out on Oden so don’t be so hasty. Also, I have some serious doubt about Aldridge. He got predictible last season and seem to have hit a wall. Defenders have figured out his moves and he only has 2. Both of which are choreographed and you can set a watch to. He also smacks the ball in his hands when he is about to shoot (watch his predraft workouts and it is VERY obvious) which EVERYONE has figured out so they know when to jump to defend it.
Although I must say; having so many good players that you are having to decide who gets the minutes and who starts is a good problem to have.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I only say that about the Big 3 because that is the constant mantra from the organization. I didn’t predict that they’ll go into the HOF together in the class of 2030 or anything… Those are the three key assets, and until they prove unable to act as the pillars, the team will be constructed around them.
Remember, KP is all about the Spurs philosophy of three stars and a team of role players. It worked once with Robinson/Duncan/Elliott, and has worked a number of times with Duncan/Ginobili/Parker.
Right now, that trio here is Oden/Aldridge/Roy. Regarding Aldridge, I’m not worried about the weaknesses I saw in Aldridge last season - 2nd season, 1st as starter, and he was 22. If he shows growth again this season, he’ll be fine.
The crazy thing is that right now, four players on the roster after the Big 3 have seemingly unlimited ceilings. Nobody knows how good or what kind of player Travis Outlaw could be. Webster could be pre-knee injury Glen Rice. Bayless could be a modern-day Microwave that fits perfectly with Roy. Rudy, good-lord, who knows?
I just hope that either:
1) They all are happy playing together and can sublimate egos for a shot at history, or
2) That KP makes the right calls on who stays and who goes, and is able to build that role-playing supporting cast.
He’s got all the assets and potential you could ever hope to assemble in this short amount of time. Acquiring the assets is often the hardest part, but managing those assets once you have them requires the most skill and patience.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
By the way Amar - I’m not ready to give up on Marty quite yet… He made big strides last year in his 3rd year. If he takes another step or two forward next year, well, that could wrap up or SF spot for a while as a shooter, defender, and rebounder.
I really like Outlaw as a versatile bench forward. I wish they weren’t intent on playing him only at SF this year - playing him in place of a 4 causes the Blazers to have to compensate with a zone D, but he is an impossible match-up when on the floor with a post, two wings and a point guard.
I think this roster is set until the trade deadline.
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