What is Wrong with Rudy?

[Getting Traded]

Rudy seems to have lost his confidence and attitude. He seems to have less lift and mobility. Because of this he isn't blocking shots like he was and everyone is blowing by him, even some big guys. Also because of his lack of lift he's getting blocked at the rim like never before and because of his loss of confidence, he has absolutely no offense. As a result, he's always looking to pass when he should be looking to shoot, which invariably has been leading to a turnover.

I don't think you can entirely blame his injury because he was playing better his first few games back than he is playing now. He also seems to have lost his strength -- recall that block by Aaron Brook when Rudy was on the way up with his shot at the rim -- the replay showed he got mostly Rudy's forearm. But Brooks is far from the strongest guy in the league and Rudy should've been able to just power it up and dunk it. It's very discouraging and I think we'd be better off playing Withey if he continues like this.

 

[couscous]

I think this is what Rudy is, late last season was partially due to massive minute changes during the 2nd half, and most teams have no idea who this Rudy guy is. Now they know his weakness and how to play him. I have said this before, the best to hope for is him having Tyson Chandler-like ceiling, if he can reach that level consistently I'd be happy with that.

 

[Gameface]

It's not because of his injury that he played better the first few back and now looks like he doesn't have the same strength? Umm, sounds like he's been compensating for his injury and it's affecting his game.

Rudy still changes the way the other team plays, for the benefit of Utah. He's still awesome. I think his injury is bugging him, but it isn't stopping him from making a big, big difference.

 

[silesian]

It's not because of his injury that he played better the first few back and now looks like he doesn't have the same strength? Umm, sounds like he's been compensating for his injury and it's affecting his game.

You may be right, but the difference I see seems to be mental. He needs to work through the fouling problem. He wants to be more aggressive but then loses control of his body and hacks someone. Then he gets a borderline foul and he's frustrated and on the bench. Then he comes out and he is conservative, not wanting to pick up his third. He is thinking too much about the refs and getting bad fouls and not enough about the game. He needs to find a happy balance.

 

[silesian]

Board consensus seems to be that Rudy will get a mini-max contract, and I have agreed.

However, I think this presupposed that his upward trajectory would continue, including being more dominant on D and improving his offense to a more competent level. Neither seems to be happening. His overall game has not progressed.

So in my mind the size of the contract we offer is up in the air.

 

[zbone]

We are in the same situation as with Kanter - some is going to drop max on him and we will have match. People not going to like it here but Rudy is nearly as much as liability as Kanter used to be but on the other end.
My only hope is Exum's return will fix at least some of Rudy's flaws on D and make him more efficient on O with more 'oops

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[Ron Mexico]

We are in the same situation as with Kanter - some is going to drop max on him and we will have match. People not going to like it here but Rudy is nearly as much as liability as Kanter used to be but on the other end.
My only hope is Exum's return will fix at least some of Rudy's flaws on D and make him more efficient on O with more 'oops

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using JazzFanz mobile app

Except that Rudy plays hard and tries. The biggest problem with Kanter is he quit on the team.

 

[zbone]

Except that Rudy plays hard and tries. The biggest problem with Kanter is he quit on the team.

I am not convinced that what you attribute to Kanter's lack of trying isn't actually lack basketball IQ. He probably isn't bright enough to process things quickly and react.

 

[couscous]

Rudy has been glued to the bench in 4th qtr of late, Quinn doesn't seem to trust him in n crunch time anymore

 

[kabenac]

I don't think it's physical as Rudy gets massive minutes. I have looked at his game log over the season and he seems to have peaks and valleys. I wondered if Mack didn't compliment his game style but Gobert has had some monster games with Mack playing as well as some bad stretches prior to Mack coming to the team.

Rudy has been off this season - not terribly consistent. Though he's had some awesome games that remind us of how great he is.

Maybe he realizes he's injury prone and doesn't want to go all-out (like last season) until the Jazz are contending? Who knows. I believe in Gobert and think Exum's return will help Gobert's play.

 

[Ron Mexico]

I am not convinced that what you attribute to Kanter's lack of trying isn't actually lack basketball IQ. He probably isn't bright enough to process things quickly and react.

I am taking Kanter's word for him quitting. Also watching him play for thunder you. can see the difference in hustle and effort. He also played a lot harder for the jazz before the final season.

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[Scat]

The biggest "Oh crap" moment for me watching Gobert play this season was against OKC the other night. He got the ball deep in the post with one person guarding him. Adams I think. I was expecting Gobert to make a post move and spin to the basket for the shot. I honestly think he thought about it but eventually passed the ball out of the post resulting in a turnover. He so desperately needs to work with Hakeem. Rudy has no confidence in his offense and it shows every time he gets the ball with a chance to score.

 

[Miggs]

Dude needs to take the summer off. None of that French bs. Rest, heal, have surgery (if there's something we don't yet know), and then work on his offensive game and free throw shooting. **** putting muscle on. Improve his strength, sure, but I don't want him putting weight on. He needs to regain that quickness both laterally and off the floor.

 

[silesian]

Dude needs to take the summer off. None of that French bs. Rest, heal, have surgery (if there's something we don't yet know), and then work on his offensive game and free throw shooting. **** putting muscle on. Improve his strength, sure, but I don't want him putting weight on. He needs to regain that quickness both laterally and off the floor.

Yep. I'd add basic ball "handling" drills. I know we don't typically think about this with bigs, but for goodness sakes, there must be something that can be done to improve his hands and stop the turnovers. You'd think he could spend time with Booker, who knows how to catch and hold onto the ball with authority. Makes me yearn for the days of the Mailman, you threw the ball somewhere in the right zip code (pun intended) he'd catch it and firmly hold on. I'd drill him with two quick-handed defenders harassing him, throw him an array of bad passes and have him learn to deal with dense lane traffic. I think his brain is not yet on NBA speed so he gets harassed/ stripped before he can react.

 

[silesian]

By the way, I just bought a Gobert jersey. So I have faith he will turn it around. My son got Favors and my daughter got Hayward. Look for us in the stands at next year's Sixers game in Philly!

 

[Miggs]

Yep. I'd add basic ball "handling" drills. I know we don't typically think about this with bigs, but for goodness sakes, there must be something that can be done to improve his hands and stop the turnovers. You'd think he could spend time with Booker, who knows how to catch and hold onto the ball with authority. Makes me yearn for the days of the Mailman, you threw the ball somewhere in the right zip code (pun intended) he'd catch it and firmly hold on. I'd drill him with two quick-handed defenders harassing him, throw him an array of bad passes and have him learn to deal with dense lane traffic. I think his brain is not yet on NBA speed so he gets harassed/ stripped before he can react.

Certain football drills would be great. Some of the wide receiver drills. I recall McNabb, despite being a qb, actually doing a drill with a tennis ball.

 

[fishonjazz]

By the way, I just bought a Gobert jersey. So I have faith he will turn it around. My son got Favors and my daughter got Hayward. Look for us in the stands at next year's Sixers game in Philly!

Awesome man! Replicas, or the $100 dollar sob's?

 

[SojoDave]

This is the most minutes that Rudy has played in a season and he looks like his legs are shot. Let's hope it is his injury is the cause because he just doesn't have the lift or quickness he had last year. Hopefully he will get his legs back over the summer and next year he'll be the monster he was last year. Man, it kills me to write this because I love Rudy like a fat kid loves chocolate cake.

 

[fishonjazz]

This is the most minutes that Rudy has played in a season and he looks like his legs are shot. Let's hope it is his injury is the cause because he just doesn't have the lift or quickness he had last year. Hopefully he will get his legs back over the summer and next year he'll be the monster he was last year. Man, it kills me to write this because I love Rudy like a fat kid loves chocolate cake.

I agree with your post but last night against minny he looked great. Looked like his old self. I saw him running the floor faster than I have seen him In a long time, eating up space covering guys all over the place, scaring the crap out of any dribble penetration, getting up high and snagging one handed rebounds while having defenders draped over his back.

I have always said that rudys greatest asset is his mentality.... I'm thinking he can smell the playoffs right now and we are going to see a ferocious, determined Rudy to finish out the season.

 

[Gameface]

I agree with your post but last night against minny he looked great. Looked like his old self. I saw him running the floor faster than I have seen him In a long time, eating up space covering guys all over the place, scaring the crap out of any dribble penetration, getting up high and snagging one handed rebounds while having defenders draped over his back.

I have always said that rudys greatest asset is his mentality.... I'm thinking he can smell the playoffs right now and we are going to see a ferocious, determined Rudy to finish out the season.

I hope the team wants the playoffs as bad as we do. I think they do.

The playoffs are where players make a name for themselves.

If Utah makes a strong showing they might get more favorable calls next year.