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.