I agree we won’t win in the playoffs this way, but I won’t be upset if he sticks around past the deadline, and we address needs in the offseason. He’s playing well right now, shooting basically 43% from 3 this season. The versatility that he, Vando, and DFS are giving us is really fun to watch, we pretty much had a serious lack of wings and now we have a bunch. He still has his defensive issues for sure, but I do think his scoring has been valuable, he’s doing it from 3, midrange, cutting to the hoop, teams pretty much can’t guard him right now.
I think Rui is staying now. Mark, Luka and Bron are good rebounders. And in this switching strategy he fits well. Can guard the post too, which is good for small ball lineups that JJ seems to like. I think it's smart to see how we do with this group and reevaluate next season.
Knecht got sacrificed because the core rotation played like gangbusters near the deadline. hopefully they continue
I agree. I would leave it alone at this point, try rolling some small ball lineups with Rui at the 5 against smaller teams and just build chemistry. This looks like one of the most versatile teams we've ever had. Lots of playmaking, rebounding, shooting, cutting... let's just give it a try as is this season.
Good to have a trio of wings with different strengths. DFS will likely be the starter and JJ will deploy Rui/Vando depending on matchups. Prototypical 3&D: DFS Offense: Rui Defense: Vando
Rui was spared in the center trade which is nice for us as far as continuity and having depth. Now he can be that bench scorer 6th man while DFS starts.
Rui’s been playing his a** off (for him) and until/unless it becomes a real weakness I think JJ may not do it any time soon. Enough upheaval already.
He stayed. He knows, like Gabe, that they're the 1st players we think of to try to improve the team in a trade. It's up to him and Gabe to prove they are adding more value than what we can take for them. I like that motivation
glad to see him here. i think jj believes in him, and that's good enough for me. he's definitely improved every year, and we focus on his limitations sometimes to ignorance of that fact. and yeah, he and gabe are expirings next year if things don't keep trending up.
I may cope up to the jinx if he was traded because I bought a Rui jersey in my excitement after he got here and like I said in the other thread players get traded or leave when I buy their jerseys, Dwight, DLo, Lonzo, AD etc all except LeBron
Rui’s been playing pretty good lately. I do think he’ll be moved to the bench for defensive sake and I’m hopeful it brings him some more offensive opportunities. He’s been shooting really nicely this season, I’d like to see him attack the basket a little more and draw some more fouls. On the defensive end, just continue the high effort.
As long as Rui keeps working hard on D and making progress on it and rebounding and not a bad negative on D I think he’s a much better offensive player than DFS and in his happy/motivated place now. JJ may not “want” to take a chance messing with that without real good reason.
After watching us beat the Pacers who have been HOT as hell with a top 5 rated defense, without AD, Max, Lebron or Luka yet, and how damn well everyone especially AR of course played .... I say definitely my take above that Rui is a much more consistently impactful offensive player than DFS holds true. JJ, I would imagine will NOT screw with how well he is playing unless at some point for a prolonged period Rui gives him reason to .... by moving him to the bench. Rui is shooting the hell out of the ball from deep, is money from the mid range and will attack the basket and jam on you if he gets an opening. And he's working hard on D and rebounding.
rui is a better offensive player than DFS, but DFS excels in the narrow role we need: finishing plays created by virtuoso initiators. i don't trust either one to make decisions with the ball. and the nod goes to DFS due to defense--he just has the instincts rui doesn't. i believe rui has worked on this and improved, but DFS is ahead of him there by a good sight, and we need that.
I trust DFS a lot more with the ball because he has a faster processer than Rui. Rui's hesitation can lure the playoff vultures.
The FO believes in Rui, hopefully that belief will pay off in the playoffs. Yasuke is still my guy too.
Just rebound and box out better to start with. Rebounding is a big part of defense obviously as you just take away possessions from the other team: basically a huge reason why Jokic defensive numbers aren't bad is he sucks in balls with his strength and good hands. Especially without a real starting caliber center need to work on the glass constantly to make up for it
