We need to keep this dude. No, he isn’t consistent, but he’s only 25 years old, and the tools are there, plus players with his size and mid range game aren’t that readily available. When he’s on he is a very valuable player.
I've been adamantly in the Rui corner since he got here. I love this kid's potential. He's got all the physical tools and just needs more time and maturation to put it all together. Today was super impressive. I'm loving his improved defense lately too.
Coaching staff looks like they have told him he needs to play D to earn minutes with the no minute game a come to jesus moment. Since that game he's going full Vando on D
I'm going to say it, he has more upside than Kuzma. His defense is already better, and he is very inconsistent, but a better shooter and in general takes less dumb shots (sometimes to a fault). I think he just needs a little more confidence and polish to his game and he'll be very good.
If he can continue to put in the effort defensively, he deserves to be on the floor for half the game. Tied career high in blocks. This two way activity is key to a championship caliber team. Liked that he dove hard to the rim and attacked the basket early. Then his J looks so effortless. Not saying it's key to play him, but... This one was nasty
Rui vs. HOU: 20/12 with 3 blocks in less than 23 mins off the bench: fierce! But that block at the rim early in the 2nd Q was astounding. His midrange game continues to be butter, and he really moves without the ball well, esp in cuts to the hoop. Love his D so far. Dude's deceptively strong, too. Pelinka was only warming up when he got him for us, but I'm glad he did.
Their P&R action looked excellent, especially if Rui is going to continue to get to the basket like this. More please.
Good to see Hachimura being a defensive presence. He will save Davis from having to come over and helping. Also can make Vanderbilt concentrate on other players.
We’re figuring out how to use Rui and Vando optimally. Rui is a 4 defensively, he’s best suited using his strength to guard in the post/bigger wings that rely more on strength and leverage. Vando is a 3 defensively, he’s better suited to guard pure perimeter players that try to separate from defenders. Offensively, his midrange game really bails us out when a possession bogs down and we’re late in the clock.
YEP!! Didn't know he had that in him especially based on original comments, from peeps and all of us who had yet to see what he did on that side of the ball the last 2 games. Oh hell yeah!!
So glad Lebron publicly endorsed playing Rui more minutes. That way it saves Ham from himself and not playing him.
