so glad he's back in the rotation and LeBron has endorsed him...which means Ham can't get cute with rotations anymore. PLAY him please. And then...PAY him this summer please.
yeah, we spent a full year-plus with nobody of rui's physical profile, then got him and vando at the deadline. that ham was messing around with not playing one of them was pretty bad. if we want to play AD at the five so much, everybody else needs to be bigger. i'm also glad that someone seems to be getting in rui's head about making an impact defensively. you don't get to try that fadeaway unless you're helping get stops. and who knows, maybe ham's benching was meant to drive that point home.
*+20 Big time bucket Got screwed out of a few whistles on his drives. If he's playing like this as a two-way wing, he's an instrumental piece to this team.
I thought his 3 in OT was huge. We were completely deflated after that AD foul and Conley hit those free throws
His growth on Defense has been impressive. Any guy who can credibly switch on to either KAT or Conley in isolation and be a threat on offense on multiple levels is going to be key. he's putting pressure on Vando to be a starter to be honest. Not so much Vando has been bad but Ham doesn't do a good job with Vando in his scheme
Baffled at how Rui came to us with a reputation for being a mediocre defender. He’s been absolutely fantastic, and very versatile as well. I think Rui makes more sense as a starter for this upcoming series. Unless we plan on trying Vanderbilt on Ja, I’m not sure there is a matchup on Memphis that we really need Vando against. Feel like he’s been best hounding wings who can create their own shots, but Rui should be more than adequate guarding Brooks and Bane.
i'm one of the bigger vando fans on here (as with AD, i like guys who defend), but i can see this logic. don't think ham will do it, and i get why. but he might be quick to move to rui if we can't get buckets due to a congested paint.
This is the thing, Ham has plenty to work with now. If Vando struggles put in Rui. If Beas struggles try Walker or Brown. If Gabriel is having a tough time you’ve got TT or Bamba. Lots of good players who can step in and give different looks. Use your bench.
I think these past few games has swayed me. Rui, AD, Lebron, Reaves, DLO with Vando, Schroder, hot hand of the night.
Agree …. why I have mentioned we have too much depth and talent to run way too short of a rotation. When everyone available to Darvin has talents when they’re playing well.
I have been leaning this way as well. I like having all five starters be an offense threat and still be a strong defensive team.
Rui needs to play A LOT in this series...like others have said, if he's bringing it defensively too and the drop-off from Vando to him isn't massive, I see no reason why Rui isn't playing 30+ mpg in the playoffs. He has been THAT good. Can't stress enough on how huge he was defensively last night...he literally switched onto so many diff guys and there was no mismatch or dropoff. What an enormous pick up mid-season...I think he's just as valuable as the other 3 that we got if not more because of his versatility and size
Jaren Jackson needs to be put under pressure, he produces the 2nd most fouls in the NBA. Rui can be phyisal down low. I'm happy with him, just wish his 3 ball was a bit more solid.
he has a great looking stroke. If he keeps working on it, he'll be in the league for many years to come
read some rumors the Pacers are interested and willing to give him double digits per season, and we were not matching hope its BS.
I love Yasuke..it depends on what he's asking for though. I wouldn't cry about moving him and Bamba, for Myles Turner either.
