Rush: Ready to start

[Grang33r]

Good article I found today on Brandon Rush. I really love his work ethic. If Larry Bird knows how to scout something, it's hard workers and players who want to be at their best. For years we heard about how much Danny Granger pulled himself to be where he is today. He was a workaholic and it seems like Rush is the same way. Very good article, seems like the guy is down to earth and is really looking forward to next season.

Ready to start
Former Jayhawk Rush preparing for role as starter with Indy

Overland Park — Brandon Rush dribbled the basketball through an obstacle course of orange cones, pulled up and swished his trademark jump shot from the corner.

The 6-foot-6, 210-pound Indiana Pacers guard/forward repeated the process over and over under the watchful eye of a personal trainer Thursday afternoon at 68 Inside Sports Fieldhouse.

Ex-Jayhawk Rush, former Kansas University shooting guard Billy Thomas and Roeland Park Miege High School senior standout Trevor Releford ran through drills for an hour and a half, proving Rush is highly motivated to get a head start on his second NBA season.

“I told Brandon, ‘I don’t know any kids working out three times a day. I don’t know anybody, for that matter — this time of summer — working out three times a day,’” Thomas, of the NBA Developmental League champion Colorado 14ers, said of Rush.

“I’m very impressed with his work-ethic and God-given ability.”

Rest of article- http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/may/ ... basketball

[greenway84]

Im literally gitty. This is great to hear. On a similar note. Why is Hibbert not doing the same. Also I think the development of a big man in his first few years is paramount. With that said I think the Pacers should get a specialty big man coach. Like Smits

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

There's no doubt in my mind that Hibbert is working hard this summer, you're just not hearing about it. I've known him since high school and I can't say enough about his work ethic. He's got a good head on his shoulders and he knows what he has to do to continue to get better for next season.

[fredjones20]

I am not really a fan of Bird...but when he drafted Rush and Hibbert I believe he saw their work ethic. Atleast I hope. I think Hibbert will really be something 2 years down the road, but would not be suprised if it was quicker. I wish we had a big man coach sorta like Ewing and the Magic or Kareem and the Lakers w/ Bynum. LETS GET SMITS BACK!!! im pretty sure he lives around here, ive seen him around but it has been a while.

[Miller4ever]

This is all feeding my excitement about next season. It's going to be crazy.

[Archi-stu@BSU]

Smits lives in Zionsville (a bedroom community northwest of Indianapolis), he is known to practice with the Zionsville High School team

[Scoot McGroot]

Last I heard, he still had the house in Zionsville, but didn't spend more than a month or so out of the year in America. It's his secondary domicile, and he primarily lives back in the Netherlands, I think.

[PR07]

I'm impressed. Looks like we found a good one folks.

As for bigman coach, does Big Smooth do any work with our bigs? Or is he strictly more of a PR guy?

[Dunthreevy]

I haven't heard of Smooth doing any coaching, but it wouldn't surprise me if he worked with guys like Roy and T-Murda on their own time. I do agree that Larry knows how to find guys who will bust the humps to be better. That's basically how he made himself as good as he was, so I'm sure he's able to see that in other players. Larry was never the athletically gifted player but he still went down as one of the best to ever do it because he had the mental game down to a science and he worked as hard as anyone else in the league.

It's great to see that Brandon isn't just taking the starting role for granted and is trying to improve himself still. We might never have a Jordan/Pippen combo, but I'll be happy with a Granger/Rush combo for 10-15 years if they play like they did the last couple months of this past season.

[KennerLeaguer]

There's no doubt in my mind that Hibbert is working hard this summer, you're just not hearing about it. I've known him since high school and I can't say enough about his work ethic. He's got a good head on his shoulders and he knows what he has to do to continue to get better for next season.

According to someone at Pacers Digest both Hibbert and McRoberts have spent the majority of their off-time in Indiana so far working with the Pacers' trainers.

Also I do know that a ouple of weekends ago Roy was at Gtown getting run with current Hoya players as well as Jeff Green, Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley.

[Dunthreevy]

There's no doubt in my mind that Hibbert is working hard this summer, you're just not hearing about it. I've known him since high school and I can't say enough about his work ethic. He's got a good head on his shoulders and he knows what he has to do to continue to get better for next season.

According to someone at Pacers Digest both Hibbert and McRoberts have spent the majority of their off-time in Indiana so far working with the Pacers' trainers.

Also I do know that a ouple of weekends ago Roy was at Gtown getting run with current Hoya players as well as Jeff Green, Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley.

Thanks for the info. Good to see that Roy is working with guys like Durant, Green and Beasley, who are quicker and more agile. The best way to learn how to defend those guys is to play against them. Some people (myself NOT included) say that Beasley was a bust, but the kid is one year into his career and still played pretty decent off the bench for the Heat. That's a whole other story though.

Great to here that McBob and Hibby aren't taking anything for granted.

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

KennerLeaguer, it's great to see you around again. I loved the analysis you gave on Hibbert on PD a while ago.

Thanks for the info.

[Grang33r]

I agree, please come back more often and post, KennerLeaguer. Always enjoyed reading your posts.