B-Rush

[grewich]

What are our realistic expectations for Rush? Is he a Ronnie Brewer? Do we have unrealistic expectations for Rush? i was hoping that he'd be more than just a bit role player...i was hoping for 17+pts a game...


thoughts?

[Crossova21]

As much as i want to like Rush he hasn't shown that he deserves to be a starter in my book. It seems like everytime he shoots I'm expecting a miss. The end of last year forced me to jump on his bandwagon but for some reason he took a step back this year. Don't know what the problem is.

[IrishLuck31]

he hasnt figured it out yet. seems like the player that can just get lost sometimes during the game

[Val Holliday]

He's playing well this year after the first few games. He hasn't really been called on to put up big numbers point wise, with Dahntay playing hot.

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

Rush is the best perimeter defender on this team. If he brings that defense every night, whatever else he can do - soaring for rebounds, 10 points, whatever - is just a bonus.

We don't need him to score 17 points. I'd much rather see him use that energy on defense.

[PR07]

He's already an asset defensively. I think he has the ability to at least be a 15-17 ppg scorer in this league, he just needs to be more assertive and in flow with his offensive game. For a player in his second year, I'm not too worried. His offense should come.

[basketballwacko2]

I think he needs to learn that when he's missing his 3 pointers he can step in 2 or 3 steps and make the easier 2 and get a stroke going. It doesn't help him or us to go 1-9 from 3 range when he could be 4 of 9 or 5 out of 9 from 2 range.

He's gonna be good and the more playing time he gets the better.

[Miller4ever]

^^He's missing close shots. It's kind of painful to watch for me, personally. It makes Obie go with frickin' Ford, Watson, and Head.

[jowglenn]

Well, he's a 2nd year guy. He started putting it together at the end of last season, but that was in the end stretch, when other teams might have let him get away with it a bit more. Everybody is fresh now, and the competition is just harder.

I think Rush can still get there... But "there" might have to be redefined. At the end of last season, we were thinking, "Yeah, he can carry that into next year, and average 17 points!" Well I don't see that happening... If he can average 10 or 12 with solid defense, then I think he's done just fine.

[spudmonkey31]

Well, he's a 2nd year guy. He started putting it together at the end of last season, but that was in the end stretch, when other teams might have let him get away with it a bit more. Everybody is fresh now, and the competition is just harder.

I think Rush can still get there... But "there" might have to be redefined. At the end of last season, we were thinking, "Yeah, he can carry that into next year, and average 17 points!" Well I don't see that happening... If he can average 10 or 12 with solid defense, then I think he's done just fine.

I agree with you jow but thats all good while dahanty is averaging 20+ per game. Not saying he will but, if dahanty cools off rush really does need to step up and score the 5-10 pts that jones drops

[Dunthreevy]

I think Brandon is going to be just fine in the long run. He hasn't been HORRIBLE. Sure his offense hasn't been stellar so far this season, but his defense and overall activity on the court has been pretty much top-notch. I'd be happy if he can finish the season averaging 12-14 points per, with the defense that he's been playing to boot. I do think he needs to stop settling for 3 point shots so much. Sometimes it seems like he just camps out on the arch too much. With his length and athleticism, I'd like to see him become more of a slasher on the court. He also needs to improve his FT shooting. It's pretty lackluster for a 2-guard.

[RolloTommasi]

I think Brandon is going to be just fine in the long run. He hasn't been HORRIBLE.

32.9 fg%
50.0 ft%
26.5 3pt%

these are pretty good numbers

[Dunthreevy]

I think Brandon is going to be just fine in the long run. He hasn't been HORRIBLE.

these are pretty good numbers

See how easy it is to ignore the meat and potatoes of what someone is saying, so that you can try to prove a point?

Like I said, HIS OFFENSE HASN'T BEEN STELLAR, but his defense and overall activity on the court has been pretty top-notch.

[Gremz]

I think Brandon is going to be just fine in the long run. He hasn't been HORRIBLE. Sure his offense hasn't been stellar so far this season, but his defense and overall activity on the court has been pretty much top-notch. I'd be happy if he can finish the season averaging 12-14 points per, with the defense that he's been playing to boot. I do think he needs to stop settling for 3 point shots so much. Sometimes it seems like he just camps out on the arch too much. With his length and athleticism, I'd like to see him become more of a slasher on the court. He also needs to improve his FT shooting. It's pretty lackluster for a 2-guard.

Fair point. I tend to agree.

I'd much prefer he take longer to adapt his scoring than be a terrible defender yet a volume scorer.

In time he'll be fine. Perhaps not a major offensive weapon, but hopefully a decent option when required. That defense is something to hold onto though.

[mizzoupacers]

I'm still trying to forgive Rush for being a Jayhawk, which is just about the worst of all possible sins in my book. In fact, about the only way to atone for it is to become a Pacer in your next basketball life.

So far, he's about what I expected he would be as a pro. You see flashes of what he could be, but then you see him drift. Just like in college. If he figures out how to be more consistent, we'll have a pretty good player.

I'm on record as saying pre-draft that Chris Douglas-Roberts would be the better pro (you can look it up) and I'm not so sure I've changed my mind, but it's early in Rush's career and there's reason to be optimistic that we'll be glad the Pacers drafted him when all is said and done.

[RolloTommasi]

LOL @this scrub