Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

[NuffSaid]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

I've been waiting for that as well. It was something that he did well in college and more importantly it was something he did well with us last year so we know that he has the ability to drive in for the dunk.

I've noticed this, too. I think JOB is trying to use BRush as a spot-up jump shooter. I'm not sure if that's BRush's game, but I do know he's a very good slasher along the baseline. He can get to the basket. Problem is, we already have Dahntey, TJ and Watson all trying to do the same thing - slice to the basket. Granger gets in the elbow coming off curls or just by finding his way into the lanes. BRush is left kinda hanging out there. You have to wonder if that's by design or if he really doesn't understand fully what he's suppose to do in certain situations. Hence, the reason he looks lost out there most nights.

[Trophy]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

I've noticed this, too. I think JOB is trying to use BRush as a spot-up jump shooter. I'm not sure if that's BRush's game, but I do know he's a very good slasher along the baseline. He can get to the basket. Problem is, we already have Dahntey, TJ and Watson all trying to do the same thing - slice to the basket. Granger gets in the elbow coming off curls or just by finding his way into the lanes. BRush is left kinda hanging out there. You have to wonder if that's by design or if he really doesn't understand fully what he's suppose to do in certain situations. Hence, the reason he looks lost out there most nights.

I think he's trying to please JOB by catching and shooting the ball with no thought.

From last night, in the 1st quarter, he missed his first 3 point attempt, rebound, passed back out to open Brandon miss, rebound passed out to him again and he finally made it.

He was rushing his shot and was wide open so he could've maybe taken the extra second to set himself up for the 3. Much like what he did last season.

[pacergod2]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

A lot of times... when guys get in a funk they need to take a "rhythm dribble" going into their shot. Love to see something to get him going a little bit.

[vnzla81]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

I been saying this for a long time, Hibbert and Rush do not fit the system, Rush is not the type of guy who is going to drible and go inside all the time, he is more of the guy who waits in the corner for an open shot just like Battie or Bowen. The game should be slower were the ball goes to Hibbert inside and then he could pass the ball to an open teammate, the way the offense is build right now won't leave enough open space for either Hibbert or Rush.

[NuffSaid]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

I think he's trying to please JOB by catching and shooting the ball with no thought.

From last night, in the 1st quarter, he missed his first 3 point attempt, rebound, passed back out to open Brandon miss, rebound passed out to him again and he finally made it.

He was rushing his shot and was wide open so he could've maybe taken the extra second to set himself up for the 3. Much like what he did last season.

Whatever his problem might be, he'd better resolve it in a hurry because Dunleavy and Murphy are both nearing ready to return to action soon and BRush's starting role may very well be in jeapordy. (I'll take "Who can knock down a spot-up jumper?" for 3, Alex. )

[NuffSaid]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

I been saying this for a long time, Hibbert and Rush do not fit the system, Rush is not the type of guy who is going to drible and go inside all the time, he is more of the guy who waits in the corner for an open shot just like Battie or Bowen. The game should be slower were the ball goes to Hibbert inside and then he could pass the ball to an open teammate, the way the offense is build right now won't leave enough open space for either Hibbert or Rush.

Then they'll both just have to adjust their game and catch up 'cuz JOB isn't slowing down for either of these sophomores. Hibbert will do fine. BRush just needs to let loose alittle bit and allow himself the freedom to move around more and not just settle for jump shots. Both will do fine; it's just a matter of (BRush particularly) making the adjustments within the confines of the offense.

[vnzla81]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

Then they'll both just have to adjust their game and catch up 'cuz JOB isn't slowing down for either of these sophomores. Hibbert will do fine. BRush just needs to let loose alittle bit and allow himself the freedom to move around more and not just settle for jump shots. Both will do fine; it's just a matter of (BRush particularly) making the adjustments within the confines of the offense.

I agree, the problem with this offense is that many times the big man is in the perimeter and that allows the other team big to help on defense, this kind of offense is good for when you have a player or players who can get away from the double team in the perimeter and go inside, not even Danny can do this all the time, the difference is that he is so good that he can shot over his man like nobody is there. In another note a guy like DJ is getting more points per game because he can go inside and is strong enough to finish after the foul.

[gummy]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

We need more offense from Rush than he is providing - that's clear. On the other hand, I think Rush is having a big impact as a key part of the improved defense this year. I'm a little worried about what happens to our perimeter D and our overall defensive cohesion if/when his minutes get cut significantly. I guess we'll find out!

[CableKC]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

The way that I look at it now is that unless BRush becomes more consistent on the scoring end....it's hard not to bench him in favor of Inferno when Murphy/Foster returns. I have no problem with BRush being the 1st ( or even 2nd ) GF coming off the bench even when Dunleavy returns. Although it's very early in the season and we only have 9 games under our belt.....moving BRush lower in the rotation behind Granger, Inferno, Dunleavy ( when he returns ) isn't unfathomable.

My initial concern with Murphy, Foster and Dunleavy ( eventually ) returning is who we'd be playing with who while avoiding having Dunleavy, Murphy and Granger on the floor at the same time ( due to the lack of athleticsm and defense ). IMHO...If BRush is kept in the rotation to primarily pair up with Dunleavy ( more often then not ) ...it would allow BRush to defend the better scoring GF......which would be preferable then putting Dunleavy and Granger together.

For now, BRush as the Starting SG isn't hacking it....taking pressure off of him and making him the 1st GF coming off the bench ( when Murphy returns ) maybe the best thing to do.

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

I hope for the Pacers sake that O'Brien doesn't handle Rush like he did Joe Johnson in Boston in his rookie season.

JJ was very inconsistent, like Rush is now. His shot was on and off, but he would still play solid defense. O'Brien made him the starter after the first few games of the season, but JJ would continue to see inconsistent minutes. One week he'd play 35+ minutes night in, night out and the next week he's looking at 10-20 minutes. As the season goes on, the minutes become more inconsistent, JJ's production really suffers. He shoots 1-5, 0-3, 1-7, etc. and this whole time he's still starting, but keep in mind one night he sees 30 minute, the next 15. By mid January OBrien gives up hope in JJ. Takes away his starting role, and JJ starts seeing single digit minutes. From end of January to mid February and the All star break, JJ becomes a complete after thought. His minutes are going to veterans, Erick Strickland and Eric Williams, whom OBrien places more trust in. Then, mid-February Joe Johnson gets traded, as a rookie nonetheless, who had games here and there where he showed some promise, to Phoenix where he goes on to start, get consistent minutes and make the all-rookie second team and from there it's all history.

I'm not saying Rush has Joe Johnson potential, but the similarities are there. Learn from your history OBrien.

[gummy]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

I hope for the Pacers sake that O'Brien doesn't handle Rush like he did Joe Johnson in Boston in his rookie season.

...

I'm not saying Rush has Joe Johnson potential, but the similarities are there. Learn from your history OBrien.

I was just thinking about this the other day. I'm not saying Rush has JJ level potential either but there are some definite parallels and most of us think the kid's got talent - that's part of why the frustration level about his offensive production is running so high around here.

[Spirit]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

And O'Brien telling him to "shut up" was even more stupid. That's not exactly good PR when you are trying to rebuild the fan base and are practically begging people to come to games. The Pacers should be grateful for every person who pays to sit in that arena, regardless of whether they are an idiot or not.

Fans make stupid comments all the time. I don't think I've ever been to a sporting event without hearing a fan make a stupid comment. Nevertheless, it's still completely beneath a coach to tell a fan to "shut up", especially when it's one of YOUR fans (the people you are trying to get to come back!), and especially when he didn't even say anything insulting! It's not like he was putting down the players or O'Brien, he just wanted to see the star get put back in. Besides, a yelling fan should be the last thing O'Brien is focused on - especially given the team's collapse last night.

A casual local fan who is on the fence and hears that is probably going to say to themselves "no wonder this place has been so empty for 5 seasons."

I completely agree about everything you said. Most coaches trust their star players to not foul. Unfortunately for Granger it was either contest a dunk or let the player go. A player that cares about defense will do the former, and it just so happened he got called for the foul. Not Granger's fault.

[Hoop]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

I pretty sure JOB didn't pull B.Rush's name out of a hat to become the starter at 2 guard. I'm guessing he earned it by his play in training camp and preseason.

Soooo.... why do you give up on him after just 9 games? it's a looong season.

You stick with him for at least the first month of the season or longer IMO. After all he is one of our best perimeter defenders, supposedly that was JOB's #1 concern coming into this season. B.Rush is probably the best at deflections, the stat JOB is supposed to be so obsessed with. Shooting is just part of the game, the other end counts too.

[speakout4]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

I hope for the Pacers sake that O'Brien doesn't handle Rush like he did Joe Johnson in Boston in his rookie season.

JJ was very inconsistent, like Rush is now. His shot was on and off, but he would still play solid defense. O'Brien made him the starter after the first few games of the season, but JJ would continue to see inconsistent minutes. One week he'd play 35+ minutes night in, night out and the next week he's looking at 10-20 minutes. As the season goes on, the minutes become more inconsistent, JJ's production really suffers. He shoots 1-5, 0-3, 1-7, etc. and this whole time he's still starting, but keep in mind one night he sees 30 minute, the next 15. By mid January OBrien gives up hope in JJ. Takes away his starting role, and JJ starts seeing single digit minutes. From end of January to mid February and the All star break, JJ becomes a complete after thought. His minutes are going to veterans, Erick Strickland and Eric Williams, whom OBrien places more trust in. Then, mid-February Joe Johnson gets traded, as a rookie nonetheless, who had games here and there where he showed some promise, to Phoenix where he goes on to start, get consistent minutes and make the all-rookie second team and from there it's all history.

I'm not saying Rush has Joe Johnson potential, but the similarities are there. Learn from your history OBrien.

Rush will be just fine when he isn't on JOB's team. OBrien scapegoat's Rush and makes comments designed for the rest of the team (IMO). I also don't know if Rush has much upside but it won't be realized until he's traded or JOB is fired.

[Kemo]

Re: Brandon Rush to be benched? (Mike Wells blog)

How did the Knicks make their comeback? Through Al Harrington who we all know has become a fairly decent perimeter shooter and by getting to the FT line. Al's streaky, but last night just so happened to be his night. Per post-game reports, he happened to find his stroke at just the right time. Still, I ask who's assignment was it to guard him? Granger...w/5 fouls? Or Dahntey w/only 4 fouls? If it was Granger, you had to know he couldn't play Al too aggressive, but you also have to know Granger can't leave the paint unprotected from his position at PF, not unless the Pacers were in man-D. If they were in a zone defense, the question truly becomes was it the ideal defense to implement against a bigger, stronger player who can also make jump shots from downtown?

I think fatigue, deep foul trouble (for Granger) and Granger playing out of position were major factors for the Pacers losing last night. Add to that the fact that none of our Guards could score and you have a recipe for a losing situation that was bound to happen against a team that loves to run as much as the Pacers do. Still, the one element that wasn't in the Pacers' favor but I believe would have helped them ride out that last minute run is depth, and right now the Pacers don't have it as far as skilled players are concerned. Once Foster, Dunleavy and Murphy return we'll see a different ball club, one that will be able to ride out the types of runs the Knicks put on my boyz last night.

The Knicks got lucky. But here's hoping the Pacers learned a valuable lesson: When you have a team by the throat and your best player goes down, somebody else needs to step up! That apparently didn't happen last night.

I really dont understand why JOB didnt think to put McRoberts in on AL , and move Granger down to sf to keep from fouling out as easy ..

In pretty sure Josh still had some fouls to give lol ..
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