33-35 mins a game... 15-18 ppg 44% overall shooting, 42% from 3 pt land 85% FT 5 boards 2 assists That contribution would be HUGE, as a 3rd banana... It sure beats anything that Shadon would provide... Man-to-man defensive stoppers will be obsolete with the new rules... I think that just about any player worth a damn will be double teamed anyway... The new rules will enable teams to rotate to the open man much faster and easier than in the past... The illegal D made teams play "honest" defense... Now without the illegal D, defenses will be able to disguise their schemes and weaknesses much like in football... Perhaps their will be Offensive and Defensive coordinators now?
I think Rudy will probably "pick the scab" so to speak with Rice. I see him getting a lot of shots and averaging higher than he has for either the Lakers and Knicks. My bet is 22 points per game. He will be the best offensive player on the team and why even put him on the court if he isn't going to be shooting? Anyone remember that outrageous streak of games that he had for Charlotte? I can't remember the details, but it seems like he made this amazing push at the end of the season and some thought he might win the scoring title, although he ended up 3rd. This is the only info I could find on the subject that was even close. From NBA.com - He scored 20 points or more 64 times, 30 or more 25 times and 40 or more seven times, including a franchise-record 48 points in a 122-121 overtime win over Boston on March 6. He scored 30 points or more in five consecutive games during January, a franchise record.
