Note to Brandon Rush: It’s Time to Get Offensive

Let me start by saying that I think Brandon Rush is a great basketball player and has done a tremendous job since coming to The University of Kansas. When he got to KU, there was talk that he might be selfish, focused on being “one and done” and then heading to the NBA. The reality is that Rush has been the poster-child for unselfishness since he arrived in Lawrence. But there’s a saying about too much of a good thing.

Rush has a pure shooting stroke to go with what I can only describe as a “natural smoothness” to his game. After admittedly being poor defensively in high school, he now plays very strong defense and has learned to use his length to his advantage. When healthy, Rush is the defensive stopper assigned to the opponent’s best player. Additionally, he showed maturity in handling the emotional blow of having to put his NBA dreams on hold for another year because of a knee injury. Rush responded by rehabbing his tail off and returning to the court ahead of schedule.

On top of all of that, Brandon Rush likes being at KU, enjoys the college experience
(ok, not the studying part), and loves being around his teammates. He has embraced what it means to be a Kansas Jayhawk and has, other than a couple of issues around parking tickets, been a great representative for the University.

But if I’m honest (which I am), I’d have to admit that I’ve had some concerns for the last couple of years about Brandon Rush’s mental approach to the piece of his game that I believe will be his ticket to playing at the next level for years to come: SCORING.

Don’t get me wrong. Brandon Rush has incredible offensive basketball skills. He can dig-in, pull back and swish the sweetest pull-up jumper you’ve ever seen. He can cruise along the baseline and effortlessly elevate to alley-oop level. He can swish 3-pointers as if he was born to do it. He can penetrate into the lane, stop on a dime, elevate well beyond his opponent’s reach, and hit mid-range jumper after mid-range jumper. While his ball-handling skills are not exemplary, they are good enough to get him to the rim on occasion. He also can hit short runners in the lane with ease.

But I have to admit my concern with Brandon Rush is that, as amazing as he can be when he’s “feeling it” offensively and being aggressive, he can also become just as amazingly average when his first couple of shots don’t fall and he doesn’t get into a rhythm offensively. When this occurs, Brandon becomes hesitant, tentative, defers too much to his teammates to handle the scoring, and turns the normal asset of unselfishness occasionally into a liability.

It’s with this in mind that I turn towards thinking about Brandon Rush playing at the next level in the NBA. I don’t think he will be able to excel in the NBA by being a passive scorer, by routinely deferring to other players to make plays. Some players have the mentality that when the game is on the line or when their team is struggling, that they want the ball in their hands. Brandon has the physical and athletic ability to be the guy to make big plays in critical situations, but I am not convinced that he has the mentality, the mindset, to be that guy. I think his mental makeup is one that is heavy on the passive and light on the aggressive. I think he prefers that someone else will be the one to step up so he won’t have to.

I think Brandon’s brother Kareem, who played at Missouri, had that aggressive, scoring mentality. Kareem is now averaging 5 points a game with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. I can’t help but think that if Kareem struggles to be a consistent scorer in the NBA and at least at one time had that scorer’s mentality, then will Brandon even be able to equal the limited success of his older brother in the NBA?

Bill Self preaches offensive balance, particularly for this year’s talent-laden team. I like that approach and think it is in the best interest of the Jayhawks to continue to focus on having that balance and playing unselfish basketball.

At the same time, I think it’s time for Brandon Rush to CONSISTENTLY become more aggressive offensively. It’s not about being “the man”. It’s about imposing his will on the opponent and on the game. It’s about embracing his God-given abilities and no longer being the reluctant superstar. It’s about shedding his Clark Kent suit and tie and revealing the flowing red crimson and blue cape that lies beneath. (As an aside, I think the same thing can be said right now for Darrell Arthur.)

It’s time, Brandon. It’s time for you to put this team on your back and lead them to the Final Four and National Championship. You must embrace your offensive abilities, become more aggressive on that end of the floor, and let your teammates know that they can count on you to set the tone offensively night in and night out. If you find that inner strength and fortitude, much like you did when rehabbing from knee surgery, you will set the stage for a long and rewarding career doing what you love to do: Playin’ Ball.

Keep Rockin’ and Chalkin’,

Mic
www.jaytalkers.com