Can Brandon Rush Return To His Former Self?

Can Brandon Rush Return To His Former Self? (Photo: @letsgowarriors Instagram account)

Earlier this week, Brandon Rush has officially signed a 2-year contract with the Golden State Warriors. The deal is worth $2.5 million over 2 years, with Rush holding a player option for the second year.

This is Rush’s second stint with the Warriors. After being a key piece in the trade that brought Andre Iguodala to the Bay Area, Rush spent last season playing for the Utah Jazz. He was drafted in 2008 by the Indiana  Pacers, and played for Golden State from 2011-2013.

In Rush’s last game for the Warriors, only the 2nd game of the 2012-13 season, he suffered a torn ACL after landing awkwardly on a hard foul from Memphis Grizzlies’ power forward, Zach Randolph.

Last season in Utah, the sharp-shooter only averaged 2.1 points per game on 34% behind the arc. While these stats raise speculation that Rush may be a shell his former self pre-injury, they don’t tell the whole story. Adam Johnson from SeaDubsCentral doesn’t seem too concerned:

What Rush offers is another 3-point threat alongside Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry who can also facilitate the offense when needed. His ability to penetrate on offense allows the team to spread the floor as well. He’s the perfect mix of combo guard the Warriors severely lacked last season.
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But in just the second game of the season, Rush suffered a torn ACL thus ending his season, and future with Golden State. Rush would later be dealt to the Utah Jazz in a deal that sent both Richard Jefferson and Andris Biedrins dealt to make room for Andre Iguodala.
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In Utah, Rush was used minimally, averaging just 11 minutes a game on a rebuilding Jazz team that didn’t see him as an integral part of their future. Rush averaged just 2 points a game on one of the worst teams in the NBA last season while playing in just 38 games with the team out of Salt Lake City. His return to Oakland has been met with joy on social media.

After spending his first three years with the Indiana Pacers, Rush saw his numbers increase steadily with Golden State, particularly in points, blocked shots, and assists per game, as well as three-point percentage.

Among players who have taken 200 or more three-pointers, he ranks 2^nd in Warriors franchise history for three point percentage. With Rush coming off of the bench, it adds a much needed scoring threat, something the Warriors second unit needed last season.  With the circumstances of the situation, Rush’s addition should be seen as having more positive effects than negative ones.

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