Fernandez signed a 4 year extension with his current club but his buyout is supposed to be affordable just not this season. Though if he signs with Barcelona after this season he may never play in the NBA. Portland are still looking for a PG so maybe "local star" Aaron Brooks is appealing to them? Houston's no state income tax might appeal to Fernandez. http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=120699894797284200 http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Word-on-the-Street-League-Talk,-A-Week-Before-the-Draft-2132/
Playing for Barcelona would be awesome if you're also a soccer fan. I'd probably use up all my earnings buying tickets for the game.
Good news. Portland is a team that could be scary the next couple of years. We really don't need them to get even more talented. Morey should be on the phone to Rudy saying how Scola had no problem cracking our rotation.
This guy is key in Portland's future. It would be a huge blow if they didn't sign him over the summer.
Its not the fact that they wont its the fact that he probably doesnt play... sergio rodriguez is a stud who just doesnt get Pt behind blake and jack... i would have put jack on the burner a long time ago but for some reason nate mcmillan loves him...
Sorry for the misunderstanding. I meant Rudy Fernandez is key to Portland's future, not Sergio Rodriguez. If Fernandez joins the Blazers, either Blake or Jack is a goner, maybe both. Blake is probably gone no matter what.
mcmillan better start giving sergio some PT if he wants rudy there next year. rudy should obviously come to the nba because long term the money here should be more.
Paul Allen (no joke) was just over in Spain meeting with Fernandez and chatting him up. If that doesn't make it plain how they feel about the guy, nothing will. I hope he's knowledgeable enough to know who Paul Allen is.
Are you kidding? The guy is a very underated player. He has a decent handles and is a very good passer..... The guy is a good backup to starting PG on a solid team. I would rather have him in the game than Rafer. DD
It's just a matter of time before low first round picks in the NBA opt to go over to Europe to play for double the money and guaranteed playing time. The NBA will have to rethink it's rookie salary structure by the next CBA or risk continuing to help the Euroleagues build up their talent pool. Twice the money, tax free, plus everything else. More and more bottom end first round guys and second rounders are going to follow the Euros.
hooroo -- Good point considering how Fernandez was the Rockets' first choice on draft day. You never know. I don't think what you're proposing is ridiculous.
Man! Coming from you, that's saying....nothing at all. Who knows, I'm always skeptical of foreign PGs. Swingmen and forwards can usually get away with nothing but size and athleticism, but not 1 guards. Tony Parker (along with Jose Calderon) is an obvious exception, but look at the number of guys who've come over and been gigantic busts at the point: Marko Jaric, V-Span, Raul Lopez, and Sarunas Jasikevicius. Beno Udrih can score decently, but he stinks at running an offense. And it's not like Sergio Rodriquez has set the world on fire. As a PG, you've got to run the team on the floor. Guys have to respect you, listen to you, and trust your judgment. Not fluent in English? Handicap. Not just in terms of communication, but there are plenty of American players and stars that simply won't respect a guy coming over from Yugoslavia. Coaches may not have full trust in them. If Fernandez at 6-6 could play wing, than it's probably not as big a concern. Evan
Uh, that comment was about Steve Blake over Rafer....not Fernandez or Sergio..... Come on man.....get with the program. DD
Rudy is absolutley a part of the Blazers plans. pritchard is a pretty good judge of talent and will not let rudy get away. I think they see him as more of a 2, which is where Roy is playing now. i wouldnt' be surprised if they envision a Roy/Rudy backcourt, or maybe even play roy/rudy/pg with oden and aldridge, with outlaw coming off the bench.
