Going After Rudy
posted: 4/23/2008 at 10:04 PM
Even though Spanish superstar Rudy Fernandez said recently that he's 90 percent certain he'll be a Portland Trail Blazer next season, the recruitment effort continues, and now will be stepped up over the next several days. General manager Kevin Pritchard and his staff left on Tuesday for Spain.
Team owner Paul Allen made a trip to Spain to see Fernandez play last month, and even had a chance to talk face-to-face with Rudy's father, after watching a game. Now, it's Pritchard's turn. We're not yet to the stage where they can sign him to a contract, but this is just another chance to meet with the man who has been called the most valuable player in Europe, and a can't-miss NBA prospect.
Rudy's team, Joventut Badalona, recently won the ULEB Cup and Rudy was again named MVP of tournament. He will most likely end up sweeping the MVP awards in every tournament he participates in this year. Here's
a link, if you want to read more about this particular award, the latest addition to Rudy's trophy case.
As for the Blazers' other can't-miss addition next year, Greg Oden, he is currently in Hawaii. This trip is pretty much business, but I'm sure he'll get a little time to check out the sites. Oden is over there with Portland athletic trainer Jay Jensen. They're going to bike the islands, and plan to work out pretty much every day, as Greg's rehab continues. Blazers coach Nate McMillan has also now flown over to Hawaii to be a part of things, and oversee the training.
Even though you've probably surfed the web enough on your own, and have seen a lot of the post-season articles on the Trail Blazers, here are couple you may have missed. First, is an article from the Wall Street Journal, and it speaks highly of McMillan and his staff. It talks about the efficiency of this young Blazer team following a time out. It's interesting, and breaks down what happened last season following time outs.
Click here to read.
Next up is an article that appeared recently on SI.com, discussing the future of the Trail Blazers. The title of the piece says it all, but it's worth a read.
Click here to view the article.
This next article is from the Sun-Sentinel, which covers Miami and South Florida, taking about the up and coming teams, and of course, the Trail Blazers head the list.
Click here to read.
And, finally, today ESPN.com came out with its yearly fan satisfaction rankings. The Trail Blazers, who haven't fared particularly well on this list in recent years, have moved up significantly.
The Trail Blazers are ranked 30th among all professional teams, in the four major sports, and are ranked eighth among NBA teams, up from 19th a year ago. It gets even more impressive when you look at the catagory of PLA, or player's effort on the court/field, and likability off of it. In this catagory, the Trail Blazers ranked #3 among all teams, behind only the New England Patriots and San Antonio Spurs. The Blazers were #81 in this catagory last year. It's an interesting ranking system, and to explore it for yourself (if you haven't already),
click here.This last piece got me thinking about the current state of the Trail Blazers, when compared against the situation we faced in recent years. The credit should be spread around, and it is, but the fact is this team wouldn't be in this situation without the influence of one man in particular- Kevin Pritchard. I know a lot of you know this, and being Kevin is a good friend I realize I'm not exactly unbiased.
Kevin deflects the attention and credit, and is always quick to send it to the people around him. But, I've been with this team since '99, and covered them on a regular basis before that, since '92. Pritchard is just one of those guys who sits alone in his own catagory. His attitude, vision, personality, morality, and drive, is simply unmatched. Would I go so far as to say we wouldn't be in this situation without him? Absolutely. There's no doubt in my mind about that. I know many of you believe the same thing. Now that the season is over, and we move forward, I just thought that deserved repeating once again. We've got the best, and that's why this team is well on its way to being the best.
A broadcasting note- We may be done calling games for the season, but the coverage doesn't stop. Our radio show, Trail Blazers Courtside, as you know, continues throughout the summer. Thursday night, we'll have the show on KXL-AM 750, and the Blazers Radio Network. It's from 6pm to 8, and if you're outside the listening area, you can listen live on line by clicking on the link at the top-right portion of this page. I'll be joined in studio by Mike Rice, Brian Wheeler, and Antonio Harvey this week. Talk to you Thursday night.
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Thanks Barrett for keeping the fans informed. Going to school up in Tacoma makes it hard to watch the Blazers, but when I go home or when they're on National TV, I love seeing the potential of this team. I have made it to a few games this year and I love the electricity in the building.
KP has done a phenomenal job along with the whole organization... including you. I hope to see Fernandez in the Blazer uniform as we start striving for the playoffs.
But after going through the tough times...all it does is make us appreciate this journey back to Rip City 2nd generation!!!! Gooo Blazers!!!
KP is a definite godsend and I consider him to be a hero of mine. I must say that this Blazers organization is so impressive.
It's feels good to have pride about being a Portland Trail Blazers fan again.
Cheers,
Tony T.
If we could only get Chris Paul. I almost wanted Paul to do bad in his playoff debut so he can at least maybe be pulled away from New Orleans by the Blazers. If we got him it seems like the chemistry would be perfect. All unselfish players who can all score and have All Star potential. I'm dreaming now, but next year is going to be so exciting.
When Pritchard took over as the interim coach after MO Cheeks left and experimented with what we had, I could tell he had a knack for recognizing and developing talent. I love it when I'm right but even more so when Pritchard is. He has yet to drop the ball. Never have I felt so comfortable with a general manager. He is arguably the best in the business. His likable personality is something that makes him so successful at what he does.
I couldn't be happier with our management.
Thanks for all your hard work toward keeping the fans in-touch with the organization through the off-season.
Pritchard does seem like a great GM and great person.
It seems like Portland is a fantastic market for this team. I really hope our organization never relocates to Seattle. It's kind of scary in-light of the Sonics situation.
P.S.
I don't see any reason why G.O. can't become as dominant as Dwight Howard. He won't be there immediately, but I'm just saying that eventually, I think he can do it given his size, athleticism, character, and skill. You could make the argument that at this stage in his career, G.O. is more SKILLED than Dwight Howard was. Howard was, and still is pretty raw. He gets all his points on being physically dominant, and dunking the ball 10 times per game for his 20 points. Mix in some hooks and fadeaways Dwight! G.O. actually has a hook with both hands right now. (Just gotta keep that knee healthy).
Mike
thanks for the update and the links, I really enjoyed the reading.
My only concern is all the hype might make The Blazers hyper. It would be hard not to be. But, Oden has yet to prove himself(which I have no doubt that he will) and my fear of injuries. I have been a fan since the get go. and we have had rotten luck with our stars getting injured. This started with Bill Walton.
Even, although characteristics of Zbo and Darius Miles were bad, they were stars and great basketball players that went down in the same season. Of course that leads to coulda shoulda and wouldof, but their injuries did change the direction of the Blazers win and lost record.
When Clyde's knee started to bother him we started losing games.
I am not trying to be pessimistic, I am saying regardless of injury, not making the playoffs, not winning as many games as we would like. These Blazers are fantastic to watch. Saying that, I don't want the players think that if bad things happen and they don't quite live up to every bodies expectations, This fan loves what they do and what they try to accomplish.
Mike, I have a question. With retiring Miles, do we have to drop anybody to make room for Rudy? If we so desired we could we put Rudy in and keep all the rest?
Anyway, I would not want to be the GM. I would want to keep them all.
hg
Rudy's been playing at an amazing level lately. I made a comment on his shooting mechanics last week, but I will say it again, he is the fastest shooter I've ever seen in Europe, and that includes Drazen. If the Blazers want to be title contenders they will need a deep roster. Rudy is a great addition, definitely.
Mike,
What's your opinion on how the chemistry will be between Rudy and Brandon, considering that both have been THE go-to guys on their teams? This past season, when Brandon had the ball in his hands at the end of a game, everyone in the arena knew it was his responsibility to create something. Will Rudy and Brandon be able to handle giving up some point stats for the team's benefit?
KP for Governor!
Actually, might not be a bad idea, apart from the fact that it'd take him from the Blazers!
We need to get a KP reading list going. Or a KP book club where we can discuss all the new literature KP is wrapping that beautiful head of his around.
Thanks for all the great coverage this season Mike. Does anyone know if the Thursday night radio show is archived or podcasted? If not, I would be great if the Blazers could make that happen in order to make the show more accessible to more people. Can't wait for next year! Have a great summer everyone!
Is there any Blazer fan out there who's not amazed at where we are and flabbergasted at the possibilities of what these guys can do over the next 10 yrs? The word is FUN!
Let's Cheer! "All Fired up and Ready to G.O.! Blazers Decade dead ahead!"
Thanks for the links, Mike. I love to see the good things that others around the country have to say about our home team.
The talk of the Blazers being in the playoffs next season leaves a phrase of the great Schonz in my head that I hope becomes a Blazer mantra for all seasons to come: You've got to make your freethrows.
I just listened to the Courtside podcast and it was great listening. You guys are having too much fun!! I was hugely interested in the discussion of the composition/possibilities of next years' team. I am no NBA talent analyst, so can any or all of the broadcast crew take on Jarrett Jack's best case potential. I believe that it is too soon to deal him(I despise that "get rid of" language). Are there clear indicators in practice that point to Sergio's upside being higher than JJ's? I think the next piece is a Jason Maxiel(younger Ben Wallace) type "off the bench" guy. High energy athleticism, O & D rebounding, strong body, physicality, fierceness, warrior mentality capabilities that protect GO and provide what the more offensive power forwards can't. I agree with the point of view that patience with the current roster until near trading deadline is the best course. I agree with deciding what TO's ultimate role will be. I agree with giving Martel a little more time to reveal his ultimate "upside". I just wonder if Jarret Jack has a Chauncey Billups' level of upside and I wonder if a TO & GO, Rudy, LMA, #7,etc. roster will make great chemistry with JJ and "Blakie". Regardless, I have huge faith in KP, I can't get enough of the Mikes, and I CAN'T WAIT for next season!!! OH THOSE BLAZERS!
Hey Mike, Robert here (one of the group from U of O who met with you briefly in Seattle before a game) I noticed this on draftexpress,
"Rudy Fernandez is apparently set to join the Portland Trailblazers according to word we got from well-placed local sources here in Spain." -
http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-Givony/
Any word on how the Europe trip went or is going?
So, the Hawks made the Celtics play 7 games in the first round to advance. I really believe that we are better than the Hawks but a big difference is how we handle physical play and intimidation. Hope the Blazers watched this series and took some notes on how young teams CAN compete with older veteran teams. If we brought the same kind of fight throughout the season that the Hawks did against the Celtics, we would have made a playoff appearance this year. I'm pleased about the improvement we showed this season but dissatisfied about what we accomplished with respect to the potential we exhibited. If we can develop a more fierce competitive approach to opposing teams I'm convinced we can make it past the first round and possibly the second. I'm not asking the Blazers to become dirty, I'd just like them to bring more fight to the game. It's an important factor to being a winning team.
on a side note we need rudy badly! his contributions to this team will make us a formidable opponent in the west instantly. oden alone is going to improve our record but rudy is gonna make us scary.
go blazers!
MB, what do you think about Mike Bibby as our PG?
The Blazers have nearly every thing.
PG-Steve Blake
SG/PG-Brandon Roy
SF-Outlaw
PF-LAmarcus
C-Oden
I think Outlaw is not good enough as a starting sf, neither is martell. i think we need to get rid of martell and get a better SF and have outlaw as our 6th man.
Any one got numbers on Rudy Fernandez's stats? I wanna know ppg, apg, rpg.
Rudy is avveranges in ACB league:
PPG: 21.2
RPG: 3
APG: 4.1
MPG: 28
The problem or dude of Rudy, is if go to Portland, he likes to play, he don´t like to be in the same place that Sergio.
Regards
hey can we get some vids of rudy in action sence he is prob the talk of the summer besides odens rehab. how is that going by the way any updates. I think im going to get tix for the first game of the season. waatch the world understand were back!!!!! better then ever. GO blazers train hard
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