Now it's Official
posted: 7/01/2008 at 7:56 PM
It's not like anyone was desperately trying to keep this a secret, but we haven't been able to talk formally about Rudy Fernandez joining the Trail Blazers- until now. On Tuesday, the Trail Blazers were able to officially sign Fernandez to a contract, and did.
Following the NBA's regular season, Kevin Pritchard and his staff flew to Spain to visit with Rudy and watch him play, once again. Only this wasn't as much a scouting trip as it was a recruiting trip. They did their best to sell the Trail Blazers to Rudy, and tried to paint a picture that would include Fernandez playing a big role.
This has been talked to death, but Fernandez turned down millions of dollars to come to the Trail Blazers. I was told recently by a European coach that CSKA of Moscow had a standing offer to Rudy of $20 million Euros (and that's net, not gross) if he'd join their squad.
This is just one of several offers he reportedly had on the table. The fact that he turned those down, not only speaks of his desire to play in the NBA, but also makes obvious the fact that Pritchard and his staff did their job in recruiting Fernandez. This is echoed by Rudy's opening quotes as a Trail Blazer.
“I am so excited about joining the Trail Blazers and the NBA,” said Fernandez. “The whole staff did a tremendous job making me feel like a very important team member to them and made me forget about the economic issues because of the rookie scale." He, of course, is referring to the fact that he'll be paid as the 24th pick in the first round of last summer's NBA Draft.
“My dream has been to play in the NBA and Portland is giving me this opportunity. I was amazed about everything that Mr. Allen, Kevin Pritchard, Coach McMillan and the rest of the guys did to show me how much they wanted me. Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge, I can't wait to play with them. We will do nice things!”
Rudy initially had a plan to come to Portland, and that would have been a couple of weeks ago, but now won't come to America until after he plays for Spain in the Olympics. Spain has high hopes for these Olympic games, after finishing 7th in the 2004 Olympics. Since then though, Rudy has helped The Spanish team to the gold in the 2006 FIBA World Championships, and the silver in the 2007 world championships.
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I have to begin by saying that I am incredibly stoked to be getting Rudy Fernandez, Greg Oden and Jared Bayliss in the same year ,as incoming rookies. We showed so much heart and promise last year, and to add these guys to the fold will be awesome. I hope we can make one more deal, regardless of how big of a name, so we can round out our roster. This should be a playoff team next year.
Welcome to Portland Rudy. I can't wait until summer league starts, even though I know Rudy won't be playing.
Great news and on my 50th bday! :)
The season can't get here soon enough!
GO BLAZERS!!
This is really great news to officially hear. I have to trust in the Blazer's staff that they believe in the talent of Rudy to make a promise of playing time/ a substantial role in the upcoming season. Let’s hope it pays off in a big way and the Blazers prepare for the rides of their lives for the next 5 to 7 years. Here’s to making a push for the 2nd round in the playoffs in the 08-09 season.
RUDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look out world, this is the beginning of a dynasty. This is subtly history in the makings!
Just a little correction MB. Spain was silver in the European 2007 championship in Madrid.
About Rudy, i can say that, if he recieves playing, he will give you a inmediate impact. I'm sure of that.
Mike;
Thank You for the update.
Now I can ask, do you think Rudy will play on the starting squad or come off the bench? I would love to see him and BRoy together. And of course Oden, LMA and ??????
Maybe Rudy can play no. 3 and Steve can play pt. that would be awesome also. The combinations are all great to think about.
Mike, that Kai Motors tour this summer that includes Redmond and Bend, Can old people come to watch and meet you? I am hoping for that also.
Great Job on the update. When will we be able to offically talk about Jerryd Bayliss? soon I hope.
hg
I love this because Rudy gives us another guy who can flat out score off the bench. Last year, at times, if Travis didn't come to play, our bench scoring was suspect at best -- now you add Rudy and Bayless to the mix and our second unit just got taken to a whole new level with two great shooters who can get to the hoop and create off the dribble.
We're going to be legit sooner than later...can't wait!
Thank goodness English is one of the easier languages to learn because that conference call was horrendous. I hope the interpreters will be used more extensively next time.
I feel that we have all the ingredients that we need to win a championship. Now it's up to the coach to deliver. Also, the 90's Blazer team had all the veterans that they needed. The Spurs and Pistons 07-08' teams had all the veterans they needed to win a championship and they didn't so I think needing a veteran is overrated.
What we now need is for the coach to be more flexible in how he plays these players. Just playing half-court games like the Spurs and Pistons didn't cut it. We should be playing a more up-tempo game to make Rudy and Sergio be more successful and spread out a little more when on the offensive end.
I could see Rudy, Sergio/Bayless and Travis running the opposing teams right out Rosegarden with that second unit! Throw in Pryz + Frye and there isn't a second unit out there that could match up with the Blazers! Playoffs and then some! .........Was there ever a more exciting time to be a Blazer fan?
MB,
I'm going to use the P-word even though you hate it (sorry). I'm sure the perspective for this team now is not making the Playoffs next season would be a major disappointment. Do you agree?
Thanks,
George
Happy birthday MGB!
I cant wait until the season starts. My only disappointment is that my son is heading off to college(outside of Indy), so he will miss the excitement of the season. I hope that he will be able to catch a game against the Pacers.
When we will get the "official" word on the Blazer/Pacer trade?
I expect big things out of travis and webster this year. They both had things they could be working on this offseason to improve so i hope they work hard cause it will show when the season starts. that goes for all the trail blazers. It sounds like to me that most of the fan base expects big things this year. so i hope they all work on getting better. bayless needs to look more exited to be on the future dynasty. know what i mean?
Also how is chris zilla hand is that healing alright. The future looks bright go blazers
The Blazer/Pacer trade was not valid until yesterday as contracts were renewed. It won't be public or official until July 9th...
About Rudy, check this out by ESPN...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=thorpe_david&page=Rookies-080627
I was surprised that Rudy and Pau Gasol's Brother are on top of Derrick Rose in the impact Rookies list, but im not surprised about Oden in fact he should be #1, if there are no concerns about his injury and the weight he put on during his injury...
Im really feeling butterflies in my stomach... Can't Wait Until October/November...
Here is the link again, it is that exciting...
click Here
Hey Mike.
I was hoping you could explain to us a little about the darius miles situation. I understand That if he is signed by another team. It would hurt our salary cap. How many years would it hurt the blazers' cap? And what is worst case senario if he is resigned?On another topic. Ive noticed that the blazers havent played a game in their throwback uniforms in a few rears. Do they plan to do so this year?
Nice link Mike. I like how we have 4 of the top 20 R.O.Y. contenders. I am very excited for this season!
P.S. KEEP MARTELL!!
this just makes the playoff hopes much bigger. we're gonna have a great lineup this season with all these legit rookies.
How about that flip-flopper David Stern! First he sides with Clay Bennett that an upgraded Key Arena isn't good enough to keep the Sonics, and now he's telling the city they'd better fix up Key Arena quickly if they expect to qualify for another franchise anytime soon! What a jerk -- he and Bennett belong together.
B-Roy makes #1 on nba.com's Top Ten Moves of '07-'08 season. See the video at
http://broadband.nba.com/cc/playa.php?content=video&url=http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/top10s_monthly/top10_moves_season_2008.asx&video=blank&nbasite=nba
Don, I hear that Seattle might get the Memphis franchise in the near future. It wouldn't be that bad of a swap for Seattle. Seattle lost Durant but they would get to see OJ Mayo, Conley, and Rudy Gay develop. That is a much more exciting rivalry for the Blazers. Of course Greg Oden and Mike Conley were former teammates at OSU. Rudy Gay and Brandon Roy are great talents from the same drafts. OJ Mayo could be a exciting NBA star much like Durant.
I hope this happens because it's ridiculous two North West teams are in Memphis and Oklahoma.
Is there any news on a new Blazer
TV contract.It would be totally
devastating to have to endure
another season without Blazer cable.
That would be cool, BRoyFTW, when's the last time anyone in Memphis actually saw a grizzly? ;-)
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