Rudy, Nate in Studio
posted: 9/25/2008 at 10:38 PM
The main question I was out to answer on Thurday night- is it possible to host a radio show and watch a college football game at the same time? I'm proud to say not only is it possible, but it's quite enjoyable. This is especially the case when your alma mater is busy knocking off the number-one ranked team in the land. More on that in a moment.
Rudy Fernandez continued his busy week, as he stopped by our radio studio at the Rose Garden and joined us for a segment during Trail Blazers Courtside. During the commercial break before his segment, he joined me in watching part of an Oregon State drive. I asked if he had any questions, and he shrugged, shook his head, and politely said, "where do I begin?" There will be time to study American football later, I suppose.
We, of course, had many questions for him. I had seen him at the practice facility in Tualatin earlier in the day, and according to Kevin Pritchard, Rudy arrived a little after 8am and wasn't out of there until mid afternoon. It's not a busy week at the practice facility, as the week before training camp is usually a light one. The players are taking their final chance to spend a couple of days away in preparation of the beginning of a wild time of the year.
There were a couple of Blazers who took advantage of a day off, but most of them were there working and preparing. Rudy was just getting acclimated, and spent some time off the court with his new teammates.
To listen to the interview with Fernandez,
click here.
Head coach Nate McMillan was also in studio with us, and told us he's getting set to deliver his usual pre-training camp speech to the team. As was mentioned by Pritchard the day before, at media day, the motto of this year's team is simply "15=16." I'll let you take a few guesses as to what that means, and then I'll tell you. I'll be impressed if anyone gets it exactly correct.
In the second hour of the program Martell Webster joined us. He'll likely be the starting small forward on opening night, and is certainly ready. He didn't want to comment when I brought up the starting spot, and only talked of his mental growth in the off-season. He's also gotten a lot better physically, but he said consistency is his main goal.
Martell joined on the radio show very early in the summer, and we were impressed then with his plan for the off-season. He's stayed very dedicated, and now is hoping that it pays off on the floor.
Click here to listen to the interview with Martell.
To listen to the full hours of Courtside, here they are:
Hour #1 |
Hour #2 (
for more audio, check out the full podcast).
My partner on the broadcast was Antonio Harvey. Brian Wheeler was down in Corvallis watching his USC Trojans bite the dust, and Mike Rice is in China on vacation. Rice did join us from Shanghai late in the program. Rice said he was wearing a Blazer golf shirt and was stopped earlier in the day by a man who spoke very little English. The man pointed at the Blazer logo and said, "is Rudy going to start?" That's pretty amazing. He was not only shocked the man spoke English, and recognized the logo, but that he was up to speed enough to ask a good question. We're certainly on a world-wide stage, and the NBA is huge in China.
And, finally, congrats to the Beavers for beating USC in Corvallis yet again. Who are the morons who set the betting line in this game? Yes, Oregon State lost to Stanford in their opener, and were blown out at Penn State, but this is a team that won 7 of its last 8 games last season, and finished with 9 wins. I realize this is considered the best USC team in years, but 25-point favorites in a place where they've struggled in the recent past? No, I didn't expect them to win, but they weren't about to fall by three and a-half touchdowns.
By the way, LaMarcus Aldridge made the trip to Corvallis for the game. Jim Taylor, who's on our PR team, hooked Aldridge up with tickets on the condition he wear orange for the game. No word on whether or not he followed through on his end of the bargain. Oregon State certainly did.
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Love reading your blog. How was Rudy? Did he seem to like his new city? He seems like a pretty happy guy that should help with his acclamation. Anyway what does the 15=16 thing mean? My best guess is 15 guys on the roster for plus the city..... but I have no idea.
15 players = 16 minutes/game on average per player.
In words, if each of the 15 players on the team played equal minutes in one non-overtime 48 minute game, each would play 16 minutes.
Nate is worried about satisfying players with playing time... not a bad problem to have! Wake me up on October 28!
Mike, my guess with the "15=16" motto is that the team is bigger than the sum of its parts.
hmmm, I am guessing that "15=16" should be said "15 equals 16"
Now as for what it means, could it have something to do with our 15 man squad, and the fans as the 16th man rather than the 6th? Like the whole "we are one team" motto???
MB says: the motto of this year's team is simply "15=16." I'll let you take a few guesses as to what that means
seems quite simple actually..
48*5 = 240 minutes a game
240/15 = 16 minutes per player.
If Nate played everybody on this team everybody would only get 16 minutes.
there are a couple of different ways his talk could fork from there.
the fact that everybody would be unhappy playing only 16 minutes, so someone will get the shaft..
that this is his current plan for minutes, and that he is leaving it up to everyone to take minutes away from each other.
15 refers to the amount of players on the roster and 16 refers to the number of teams that make the playoffs.
I want my courtside t-shirt!
MB,
As always, thanks for a fantastic post for us that have other events to attend. I was too busy at Reser Stadium watching my Beavers hand it to the Trojans. I couldn't believe it when I saw us running out on the field. It still hasn't sunk in.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the great update, as always!
As for the motto, there are 15 players on a team, and it takes 16 playoff wins to reach a championship... but I don't know why they're equal.
15=16..
15 players working together equals one of 16 teams in the playoffs?
Mike:
I only got to hear the second half of court-side. When you said Rudy and Nate was on the first half. I couldn't sleep waiting for you to put the audio on your blog. It was worth the wait. Rudy sounded great. hope he can adjust to america's way of life. It will be nice that Sergio will be here to help him.
Thanks for the update and the blog.
I listened to the raw video of Kevin on Oregon-live. He mentioned 15 = 16 but the back ground noise was so loud I couldn't make out what it meant. I will be waiting for the explanation.
hg
Hi Mike,
Here is my guess for the 15=16 motto. 15 players playing together as a team can equal 16 playoff wins and a championship.
There's 16 playoff teams. 15 players working together makes one team, to be one of the 16 playoff teams. that's what I believe 15=16 means.
Charlie, Patrick, and ZMan,
You're correct.
MB
You had a lot of fun with possible nicknames for Greg and Rudy. I didn't hear the whole show so I hope I'm not repeating anything:
Rudy:
Señor Swish
the Majorca Meteor
Badalona Blast
Greg:
the Mountain
Dunk-a-matic
Señor Swat
rob,
We got a lot of suggestions for nicknames last night. Personally, my favorite Rudy nicknames were probably "The Barracuda," and "El Nino." For Greg, I like "The Rim Reaper," and the "The Judge." There are many more to come I'm sure.
MB
I like OutrageousJ's answer better!!! Tell Nate to re-write his speech! 15 players playing together = 16 playoff wins!!! I have no problem with the team/coaches/mgmt publicly "managing expectations" (i.e. - "we're just trying to take the next step and get to the playoffs"), but internally I'd like to think that they're shooting higher! Think the '76-'77 Blazers ... young/talented team goes all the way! Do I expect that to happen? No, of course not. Do I think that something more than a first-round playoff exit is possible? Heck, yah! Go Blazers!
Did I almost make an entire post and forget to mention Comcast/Directv?!?! Get it taken care of Blazers. You can claim that it's not your issue, but it is!!! Get rid of the last "black cloud" (Larry Miller's own words)!
Since Raef is going to miss most of the season because of surgery will they leave him off the roster in order to keep another one of the young dudes they have invited to training camp? He will still have trade value because of his expiring contract right?
Since Raef is going to miss most of the season because of surgery will they leave him off the roster in order to keep another one of the young dudes they have invited to training camp? He will still have trade value because of his expiring contract right?
glenns,
He won't be "active," but is still counted as one of the 15 on the roster. Nothing you can do about that, injured or not.
Yes, his expiring contract has massive value and will only get more valuable at the trade deadline. That doesn't mean they'll automatically trade it, but if something makes sense they will. If they hang on to him the entire year, that big number comes off the cap next July. Either way, it's a big chip the team is currently holding. When they use it is on the only question.
MB
Okay, I didn't get a chance to finish listening to the show. But did anyone suggest Chief ala 'One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest'?
This post has been removed by the author.
From Spain, here we like "Smooth Criminal" for Rudy's nick like the music theme on a youtube video about him
Mike,
Any chance you will be able to get the full Courtside podcast up today? I love the interviews but I like to hear what you guys have to say even more!
Thanks
The funny you mentioned Lemarcus going to the game cause my friends were there and he was playing catch with them on the field with the ball boy 20' in front of them! I will get back to you on what he was wearing once my friend posts his pics to his facebook account.
Go Obama, Go Blazers!
Mike-
For Oden what would you think about "Grandpa Lebron"? Haha when I first saw him I laughed so hard because he looked just like the grandpa that Lebron used to play in those commercials.
Mike you are almost the perfect Blazer beat writer and blogger, but it's just too bad you're not a Duck fan. Maybe the next generation of sports broadcasters will go to U of O, because the Beavers are on the dark side.
Anyway, as always, appreciate the podcasts and the bits of info. So close to pre season, the anticipation is building.
Mike, Who is this mystery man that Martell is working out with?
It sounds to me like he made a deal with the Devil to be a better player. Which I am ok with. But if you listen to the interview, there are tons of clues.
Martell: "I won't give up the name, cause he said that he didn't want me to"
Martell: "Why didn't you (the Devil) come and ask me to work out before, and he said, 'because you weren't ready'"
Antonio: "Martell I can tell you, your workout partner, (the devil) if were talking about the same guy, he came to me about two and a half years ago and said I'd love to get a hold of Martell Webster..."
There are more but I am too lazy to write them down.
Martell could be our Robert Johnson. Maybe if you play the podcast backwards, you can hear stairway to heaven.
But, it's a very cryptic post.
P.S. To all religious people, I was just kidding about the devil thing. Calm down. The devil is bad MMM K'ay?
I have been really distracted from the football season with all my excitement for the upcoming Blazers' season... However, I was front row on the 20 yard line last night at the USC at OSU game and nothing but how awesome the Beavers played tha game was going through my head. I did see LA there and was wearing no visible orange. I saw him in a grey wind-breaker and black pants. That is not to say he didn't have an orange shirt on underneath though. Suffice to say, he was not wearing the orange with pride like the rest of Beaver Nation. Is it Oct. 7th yet?
@nokerti: Dude, Smooth Criminal is a terrible, terrible song. I don't think we can call Rudy by that nickname w/out saddling him with that association.
Does Rudy have any other nicks in Espana?
15=16? Sounds like "fuzzy" math to me :-P
About Rudy....what is it about him that makes the women in the office crazy over him? Is it the stubbly hair on his face? Is it the foreign accent?
As for the rotation, I hope the coach goes with at least 10 guys playing with maximum intensity which is what I saw during the Olympics. Like the coach said, we ought to take advantage of the talent we have. We don't need Roy playing 38 min/game or 35 for Aldridge. We can really wear teams down that's for sure.
I think it is obviously refferring to 15 teams trying for the playoffs in the West, but there is 16 playoff seeds. Hence 15=16
I believe it is reffering to 15 teams in the western conference, and their is 16 playoff seeds. Hence 15=16
Phil
Shouldn't that be 15=8? After all we can only qualify for 1 of 8 playoff spots.
I can't wait until the season starts! I know that makes me unique! :)
Hope to see you Friday, MB!
For rudy I like the sugguestion of "smooth criminal" - for oden i like Mt. Oden.
Nickname for Oden:
A.T.C. = Air Traffic Control
Take off DENIED!
I think I know where Coach McMillan got the idea for 15=16. They were just talking about 9=8 in Tampa Bay (Rays) on ESPN. I wouldn't have figured it out had I not watched that story.
Ok.... I think I have it. Since it's only one word it should be proceeded with his name.
Rudy Fernandez: The-Amazing-Spaniards-Sensational-Highflying-Magical-Basketball-Show
Did I mention it was a hyphenated word?
GO
THE TEACHER
who's your daddy now......come in the paint for some tutelage.
I believe that 15-16 means that one of their goals is to win at least 15-16 straight games.
Here are my starting 5
PG- Blake
SG- Roy
C- Oden
SF- Outlaw
PF- Aldridge
2nd Unit
PG-Bayless
SG-Rudy/Martell
SF-Rudy/Martell
PF-Diogu
C-Pryzbilla
3rd Unit
PG-Rodriguez
SG-Open
SF-Batum
C-Frye
PF-La Frentz
15 = 16. should mean 15 players and 16 playoff game wins to the championship.
Love the "Rim Reaper" nickname, hadn't heard that one before.
We can just call Oden Mr *nsync, or Justin Lol. Rudy should be called the Spaniard! He's not just going to be some Spanish guy in the leugue he will be the Spanish guy of the league. The Gasols have nothing on him!
-Joel Weakland- If you're going to plug someone for president on this blog you better be like "Brandon Roy for president!" If it's anyone else just keep it to your self! This blog is where people come to unite as Blazer fans so leave your Democrat or Republican hats at the door please! BTW BRoy would make a better president than the canditates we have now!
My guess: 15 is the roster spots and 16 is the amount of teams going into the playoffs. If all 15 players play together, they will be among the 16 to be in the playoffs. It's all up to them. Talent and potential is there. Are they willing to sacrifice to win. It comes down to will and confidence. The will will get them wins and the confidence they get from wins will take them a long ways into the playoffs. The talent is there. What will they make of it?
our rudy fernandez is not the only popular rudy fernandez. there was an action star who is named rudy fernandez and is also known as "the boy". having said that, i suggest we call our spanish import rudy THE BUOY fernandez. buoy as in buoyancy, synonym of airness or float...as for oden, the major pain sound good.
How about just plain Greg "Big Man" Oden Or Greg "The Biggest Man" Oden for greg and maybe "The Matador" for Rudy. Great job Mike. Go Obama!
Mike
Missed most of the show, but I did here some nicknames. How about"THE SEXY CINCO" OR "THE CINCO KID". Song to follow goes so
somthing like this. To the melody of the cisco kid. The cinco kid is a friend of mine bulls to the basket and pulls up behind the line. when he dunks you can here his opponent wine. Oh yea he just dropped another dime
thats it for now Im sure sombody will help with the rest but its a start.
thank you always MB
jeffery t. scott
15 players = one of 16 playoff teams. Potential, talent, youth, explosiveness, brains, experience (McMillan) - it's all up to the Blazers. WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY! SEIZE IT!
Mike you guys have hit a lull on giving the fans something to be excited about. Everyone is here, everyone is practicing and all we're hearing is what Joel Pryzbilla did all summer.
Let's get some video next week before fan fast. Something to talk about.
I think Nate will keep a 10 man ratation.
hg
I like The Cinco Kid and Rim Reaper
hg
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Kobe Bryant in any of these posts! I think it would be HORRIBLE to see Kobe in a Blazer uniform, and I think a lot of others would agree with me. The 2000 Laker team barely got away with our chance at a championship, and to see a championship finally come to Portland through the hands of Kobe Bryant would ruin everything that Blazer fans have been waiting for. I might be wrong about how other fans feel, but I would be interested to hear what others think, because I know I'm not alone in my distaste for Kobe Bryant.
MB, I've thought out some nicknames for Oden:
The Bully
The Bull
The Bulldozer
The Missing Link
The Swatmatic2000
The Goaltender
Dominator
For Rudy:
The Foreigner
The Secret Weapon
The X-Factor
Sexy Amigo
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