Rudy becomes more of a douche every day.

[EPIC FAIL GILDERHUS]

"Fernandez has been both short and sharp with the media. When a question regarding the playoffs being his chance to show what he can do now that he is replacing Brandon Roy, Fernandez cut off the question.

"I am not Brandon Roy. I am Rudy Fernandez," he said sharply after Wednesday's practice.

What little he does say is confusing.

"I do not need 10 shots or 2 shots. Play free is what I can play, and I think my role is to open the space," he said. "For me, it's not important whether I'm a starter or not a starter. It's the ball. It's shots," Fernandez said.

Fernandez took only two shots in Game 2 -- missing both-- and when told his lack of shots was exactly the point of the questioning, he walked away.

"You took only two shots," Fernandez was told as he walked away. "Why?"

"I don't know," Fernandez said, smirking over his shoulder while throwing his hands in the air. "I don't know."
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/04/blazers-suns_i_am_not_brandon.html

Nate is going to start the "Spanard" in game 3 though.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

He's a diva.

 

[Blazinaway]

"Fernandez has been both short and sharp with the media. When a question regarding the playoffs being his chance to show what he can do now that he is replacing Brandon Roy, Fernandez cut off the question.

"I am not Brandon Roy. I am Rudy Fernandez," he said sharply after Wednesday's practice.

What little he does say is confusing.

"I do not need 10 shots or 2 shots. Play free is what I can play, and I think my role is to open the space," he said. "For me, it's not important whether I'm a starter or not a starter. It's the ball. It's shots," Fernandez said.

Fernandez took only two shots in Game 2 -- missing both-- and when told his lack of shots was exactly the point of the questioning, he walked away.

"You took only two shots," Fernandez was told as he walked away. "Why?"

"I don't know," Fernandez said, smirking over his shoulder while throwing his hands in the air. "I don't know."
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/04/blazers-suns_i_am_not_brandon.html

Nate is going to start the "Span-tard" in game 3 though.

He's obviously frustrated but it's becoming more and more obvious he won't be with the Blazers next yr, might not even be worth trading to another NBA team, back to Europe with his buddy Sergio seems more and more likely IMO.

 

[Kaydow]

Poor Rudy. It's tough when you realize you're not as good as you thought you were. He has nobody to blame for his 2 shots. He's scared to shoot right now b/c he can't hit the broad side of a barn. The shots are obviously there if he wants them.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Rudy doesn't fit with Nate. It's really that simple. He is the anti-Brandon when it comes to style of play.

 

[Tince]

Rudy doesn't fit with Nate. It's really that simple. He is the anti-Brandon when it comes to style of play.

Or any team that plays defense.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I'm not making excuses... but it seems to me like Rudy still struggles with the language. I dont think he can get his points across like he wants to. Combine that with the fact that he's struggling... it doesnt make for a good interview.
Batum on the other hand has made huge improvements with his grasp of the language and culture. It shows in his interviews.

 

[Wheels]

Frustration happens. I still wouldnt say he is a douche though.

 

[Kaydow]

Rudy doesn't fit with Nate. It's really that simple. He is the anti-Brandon when it comes to style of play.

Rudy would probably fit well on a team like Phoenix. With a PG like Nash breaking down defenses and finding him on the perimeter, or going back-door for the lob. That said, when those are the only ways you can score, you are going to have a limited role on ANY team. He wouldn't be a 20 ppg All Star in Phoenix or anywhere else - he just isn't that good.

 

[crandc]

Rudy would probably fit well on a team like Phoenix. With a PG like Nash breaking down defenses and finding him on the perimeter, or going back-door for the lob. That said, when those are the only ways you can score, you are going to have a limited role on ANY team. He wouldn't be a 20 ppg All Star in Phoenix or anywhere else - he just isn't that good.

But Phoenix drafted him, remember? And sold his rights to Portland.

No doubt Rudy is frustarted, I hope he can find himself and his game. We know what he can do and we are not seeing it. I don't blame him for being short with the a-holes who pass for sports media in Portland.

 

[EPIC FAIL GILDERHUS]

He's obviously frustrated but it's becoming more and more obvious he won't be with the Blazers next yr, might not even be worth trading to another NBA team, back to Europe with his buddy Sergio seems more and more likely IMO.

Good riddance.

 

[EPIC FAIL GILDERHUS]

Frustration happens. I still wouldnt say he is a douche though.

I still hold out some hope that he can hit some 3's, throw some alleyoops, or at least run around and make Nash work. He'd just rather pout, though, right now when his team needs him most. He's not going to get a bigger stage than this-starting in the NBA playoffs. Hopefully he can swallow his pride and give us some quality minutes.

 

[noknobs]

Rudy isn't even making 1.5 million this year, maybe our (including me) expectations are too high? He's clearly as disappointed as anyone about his play so I think it's just frustration. For some reason I have a feeling he'll have a good game tonight. If he hits a few early, the crowd will get behind him. Here's hoping.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Lost in Translation. Ricky rubio said something similar, sounded funny and cocky.

 

[Blazinaway]

Rudy isn't even making 1.5 million this year, maybe our (including me) expectations are too high? He's clearly as disappointed as anyone about his play so I think it's just frustration. For some reason I have a feeling he'll have a good game tonight. If he hits a few early, the crowd will get behind him. Here's hoping.

What does his current pay have to do with anything? He's on a rookie contract, if he plays well over time he'll get a huge payday on his next contract. Durant is on a rookie scale contract as is Collison, should they be playing worse because they aren't being paid as stars? Trying to figure out your logic.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

No doubt Rudy is frustarted, I hope he can find himself and his game. We know what he can do and we are not seeing it. I don't blame him for being short with the a-holes who pass for sports media in Portland.

Seconded.

I don't think it's entirely Rudy's fault that he's struggling. It's not as if he's being treated like Brandon Roy (given the green light) because it's clear that Miller should have the ball as much as possible. And (as he says) he's not Roy, so that approach would be stupid. What you need to do with Rudy is treat him like Rip Hamilton - set a ton of screens and run him off them. That's not what's happening - he's being given the ball in one-on-one situations and asked to create. That's not his game. Criticizing him for that is a bit like criticizing Greg Oden for sitting out the playoffs.

 

[Blazinaway]

Seconded.

"One thing is sure, this ain't his level. He's playing poorly and he's a good player"

I am not so sure I agree with this statement. If your shooting is off you try to do other things to help the team, most of his "other stuff" seems more a liability than a plus, like his defense. I mean if he can't take advantage of Nash guarding him what else can we say?

 

[noknobs]

What does his current pay have to do with anything? He's on a rookie contract, if he plays well over time he'll get a huge payday on his next contract. Durant is on a rookie scale contract as is Collison, should they be playing worse because they aren't being paid as stars? Trying to figure out your logic.

That he was the 24th pick & traded on draft day for cash considerations and that he's a role player... I'm trying to figure out your logic in bringing up Durant? I think expectations should be slightly different...

 

[e_blazer]

What's difficult to understand about this story? From Rudy's perspective, he's being put in a position where his team isn't running any plays that make use of the skills that he does have (perimeter shooting and backdoor cuts to the basket) and he's embarassed and ticked about it. I suspect most any human being, particularly one who sees himself as a European star player, would feel the same way. Instead of slamming him for what seems a pretty normal reaction, I'm hoping that Nate makes some adjustments to use Rudy's skills in tonight's game. If we want the Blazers to advance, getting behind Rudy and helping him get his confidence back instead of bashing him would seem like a wise thing to do. I doubt he's in a Blazers uniform next fall, so it's not as if it's a longterm committment or anything.

 

[Wheels]

I still hold out some hope that he can hit some 3's, throw some alleyoops, or at least run around and make Nash work. He'd just rather pout, though, right now when his team needs him most. He's not going to get a bigger stage than this-starting in the NBA playoffs. Hopefully he can swallow his pride and give us some quality minutes.

the question is though, is he being told to sit in the corner. I see him running off some screens.. But a lot of the time he is just camped in the corner to spread the floor. So it could be pouting, or it could be him doing what he is told to do in the offense.

 

[Wheels]

What's difficult to understand about this story? From Rudy's perspective, he's being put in a position where his team isn't running any plays that make use of the skills that he does have (perimeter shooting and backdoor cuts to the basket) and he's embarassed and ticked about it. I suspect most any human being, particularly one who sees himself as a European star player, would feel the same way. Instead of slamming him for what seems a pretty normal reaction, I'm hoping that Nate makes some adjustments to use Rudy's skills in tonight's game. If we want the Blazers to advance, getting behind Rudy and helping him get his confidence back instead of bashing him would seem like a wise thing to do. I doubt he's in a Blazers uniform next fall, so it's not as if it's a longterm committment or anything.

exactly how I feel. Well said. I'm not saying the dude is a star. But he isnt being used right IMO. Run him off everything. Rip Hamilton use. The adjustment is on Nate IMO.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I am not so sure I agree with this statement. If your shooting is off you try to do other things to help the team, most of his "other stuff" seems more a liability than a plus, like his defense. I mean if he can't take advantage of Nash guarding him what else can we say?

Exactly HOW is he supposed to "take advantage" of Nash? Take him in the post with his great bulk and vast array of post moves? Blow by him with his amazing ball-handling skills? If the team wants to use Rudy then they have to run him off some screens.

This reminds me of Glen Rice in LA (only in reverse). His game tanked because he wasn't a "triangle" player. (Ironically, I think Rudy would flourish in the triangle.) But part of the reason LA beat the Blazers that year was because in a playoff game Jackson actually abandoned the triangle and ran some more traditional plays for Rice.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

What's difficult to understand about this story? From Rudy's perspective, he's being put in a position where his team isn't running any plays that make use of the skills that he does have (perimeter shooting and backdoor cuts to the basket) and he's embarassed and ticked about it. I suspect most any human being, particularly one who sees himself as a European star player, would feel the same way. Instead of slamming him for what seems a pretty normal reaction, I'm hoping that Nate makes some adjustments to use Rudy's skills in tonight's game. If we want the Blazers to advance, getting behind Rudy and helping him get his confidence back instead of bashing him would seem like a wise thing to do. I doubt he's in a Blazers uniform next fall, so it's not as if it's a longterm committment or anything.

Well put.

Martell is a similar player, BTW. That time he scored 25 in a quarter it was because the team was running him off screens. So it IS possible.

(Martell has made adjustments and is useful in other ways, but it's taken time, and it's essentially because he is now resigned to being a bench player. But he's been here for longer than anyone.)

 

[EPIC FAIL GILDERHUS]

the question is though, is he being told to sit in the corner. I see him running off some screens.. But a lot of the time he is just camped in the corner to spread the floor. So it could be pouting, or it could be him doing what he is told to do in the offense.

Could be...no one outside of the Blazer organization has all the facts really. It just seems like every time that Rudy is given an opportunity to start in the playoffs, he becomes the invisible man. And if he is camped in the corner, then he needs to put up more than 2 shots. Maybe he envisioned himself as this huge superstar in the NBA, but obviously he hasn't shown that he has the skill set to be an elite role player. Everyone wants to blame the coaching staff, but I don't buy that. It appears that maybe he has a problem getting motivated when everything isn't going exactly how he wants it. Rudy just needs to man up and play in the role assigned to him, because that's whats going to help the team.

I do agree that he is at his best when being run off screens though, so hopefully we can see more of that.

 

[Wheels]

Could be...no one outside of the Blazer organization has all the facts really. It just seems like every time that Rudy is given an opportunity to start in the playoffs, he becomes the invisible man. And if he is camped in the corner, then he needs to put up more than 2 shots. Maybe he envisioned himself as this huge superstar in the NBA, but obviously he hasn't shown that he has the skill set to be an elite role player. Everyone wants to blame the coaching staff, but I don't buy that. It appears that maybe he has a problem getting motivated when everything isn't going exactly how he wants it. Rudy just needs to man up and play in the role assigned to him, because that's whats going to help the team.

now that I think about it too.. Rudy was bringing the ball up a lot. Dude to Andre being shadowed everywhere by Hill. So Rudy was thrown into the role of PG and that is not his game IMO. So it is on the coaching staff to man up and get him in a position to succeed. Gentry made a GREAT adjustment on disrupting our offense. Its kinda doing what I want Batum doing to Nash all game. Now it is on Nate to adjust to the adjustment Gentry made.

 

[MARIS61]

Trolls always suffer from reading comprehension and a lack of knowledge of the game, and this thread demonstrates that perfectly.

Rudy's response to unprofessional baiting by Quick was the same things Clyde Drexler repeated over and over when he was stuck on the bench behind the more limited, more structured Jim Paxson.

Had this quote not been deliberately deleted by the OP, this thread wouldn't seem quite as much like a post from a Suns fan.

"I open the space for my teammates, and the spacing has been good," Fernandez said. "That's my role -- and to help teammates when I have the ball in my hands. And when I have an opportunity for a shot, shoot.

"I think the first game I was a good defender, good defense against Richardson," Fernandez said. " The last game ... I don't like my play in the second game."

Spot on answer.

Rudy's biggest talent is moving without the ball, and he's demonstrated his whole career that he's one of the best, and quickest ever at it.

But since Sergio left, we've not had a player quick-witted enough to recognize that split-second feint, nor with the speed and accuracy required to get him the ball in that split-second of opportunity.

Also notable is where he refers to "my role", which Nate has designated, and it's a tiny role that fails to utilize his many talents.

Hounding a guy for not dropping 20pts a game when he's told to simply stand on the side behind the arc without the ball all night is just plain retarded.

Why didn't Quick go after Channing Frye last year for the same infraction?

Channing's 10 times the player he was last year. All he needed was a coach who would let him play his game.

 

[MARIS61]

I still hold out some hope that he can hit some 3's, throw some alleyoops, or at least run around and make Nash work. He'd just rather pout, though, right now when his team needs him most. He's not going to get a bigger stage than this-starting in the NBA playoffs. Hopefully he can swallow his pride and give us some quality minutes.

He's already succeeded on a much bigger stage, The Olympics.

But from your attacks I can assume you've never watched them.

 

[hasoos]

Oh I see how it is. According to Rudy nothing is broke. He is doing what he is supposed to do. I guess he is supposed to launch bricks and be totally ineffective on both ends of the floor. How stupid was I to think he was supposed to actually make decent percentage of his shots, and take more than 2 of them. Oh and his defense on Richardson was great in game 1 somehow. I must not know what I am talking about in basketball, and now with Rudy's sharp retorts, now I know I am in the wrong.

But now I am wondering, if Rudy is playing like a starter is supposed to play, how the hell would we win a game if all of our starters only put up 5 points a game and shot 37%. I guess if I knew more about basketball, I would know.

 

[BGrantFan]

exactly how I feel. Well said. I'm not saying the dude is a star. But he isnt being used right IMO. Run him off everything. Rip Hamilton use. The adjustment is on Nate IMO.

So, you want Nate to change the entire offense for Rudy? Rip's offense, and Indy's with Miller, was based on baseline screens, back screens, and more screens.

I think it would be disastrous to change the entire offense for a guy who hasn't shown he deserves to have an offense created around him.

 

[e_blazer]

Taking a whopping 2 shots is "launching bricks"?