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Post by duceisinmyheart on Feb 10, 2008 20:56:59 GMT -5
www.marca.com/edicion/marca/baloncesto/acb/copa_del_rey/es/desarrollo/1088249.htmlVideo is in spanish but you get the point. The only player in Spain to win the MVP award in the Copa del Rey tournament. Translated it's basically "The King's Cup." It's like if the NBA had a side tournament, it's a European thing. Finished with 32 points, and led his team to one of the biggest come-backs in Copa Del Rey history. He will turn some heads in the NBA next season, if he decides to go.
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Post by Phoenix Phil on Feb 10, 2008 20:59:13 GMT -5
Doesn't Portland have his rights? I read an article about him potentially being their future 2-guard with Roy actually being the primary ball-handler.
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Post by duceisinmyheart on Feb 10, 2008 21:02:10 GMT -5
Doesn't Portland have his rights? I read an article about him potentially being their future 2-guard with Roy actually being the primary ball-handler. Yep, Phoenix drafted him then traded him to Portland. His buy-out clause is ridiculous so that's why he won't come to the NBA until maybe next season, but him and Roy will be a sick sick combination if he can make the transition. Oden/Aldridge/Outlaw/Roy/Fernandez sick line-up next year. He's basically going to take over Jarret Jack's job.
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Post by Funky George! on Feb 10, 2008 21:25:53 GMT -5
Martell Webster might have something to say about that. He's going to be a very good starter at shooting guard one day. I think Rudy will be a combo guard off the bench for a long time, because if they make Roy the primary ballhandler (this isn't likely), I'd bet Webster or Jones gets the first crack at the starting 2. But with Blake and Jack on the team (two very efficient point guards who each offer a lot), I'd bet against Rudy starting any time soon.
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Post by Aaron2344 on Feb 10, 2008 21:38:01 GMT -5
I am a huge fan of Jarret Jack, he reminds me quite a bit of Billups. Real strong.
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Post by duceisinmyheart on Feb 10, 2008 22:10:23 GMT -5
Martell Webster might have something to say about that. He's going to be a very good starter at shooting guard one day. I think Rudy will be a combo guard off the bench for a long time, because if they make Roy the primary ballhandler (this isn't likely), I'd bet Webster or Jones gets the first crack at the starting 2. But with Blake and Jack on the team (two very efficient point guards who each offer a lot), I'd bet against Rudy starting any time soon. They made Roy the primary ball handler back in December and Portland went on that what was it 10-12+ winning game streak? Roy averaged 24ppg 7apg 5.8rpg 1.5 TOs and shooting 51% from the field during that span. I agree if Webster develops, he may have competition but every Portland related article or forum is saying that it's going to be Roy/Fernandez next year. With Webster essentially being the sixth man.
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Ducky
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Post by Ducky on Feb 11, 2008 4:01:23 GMT -5
Doesn't Portland have his rights? I read an article about him potentially being their future 2-guard with Roy actually being the primary ball-handler. Yep, Phoenix drafted him then traded him to Portland. His buy-out clause is ridiculous so that's why he won't come to the NBA until maybe next season, but him and Roy will be a sick sick combination if he can make the transition. Oden/Aldridge/Outlaw/Roy/Fernandez sick line-up next year. He's basically going to take over Jarret Jack's job. Dude... Sergio, Jack, and Blake > Fernandez. Fernandez is sick, but no way he starts over Jack and Blake. Our coach has a man crush on Steve Blake. After we traded him away a year ago, we scrambled like hell to get him back. Steve will be the starter next year. And Jack is a close 2nd. After that Sergio and Rudy will fight for #3 spot there. Also we got offered Marion for Sergio, last year and turned it down. Obviously the coaches have Sergio really high on their board, and I expect him to see more minutes over the next couple years. (Expect Jack to be traded... This year or next)
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Ducky
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Post by Ducky on Feb 11, 2008 4:05:41 GMT -5
Martell Webster might have something to say about that. He's going to be a very good starter at shooting guard one day. I think Rudy will be a combo guard off the bench for a long time, because if they make Roy the primary ballhandler (this isn't likely), I'd bet Webster or Jones gets the first crack at the starting 2. But with Blake and Jack on the team (two very efficient point guards who each offer a lot), I'd bet against Rudy starting any time soon. They made Roy the primary ball handler back in December and Portland went on that what was it 10-12+ winning game streak? Roy averaged 24ppg 7apg 5.8rpg 1.5 TOs and shooting 51% from the field during that span. I agree if Webster develops, he may have competition but every Portland related article or forum is saying that it's going to be Roy/Fernandez next year. With Webster essentially being the sixth man. Dude, wtf are you smoking? Webster is big time here in Portland. Our coach/GM treat Webster like their son. Webster starts every game even though IMO, he's not quite NBA ready. He's extremely athletic, and you sometimes don't get to see his great driving skills because he's always settling outside for the shot. If he can balance his offensive game, he could end up being a 20ppg player. He still has a big upside. And btw, Webster plays SF all the time. If you want to know how our backcourt will look next year, here you go... PG-Blake/Jack/Sergio SG-Roy/Jones/Rudy SF-Webster/Outlaw/Outlaw Something like that. You can count on it that Webster and Blake start off next season as our starters..
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Feb 11, 2008 4:29:45 GMT -5
Blake is the glue of that team he is so solid... i really really like portland and I can't wait to see oden with them.
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Post by duceisinmyheart on Feb 11, 2008 10:20:22 GMT -5
t is no small coincidence that the Blazers nine-game winning streak directly coincided with coach Nate McMillan's decision to move Brandon Roy to point guard. The move happened before the Dec. 3 game at Memphis, and since then the Blazers are 9-0, with Roy averaging 24.2 points, 7.0 assists and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 51.8 percent from the field.
Roy's effectiveness with the ball in his hands raises the question that I have been trumpeting since last season: Is Brandon Roy the point guard of the future for this Blazers team?
On Thursday, I asked Roy that question.
"I would say I could be just a point guard if we bring somebody in, or if Martell (Webster) continues to develop to be a scoring two guard,'' Roy said.
And that brings us to the real topic I want to discuss: Rudy Fernandez.
Since this summer's NBA draft, when the Blazers traded Phoenix for the rights to Fernandez (who was taken at No. 24), I have said the Blazers grand plan was to eventually move Roy to point guard and hope that Fernandez develops into that scoring two-guard Roy spoke of earlier.
Fernandez, who is 6-foot-6, 172 pounds, is playing in the ACB Spanish League this season, which Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard considers the second-best league in the world behind the NBA. Fernandez is leading Joventut Badalona to a league-leading 10-1 record, averaging 16.4 points and 3.8 assists while making 42 percent of his three pointers and 95 percent of his free throws.
"He's having a great year,'' Pritchard said. "Phenomenal.''
Pritchard said the plan is to have Fernandez join the Blazers next season, although there are some concerns that a European team will throw lots of money at the 22-year-old shooting guard in an effort to entice him to stay. The Blazers can only pay him about $1 million next season, far less than what European teams figure to offer him.
"We are in constant communication with him, and all signs points that he wants to be here next year,'' Pritchard said. "But he will have pressure from a major European team to stay there because of the financial implications.''
Pritchard said he doesn't expect the Blazers to have to pay a buyout of Fernandez' contract, and if they did, "it will be minimal,'' Pritchard said. "Maybe a couple hundred thousand.''
I have no concerns that Fernandez will come to the Blazers next season, especially after talking to Blazers point guard Sergio Rodriguez. Since he was 13, Rodriguez has known and played against Fernandez in Spain, including on the Spanish national team that won the World title two years ago. The two have become close friends.
"We talk, and we chat in e-mail a lot,'' Rodriguez said. "This summer (while the two played on Spain's national team), he asked me every possible question about the Trail Blazers and the NBA. He doesn't care about the money, he wants to play in the NBA. He told me it is his dream to play in the NBA. He wants to come as soon as possible.''
Also, Fernandez' older sister, Marta, is in America, on the West Coast, playing for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA.
So what will the Blazers be getting in Fernandez?
Many people, like Blazers assistant Bill Bayno, liken Fernandez' game to Spurs guard Manu Ginobili. However, Rodriguez says a more accurate comparison would be Sacramento guard Kevin Martin.
"Rudy is a great player,'' Rodriguez said. "He can jump, dunk, make threes, and he can defend. He is mature, and he was the best two-guard in the league last year, and this year he is playing really well.''
Pritchard gave a glowing review.
"He's wild, he's courageous as hell, he has a big-time flair for the game, and he takes big, big shots,'' Pritchard said. "And throughout his career, starting at 16, he's been an influencer in the ACB League, which I consider the best league outside of the United States. He's just got flair. He can really run ... he's going to have to work on his body, he's going to have to get stronger, but if he does that, he has a chance to be a really good pro.''
Rodriguez said that Fernandez is talented enough right now to come in and play for the Blazers. And Pritchard echoed Rodriguez' sentiment.
"I don't know if he is a bench player or a starter - Rudy will determine that - but what I do know is he is definitely an NBA player,'' Pritchard said.
An interesting dynamic when Fernandez does come over will be his chemistry with Rodriguez. The two have often played together, and have an uncanny ability to complete the ally-oop play. .
"Yeah, I've seen those videos,'' Pritchard said. "It's dunk, dunk, dunk, dunk, dunk. I think there's going to be a symbiotic relationship with those two.''
So, if Fernandez pans out and turns into the solid player many feel he will become, he could be the final piece to what the Blazers hope is the opening of a championship window. There has been so much talk of what Greg Oden will bring to this team next year, but I think Fernandez could be just as important because it could open the door for Roy's move to point guard.
Some are concerned whether Roy can handle a full-time move to the point, for fear that he won't be able to bring the ball up the court against smaller, quicker guards like Chris Paul. Roy says nonsense.
"I'm going to be interested to see how teams play me,'' Roy said. "Will Chris Paul guard me? Or will they bring a bigger man in to guard me? Because if Chris Paul goes guard me, I'm taking him straight to the post. It's interesting. But then again, I never see myself as just a point. I'm a combo guard. And I like the role I'm in now, where (Steve) Blake handles the pushing of the ball, and in key situations, I handle it.''
Either way, it's an intriguing situation when looking at the future. Not only does this improving team figure to get better next season with Oden, but there's also this 22-year-old kid who plays with flair, waiting in Spain, just itching to come over and join the Blazers.
The ride has only just begun.
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Post by Spencer on Feb 11, 2008 13:05:11 GMT -5
I cant believe Webster is better then Outlaw. I think Webster is a bust.
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Post by Phoenix Phil on Feb 11, 2008 16:27:08 GMT -5
They made Roy the primary ball handler back in December and Portland went on that what was it 10-12+ winning game streak? Roy averaged 24ppg 7apg 5.8rpg 1.5 TOs and shooting 51% from the field during that span. I agree if Webster develops, he may have competition but every Portland related article or forum is saying that it's going to be Roy/Fernandez next year. With Webster essentially being the sixth man. Dude, wtf are you smoking? Webster is big time here in Portland. Our coach/GM treat Webster like their son. Webster starts every game even though IMO, he's not quite NBA ready. He's extremely athletic, and you sometimes don't get to see his great driving skills because he's always settling outside for the shot. If he can balance his offensive game, he could end up being a 20ppg player. He still has a big upside. And btw, Webster plays SF all the time. If you want to know how our backcourt will look next year, here you go... PG-Blake/Jack/Sergio SG-Roy/Jones/Rudy SF-Webster/Outlaw/Outlaw Something like that. You can count on it that Webster and Blake start off next season as our starters.. Rudy seems to good to be dumped that far back in the rotation. The Blazers backcourt seems extremely crowded... I guess it's good problem to have though. Maybe they'll trade Blake or the rights of Rudy in the offseason
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Post by Phoenix Phil on Feb 11, 2008 16:31:16 GMT -5
I cant believe Webster is better then Outlaw. I think Webster is a bust. At one point many deemed Outlaw as a bust. Webster has shown flashes, and it's certainly not too late for him to grow into a solid starter since he's only 21. I wish he would've gone to college though... if he played at Washington for 2 years. him and Hawes could've been a nice duo.
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Post by Ducky on Feb 11, 2008 17:41:22 GMT -5
I cant believe Webster is better then Outlaw. I think Webster is a bust. I sorta agree, with the Outlaw > Webster stuff. But the staff is really high on Webster, and he'll still be starting next year.
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Ducky
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Post by Ducky on Feb 11, 2008 17:42:55 GMT -5
Dude, wtf are you smoking? Webster is big time here in Portland. Our coach/GM treat Webster like their son. Webster starts every game even though IMO, he's not quite NBA ready. He's extremely athletic, and you sometimes don't get to see his great driving skills because he's always settling outside for the shot. If he can balance his offensive game, he could end up being a 20ppg player. He still has a big upside. And btw, Webster plays SF all the time. If you want to know how our backcourt will look next year, here you go... PG-Blake/Jack/Sergio SG-Roy/Jones/Rudy SF-Webster/Outlaw/Outlaw Something like that. You can count on it that Webster and Blake start off next season as our starters.. Rudy seems to good to be dumped that far back in the rotation. The Blazers backcourt seems extremely crowded... I guess it's good problem to have though. Maybe they'll trade Blake or the rights of Rudy in the offseason Jack's going to be traded. He makes some costly mistakes each game, and he can also ruin a run of ours with a bad shot, or doing something stupid. If Jack gets traded, I could see Rudy being the first player coming off the bench. Rudy is good, but if he comes in next year, there's 0 chance he starts of Blake or Jack. Trust me... (Unless of course one of them gets traded or there are injuries).
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