Thoughts on Roo-D so far...

by truls on Oct 10, 2008 6:30 AM PDT

Rudy (El Mago)

Rudy Fernandez has demonstrated a lot of intangible qualities so far in the pre-season. Despite the language barrier (although you can already see a ton of progress in his English) in only 2 games thus far we have seen him calling together team huddles, calling out defensive assignments, going out of his way to exhort his teammates, and giving out defensive advice to Diogu among others along with plenty of atta boys and pats on the butt.

There is no question that Brandon Roy is the quiet leader of this team, but from where I’m sitting I can see Rudy being a co-captain for this team before the year is up. The guy is not a typical rookie in any sense of the word. Certainly he will have his good games and his bad games this year but he seems to always to be able to find a way to positively affect a game when he is on the court. He did not come into this league with an attitude of someone trying to see if he can play in the best league in the world. Rudy came into this league for the improved competition and to prove that he is a world class basketball player.

Statistically Rudy fills out a stat sheet very similarly to Roy, but in very different ways. Whereas Roy is quiet, reserved and always makes the right play in the simplest way possible; Rudy is emotional, full of swagger and usually makes the right play in the loudest way possible. Roy plays slow and methodical, Rudy plays at 100 miles per hour 100% of the time and I think it goes without saying is extremely creative. Rather than making these 2 rivals on this team however, I think this makes them perfect compliments for each other. This is due to the fact that despite their differences their similarities are some of the most important qualities in a player. They are team first guys who aren’t afraid to do the dirty work and would rather take a team win then a 50+ point game and a loss. They both are guys that make their teammates better with their play. This is a very rare quality and having two such guys on the same team is a luxury we should be very thankful for.

Although I’m sure it sounded crazy from the Bald One that Rudy would be the #2 or #3 guy on this team, I can really see it coming to fruition.

As a side note, I seem to recall hearing something from KP stating that they might look at sticking both Roy and Rudy in the backcourt. Yes, they are both technically 2’s but come on…does anyone really worry about the distributing ability of them as a duo? They could easily average 14 assists or more between the two of them. Rudy has certainly shown the footwork and energy to defend PG’s in my opinion if he gambles a little less (which I’m sure Nate is working on).

Also, ROY award will go to a Blazer this year. Whether it is Oden or Rudy remains to be seen, but seriously…what other rookie this year is going to put up numbers or have the immediate impact that these two will?

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right on

Yeah, when Canzano said that after he came back from the Olympics, I was slightly apprehensive. But I think he’s right. The cool thing about Rudy is, he seems to be even better playing with us and against better competition than he was in the Olympics. I think he’s all fired up to be in the NBA, hope he doesn’t lose that. My ONLY concern is that he seems to flourish with Sergio is on the court, but we all know that Sergio won’t be getting a lot of playing time, especially if he keeps turning the ball over like the first 2 games. On the other hand, Sergio seems to step his game up as well with Rudy out there. Man, we have a fun season ahead of us, I can’t freaking wait for the real games!

myspace.com/marktwainindians

by mark twain on Oct 10, 2008 7:30 AM PDT reply actions

I would have to say He played against better competition in the Olympics than Sac-Town a G-State.

In Spains closest games rudy put up 22 points in 18 min against the USA, while shooting 54. That includes THEDUNK on/around howard hitting NBA 3s in the face of 2 of the best perimeter defenders in the league ( kobe and Tayshaun ) and doing it all in the clutch. I dont think youll find stiffer competition than that maybe ever. Also he put up 21 on china 8 rebounds 6 assits and shot 50. Then he puts up 16 on greece shooting 55% and 18 on Lithuania shooting 42%.

And I look for him to be a big-time player rising to the occasion in big games (maybe a laker killer?).

El Mago? I think that since he has traveled across the sea from Espana to conquer the “New World” it only makes sense that we call him El Conquistador . What do you think?

by tevisthe4th on Oct 10, 2008 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

I think that's a terrible idea

With no offense to the poster who may not know. Calling someone a conquistador, from a Central American, South American or Mexican point of view you might as well call a German player like Dirk an SS Storm Trooper. The conquistadors were cold blooded murderers, rapists and fiends of the highest order. While the Aztecs (unlike the Incas in South America) were a bloody violent group to say the least the conquistadors were virtually as horrible and savaged two continents and were responsible for massive genocide. I don’t think it’s appropriate to call such a graceful and awesome player such a foul and tainted name.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 10, 2008 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I was going to say something but on an iPhone remote so keeping posts concise

but yeah the term is loaded. I would advise against it. Not worth the ensuing “debate”. Let’s use terms that aren’t loaded. I doubt Rudy would like that one anyway.

the Spanish contributors on this board are hellah cool

by G_dubs on Oct 10, 2008 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions

yeah that is true good point

by tevisthe4th on Oct 11, 2008 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Not what I've heard

“…we all know that Sergio won’t be getting a lot of playing time..”

I don’t know that.

You might turn out to be right but Nate has said Sergio has the edge over Bayless right now. Maybe that’s just politic. But Bayless’s acendency is not a forgone conclusion.

However, down the road, Bayless with Brandon is potentially a great combination.

by cantdunk on Oct 10, 2008 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Definitely.

I think we’ll be seeing a lot of these lineups this year:

1: Blake
2: Roy

1: Bayless
2: Roy

1: Sergio
2: Rudy

1: Roy
2: Rudy

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"

by rockingharder on Oct 10, 2008 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions

don't forget

1: Sergio
2: Bayless

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 10, 2008 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, they did good tonight. Way cool!

the Spanish contributors on this board are hellah cool

by G_dubs on Oct 10, 2008 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, no kidding!

I wasn’t expecting that to work out so well, but dang. If Serg and Bayless can play together, that could be the ticket to keeping them both.

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"

by rockingharder on Oct 11, 2008 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Good read...My only knock on Rudy is the gambling for steals

While he does get hands on the ball at least sometimes, I also saw when he missed how it usually led to easy inside buckets for the other team. Overall though I couldn’t be happier with his play. If he thinks the media coverage is crazy now, just wait till playoff time comes.

"People? You man Sheeple."

by Mike-Fu on Oct 10, 2008 9:37 AM PDT reply actions

I think that's where team defense comes in.

When Rudy gambles, the bigs need to be filling the lane. They’ll figure it out. The assist to turnover ratio looks a lot better when you subtract the steals from the turnover number.

by raoulduke on Oct 10, 2008 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions

but if you're going to factor in steals in the turnover ratio

you also need to factor in gambles that didn’t pay off with fouls (on Rudy or a big guy in the land) or with points for the other team.

I think that Rudy will learn when to gamble and who you can afford to gamble on as he plays more. That’ll just come from playing against those guys and watching film.

"It was halfway through the fourth quarter of an exhibition game, a 30 point blowout, and I absolutely did not want it to end. Time: move slower so this moment stretches.

Dunk Parade.

Forever."

-Ben

"...our second unit is probably going to be a little better than your second unit…and by "probably going to be a little better than" I mean "is going to crush like a dump truck running over an empty beer can""

"YOU MOVE NOW! GREG DUNK BIG!"

-Dave

by Magnum on Oct 10, 2008 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Team Defense

wasn’t there against Golden State. When Joel wasn’t in the game, the gambles resulted in easy baskets. He is our only consistent weak-side help defender until Greg gets in shape.

Rudy had six steals in that game. SIX! When was the last time a player on our team had six steals? I doubt it happened the last couple years.

by MavetheGreat on Oct 10, 2008 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions

The Blazers were last

or close to it in forcing turnovers

ah, here we go, I “borrowed” this from Hollinger’s preview page.

Steals per Opp. possesions

Portland 6.08
Memphis 6.27
Dallas 6.43
Phoenix 6.48
Seattle 6.51
League average 7.63

"It was halfway through the fourth quarter of an exhibition game, a 30 point blowout, and I absolutely did not want it to end. Time: move slower so this moment stretches.

Dunk Parade.

Forever."

-Ben

"YOU MOVE NOW! GREG DUNK BIG!"

-Dave

by Magnum on Oct 11, 2008 1:03 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree, and sometimes you have to gamble, he just needs to be

a little smarter about it and not go for steals around mid court area is what I mean. Also this is obviously something that will come with time, and based on everything else we’ve seen from him, it shouldn’t be too much time at all.

"People? You man Sheeple."

by Mike-Fu on Oct 10, 2008 10:03 AM PDT reply actions

In the game against Golden State, I don't know if it was all gambling or being unable to stay in front of guys

Azubuike, Maggette, Wright, etc. all were able to get pretty easily past him. Yes, he got a lot of steals, but I would be just as happy if he would quickly learn to shut down a guy for a quarter.

Odenied: If you're given lemmings—make lemming-ade (Bow4Meow)

by Norsktroll on Oct 10, 2008 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

The guy is a joy to watch

Being flashy and fundamentally sound is a rare combo.I cant find the fast forward button on my calender.

by southern oregon on Oct 10, 2008 11:12 AM PDT reply actions

the button is on your head

It has a sign on it that says, “Enter Coma.”

We cannot put up with this flagrant lack of accountability anymore.

by MT Suit on Oct 10, 2008 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Love, Mayo, and Beasley...

Will all have very solid numbers, but I think the R.O.Y. is Greg’s to lose with Beasley right there, but Rudy should definitely make some noise as well — he’s phenomenal.

by LOOSH on Oct 10, 2008 1:48 PM PDT reply actions

ROY usually goes to best stats

followed by how the guy looked while putting up those numbers. If Rudy gets 25-30 a game for the year and 32ish while Martell is out, he’ll have the minutes to put up ROY numbers. Which makes me think his flash will garner him the award. It’s really easy to vote for a guy who’s always making ESPN highlights.

"It was halfway through the fourth quarter of an exhibition game, a 30 point blowout, and I absolutely did not want it to end. Time: move slower so this moment stretches.

Dunk Parade.

Forever."

-Ben

"YOU MOVE NOW! GREG DUNK BIG!"

-Dave

by Magnum on Oct 10, 2008 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah,

but if a player makes an instant impact on his team, it is definitely factored in (in the same way it is factored in for the MVP race (MVP candidates are only good, playoff teams only)).

If Greg can come in and really anchor the defense and post, I think he is the favorite for ROY.

Word.

by joelor on Oct 10, 2008 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions

good point

another reason why Beasley probably won’t get it. Wade back from injury is probably why the Heat will do better this year. I don’t think anyone could say that Beasley will have a bigger impact than Wade or even Marion whereas Oden is coming into a starting lineup that had Roy all year.

"It was halfway through the fourth quarter of an exhibition game, a 30 point blowout, and I absolutely did not want it to end. Time: move slower so this moment stretches.

Dunk Parade.

Forever."

-Ben

"YOU MOVE NOW! GREG DUNK BIG!"

-Dave

by Magnum on Oct 10, 2008 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Precisely why it will be a close call between Greg and Rudy

if Rudy gets minutes. There is precedent for co-ROY’s; Petrie and Cowens, 70-71. I think it’s an extreme long shot to consider that possibility for Rudy and Greg at this point, but if both stay healthy, Portland makes the play-offs, and the buzz continues, just maybe.

the Spanish contributors on this board are hellah cool

by G_dubs on Oct 10, 2008 2:28 PM PDT reply actions

More recently than that, too.

It has happened three times: The aforementioned Petrie and Cowens in 70-71; Elton Brand and Steve Francis in 99-00; and Grant Hill and Jason Kidd in 94-95.

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"

by rockingharder on Oct 10, 2008 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions

And so it was.

I confess I am not a good almanac on past ROY’s. Just happen to remember the example I cited. Cool. The long shot would is co-ROY’s on the same team. Heh, that would be something not easy to replicate.

the Spanish contributors on this board are hellah cool

by G_dubs on Oct 10, 2008 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Roy-Rudy backcourt

I seem to recall hearing something from KP stating that they might look at sticking both Roy and Rudy in the backcourt…Rudy has certainly shown the footwork and energy to defend PG’s in my opinion if he gambles a little less

This depends on the quality of the point guard the Blazers are playing against. Yes, team defense can help prevent PG penetrations but that only leads to foul trouble for the bigs. If the opponent has a larger PG that doesn’t look to drive (like Blake) then Nate could get by with Roy and Rudy playing the 1/2.

I don’t expect to see them starting games, though. Especially once Blake gets back. And I suspect Roy will be playing more minutes at the 3 until Webster is healthy.

by two4larue on Oct 10, 2008 2:37 PM PDT reply actions

Right now it rather sounds like Nate is considering them for SG - SF

Nate (asked about Nic and the three spot at the end of the interview).
"Awful young, awful young, but we have to look at that. We have to look at Nicholas. We have to look at Travis. We have to look at Rudy, possibly, in that lineup with Brandon and a guard. You know, so right now everything is in the air…" "I think Travis and Rudy possibly in that starting lineup is right now at the top of the list. And then Nicolas coming in, possibly… and playing some backup small forward. But we definitely will see a Brandon – Rudy combination at the two – three early in the season".
http://fans.trailblazers.com/mp3/NateOnCourtside100908.mp3

Odenied: If you're given lemmings—make lemming-ade (Bow4Meow)

by Norsktroll on Oct 10, 2008 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions