I’m new here but I have come to learn that Mortimer’s posts are always an entertaining read. I’m not sure if Nate will make out with Sergio, though, he’s obviously not Nate’s type (see: playing time). Anyway, I’m just bored and looking forward to figuring out this Rudy hoop-la once and for all. Hopefully, he’s everything he’s made out to be. I’ve read about all of the MVP’s, the Copa del Rey, and seen the youtube highlights – but, of course, nothing is certain until we see how he does in the big league. Can’t wait to see how it all plays out.

PS: I used to love beating the crap out of Don Flamenco.

at Nate kissing Sergio on the Mouth with Tongue. Dude, that’s awesome, totally wrong (in a gross way), but awesome.

with that cloud of cigarette smoke that hangs over europe.

thanks man. Your hard work is appreciated (especially on a rainy day-off).

Thanks for all your hard work.

I’ve been worrying about the same thing. Imagine how many championships we would have won with this:

PG – Terry Porter
SG – Clyde Drexler
SF – Jerome Kersey
PF – Buck Williams
C – Arvydas Sabonis

I think this line-up may have severely altered MJ’s career path. I don’t want to be thinking the same things about Rudy 10-15 years from now. Although I’m pretty sure Saba’s delay was more injury than contract related.

Spain ain’t 80’s era Soviet Union, with the controlling of the athletes and lack of Euro’s coming to play in the NBA. There were a lot of complicated reasons Sabonis stayed in Eurolandia too long, and while it sucked and may have cost us some championships, I don’t see it happening again. It’s just too different of a situation, in a different era, with too many other Euros and Spaniards to come before Rudy. He isn’t breaking new ground by coming to the NBA, and he has often said the NBA is his goal.

I think Rudy IS worried about playing time; he’s gonna leave money on the table at least initially, and he’ll be worried that he would come over to the NBA and be stuck in a situation where he doesn’t get to play his game. That’s understandable. I’m sure KP is gonna help quell Rudy’s concerns, and they’ll come to an understanding that the Blazers really believe in Rudy, and want to do what it takes to bring him over as soon as possible—plus Rudy will understand that while minutes are earned, he is our only backup SG and our star SG also often plays PG, so the minutes are there for the taking.

As far as the Euro-Media is concerned, I do think Rudy was just being the good teammate and not commiting one way or another about coming to the NBA. Just think of it like a NCAA underclassmen who everyone thinks will declare for the draft; they never say they will while they’re playing in the tournament, they always say stuff like “I’m a [insert college], and I love it here, and all we’re thinking about is winning a championship”. You don’t take those quotes seriously, and neither should you take Rudy’s quotes as the Truth while he is still on his current team and challenging for various tournaments and championships.

I’ll be very surprised and disappointed if Rudy isn’t a Blazer next year, as the Blazer franchise seems to be doing everything they should to let Rudy know they really want him. And if it comes down to money, PA can maybe accidentally leave some money in a secret Swiss account, and accidentally leave the account number and access to the money in Rudy’s locker, and if Rudy, perchance, finds more money than he’d make in Europe accruing interest in some random Swiss bank account, what;s the harm? I mean, PA is sloppy with his bank accounts and if Rudy just happens to FIND it, it’s not circumventing the rookie pay scale in any way.

They’ll make it work.

Mortimer

No way we swap Rudy and pick for westbrook, but maybe rose or Mayo? I doubt the top teams (pick wise) would do it though.

So where are you at right now?

Buchanan: We’re scouting a couple of guys before we go to see Rudy tomorrow. I’d rather not tell you where we’re at just for confidentiality. We left on Friday and we’ve seen a couple of games already. Going to Barcelona tomorrow and we’ll be with Rudy for the next couple of days starting tomorrow.

Tony Parker 28th overall
Manu Ginobili 57th overall
Jose Calderon (undrafted)
Zaza Pachulia 42nd overall (yeah I’m reaching)

Anyone I missed? I don’t think Rudy’s draft position is a very good indicator of what type of player he’ll be. No one knew much about him last year. He is the only player to come out of Europe to win not one but two Copa del Rey MVP awards. That being said, I’m way more excited about G.O., it’s just that there is no questions surrounding him right now about whether or not he will be a Blazer next year.

He wasn’t able to come over right away, which always drops your draft stock, and it was up in the air WHEN he could come over.

Plus, since the draft, he’s blown Eurolandia away with his basketeering ability and all the awards and tournaments he’s won. I like how our buddy Alfredo described him, as the Kobe of Europe… in the sense people either love him or hate him. That’s awesome.

Sabonis was like an 8th round selection back when you could do that, and he had a lot of hype coming in. Face it Tom: You’re racist.

Case, closed.

Mortimer