Rudy heading to dunk contest!
by Majikj0n on Jan 18, 2009 1:50 PM PST
93 comments
The Oregonian is reporting that Rudy Fernandez has won the fan voting, and will be the fourth representative in this year's Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend, alongside Dwight Howard, Nate Robinson, and Rudy Gay.
The question: Is this a good thing?
With Rudy already hurting, wouldn't it be better to have him resting over All-Star weekend than having to compete in the dunk contest?
On the other hand, the positive exposure is certainly something the Blazers could use right now with all the media frenzy over a certain former Blazer.
You also have to consider the fact that Rudy was almost certain to be invited to the Rookie/Sophomore game, anyway, and thus was already going to miss the vacation time on this account.
Thoughts?
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Rudy is going to get killed
but oh well… if he wants to do it, so be it.
by Bust a Bucket on Jan 18, 2009 2:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I don't like this at all
1) Rudy is a very good athlete but not in the same league as Howard, Robinson and Gay. He is more likely to embarrass himself than to win the contest (though I don’t think either will happen).
2) I’d rather he rest than have to travel to Phoenix.
I’ll still watch and root for him to do well. Hopefully he has a good time and does some sweet dunks.
Boomshakalaka
by jksnake99 on Jan 18, 2009 2:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Only if you want it to be! :)
Yes! Yes! In the face!
by LeafHawk on Jan 18, 2009 4:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
I am Caucasian and I am racist against my fellow Caucasians for believing that Rudy Fernandez is not in the same league athletically with three of the most athletic players in the NBA.
Boomshakalaka
by jksnake99 on Jan 18, 2009 4:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There's no room for racism here
absolutely disgusting…
by Bust a Bucket on Jan 18, 2009 5:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
rudy is not caucasian
he is iberian
by 50backflips on Jan 18, 2009 5:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The Truth about Darius
are you serious? A person compares people of two races on an attribute of their physicality and you bring up race. Then you call them raciest. You are breading raciest dialog. Intent and context are important when deciding what is raciest. I think it is important to make sure people aren’t making statements entirely on race, but use judgment.
by Ditez on Jan 18, 2009 5:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
ever seen the movie White Men Can't Jump?
I just find it curious that people always assume white people aren’t athletic.
by Bust a Bucket on Jan 18, 2009 5:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What about Vikings or, like, the cast of Braveheart? They seem pretty fit to me – so much for your theory.
Seriously, though, if I was Majik and my FanPost was hijacked with this nonsense I’d be totally pissed. Perhaps race debates could be saved for the Junk Drawer?
"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan
by 12sharks on Jan 18, 2009 6:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
you are right
This isn’t the best place for this type of debate. I apologize for my role in it and would be happy to continue the debate in the junk drawer so that I won’t further hijack Majik’s fanpost.
Again, my apologies.
Boomshakalaka
by jksnake99 on Jan 18, 2009 6:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What if you
agree with that statement but think Joe Alexander is in that league?
Jerryd Bayless = Marlo Stanfield
- Early stage Marlo at this point, but Bayless is the emotionless killer new to the game. He will take over, and there will be causalties – it’s just a matter of time.
by blazeraddict on Jan 18, 2009 6:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
then you're not racist
but he curiously omitted Alexander from his list of “athletic” players.
by Bust a Bucket on Jan 18, 2009 6:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Because Alexander was curiously omitted from the Dunk Contest, I’m guessing.
"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan
by 12sharks on Jan 18, 2009 6:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Alexander is in those guys league athletically
Rudy is not. He’s an excellent athlete but not at the same level as those other guys. I didn’t discuss Alexander because he’s not in the contest. By the way, if you read the book “Taboo” you will find convincing evidence that black people are, generally, able to run faster and jump higher than white people. That doesn’t mean there can’t be extremely athletic white people, like Joe Alexander, but there is a reason why black athletes dominate events such as sprints, high jump and long jump.
Boomshakalaka
by jksnake99 on Jan 18, 2009 6:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
This is so racist I want to puke. Why didn’t you mention Michael Phelps amongst the dunk contestants – do you think HE’S unathletic too?
"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan
by 12sharks on Jan 18, 2009 6:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
notice I mentioned specific events (sprints and jumping)
in one of my above posts I equated “athleticism” with the ability to run and jump. That was a mistake— clearly, there are other ways to be athletic. Phelps, for instance, is a great example of a phenomenal athlete who may or may not have the ability to run fast or jump high (I have never seen him do these things). However, the makeup of professional leagues in sports that put a premium on land speed and jumping ability give convincing evidence that African Americans are naturally better at these things. The Olympics give futher evidence for this.
The mistake I made was saying Rudy is not in those guys league athletically. What I should have said is that Rudy doesn’t have as much jumping ability as Gay, Howard, Alexander or Robinson. He may be better than those guys at other areas of athleticism (ie endurance, etc).
If you are rejecting my assertion that black people tend to run faster and jump higher than White people, you need to provide a plausible alternate explanation for the high degree of representation and success of black athletes in the NBA, NFL and Olympic events such as the 100 m , long jump and high jump.
Boomshakalaka
by jksnake99 on Jan 18, 2009 6:25 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
excellent exposition and defense of your argument
And i agree with you. Race does seem to correlate with particular skill sets when it comes to athleticism. Phelps is an ideal type in certain ways that count toward “athleticism,” and guys like Howard and Gay is an ideal type in other ways.
Hoops at the professional level seems to employ a higher percentage of men of African ancestry. That should be a totally non-controversial assertion because it is a factual statement. The question that becomes controversial is the question of why this is the case. Some of it may be cultural, but I think it is difficult to dispute that most of it is genetic.
It is apparent that men of European ancestry are better than men of African ancestry at certain sports and certain “athletic” accomplishments. For what it’s worth, white guys seem to be better at tennis than black dudes. May be that is mainly cultural. Heck I don’t know anymore. Look at the Williams sisters.
The perfect is the enemy of the good.
by fisheyes on Jan 18, 2009 8:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Uh, yeah, that was a joke.. sorry for any confusion.
"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan
by 12sharks on Jan 18, 2009 9:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Is this a joke?
Oden/Pryz
LMA/Frye
WebFoot/Trout
Roy/Rudy
Blake/Bayless
**Champs 08-09**
by BigCelPhone on Jan 19, 2009 4:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
if it is a joke
will you laugh?
by Bust a Bucket on Jan 19, 2009 2:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I beg to differ...
the aforementioned quartet are all in the NBA. By definition they are all in the same league.
"I love this game!" -Moonbeam, from 'Rollerball' right before he was knocked into a permanent coma
by -ken on Jan 19, 2009 4:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
haha
"When I have the ball, I experiment." #5
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 19, 2009 4:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Rudy has the hops to even have a chance at winning.
Should have been Bayless in the fan poll.
"I saw him in the face"
by RoodiePhirnandizz on Jan 18, 2009 2:12 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Bayless would win the whole thing.
History favors the short.
Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.
"I want to put points on your face."
-Rudy to Pau Gasol
NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"
by rockingharder on Jan 19, 2009 3:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
nobody gives him credit
he can lay down a sick dunk when he wants to. If he is creative enough and his foot is better i think he could have a fair showing.
by raging WebTed on Jan 18, 2009 2:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Rudy would get no rest guys, he would be in Phoenix anyway: Rookies - Sophomore game
Those are even regulated in the CBA. If you are selected, you have to be there. Last year Kobe had to go despite his ligament problems, at least for a few minutes. That he competes in the dunk contest will just be a little more work for Rudy.
I think Alexander would have been the more athletic dunker. But Rudy has charisma which goes a long way in such events. Gay last year had hops but no creativity. Prediction: Rudy won’t win it or even make the final round. But he won’t embarrass himself either. He won’t miss a dozen attempts in a row. He won’t show just a layup. Some nice creative alley-oop dunk (prediction: Sergio will play his assistant), and that was that. He will be stoked that he can go to the All-Star weekend hopefully along with Greg and Brandon. Have some fun guys. Increase your worldwide recognition. Go Blazers.
by Norsktroll on Jan 18, 2009 2:29 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Assistant
Didn’t Rudy say that he would ask BRoy to work with him? I don’t know if Sergio will be there. At least we saw some chemistry between Rudy and Brandon with that sick inbound alley-oop… although Rudy was the passer in that case.
by crhsrunner on Jan 18, 2009 3:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think you are free to choose. Doesn't have to be someone who is also selected for the All-Star weekend
Doesn’t even have to be an active player. But usually it’s a point guard from the same team to pass or jump over. Though in I think I remember Gerald Green (cupcake dunk) just used a player from his team to throw him the ball who had lost a bet. Rudy could go with either one. Maybe he dunks over Greg ;-)
by Norsktroll on Jan 18, 2009 3:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Rudy should do all alley-oops
it would enhance his creativity, plus he can catch more air is he isn’t holding the ball when he jumps
by two4larue on Jan 19, 2009 11:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm skeptic...but
Willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. It’s hard to really know what kind of dunk he can pull off, none of us have ever seen him attempt anything fancy when dunking (at least by dunk contest standards). Who knows, he may surprise us but I wouldn’t bet money on him winning.
by Bskey on Jan 18, 2009 2:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
WTF is with the rest?
he plays 26 minutes a game or something right?
On the other hand i really hope he does not end up embaressing himself. Just try not to overdo chris anderson. I really hope he surprises us all.
RUDY FOR 2009 DANK CHAMPION
"shaq and zach randolph have the same trainer... "
best one liner i ever heard.
by bowdown on Jan 18, 2009 3:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
These will be Rudy's dunks...
A baseline two handed alley oop.
A self alley oop off the bounce.
A running semi reverse dunk.
At least he can’t embarrass himself more than the Birdman. Rudy is just not as athletically gifted as the other dunkers. He’ll probably do two dunk attempts and call it a night.
BINGO, BANGO, BONGO
by blzrfan on Jan 18, 2009 3:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I voted no...
Just because Rudy doesn’t have the hops of the competitors. His main wow-factor is from the alley-oop and dunking unexpectedly in games but the dunk contest is more of a one man show… we’ll see! It’ll be exciting for Portland fans nonetheless.
by crhsrunner on Jan 18, 2009 3:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Rudy should totally take the ball and like do something cool with it and kind of dunk it all at the same time.
That would be gnarly to the max!
I'm a Blazers fan and If you ban me from your blog, I'll sue you!
Please don't feed the trolls.
God forgives, tominhawaii doesn't.
by tominhawaii on Jan 18, 2009 3:27 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Do you mean...
like setting his hair on fire while simultaneously shooting ping pong balls out his rear end?
by snudger on Jan 18, 2009 3:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Two words:
Backflip
"When I have the ball, I experiment." #5
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 18, 2009 3:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Gimmicks can win the contest.
If he comes up with something clever/funny and still athletic he has a shot. Not sure if he’ll go that route, but if he wants to win his athleticism alone won’t be enough.
by JK47 on Jan 18, 2009 4:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
He should dunk a basketball-shaped pinata full of candy, smashing it open...
…and then bribing the judges with sweets.
by ofred on Jan 18, 2009 5:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You're on the right track
It’s gotta be over the top and funny.
by JK47 on Jan 18, 2009 6:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
love it
or he can have brandon steal dwights cape and wave it around like a matador while rudy runs at him.
The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever
by Philthyanimal on Jan 18, 2009 8:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The dunk contest isn't all about hops; Rudy is very creative
We see that in his passing. So I wouldn’t bet against him coming up with something fresh. But I think that’d be more likely to happen with Sergio helping brainstorm and tossing the passes. Roy is more meat & potatoes—not a flash guy.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
by hurryup09 on Jan 18, 2009 5:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
He should put some dipping sauce on the back of the rim and then dip his cultural treat the Mexi-nugget in it, then bite it, while dunking.
I'm a Blazers fan and If you ban me from your blog, I'll sue you!
Please don't feed the trolls.
God forgives, tominhawaii doesn't.
by tominhawaii on Jan 18, 2009 6:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
somebody can play La Bamba on the guitar
and they can toss burrittos into the stands like they are t-shirts.
by Bust a Bucket on Jan 18, 2009 7:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
hes spanish
not mexican…lol flying burritos would be funny tho.
The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever
by Philthyanimal on Jan 18, 2009 8:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think they are kidding
You know, mexi-nuggets and burritos and all. I think we know he’s a Spaniard :)
Rudy for ROY
Campaign 08-09
"Rudy is not everyday a shooter." ~Rudy Fernandez
by twiggs on Jan 19, 2009 6:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
?
Fernandez initially said he would like to bring teammate and countryman Sergio Rodriguez to the event to throw passes, but Rodriguez at the time said he would decline in favor of vacationing
Vacation from what? He get’s like 13 minutes a game.
by Nick Van Excellent on Jan 18, 2009 6:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
just because you aren't playing 30 mpg doesn't mean you couldn't use a few days away from hoops
Boomshakalaka
by jksnake99 on Jan 18, 2009 6:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Especially when you've got a sore foot.
Write-in Rudy for All-Star 2009!
by Majikj0n on Jan 18, 2009 6:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Bayless stepped on it. HARD.
Haven’t you watched the last couple games?
Write-in Rudy for All-Star 2009!
by Majikj0n on Jan 18, 2009 6:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sergio?
I know Rudy tweaked his ankle, Webster broke his foot, Joel broke his wrist, Roy tore his pinky, and Greg tweaked his ankle.
I haven’t heard anything about Sergio’s foot, although I’m not sure what lobbing passes has to do with your feet anyway. It just seems like he would want to be there for his teammate. Rudy is going to have a hard enough time as it is.
by Nick Van Excellent on Jan 18, 2009 6:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ha, he's the first exit
Alexander or Westbrook would have been a much better pick.
by Fundefined on Jan 18, 2009 6:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Have we ever seen rudy in a clear half court dunk?
He ought to do well….may not win, but he should do us proud….
I hope I hope I hope…. doubt breeds those that can…so we will see.
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
by faith on Jan 18, 2009 7:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Rudy, really?
I love Rudy, but has anyone seen him do a decent dunk that wasnt an alley-oop?
I think he is 4th by a loooooong shot, but I will be happy to be proved wrong.
"Great Oden's raven!" - Ron Burgandy
by danevan on Jan 18, 2009 7:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
OMG you guys are a bunch of Negative Nancy's
Shame on you.
Not only will Rudy win the dunk contest, Roy will be the MVP of the All Star game and Rudy, Oden and Bayless will dominate the Rookie/Sophmore game and will be tri-winners of the MVP for that game.
Geez, and you call yourselves fans.
Rudy for ROY
Campaign 08-09
"Rudy is not everyday a shooter." ~Rudy Fernandez
by twiggs on Jan 18, 2009 7:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hey!
You left out Batum!
Write-in Rudy for All-Star 2009!
by Majikj0n on Jan 18, 2009 7:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
batums in the game?
The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever
by Philthyanimal on Jan 18, 2009 8:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
the rook/soph. game
Activate Shavlik Randolph
by appel82 on Jan 19, 2009 8:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Doubt it
I’m being a homer.
Rudy for ROY
Campaign 08-09
"Rudy is not everyday a shooter." ~Rudy Fernandez
by twiggs on Jan 19, 2009 12:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i doubt it too
The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever
by Philthyanimal on Jan 19, 2009 10:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
are you accussing tominhawaii of being
a Negative Nancy Boy?
by Bust a Bucket on Jan 18, 2009 7:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Rudy should
Play Guitiar while he dunks
"Intent is prior to content, the question is, does this generation really want truth?"
"Cogito ergo sum" -Descartes
by Shribby on Jan 18, 2009 7:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Rudy better not embaress himself
i would feel too bad for him
"shaq and zach randolph have the same trainer... "
best one liner i ever heard.
by bowdown on Jan 18, 2009 7:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm happy for him
Even Rudy admitted that he was probably not the contests ideal cotestant in his last blog… but that he will have some fun with it. That’s all that matters. The judges on the dunk contest rarely get much right anyhow..
by idoltime on Jan 18, 2009 7:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hell Yeah!
Rudy’s participation is worth another 5,000 female audience members on nationally televised game for the remainder of the season!
Buck Williams for the hall of fame
by Phizbin on Jan 18, 2009 8:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
All Rudy needs to do...
Is something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cza2yIk_yU&feature=related
If there are any female judges, then it’s game over.
by ilserpente on Jan 18, 2009 8:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Sick
Thats Walter Herrmann from the pistons.
eww
"When I have the ball, I experiment." #5
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 19, 2009 4:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He could bring Ricky Rubio
to the ASG to have him throw lobs…and use the trip as an ulterior motive to “recruit” him. ricky could pull an eli manning and refuse to play for the team that selected him and go to the blazers. well seriously…is calderon in consideration for the ASG this year? maybe he could help him out.
The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever
by Philthyanimal on Jan 18, 2009 8:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
As long as it's not Gasol
"When I have the ball, I experiment." #5
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 19, 2009 4:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The dunk contest is about fun and showmanship not athleticism
The judges root for the underdog. Rudy is a showman. He proved that through his entire Spanish league career. I am not worried about Rudy embarrassing himself. This is why he came to the NBA – it is a world stage and his inclusion will bring more worldwide audiences. Grab your popcorn and sit back and watch. This easy dismissal of some people just gives him an edge.
whoo, Katy bar the door! - Maurice Lucas anticipating Greg Oden's development
by lee3022 on Jan 18, 2009 11:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I am Spanish and I'm really worried about this, really. He doesn't have the ups. Maybe there's an embarrasment XD
But well, maybe he does something nice (I will not see it) xD
by Kartemax on Jan 19, 2009 12:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
its all for fun anyways
i think a lot of us are reading too much into this. ASGs arent about putting the best 3 pt shooters, best dunkers, and best players….its about putting the most popular players in those categories. If Rudy ends up doing bad, he won’t disgrace himself, the team, or Spain.
The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever
by Philthyanimal on Jan 19, 2009 1:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You're right on
I have gone crazy in the past by who gets votes for the all-star game. It really ends up being the most popular and flashy players. There’s no way Roy would have made it last year if not for the coaches voting him in. I have had to continue to remind myself of this reality, especially when I go look at the latest absurd ballot returns on NBA.com.
by blazersand2000 on Jan 19, 2009 11:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Dwight Howard has rumored something about "phone booth" for the dunk contest
Don’t know if he will change into his superman costume in one, dunk over one, or whatever. Maybe Rudy could do the “cellphone dunk” and bring the dunk contest into the next decade :)
Fold in mid-air like a clamshell phone, talk on one with his mom, take a picture of himself during flight, whatever. Henry Abbott posted a creative idea last week about a (video) camera and the dunk contest:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-38-48/The-World-Needs-Some-Good-Dunk-Gimmicks.html
by Norsktroll on Jan 19, 2009 1:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Keys to Rudy's success in the dunk contest: Costume, style and execution
by Norsktroll on Jan 19, 2009 6:50 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
That D-Howard Dunk
was a bit overrated, Kobe gambled on defense and Rudy blew by him and Howard had to come help out but was too late so it was more Kobe’s fault then Howard’s.
by Fundefined on Jan 19, 2009 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Even better
"When I have the ball, I experiment." #5
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 19, 2009 4:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Apparently Roy will pass to Rudy. Well, that works too albeit the "Spanish Armada/Connection" is lost a bit
by Norsktroll on Jan 19, 2009 1:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Roy likes Spanish food
That counts.
"When I have the ball, I experiment." #5
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 19, 2009 4:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
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