Why Fernando Martin?

Thanks for the info!

Even without the TNT guys telling me who Fernando Martin was, I had a hunch it was had something to do with Spain’s entry into the NBA, as Rudy, the first international slam dunk participant ever, seems like a loyal guy.

Zero props to TNT (Kenny Smith, you’re failing me) for disrespecting Rudy throughout the dunk contest and not being in the know about the throwback jersey.

Awesome. I just hope the Spanish viewers could not hear the English commentary.

(he was hot too, are the Spanish women as good looking as the men?)

I think it’s sad how much blatent racism and ignorance was shown by Kenny Smith. It is impossible for me to know how Rudy and other Spanish people felt be the complete ignorance and disrespect shown by the NBA, but I wouldnt blame anyone for being upset.
-Aaron

Martin was briefly mentioned in the “Rad Bad Blazers” video that can be found on youtube

I saw him play in the MC during summer league and the regular season. He was a heady player but lacked the athleticism of the American players (partly die to injury, partly doe to the fact that all European players of that era were more mechanical in that era…Georgi Glouchov, etc) When the ‘86-87 season was over Martin was gone, and his premature death didn’t receive nearly the attention that Drazen Petrovic’s did in PDX

Thanks for giving us some perspective on Fernando Martin!

TNT truly did not give the moment the solemn respect it deserved. And since TNT had the graphic prepared explaining why Rudy had MARTIN on the back of his jersey, the announcers should have known as well and acted accordingly.

Thanks again for the context of what Martin means to Spain, and to a young guy like Rudy.

Mortimer

during the Broadcast. It could have been really cool, if marv albert or someone else had been doing the broadcast. Saying something like

“The Blazers have had a long history with players from Spain, signing the first Spanish player to a contract in the NBA. Fernando Martin was the first Spanish player to travel across the ocean, and largely is responsible for inspiring players like Rudy to take up the sport of Basketball in a country that is dominated by Soccer. While Rudy is known for his highlight reel dunks and flashy passes, his true love for the sport is grounded in a man who played the game simply, with substance and with skill. A man who is not known very well in the United States and Rudy has decided to use this opportunity to show the world how much Fernando Martin meant to his home country of Spain.”

and perhaps learn why I’m so fanatical about the Blazers. Sure the team has had serious ups and downs and recently dealing with some mediocre play sent me over the edge. I vowed to take a break from basketball and the Blazers but I knew the entire time I would secretly watch a little bit here and there and would not miss the dunk contest this year for anything. We watched and I almost cried (seriously) when Rudy stripped off his jersey to show the Martin threads. I was amazed at the amount of respect that showed and it really emphasized Rudy’s knowledge of the history of this team, Spain’s basketball history, and NBA history as well.

This post is great because it partly encompasses the reason I love this team. Thank you for posting this.

Sophia <3

That he chose this very thoughtful idea to demonstrate his respect for the Spanish basketball tradition and ran with it was great. I bow to Rudy for that decision.

Sad that two of the TNT announcers bungled it by prancing their lack of knowledge to make lame jokes. If you have no idea how to comment what you are seeing while on air, maybe next time just be quiet and let the guy with the notes talk to not embarrass yourself.

rec. Excellent post, Sophia.

The following observation may have been hashed out many times, and it’s a dangerous one, but here goes.

Kenny’s comparison, when watching Rudy, was with Rex Chapman. I sensed then, and have usually sensed, lingering resentment toward European players on the part of African American players of Kenny’s generation. Maybe its unconscious or maybe its my imagination.

I have always wondered about this, ever since the Sabonis years. I imagine someone has written about it; if so, who do you recommend?

This information is much appreciated.

Because it’s obvious (from all the wonderful BE affiliates sharing my sentiments) they did not give either Rudy, the first Spaniard in the dunk contest and first rookie to hit a triple in 31 consecutive games (really close to hitting 1 in every one), or Martin, the first Spaniard in the NBA, the respective respect they deserve.

Thanks Bend3r for showing the respect that Spaniards, and the rest of the Europeans in the league deserve.

and I was quite sad when the news came of his death.

—Dave

I read the Karl piece on TrueHoop earlier today, and to get even more perspective on Martin is great. Truly a unique piece of Blazer history, albeit muted a bit due to the tragic end to his life.

Kenny Smith is a disgrace to the human race!

When he finally nailed that Gasol pass off the backboard, it was a thing of beauty.
It was a windmill dunk that started as a horizontal windmill and ended as a vertical windmill that was put down with force. All with one hand, and I doubt there are very many who could have put that down, let alone with the artistry Rudy did it with.

Rudy’s tribute got lost in what was without question a preplanned circus show.
Did you see Rudy during the pre-fest song and dance? He was just not into the hype of this event (and it truly was hype from start to finish). He just wanted to go out and dunk the ball to the best of his ability.
That’s one of the reasons why we love Rudy, because he has a heart of gold. His tribute was heartfelt as a result, and deserved much more.

It was obvious to me that the scores were given so as to not accidentally let the wrong person into the next round. The Nate step-up dunk off the back of Superman was all symbolism, and SUCKED score wise as a good dunk. Next year I’m just going to read a comic book, and skip the circus act.
If I’m wrong about this, then the only other option is the judges were blind as bats.

I just hope that Rudy, you, and others realize, that not everybody agreed to the hype of this event, nor to the outcome.

Thank you for a great post.

I was extremely disappointed and surprised that the NBA didn’t use this opportunity to extend goodwill to Spain. Not only did they miss out on a fantastic narrative that could have drawn even more Spanish fans to the NBA, they allowed their commentators to say some crazy things without any comment at all. Kevin Harlan seemed to be trying to change the direction of the conversation at the time but Kenny and Reggie were hell bent on revealing their xenophobia. It was quite strange for a league that has been working to expand its fanbase across the globe for the past 20 years. The silence is deafening.

May Portland’s Spanish Connection always be strong!

While both are important, it is nice to know that BE community places more emphasis on the bringing up of the positive than the combating of the negative.

Kenny says he is going to Spain this summer. It would be interesting to know if it’s for vacation or business. If it’s for business I wonder what his sponsors are thinking now.

“Either do not attempt at all, or go through with it.” – Ovid

Rudy was grace under pressure. Thank you for your post.