Rudy about his reaction to the Blazers interest in Turkoglu

"I did not say there was a problem, I would have been happy playing with him because he is amazing, he has already proved it in the NBA and in the national team, but in Portland there would be fewer minutes for me. If you expend part of the budget in a player like him is because he is going to have minutes and I already have Brandon Roy, who is the team´s super star".He said it wasn´t that he did not see himself "capable" of competing with the Turk, but he admitted today that "knowing that he´s not going to be in the team "gives me confidence about having a bigger role in the team next year, because I feel I´m capable of dealing with the task." I have contract with Portland and in the NBA we depend totally on the team with which we have contract. If Hedo signing was going out, I would have been given fewer minutes.
"You can´t ever close doors, you always have them opened for (listen) everything what they could offer you". "Just now the goal is to be in the NBA many years and in Portland". Asked about how he values the Blazers reception when he went to Portland, "It was a family for me, not only in the sport field, personally the people have supported me very much and I would like to continue."

over 2 years ago amlmart1 15 comments 11 recs |

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thanks amlmart

you the blazers edge “spanish connection”

The Bedger formally known as ????????

by Rudiculous on Jul 7, 2009 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

it's good to hear

that he is not in a hurry to leave Portland. Basically, because as fans, WE ROCK!!!

Greg Oden - The only other rookie with more than 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 65 blocks in under 1400 minutes played. Since 1946

by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Jul 7, 2009 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

We Rock!!

It’s because we greeted him at the airport.

by Avoozl on Jul 7, 2009 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions

good report

ty amlmart

Darius Miles Tribute Vid
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.

by Net Ranger on Jul 7, 2009 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

Euro players tend to be more candid with the press

Did you expect him to say how he would be thrilled to play less?

by southern oregon on Jul 7, 2009 2:20 PM PDT reply actions

frankly

I like the candid.

"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

by ratbastird on Jul 9, 2009 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions

thank you again as always!

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben Golliver on Jul 7, 2009 2:53 PM PDT reply actions

Seems like everything is smoke and mirrors in the NBA...

I want to believe him but it is tough because someone could of got ahold of him and told him the right things to say. I guess I will just believe it because that is what I want to hear.

by Escrote on Jul 7, 2009 3:58 PM PDT reply actions

He is a pro who has been the all around professional

He has always said the right thing, where did he say the wrong thing.
What we should be upset about is how ESPN tried to spin things to look bad for the Blazers to stir up controversy

"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein

by Garden of ODEN on Jul 7, 2009 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions

I totally get where he's coming from

and it’s a big part of why I didn’t want Turkoglu. Rudy is already adjusting from his club/national team role, and I think he’s accepted that, as long as Brandon Roy is healthy, he will never start at the 2 for the Blazers. However, it is much more palatable to take when you have a 25 mpg role as a 2/3 swing player. If Turkoglu had signed, Rudy would have lost at least 10 of those minutes, and at this stage of his career, I can’t say I fault him for wanting to be more than a bit player. Add in the fact that Rudy is younger, cheaper, and (imo) will be better than Hedo going forward, and I can see why he would have been concerned

Team Bayless - The takeover begins in 2009

by blazeraddict on Jul 7, 2009 5:54 PM PDT reply actions