Personal Business vs. Public Team Play

by Krang on Oct 8, 2010 9:19 AM PDT

Last night on the 5th quarter the hosts (Holton) Primarily, were desperately trying to steer the conversation away from Rudys off court problems and focus on only his game performance.

Now I can understand everyone getting tired of the topic, and I understand that there is a limited amount anyone can say. I also understand that Rudy has had two above average, IMO excellent Pre-Season performances. So I understand where the hosts are coming from, BUT...

Regardless of how you feel about the "Rudy Situation" I just can't totally divorce myself from the fact that he is disgruntled and wants to NOT be a Blazer. The suggestion last night was that we ignore all the drama, and the reality of his publicly stated demands and simply enjoy his performance as a player. Which, on a certain level makes perfect, undeniable sense....but I can't do it.

In a way? I find myself actually more upset when Rudy does have a good game. Because I HAVE to look ahead and look at the big picture. Yes, you want to enjoy the here and now, but I also look at the future of the team, the future of the franchise.

And here's the truth. If Rudy doesn't have a Jerusalem Complex change of attitude then basicly we are simply renting him for at best a season..and post season. A lot of people called in, to stating that they simply thought Rudy was increasing his trade value. Well maybe true. BUT until I hear otherwise I have to take Rudy at his word, which the latest was that he doesn't want to be traded that he wants to leave the N.B.A.. So I can't look at this situation as "good" because it is potentially increasing his trade value...as long as he keeps insisting he wants to be a Euro Leauger and NOT an N.B.A. player? Then he has no N.B.A. trade value to the Blazers.

I hate to say it Pre-Season, but honestly I don't think this is the season we win a championship. My hope is this is the season we define a lot about what this team is capable and establish that we are a contender but I don't see this as a season in which we get the trophy.

So despite Holtons insistence and almost chiding that we are being "silly" to complain or worry about Rudy Fernandez and that we should only focus on what he is doing on the court...I can't do that. Because ultimately if he plays well it just means he's creating a bigger hole that will ultimately have to be filled. As a fan, yes I focus on game to game, season to season....the firepower of Rudy and Matthews? In a second unit rotation? I think looks to be awesome. 2 pre-season game in...I do wish Rudy was happy. I think we are seeing more of the Rookie Season, Pre-Back Injury Rudy...and I think he could help this team...not just this season but as we hopefully become a legitimate contender...

So is the problem me? Does the fault come from within? I know there are no guarantees with any player. Expiring contracts..free agency...injury...you never know what the long term status of a player might be, or become. But I like the idea that at least I can pencil a guy in....imagine that he will be part of a nuculeus for X amount of seasons. I myself just can't totally divorce myself from the realities concerning Rudy. I can't just be happy saying....he's playing well...so I'm just going to enjoy ONLY that and ignore the fact that he doesn't want to be here and with that attitude you have to believe would leave as soon as his contract expires or allows.....

Can you focus on only the game performance? Or does the Personal Business realities creep in? Right now Rudy is The Blazer...who'd rather not be wearing the uniform...and I can't just sweep that under the hardwood.

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 3 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

It's only an opinion but

all the current instability on this team is the responsibiliity of Paul Allen. It is Allen, according to Kenny Vance, who vetoed Rich Cho’s trade of Rudy to Chicago. That left us with a public relations nightmare and an emasculated GM. Also according to Vance, Cho requested a contract extention for Nate Mcmillan and was turned down by Allen. Even though the McMillan decision may have have a certain business rationale it does demonstrate clearly that Rich Cho has no authority. It’s likely Allen hired a young ananymous stat geek specifically to ensure he would have no authority, neither withnin the team office nor around the league. Again, this is all my opinion based on reported accounts but it appears Cho is not empowered. The firing of Penn and Pritchard – Allen’s responsibility. The firing of Nate McMillan’s coaching staff – Allen’s responsibility. The dangling of Nate McMillan without a contract for the next year – Allen’s responsibility, Right down to forcing the team to sign Patty Mills over the badly needed Ime Udoka (imagine how much better Ime would have performed than Rudy last year) possibly costing us several victories Paul Allen has made himself responsible for the Blazers management and, in my opinion, he’s made a terrible mess of a good team.

How come? Why is no one in the local media or on the BlazersEdge willing to say a word against the obvious meddling and debatable incompetence of Paul Allen? You can hear local writers and on-air personalities praise Paul Allen uniformly and weakly as a “good owner” without any discussion of his genuine behavior and consequences. Do any other NBA teams have a Hat Man and owner’s best friend with unlimited access to the team and it’s decision process? Will the local media ever have the courage to take on “the world’s 14th richest man?”

by oregonslee on Oct 8, 2010 10:06 AM PDT reply actions

McMillan's contract situation

is all Nate. He’s stated more than a few times that he prefers one-year deals.

I agree that if you hire a GM to make your team better, you let him do it, but I can also see why Paul would want to have his hands on the operation. He’s not going to live forever (a fact recently crystallized for him) , and he probably wants to feel like he had a personal hand in a championship, should that come to pass.

And LOTS of people (here and elsewhere) have criticized PA’s ownership style since he bought the team. He’s been seen as a meddling owner for a long, long time.

I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

by haildablazer on Oct 8, 2010 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Mark Cuban is also a meddling owner

And yet, he’s sometimes referred to as the best owner in the NBA.

The difference? Cuban is more front and center, more accessible. PA likes his privacy and is deep down inside still a shy geek boy.

by Rodney Gustafson on Oct 8, 2010 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Mark Cuban also has substantially more basketball acumen than Paul Allen, who's completely ...

in over his head when it comes to dealing with player personnel matters. Regardless of whether you advocate an old-school scouting perspective, a quantitative analysis perspective, or some mixture of the two, it’s clear Allen is altogether ignorant and should let the qualified people he hires do their job without excessive interference.

"Some things you can't unsee, bro." (The League)

by AK1984 on Oct 10, 2010 1:05 AM PDT up reply actions

Paul Allen?

Paul Allen is the owner so no doubt he has (and deserves) a lot of input into what happens to the franchise. BUT….

I never heard anything about Paul Allen vetoing a trade of Rudy to Chicago. I heard McMillan say he’d rather go season to season…his choice…

The only incident you site that I agree with, is Paul Allen evidently wanted to keep Mills last season. That decision was made when we thought we had a healthy Batum and a Healthy Outlaw plus high hopes for Rudy Fernandez….so I’m not going to fault Allen for that choice.

Plus with all do respect to Ime Udoka, one way or another, he’s simply a role player…not a “several victories” difference type of player. Last I heard, nobody had signed Udoka for this season.

I’m more than willing to make statements when I think Paul Allen has “Over-Meddled” or downright failed…but there is precious little evidence that Allen has emasculated Rich Cho…the guy was an assistant…it’s Paul Allen who has given him the opportunity to be a head GM…I’d define that as empowerment not emasculation.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Oct 8, 2010 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Kenny Vance

was the one who said the Allen vetoed the trade to Chicago. I agree with Allen however, he can buy second round draft picks for a few million. Hes done it before and he will do it again.

by Jeremy Wonderly on Oct 8, 2010 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions

very interesting read. lots of good questions.

Blazersedge.com || SBN Seattle || Twitter

by Ben Golliver on Oct 8, 2010 10:33 AM PDT reply actions

he’s creating a bigger hole that will ultimately have to be filled

EXACTLY! move him release him I’m not really caring at this point…. get me someone that wants to be here.

The Faith don't panic, the Faith freaks out, burns out small farms and villages in the name of the Faith.

by faith on Oct 8, 2010 12:31 PM PDT reply actions

I have the same problem.

I’d rather see the players play that will be the future of the franchise – as opposed to one who has stated that he will not be in that group. In this sense, I have some trouble understanding why Macmillan would even play him – given he has other players who can use the time to improve – and they’re the ones we will be going to the party with.

by Eben Calder on Oct 9, 2010 2:17 PM PDT reply actions