FanPost

Rudy Fernandez for Taj Gibson talks heating up

Per NBA.com:

There are rumors that the Bulls could trade Taj Gibson to the Trail Blazers for Rudy Fernandez.
"From what I've heard it's in Portland's hands now for what they want," writes Sam Smith for Bulls.com. "I've heard the Bulls have a pretty good shot, but nothing matters until it's done." Rudy would be a nice fit in Chicago's second unit, where he could get the larger role he has been pining for. Jul. 31 - 3:07 pm et
Source: NBA.com

Taj Gibson played 82 games his rookie year and started 70 of them, averaging 9.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, only 1.4 turnovers per game, 1.3 blocks per game, but he is NOT a 3 point shooter. His field goal shooting percentage is 49%. He shoots a dismal 64% at the free throw line. He is 6'9" and 225. As a forward, I could see him playing a good back up to LaMarcus Aldridge. Gibson was voted to the All-Rookie team. He had 15 rebounds in one game, and a few double doubles. He has had a foot issue.

Career Transactions: Selected in the first round (26th overall) by the Chicago Bulls in NBA Draft 2009 (06/25/09).

College Career: Spent three seasons at Southern California, and averaged 12.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.41 bpg, 1.4 apg, and shot .580 from the floor and .629 from the line in 105 games (104 starts) … left USC as the school’s all-time leader in shots blocked with 253, and also ranked third all-time in Pac-10 history … finished second all-time in Trojan history with 896 boards and 16th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,307 points … earned All-Conference Second Team honors his junior year, and also was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year that same season … selected All-Conference Third Team and All-Defensive First Team as a sophomore … named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team in 2006-07 … helped lead the Trojans to the 2009 NCAA Tournament his junior year when he posted averages of 14.3 ppg, team highs of 9.0 rpg and 2.86 bpg, 1.3 apg and shot a team-best .601 from the field (second best in school history) and .659 from the line … ranked first in the Pac-10 with 100 rejections and was third with 316 rebounds … scored in double figures in 30 of 35 contests and grabbed eight or more boards 22 times … notched 15 double-doubles on the year … set a school record by shooting 10-for-10 from the field en route to 24 points in USC’s NCAA Tournament triumph over Boston College … blocked five shots in a game on five occasions … twice grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds … as a sophomore, he appeared in 33 contests, 32 starts, and averaged 10.8 ppg, team highs of 7.8 rpg and 2.55 bpg, 1.3 apg and shot .580 from the field (third in the Pac-10) and .594 from the line … finished first in the Pac-10 with 83 blocks … scored in double figures in 19 games and grabbed eight or more rebounds 16 times … posted five double-doubles … blocked four or more shots 11 times … was named Pac-10 Player of the Week for March 3-9, when he averaged 20.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 4.00 bpg … started all 37 games that he played in his freshman season, and averaged 12.2 ppg, team highs of 8.7 rpg and 1.86 bpg, 1.5 apg and shot .558 from the field and .623 from the stripe … set Trojan freshman records with 321 boards and 69 blocks … scored in double figures in 27 contests and grabbed eight or more boards 27 times … recorded 11 doubledoubles on the year … posted 16 points and 14 boards in his collegiate debut against South Carolina … blocked a career-best seven shots against Oregon, and added 18 points and 13 boards … selected to the Pac-10 Conference All-Tournament Team, when he averaged 12.0 ppg and 9.7 rpg in three games … posted two doubledoubles and averaged 17.0 ppg, 11.3 rpg and 2.67 bpg in USC’s three-game NCAA Tournament run … named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team and honorable mention All-Freshman by Collegehoops.net … set the school freshman record with 321 boards his first year on campus, as well as the frosh record for blocks with 69.

SO.. question is, how would this player fit our team? Does this excite you? A poll is attached.