Rudy Appreciation Thread.
by Saba on Jun 23, 2011 11:08 PM PDT
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Well, the Rudy saga ended today.
Rooting for Rudy has been frustrating at times, moreso towards the end of his Blazers tenure.
That said, there is still much that I appreciate about his having been a Blazer.
I'll always remember the excitement of his rookie year. There was the build-up, watching Nate trying to contain himself in Beijing as he watched Rudy hit clutch jumpers and posterize D. Howard. Then there were the Rodriguez-Fernandez "Spanish Armada" alley-oops. And there was Rudy setting the NBA rookie 3-pointers made record, threading crafty passes, and playing with fire and joy.
Somewhere along the way, things went south. Maybe it was the Ariza foul, and Rudy's subsequent back troubles. Maybe the rain and homesickness got to Rudy. Whatever happened, the drama, the complaining, and the inconsistent play finally soured the fan-player relationship.
Be that as it may, I'm glad we got to cheer for Rudy. Things went sour, but at the beginning, the sky was the limit. And even after we learned that Rudy would not become the Spanish Michael Jordan, there were occasional moments of magic... a steal, a big shot, or Rudy's "too-little-too-late-but-so-tantalizingly-exciting" 3-pointer explosion against the Suns in the first round.
Farewell Rudy, and fare thee well.
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by Neama on Jun 23, 2011 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
one of my favorites
Jeff Pendergraph:
FGM - 3
FGA - 111
Min - 30
Reb - 10
by Tofu Anonymous on Jun 24, 2011 12:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Rudy was awesome
It’s true that Portland and Rudy needed to part ways. But he was fun to watch and I wish him nothing but success from here on out.
why couldnt you guys trade him to chicago!!! smh
by the way what is the general scouting report on rudy these days. At bab im considered crazy for liking him so much to be our sg, but the argument is always made that he is both a bad shooter, and a bad defender, and that his play making abilities are over rated…your thoughts?
I dont care what the D.N.A. Says, the Guy wearing number 12 Cannot be Kirk Hinrich, he is definetly Kurt. Kirk can actually play basketball!
The gist of his scouting report
Bad at creating his own shot, perfectly capable of hitting catch and shoot shots though unfortunately oscillating wildly after rookie season, works hard to get free off the ball with constant movement, much improved as a defender though still not stellar, underrated (offensive) rebounder for a guard, good passer with eye for the open man, not a good ball handler for a SG which leads to the beginning of not being able to create shots for himself or really work out as a PG.
He’s a cool dude, but a bit too all over the place and was stuck behind Roy initially with no chance to ever start over him, and then they acquired Matthews to boost.
I’m happy that I can continue to root for him on the Mavs.
by Norsktroll on Jun 23, 2011 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
thanks
so the bulls are in need of a 2 guard who can create off the dribble, shoot the 3ball and play within a team defensive concept…. according to your scouting rudy indeed would not fit the bill?
I dont care what the D.N.A. Says, the Guy wearing number 12 Cannot be Kirk Hinrich, he is definetly Kurt. Kirk can actually play basketball!
by piccolomair on Jun 24, 2011 12:04 AM PDT up reply actions
We'll miss you here.
I’ll miss Rudy as well. Stop by sometimes to say hi though.
"Anybody might guess beforehand that there would be blunders of the ignorant. What nobody could have guessed, what nobody could have dreamed of in a nightmare, what no morbid mortal imagination could ever have dared to imagine, was the mistakes of the well-informed." - G. K. Chesterton, The Common Man
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I didn´t say I´ll be a Dallas fan, just a follower ;)
I didn´t say I´m leaving either. I´m wore sad because we lost the Junk Drawer than for Rudy been traded. Blazer fan for life here.
And thank you for your comment, T Darkstar.
by amlmart1 on Jun 24, 2011 12:51 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I was going to say "...more sad.." then wrote "wore" then realized it should ´ve been "sadder".
You see why I can´t leave. I still have to learn a lot.
Yay!
Nice to hear. I’m moving back to P-town for good this summer, and you are welcome to any game for free should you ever visit this side of the pond (just give me enough notice if you’ll be around for a big game).
Try not to take the above message too seriously.
Thank you, again.
I don´t think I´m going to the North West any time soon, but your offer is very much appreciated.
Nooooo!!!!!
Come back and visit sometimes A1! I’ll probably miss you as much as Rudy!
Try not to take the above message too seriously.
we had a good run, friend.
Mavs are probably my 2nd favorite team now. I developed something of a mancrush on Dirk throughout the playoffs and the addition of Rudy solidifies it for me.
\oo///
errr...
he was a fine ballhander – for a 2 guard. We tried to play him at the 1 and his ballhandling deficiencies were exposed; to me, that’s not a knock, he could drive the lane off a curl just fine.
M, period. Fresh, comma.
I like Rudy a lot, but for an NBA SG unfortunately he's a sub-par ballhandler
Which is odd, since it was mentioned as a strength in scouting reports through his youth until 2 years before he joined the Blazers, when teams really started to focus in on him in the ACB and the Copa Del Rey preventing his penetrations. Compared to stars at the position like e.g. Roy (healthy) or Wade who can move in 5 directions instantly and drive to the rim like a running back through traffic, Rudy has problems getting past most defenders, so he uses odd moves to free himself like his little crossover step-back jumper at the perimeter. He also uses oops and open lanes well, but getting around a defender dribbling on his own is definitely not one of his strengths. I hope he works on it (so should Wesley and Batum), but not sure it will ever develop since typically guys have that at a young age or they don’t.
We have a Rudy Appreciation thread, but nothing for Dre?
How fitting.
Dre ain't got no love for these pros
It has to be called the 'Dre-ppreciation thread.
"Ted Thompson's running Brett Favre out of Green Bay was the biggest mistake by a GM in the history of the league."
-Skip Bayless, November 2008
by The Cactus Leaguer on Jun 23, 2011 11:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Rudy in big D
If they can re-animate Jason Kidd for another year, I think Rudy will be a fantastic fit with their offense.
Also, do Spaniards like Tex Mex? If so, life will be magnifico for El Guapo. Adios, Rudy. Buena suerte.
"Ted Thompson's running Brett Favre out of Green Bay was the biggest mistake by a GM in the history of the league."
-Skip Bayless, November 2008
by The Cactus Leaguer on Jun 23, 2011 11:59 PM PDT reply actions
The Spaniards I know do.
But if you’re not used to eating them, stay away from the beans.
Apologies to anyone that already posted this...
…but Thor is an impostor. Dirk is the true God of Thunder
by Steve Estep on May 23, 2011 9:46 PM PDT
by AfterSchoolSpecial on Jun 24, 2011 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions
It´s has been a lot of fun, thank you.
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Marc Gasol Rudy Fernandez – Ghost III – 2009 ASG Rookies vs Sophomores [HD] 1st Half
Marc Gasol Rudy Fernandez – Ghost III – 2009 ASG Rookies vs Sophomores [HD] 2nd Half
Where amazing happens:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jdta2krDsE
by amlmart1 on Jun 24, 2011 12:08 AM PDT reply actions 5 recs
Rudy's rookie season
There was so much promise…
I’ll miss hearing “RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDY” whenever he could actually clank in a 3.
i've always had more hope of a rudy 3pter goign in when it was a wild high-arching rainbow shot over an outstretched hand
than a wide open spot up rudy 3.
Jeff Pendergraph:
FGM - 3
FGA - 111
Min - 30
Reb - 10
by Tofu Anonymous on Jun 24, 2011 12:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Rudy Rudy Rudy
You will be missed. I liked you and all, but you really brought my non-basketball watching girlfriend into the Blazers watching fold. You were her first “favorite player”. And you were very exciting, enough so that it made it easier to hide some of your weaknesses. I wish you luck in life and basketball.
Try not to take the above message too seriously.
i still think trevor ariza ruined the rest of rudy's career.
since that injury, rudy’s dunks have decreased immensely, his alleyoop finishes are all gone, and he went from one of the best finishers at the rim (any lob to rudy towards the rim that he wasn’t able to finish with a dunk he’d usually finish with a soft layup of some sort) to one of the worst because he no longer gets up to the rim to finish.
Jeff Pendergraph:
FGM - 3
FGA - 111
Min - 30
Reb - 10
by Tofu Anonymous on Jun 24, 2011 12:55 AM PDT reply actions
Rudy shows his classic Rudy type of jab comment about “how he went to a better team”…..he just doesn’t get it….dont let the door hit u on the way out in 20 yrs hes become my least favorite blazer…no heart…sorry I know some love him…
100% agree with you
But since this is an “appreciation thread” I’ll try to stay on topic:
I appreciate that I won’t have to watch the overrated whiner Rudy Fernandez every time I turn on a Blazers game next season.
Dude, he went to the Dallas Mavs
They just won the NBA Championship. He said he’s going to the “best team in the nba”. That’s a factual statement. Don’t make up slights where none exist.
Rudy was fun to watch, but it was time for him to go.
Wish him the best in Dallas.
Rudy was my favorite rookie in years.
it’s sad that he never really improved with us, but good luck to him in Dallas.
Rudy's rookie year was easily the most exciting that I've witnessed during my fandom.
i like it here, there, everywhere.
Viva La Barba!
Rudy had one of the best “unshaved-look beards” ever!
Rock the tapas in Big D, Rudy!
Some of the most entertaining basketball ever.
Everybody knows what Rudy’s skills and struggles are. But I’ll remember his flare that he played with. He could make things happen out of thin air. Heres hoping he emerges and it does it consistently in Dallas. His basketball style is a treat for anyone to watch regardless of what team he’s on.
Rudy had 3 years
first year was exciting and promising, second year was a setback, and the third year there just wasn’t enough to establish himself as a key player.
I’ll always miss the “RUUUUDYYY” from M Mason, his 3pt barrages, clutch fadeaway crazy shots, and the lobs. Oh, the lobs to LMA will be sorely missed..
Brandon Roy all the way; great Blazer, injured or not: #7
by collectiveshane on Jun 24, 2011 9:15 AM PDT reply actions
Rudy noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
Rudy, I’m going to miss having you on the team! You are the only Blazer I currently have jerseys of…
Good luck in Dallas!
why do we have to trade all of our fun players?
i’m going to miss those running lobs to Aldridge.
by DefenderOfPants on Jun 24, 2011 10:39 AM PDT reply actions
Where did it all go?
I remember Rudy’s rookie year. The way Rudy would make 3’s and plays, really add a spark to the bench. The team was rolling down the stretch. Roy was dominant and LA was solid at 18 a game. Pryz, TO and Blake all having career years – and a little used rookie center playing less than 22 minutes a game that showed a lot of promise. Amazing to me how all that has turned out a few years later. Maybe this will truly start a new era.
by LicketyBrindleDowntheMiddle on Jun 24, 2011 12:25 PM PDT reply actions
Remember that awesome play where Rudy saved a ball out of bounds...
… and then (if I’m remembering this right) crashed into Wes Matthews and somehow ended up jumping over another Blazer (or was it Matthews again) on his way to the hoop? That kind of play was awesome and vintage Rudy.
as exciting as it was, I actually hope we never have to see a play like that again.
i like it here, there, everywhere.
LOL but it was a fantastic play
Brandon Roy all the way; great Blazer, injured or not: #7
by collectiveshane on Jun 24, 2011 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Good luck in Dallas, Rudy!
We’ll miss your high-energy court scrambling, Rudy. thanks for giving us lot’s of thrilling moments. I’m glad you felt more at home in PDX last year. Hit big 3s against the Lakers and Thunder for us Rudy. good luck in Dallas!
Can I appreciate the Rudy of three years ago,
while still despising the Rudy of the past two years?I hold this resentment toward Rudy because the guy literally attempted to hold the team hostage; remember? “I’m going to Spain if you don’t trade me.” Perhaps he excels next year in Dallas as the role player we all had hoped he’d continue to become. Perhaps he finally extinguishes his chances as an NBA player. Either way, I could care less, because of the self-centered nature he so accurately professed to the Blazers and their fans. I certainly enjoyed watching him three years ago, so there is my appreciation. Yet, the Rudy I’ve come to know pretty much disgusts me.
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