Hooped Up

Trail Blazers end nine-game losing streak in Golden State with 110-105 win behind 41 points from Brandon Roy
An incredible streak was done in by an incredible comeback Thursday by the Trail Blazers.

Led by a determined and playground-tough 41 points from Brandon Roy, and a whirlwind 17-3 run to close the game, the Blazers overcame a 13-point fourth quarter deficit and beat Golden State 110-105, ending a nine-game losing streak at Oracle Arena.

“It’s over,’’ a smiling coach Nate McMillan said, referring to the streak. “But I’m a lot happier about what we did: we followed the game plan and executed.’’

The Blazers wanted to take advantage of their size to score inside and get to the free throw line and they succeeded at both. Portland had 53 rebounds, including a season-high 22 offensive rebounds that led to 29 second-chance points. The Blazers also hit 31-of-37 free throws; Golden State made 19-of-21…
The Oregonian

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Real Madrid likes the idea of Rudy Fernandez returning to Spain and Fernandez kinda likes the idea too according to Marca.com. Currently the Spanish international player is suffering from a drop in playing time, health and stats this year with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Right now I don’t rule out anything because I just want to play. I don’t mind where,” said Fernandez, whose name has already been linked to Real Madrid.”Last year we had a different team and at least I had Sergio, who understood my game. I have noticed a change this year. I don’t get the ball as much and the system is different.”

Honestly, if Rudy Fernandez thinks he’s going to get any more playing time in front of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Raúl, Karim Benzema he’s kidding himself. Plus Rubén Gago will never give up his number.

Seriously, what is he thinking???

Another van glorious season of NBA basketball is about to begin and Hooped Up does a quick and dirty preview of all 30 clubs.

The Blazers made tremendous strides last year, improving by 13 wins from their ‘07-08 campaign and with the help of newly acquired Andre Miller that shouldn’t change.

Brandon Roy is a stud and the combo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden (if healthy) forms one of the leagues better frontcourts.  The Blazers should have a top 4 finish in the west along with a deep playoff run. Happy days are here again in Portland. Read More »

Portland Trail Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard contacted Lon Babby late last night, to begin discussion about adding his client Hedo Turkoglu to his roster. However, Rudy Fernandez ain’t happy about that.

“Kevin Pritchard and [assistant general manager] Tom Penn called me at the earliest possible moment and expressed enthusiasm for engaging in discussions about Hedo becoming a Trail Blazer,” Babby told the Oregonian. “We have begun that process.”

After Fernandez hear the Blazers were interested in adding Turkoglu who plays the same position as him, rumours of him going back to Europe (for more money) surfaced and Portland could have some problems on their hands if Turkoglu and Fernandez are wearing the same jersey.

What’s a GM to  do?

Via The Oregonian + ESPN

Last night, Portland beat up Phoenix something fierce 129 – 120 and ended the Suns six game win streak. A big part of that had to do with the play of one Rudy Fernandez, who shot 80% from the field, 83% from the arc and finished with 23 points. Judging by the way he hits this fadeaway, gets a steal, and hits a three to end the third quarter, Rudy was kinda feelin’ it last night.

This years race for rookie of the year, is going to be a tight one!

“The category that everyone seems to love is the tattoos of NBA players. When the game starts, me and other members of my stat team at the Sixers games check out the opposing players as they wipe their feet on the traction mat in front of the scorer’s table to see how many tattoos they have. We do the same when the subs enter the game as well.

At halftime, since we’re not sure that everybody is going to play, we go to the team’s trainer and ask about the guys who haven’t played and whether or not they have any tattoos and how many. The trainer will then tell us. This way, we don’t miss anybody.”
Harvey Pollack’s interview

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The LA Lakers just can’t beat the Blazers in Portland and the frustration is starting to show. Unfortunately, Rudy Fernandez felt the brunt of that frustration last night at the hands of Trevor Ariza and could miss some time. 

A delirious sellout crowd watched as the Blazers built leads as large as 30 points against the NBA’s best team, but for roughly 10 minutes at the end of the third quarter they stood silent as Blazers rookie Rudy Fernandez lay motionless on the court after Trevor Ariza fouled him from behind on a fast-break layup. Fernandez left the arena in a neck brace on a stretcher, and Ariza was ejected. ‘We played hard for him,’ said Brandon Roy, who led all scorers with 27 points. Blazers coach Nate McMillan said he was told Fernandez would be OK, and that he had full movement of his extremities. Late Monday, the team said Fernandez suffered a soft-tissue injury to his upper right chest. He remained in an area hospital overnight and is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s home game against Dallas.

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The ballots were tallied and the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest will be spiked with Spanish Fly. 

“In a first-time balloting by fans, Fernandez, the Blazers’ dazzling rookie from Spain, earned more than half of the vote (251,868 total) to surpass fellow rookies Joe Alexander of Milwaukee and Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City and become the first international player to compete in the dunk contest. Fernandez, who has quickly developed into a fan favorite with his no-look passing, long-range shooting and general showmanship, will take his act to the national stage in Phoenix, competing against Rudy Gay of Memphis and two past champions, Orlando’s Dwight Howard (2008) and New York’s Nate Robinson (2006).”

Oregonian Blog

When you have your own theme song, you know your fan base is deep… and creative. Check out the Shakira “Hips Don’t Lie”, “Ball Don’t Lie” remix for Rudy Fernandez courtesy of the 95.5 the Game’s Morning Sports Page.

Via Blaze of Love 

With the added twist of a rookie being voted in to this years Slam Dunk contest. Potential candidates Rudy Fernandez, Russell Westbrook and Joe Alexander are doing whatever it takes to get your vote. Rudy Fernandez Shares a Bilingual Dunk Ballad, Russell Westbrook Shares His Get-Out-And-Vote Song, and Joe Alexander Tells You Why He’s the Flying Buck.

If I was on the ballot I would promise economic stability, more after school programs for your children and cheaper beer to lock up your vote.  Because the promise of cheap beer locks up a vote every time! But enough about me and my political aspirations, on to the Russell Westbrook and Joe Alexander sales pitch.

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