PorterIn2004

Barry (in his prime) was (I think) a combo-guard with a truer set of PG skills than Fernandez has at present. Fernandez may be more instant offense and he's certainly able to create for others, but I've yet to see him functioning consistently as a PG the way Barry did and Roy does. That said, I've not seen that much of him -- I'm just taking a shot in the dusk. Hopefully someone who's seen him more will chime in soon.

For myself, I'd go with a cross between Manu and Kevin Martin.

Fork

Dumbest post of the year.

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Hector

Aww, have a sense of humor. Brent Barry's stats were held down by many injuries. As a Sonic, he was a thinker on the court. His passes and shots were timed to be strategic. Detlef Schrempf played the same way for them. Neither wasted shots. Where others might shoot, they would pass. I haven't heard that this is Rudy's style. Maybe he compares more to the young Clipper Barry.

zagsfan20

About 3 years ago when I first posted a thread about Rudy (can't find that thread through the search) after I first saw him play I compared him to Manu. I still think he reminds me more of Manu than anyone else in the league. Its not just the obvious similarities that make me think that. Its the unorthodox way they play.

He'll be something special.

All my friends who are casual fans are telling me how excited they are for Oden to play next year. I tell them yeah, it will turn the franchise around for sure. When I tell them that I'm just as excited about Rudy they act like I don't know what I'm talking about. He's the type of player that could be the final piece type guy. You know, the straw that stirs the drink.

Alright, back to chugging my 40' of Old English.

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Rodney Stuckey is the future of the league.

PorterIn2004

I completely agree. In fact, I think Fernandez, if he comes for this next season, might well have a bigger impact than Oden, at least for that season. While both will be new to the NBA, Fernandez has been playing against tougher competition for longer, and won't be coming from a year off. He's also much less likely to be in constant foul trouble the first half of the year, so yeah, while Oden will start, Fernandez may well get more minutes.

BuckW4GM

i read someone compared rudy to rex chapman. his body type, quick release, somewhat unorthodox movement does remind me a lot of chapman.

i hope he's better than that, but i don't expect him to.

BuckW4GM

wow. you really need to find old tapes of oden's games in college and watch it again. i think you greatly expect too much out of rudy, or you're really not expecting much out of oden.

oden is NOT just a tremendous propect, he'll be an impactful player from the get go, imo. it's been just a year, and some are already forgetting how awesome this guy is.

Dan

That's playing a big role in how unsure Portland fans are about next year, and how much of an impact he'll have. A lot of us didn't watch him in college much (if at all), and out of sight out of mind plays a part. Same with national fans (like that vote on ESPN where Bynum was ahead in the poll).

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A Buddhist walks up to a hot dog vendor and says "Make me one with everything".

when will the loss of life end?
I don't know what they have to say, it makes no difference anyway, whatever it is, I'm against it!
No matter what it is or who commenced it, I'm against it!

Your proposition may be good, but let's have one thing understood, whatever it is, I'm against it! And even when you've changed it or condensed it, I'm against it!

BuckW4GM

just the more exciting i'm to see oden tear bynum a new one when they meet.

MrJayremmie

I agree w/ most. All 3 have been said, but...

I think he is a mix of Kevin Martin, Manu Ginobli and a little of Barry (not as much as the other 2, imo) with athleticism and being a play maker and that cocky attitude. And like Manu and Brent, an extremely smart player.

I see our starting 2 guard of the future (with Roy goin' to the 3).

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Talkhard

And you're hispanic . . .

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"Damn the Blazers. Damn them to hell. They are working the rest of the league like a speed bag." --Jay, lifelong Pacers fan

STOMP

I recall checking him out on the net for the first time after reading one of your posts. I'm pretty sure that was in the midst of our back and forths on Adam, so 3 years seems about right.

STOMP

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"Don't watch the Blazers and think about this season. Instead watch them and think 2 or 3 years down the road, because they are going to be insanely good. I can't remember a time when a single team owned the rights to this many quality players under the age of 25... if the Blazers aren't crushing people three years from now I'll be stunned. "
-John Hollinger

wizmentor

1) Barry athletic? He could jump, but he couldn't beat his man
off the dribble - that's what athleticism in a basketball sense
means to me. Regardless, Rudy has shown that ability, but we'll
have to wait to see how that translates in the NBA.

2) Don't underestimate the language barrier. Last word was that
he was not practicing english much - which will hurt him in
practice (slowing his development) and in the games.

3) Also, he is thin, doesn't have a prototypical NBA body. Will
wear down over an 82 game schedule.

Basically, I'm think Rudy will be awesome, but some patience will
be required. Petrovich took a few years (and a trade) to set the
NBA world on fire, hopefully it won't take Rudy that long.

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Utherhimo