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We've been hearing some mixed messages about whether Rudy is coming over next year. Its hard to say how much, if any impact, the intensifying dispute between the Raps and the Spanish B-ball Federation will have on Rudy signing with the Blazers. However, its not a particularly positive development for teams that draft and contract Spanish players.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

First, other than Jonathan Givony's pure speculation, we haven't heard mixed messages about Rudy coming over. Everything other than his reporting of "feelings" in Vitoria (notice--Rudy's home team is in Badalona, not Vitoria), which is kind of like asking someone in Portland how the wind is blowing for the Sonics leaving town, the reports have been that Rudy is coming over.

Second, I'm not sure what a lawsuit over insurance has to do with Rudy having a clause in his contract where he can exercise a buyout for about $800k. I think you're reading waaaaaay too much into this.

mojomarc wrote:First, other than Jonathan Givony's pure speculation, we haven't heard mixed messages about Rudy coming over. Everything other than his reporting of "feelings" in Vitoria (notice--Rudy's home team is in Badalona, not Vitoria), which is kind of like asking someone in Portland how the wind is blowing for the Sonics leaving town, the reports have been that Rudy is coming over.

Second, I'm not sure what a lawsuit over insurance has to do with Rudy having a clause in his contract where he can exercise a buyout for about $800k. I think you're reading waaaaaay too much into this.

Kevin Pritchard has certainly modified his language a bit on public statements about Rudy. A few months ago he was saying "rudy will come over next year" and there wasn't any wiggle room that I recall.

The latest statement a couple of weeks ago it had changed to "we're planning on Rudy being here...but we can't offer him the money that some european teams can".

The circumstances have definitely changed and it seems it's because Rudy had such a great season this year...maybe too good to keep things comfortable fo KP.

I'd still say the chances are good he will sign with portland but I don't think it's as certain as we originally thought.

I somehow knew you'd pipe up on this, Wiz. You're the biggest worry-wart I've ever seen when it comes to Rudy. Tell me--what has Rudy said (or has been reported as his intention) that indicates anything other than him coming over here? KP playing close to the vest is par for the course for him, so I discount it heavily. If he's saying he's planning on it I would bet hard earned doubloons that Rudy has told him that the deal is as good as signed but that since it's not signed KP isn't willing to guarantee anything publicly just in case. It's kind of the same story as during the draft last year where it was pretty darned obvious he was going with Oden but still hedged constantly.

mojomarc wrote:I somehow knew you'd pipe up on this, Wiz. You're the biggest worry-wart I've ever seen when it comes to Rudy. Tell me--what has Rudy said (or has been reported as his intention) that indicates anything other than him coming over here? KP playing close to the vest is par for the course for him, so I discount it heavily. If he's saying he's planning on it I would bet hard earned doubloons that Rudy has told him that the deal is as good as signed but that since it's not signed KP isn't willing to guarantee anything publicly just in case. It's kind of the same story as during the draft last year where it was pretty darned obvious he was going with Oden but still hedged constantly.

that may all be true about KP's poker face.

and I'll point out that I said that I think it's likely he'll be over.

What I did do was read a couple of articles linked to videos posted by some of the European posters to this forum.

They talked about a couple of other teams...Real Madrid and Barcelona, I believe, that were planning on pursuing Rudy. And the numbers they "reported" as being possibly offered as salaries were 4-5 million a year. Now i have no idea at all how accurate or believable those stories were, or if the numbers are realistic compared to other top euroleague player's salaries. But if true, Rudy could make 8-11 million dollars more there then in portland for the next 3 years.

That kind of money can be persuasive and I'm not sure why it should be dismissed as a factor.

Rudy Fernandez wants to play for a winner. Hello, we are one in the N B A. It's done, don't fret. Next season!

Money can be persuasive--if you're equally happy being either place, then the amount of money on the contract is clearly a deciding factor. But Rudy, like Sergio before him, has made a lot of public comments such as "what I really want to do is test myself in the NBA." In those cases, money isn't a deciding factor unless money is all you care about, and since we're not talking about a culture where how good you are is decided by how much bling you wear I think it's pretty safe to say that Spaniards are more interested in being happy than being rich. Plus, what does Rudy have to prove in Europe? He's the clear best player, and he's only 22. All he has to gain is money in Europe--he has much more to gain, even if he plays for less money, playing in the NBA.

mojomarc wrote:Money can be persuasive--if you're equally happy being either place, then the amount of money on the contract is clearly a deciding factor. But Rudy, like Sergio before him, has made a lot of public comments such as "what I really want to do is test myself in the NBA." In those cases, money isn't a deciding factor unless money is all you care about, and since we're not talking about a culture where how good you are is decided by how much bling you wear I think it's pretty safe to say that Spaniards are more interested in being happy than being rich. Plus, what does Rudy have to prove in Europe? He's the clear best player, and he's only 22. All he has to gain is money in Europe--he has much more to gain, even if he plays for less money, playing in the NBA.

That, at least, is a rational argument. I've perceived a little too much blind faith as a component of the 'rudy will be here next year' sentiment.

Spaniards may very well prefer happiness to wealth. That's likely not a unique philosophy, although conjoining wealth and happiness philosophically isn't unique either. They've certainly come a long way since their conquistador era. Still, I simply don't know what value rudy fernandez places on money and happiness and individual challenge, especially in a year when the Olympics are certainly on his mind.

I'm not saying Rudy won't be here. And I'm not really worried about it, although I do have my fair share of warts...thanks for noticing. I'm just not as inclined to include him in next season's rotation as others are. I still think it's a bit premature.

Whatever he says to reporters is for show.

Him doing so well improves the chances of him coming over.

Rudy will be coming over. I'd bet on it.