The latest in Kevin Pritchard's parade of international and journeyman guards is on his way to Oregon.
As reported by KPTV Portland:
Spanish shooting guard Rudy Fernandez is leaving his club in Europe to join the Portland Trail Blazers, according to a Reuters report.
Fernandez confirmed in a news conference Friday that he's headed to Portland, the report said.
Fernandez, 23, is a lanky 6-foot-6 guard who played for DKV Joventut in Spain. He also played on Spain's gold-medal team at the world championship in 2006.
For the sake of the blood pressure of Blazer fans everywhere, here's hoping this one is the real deal.
Over the last couple of years, in addition to Brandon Roy, the Blazers have featured the likes of Steve Blake, Jarrett Jack, Sergei Monia and Sergio Rodriguez in their back-court As of yet, none has distinguished himself as a definite part of the long-term solution at that spot. This is a team with an immensely bright future with Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden all part of the program, but there still needs to be another consistent guard helping carry the load in the back-court.
Fernandez comes as the most highly touted of the Blazer guards, and if he can be the dazzling sensation many have talked him up to be, his presence on its own could take Portland to another level in Greg Oden's true rookie season. I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out.