SB Nation Blog: Lance Uppercut

Rudy Fernandez is officially a Trail Blazer

Lance Uppercut — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:05:35 -0000

No big surprise, but now all doubt has officially been removed. From the press release.

“I am so excited about joining the Trail Blazers and the NBA,” said Fernandez. “The whole staff did a tremendous job making me feel like a very important team member to them and made me forget about the economic issues because of the rookie scale.

“My dream has been to play in the NBA and Portland is giving me this opportunity. I was amazed about everything that Mr. Allen, Kevin Pritchard, Coach McMillan and the rest of the guys did to show me how much they wanted me. Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge, I can't wait to play with them. We will do nice things!”

Fernandez, 23, spent the past seven seasons playing for DVK Joventut Badalona in the Spanish ACB League, and is a regular member of the Spanish National Team.

“We are thrilled to finally have Rudy Fernandez in a Trail Blazers jersey,” said Pritchard. “Rudy is a tremendously talented player who has achieved great things in Spain and Europe. His work ethic and character will fit well with the culture we’ve created here, and we’re very excited to get him on the floor after the Olympics.”

I'm most excited about what Rudy brings to the court, but having a guy giving quotes like "We will do nice things!" is icing on the cake.

Point guard workout report

Lance Uppercut — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:58:42 -0000

We had a nice group of guards down at the practice facility today, including Russell Westbrook and Ty Lawson. We don't get to watch the entire workout, but from what I saw, there were a couple of future starting NBA guards in attendance. Here's my write-up if you're interested.

To fill the word requirement, I thought I'd let you guys and gals know that after the podcast yesterday, Dave called to tell me he's actually rooting for the Lakers to win the Finals. True story, I swear!

Blazers audio from 95.5 The Game

Lance Uppercut — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:36:25 -0000

If anyone missed it or is out of the broadcast area, I've got the audio from interviews with Kevin Pritchard and Greg Oden over at my stomping grounds. Both are worth a listen if you've got nothing else to do.

I know it's against Dave's rules to incessantly promote your own material, but please don't think poorly of me for it. I'm doing it for your benefit, I swear!

Paul Allen drops in to see Rudy

Lance Uppercut — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:57:39 -0000

Paul Allen took some time out of his busy schedule to see what all the fuss is about in Spain. Thought almart might have been there as well.

30 points in 30 minutes ain't too shabby. Getting 15 free throw attempts tends to help the average a bit.

There are also some injury updates in the blog as well.

Channing Frye was right

Lance Uppercut — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:41:47 -0000

It's no salve to soothe the loss last night, but this story pretty much vindicates everything Channing Frye thought about Sacramento:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/03/sacramento_rats_out_frye.html

I understand having love for your home town, but the truth is the truth.

Has anyone else ever seen a rat in a movie theatre? (insert "Ratatouille" joke here)

Give it up for Dave

Lance Uppercut — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:51:03 -0000

I've been in and out of the office this week covering the high school state tournament, but I wanted to take a second to thanks Dave for all the great work he does on this site. It's always top-notch.

I would also like to publicly thank Dave for the great tshirt he sent me this week. I'll be wearing it the next time I get schooled in a pick-up game, which basically means the next time I play.

Thanks Dave, and thanks to all of you users that make this site great.

Five More Years

Lance Uppercut — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 04:26:28 -0000

As you all know by now, Joel Przybilla has decided to re-signed with the Blazers for a reported 5 year, $30 million contract. It's not very often in the NBA that a contract is actually indicative of a players worth, but luckily for the Red and Black, Przybilla's contract is neither too fat nor too spendthrift. That's really what a good contract should be, as it sets realistic goals and expectations for both the player and the organization. When you're overpaid, everyone gripes that you're not doing enough. When you're underpaid, it creates distraction, jealously, and a perfidy on the part of the player. Joel's contract is a perfect and increasingly rare situation in which both parties get equal value. It's what happens when people make decisions for the right reasons.

The Blazer's decided to retain Joel because he's got the combination of skill and attitude needed to create a successful product. Joel made his decision out of loyalty, duty, and with a mind toward his family. He could have signed on with a team far more playoff ready than the Blazers, choosing to be that guy in class who bails on his dysfunctional group just before the due date, only to take up with that goody-two-shoes group full of suck-ups and teacher's pets. Sure, you end up with a good grade, but where's the pride? The dignity? The sense of accomplishment?

And congratulations to Pritchard and Patterson for actually making some meaningful decisions based on common-sense. It's about time.

Przybilla Watch: Day 4

Lance Uppercut — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 16:24:41 -0000

Supposedly Przy is going to make his decision today. According to his agent, he's leaning toward Detroit, though he's telling that to a San Antonio newspaper, so who knows Duffy is being sincere or just trying to force the Spurs into ponying up more cash or more years. I guess we'll know soon enough.

Mike Kahn/FoxSports.com

Lance Uppercut — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 16:00:30 -0000

It's nothing any of you don't already know, but this article from Mike Kahn talks a little about Pritchard, Przybilla, and the future of the Blazers. It's nice to read stories from national media outlets actually praising the Red and Black. Before this draft, can anyone remember the last time you read something even semi-complimentary from the national media regarding the Blazers? I can't.

Ben Wallace to Chicago

Lance Uppercut — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 00:51:36 -0000

ESPN is reporting that Ben Wallace is going to be a Bull. If true, that takes Chi-town off the market for Przybilla. Chicago probably had the biggest appeal for Joel due to it's Midwest locale and improving roster, but now that they're not looking for center, it's probably between San Antonio and Portland. If I had to guess right now, I'd say Przy will be a Blazer come next season.