Fernandez makes fast transition into NBA

TUALATIN, Ore. — This fall was supposed to be a transition period for Rudy Fernandez.

But the Portland Trail Blazers rookie at times has looked like he has been playing NBA ball all along.

The seven-year veteran of the Spanish ACB League filled up his stat line throughout the preseason, throwing down electrifying lob dunks, assisting on a pass through an opponent’s legs, and scoring in a variety of ways. He has also demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the game, a dynamic range of skills and an ability to inject instant energy into the offense.

But when he explains the quick adjustment to his new teammates and league, Fernandez makes the move sound fundamental.

“Basketball is basketball, Europe or in USA,” he explained.

The Blazers never expected the transition to be that easy, but Fernandez has certainly made it look that way. He led the Blazers in steals (2.6 a game) during the preseason, and ranked third in assists (4.0 average) and fourth in scoring (12.0 average). And if Fernandez continues to play with that level of comfort, then his quick, smooth transition could pay big dividends.

Fernandez holds the potential to do for the Blazers’ reserve unit what rookie center Greg Oden is expected to do for the starters, adding a new dimension to an already effective lineup.

He provides a dynamic threat as a scorer and passer to a unit that was viewed as a key to last season’s success.

With Fernandez, the reserves could be explosive on fast breaks. But they could also attack with kickouts to Channing Frye or Sergio Rodriguez in half-court sets, set up one-on-one plays to Travis Outlaw, or run Fernandez off pick and rolls to capitalize on his exceptional court vision and passing skills.

“He’s a playmaker,” Outlaw said of Fernandez’s affect on the bench. “He picks up the tempo. When he comes in there’s going to be energy. He can spread the floor and shoot the three very well. And his passing game is crazy.”

That potential comes as no surprise, though.

Fernandez twice led DKV Joventut Badalona in scoring during his European career, and helped the Spanish National Team win medals at the 2006 World Championships (gold) and 2008 Olympics (silver).

He also showed the Blazers that, despite his star status, he could accept a role off the bench when he agreed to start last summer’s Olympic gold-medal game as a reserve.

Blazers officials still cautioned that Fernandez may need time this fall to adjust to the more physical and athletic NBA game. But any concerns were greatly eased after a six-point, five-assist preseason debut during which Fernandez put on a masterful display of his passing skills and athleticism.

“Rudy, you could put him in any situation,” Brandon Roy said. “You could put him in with the Spurs and he would fit in. ... He just plays basketball. He doesn’t think the game. He’s reacting the game.”

There are still small adjustments to make, though.

Blazers coach Nate McMillan said Fernandez is continuing to adjust to the speed and talent level of NBA athletes, which will become a tougher test in the regular season when he is no longer facing the diluted lineups teams often field during the preseason.

He will also need to tighten his loose style of play a bit and make better decisions, rather than throw too many of his flashy passes that contributed to his team-leading 3.4-turnover average during the preseason — the only Blazer to average more than three.

But Fernandez has done so many things well this fall, that the Blazers have shown little concern about those shortcomings.

“Those habits, he’ll make the adjustments once he gets in the game,” McMillan said. “He has to play his game, though. We can’t just take his game away from him right now.”