| 29 August 2010
On this day, Rudy Fernandez saw what the future holds for Nicolas Batum.
Saturday’s FIBA World Basketball Championship’s preliminary round matchup between Spain and underdog France was not only a battle between two countries but also one between two Portland Trail Blazers.
One is a glimpse at Portland’s future. The other basically wants out of Portland with his requested release and return to the European leagues lingering.
Once the ball went up between Spain and France, Batum got off to a rough start offensively, but wowed the crowd with a defensive play we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from Nicolas the past couple years in Portland. After Batum picked up two quick fouls, France struggled with scoring to begin the game. But before foul trouble limited his first quarter play, Batum raced down-court after Spain’s Marc Gasol - timed his jump perfectly as if he’s done this before - and swatted the 7-foot-1 center’s dunk attempt.
Fernandez provided some fire of his own.
He ignited Spain’s early offense by nailing a three-pointer to help his team jump out to a 15-5 advantage and also provided a defensive lift, but he didn’t have nearly the impact Batum did on the overall game and outcome.
Batum re-entered to begin the second period, and it wasn’t a coincidence that Fernandez and Spain’s offense soon came to a halt. That’s when Batum put his name on the game: with France down nine points and on the comeback trail, Batum curled off a screen, sprinted down the uncontested left-side, and flew for a ferocious one-handed jam, evading a leaping Jorge Garbajosa.
Frustrated by France’s swarming defense – which was anchored by Batum and without the services of Tony Parker, Joakim Noah, and Mickael Pietrus – Spain struggled to find the rim with a flurry of clanks and by late in the first quarter, France had taken their first lead and fended off Spain’s strong play to begin the second quarter.
That’s when Nic hit quick. He drained a three-pointer right before the third quarter buzzer sounded.
The fourth quarter was déjà vu all over again.
Fernandez lifted Spain with a layup to begin the quarter, but Batum would get the last word in by showcasing more of his signature defense. He erased another shot from behind by blocking Sergio Llull, set up Mickael Gelabale for a three-pointer, and hit a pair of free-throws to give France the lead. Batum then swished a crossover three-pointer from the left-wing. Holding a five-point lead with just over two minutes remaining, the French never looked back.
In the 72-66 upset win over Spain, Batum finished with 14 points on 4 of 9 shooting, while Fernandez struggled for his 13 points, shooting just 3-10 from the field.
But the numbers don’t tell the whole story here between these Blazer teammates. Batum is cemented in Portland’s foundation alongside Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. That goes for the present and future.
Now we are left waiting to see what the future holds for Rudy Fernandez.
photo: daylife
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