This is the first of many, many posts, I hope, by Raul Jimenez. Get set for video highlights and analysis of NBA and European players from a professional coach.

Rudy Fernandez has an important role for a rookie of the Portland Trail Blazers (currently 6-5, seventh in the Western Conference). Playing beside Brandon Roy, who makes a lot of shots and is the go-to guy in critical situations, we can say that Rudy is finding his place.

Some days ago, against Utah, Rudy showed some of the skills that allowed him to reach the NBA. Portland ran a diamond set for him, and he finished in three different ways, showing that it’s a hard task to stop him. He can go hard to the rim, he can give the extra pass, he can make his shots… a lot of options! He has the skills and the will. It’s not strange that Portland fans are already impressed by Rudy.

In the video we watch the three situations, the first two in consecutive plays. In the first one, he receives and drives to get fouled. In the second one, he curls and assists on LaMarcus Aldridge’s dunk. In the third one, he comes off the screen and hits the three (breaking a 0-9 run against Portland).