I wondered all season long if sarcasm translates when it comes to Rudy Fernandez. During one of the last regular season home games, I found out it does. But it took Rudy talking about Spanish teenage point guard prodigy Ricky Rubio to convince me.

I knew if I wanted to get the skinny on Ricky for a future draft story, Rudy was the guy to talk to since they played pro ball for DKV Joventut and the Spanish National team.

“I don’t what to talk about Ricky….I’m tired of talking about this kid,” Fernandez said flashing a “sarcasmo” grin when I asked if he’d spoken to Rubio about declaring for the NBA Draft.

After the slyness, Rudy shot honestly about the kid saying, "He's a very good player, but I don't know if he is prepared to play in the NBA.”

You can read the rest of that featured story over at HOOPSWORLD (“Is Ricky Rubio Ready?”).

If anyone can dissect the physical and mental transition from pro ball in Europe to the league, it is Fernandez – who struggled defensively all season, but filled it up in an impressive rookie year. There is more travel, you play more games – way more games, the pace is faster, guys are bigger and better – and that’s just the physical reality of the NBA.

Then you have to turn around and mentally adjust to each of those aspects. At 24, Rudy handled the switch. At 18-years-old, (Rubio turns 19 on October 21) I’m not sure how Ricky will.

It wasn’t long after Rudy and I spoke about Rubio that I saw him getting ready to exit the Rose Garden with a couple of friends who made the trip in from Spain. As they walked and talked, nearby Blazer fans screamed Rudy’s name. Screamed it.

He obliged. He signed a few autographs. Then he took off with his boys leaving the madness behind.

The screams echoed along.

And in that moment as I watched Rudy go from great to ghost, I forgot about the sarcastic intro from the interview and wondered if Rubio was really ready for the show.

Not sure if that translates.

pic via: fromthebaseline.com

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