The NBA is a league that nearly all young Basketball players want to play in more than any other in the world. Rudy Fernandez however does not share this sentiment. Rudy's agent Andy Miller explains that Fernandez does not want to play in the NBA next year and wants to play in Europe. The Trailblazing swingman is even prepared to sit out the remaining two years of his contract with Portland. WOW! I guess Rudy really hates the NBA. Well, let's not get carried away. The Portland fans love Fernandez but the talented Spaniard is disgruntled with his playing time. Fernandez spent some of last season on the 'chilling list' injured but he also made the most of his playing time averaging 8.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2 assists. His dunks and 3 pointers provided a spark off the bench that will be hard to replace if Rudy takes the return part of his ticket back to Europe.
Pau Gasol a fellow Spaniard, is much happier. The World Champion will take time out of his summer sabbatical to visit Mumbai and Delhi in hopes to help the sport grow in India. Gasol will pick up where Dwight Howard's recent visit to Bangalore and Delhi left off as Pau will also conduct events for the Association in the second largest nation in the world. Pau was quoted by NBA.com as saying "I have always wanted to visit India and I am very excited to represent the Lakers and the NBA in a country where basketball is on the rise,". The centre also stressed the importance of his stature in the NBA as one of the best international players, "As an international player in the NBA, I know how important it is to do my part to grow the game globally and would love to compete against a player from India in the NBA one day." Pau wont be making this trip on his own, he will be joined by his friend of two years, Larry O'Brien. The championship trophy will make it's first appearance in India. This great trophy will definitely help Gasol's trip garner interest in the NBA.
Boston Celtic legend and future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce has stated that he'll most likely retire at the end of his current four-year, $62 million deal with the Celtics. Paul has also expressed that this 'retirement' will only be from the NBA and not from Basketball as P Double has a similar to desire to play in Europe like Rudy Fernandez has. Pierce likes the idea of spending some time in Italy or Greece with his family. The experience is something Paul wants to have but as far as the NBA is concerned the number 34 wants to retire as a Celtic, where his jersey will surely move in with Bird, Russell and the rest of the legendary Beantown family up in the rafters. Pierce will be 36 when this current deal runs out and even though those knees will be that much older, he may be the greatest NBA legend that Europe has had play in the last 10 years. Aint that the truth?!
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