I know this, but if he thinks he is just wasting his time in Portland, maybe he will save a few years of wear and tear and make up the lost money in 2012-13 and beyond. If he was making more money now, I don't feel he would be whining. But, with his rookie contract, he will be "missing" a fraction of what he will gain in Europe after a two year absence. Plus, if the Blazzers don't move him, it puts them in a very bad spot regarding dealing with other players and agents. What if Rudy plays for Team Spain for two years, or he even fakes an injury for two years, then signs a huge contract with Real Madrid with an extra $3 million thrown in to cover his lost NBA wages? I just feel the guy has more leverage than he is seen as having by the conventional wisdom here. If the Blazers want to play hardball, I hope that they realize that the reprecussions may extend beyond just "teaching Rudy a lesson".
I think the point is that they are not just teaching Rudy ,but they are letting everyone know that the Blazers are not a team to demand a trade from. The NBA has seen many players much better than Rudy demand trades lately and most of the time they get what they want. The Blazers have Roy, Aldridge and later Batum and Oden who they have to be careful to make sure they remain Blazers. If they sign here to get a good contract, they better damn sure know that Cho is going to hold them to that contract and not be manipulated. On one side, you can make some players afraid to come sign with you, but usually they go where the money is anyway. On the other side, you make players afraid to quit on you. Both options have drawbacks, but I think that the most prudent and long term correct play is to not allow Rudy to have too much power.
That's a fair assessment of the Rudy situation. My primary point in my post was to illustrate that not trading Rudy out of spite, or to "teach him a lesson", may have reprecussions in the future that have nothing to do with Rudy. I'm not saying that is what the Vulcans are doing, but I've seen it posted many times on this board. It seems like a short-sighted way to handle the situation; I merely hope (actually, I assume) that the Blazers are considering all potential results of this singular event.
I would think it has already had repercussions. Claver will have his agent tell the Blazers that they might as well trade him. He doesn't want to go through this abuse. Any future European players the Blazers scout will tell the scouts, tell Portland not to draft me becuse I'm not going there and they'll just have to trade me. If Koponen or Freeland ever sign, they'll insist on a contract clause allowing them out whenever they want, having observed the destruction of Rudy's career. Rudy's not the only one who will be taught a lesson. All European agents are being taught to negotiate harder to prevent their stars from being ruined by a bad NBA coach.
Yeah, I see Z-Bo's been quite the winner eleswhere. Jack was traded in a draft day deal. Not sure how/why you've included him in the same equation.
Or they could somehow infer from Batum's treatment in his first two years that talent and attitude just might make a difference in how they are used.
