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Team USA notes: Fernandez headed to Celtics?
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August 11, 2010, 6:48 pm
By A. Sherrod Blakely
CSNNE.com
NEW YORK — Portland's Rudy Fernandez has made no secret about his desire to play elsewhere.
The Boston Celtics are giving some thought to filling the roster spot vacated when they waived Rasheed Wallace, with another shooter.
A couple waiting to be hitched, right?
Well, here's Portland coach Nate McMillan ready to splash some cold water in the face of Celtic Nation who would love to see Fernandez donning the Green and White soon.
"He's a good fit for us. My focus is that he will be back, and how to use him when he comes back," McMillan, an assistant coach on Team USA, told CSNNE.com on Wednesday. "If that doesn't work out, we'll see what happens. He's still a Blazer right now."
All indications throughout this summer have pointed toward a parting of ways between the Blazers and the 6-foot-6 Fernandez, who set an NBA rookie record two years ago when he made 159 3-pointers and earned a spot on the NBA's all-rookie second team.
While the 3-point shot is certainly an important part of his game, Fernandez has shown the ability to do other things as well.
However, Portland's depth in the backcourt has limited the opportunities for the 25-year-old to showcase his all-around game, which is in part why he's looking to take his game elsewhere with Boston reportedly one of his preferred destinations.
"The thing about it, anybody in the league can use him," McMillan said. "He's a good player. He's a rotational player. For some teams, he's going to be able to start. For some teams, he's going to have to come off the bench. If he goes to Boston, he's probably coming off the bench behind one of those guys, Ray Allen or Paul Pierce. So it just depends on where he goes as far as his role and how he would play. But his talent, there are a lot of teams that can use him and take advantage of what he does. But we'll see what happens."
Throughout the week - this whole summer, truth be told - Chauncey Billups seems to be hearing the same question.Why are you here?
With the average age of the other 14 Team USA finalists at 23.5, the 33-year-old veteran kind of sticks out.
"I feel good, man," said the former Celtics draft pick. "It's good to be out here with these young boys. It's something that means a lot, playing in these World Championships."
As for those who wonder why he's out here, Billups' response is always the same.
"Why not? You have a chance to represent my country, doing something that I've been doing since I was 9 years old. I don't care who is not playing," Billups said. "I've never been a follower. I do what I do. I feel good about it. I'm excited to be out there."
Billups was among the guards under serious consideration for a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, but pulled out due to a health issues involving a family member.
"After I had to pull out because of that family situation, I didn't think I would get another opportunity," he said. "So when opportunity came about, I'm all in. I still got some things I want to accomplish in my career. Winning a gold medal in the Olympics is one of them."
Team USA got a bit of good news when X-rays on Danny Granger's right finger injury came back negative. However, an additional MRI will be performed to see if there's any structural damage."Just to be sure, he's getting an MRI," said Jerry Colangelo, managing director of Team USA.
A. Sherrod Blakely can be reached at sblakely@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Sherrod on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sherrodbcsn
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