Dec
03
Remembering Fernando Martin
By caseyholdahl Posted in: RudyFernandez
Today is December 3, and most people are probably thinking about the
Civil War. Nothing wrong with that. But if you've got a second, take a
minute to remember Fernando Martin, the first Spanish player in the NBA
who died 20 years ago today. Martin, a 6-10 power forward, signed as a
free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers on May 6, 1986, playing 24
games for Portland in 1986-87, recording 22 points, 28 rebounds, nine
assists and seven steals in 146 minutes.
After one season with
the Trail Blazers, he returned to Spain to play for Real Madrid, where
he played from 1981-1986 and 1987-89. Martin made 86 appearances on the
Spanish National Team, earning the silver medal in the 1984 Olympic
Games in Los Angeles.
Most contemporary Trail Blazers fans
will probably remember Martin thanks to Rudy Fernandez, who wore a No.
10 jersey in honor of Martin at last year's dunk contest, the video of
which is above. I would turn the volume off if you're going to watch
that clip. It's a little disrespectful to Fernando and Rudy.