Channeling Rip Hamilton and Reggie Miller, Fernandez comes off screens as impressive as anyone in the league – past or present. He holds his wrist high after watching it fly and hasn't met a three-pointer he hasn't liked. And when the Portland Trail Blazers guard isn't slashing or shooting, Rudy is as unselfish as they come.

So where can this rookie turn to improve his overall game?

On defense if you ask Rudy.

"It's more physical. Everybody is strong. It's more difficult for me on defense but I try to be more aggressive," Fernandez told HOOPSWORLD.

"It's a big change for me. In Europe it's not too physical. It's a new experience for me."

While the Portland Trail Blazers have finally discovered some winning ways on the road – 3-1 on a current five-game roadie and 6-4 overall - Fernandez has certainly found a knack for taking a charge. It happened in the fourth quarter in Orlando. It happened in the second quarter in Miami. Now it's on Rudy to refine the rest of his defensive attributes, something head coach Nate McMillan believes comes only with a change in mindset.

Defense triggers the offense, not the other way around.

But for Rudy – as active as he is on offense – he's equally as "jumpy" on defense, which isn't always a good thing. McMillan says he's busy "hopping around." McMillan prefers he keep his feet on the ground. Easier said than done.

"That's just the way he plays. He played that way in Spain. It's a matter with these guys in the NBA to stand down," McMillan explained.

"If you are hopping around like that they will shoot or take up that space and attack you. Our saying is 'on the floor you do more'. He hops around a lot. He needs to slide. He basically tries to shadow you. Sometimes you have to go through screens."

There is no doubt Rudy has found his offense groove his first year in the league. Fernandez is currently averaging 13.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2 assists per game in 28.3 minutes and ranks second in the league in three-point field goals made (24). Defensively though, Fernandez still needs to learn some tricks of the trade – bumping a "big" as he comes through the lane or across the paint for so your teammate can get through for example.

"Those are things that he'll learn," McMillan added. "You pick it up and you get better. He's still learning the NBA game."

Every rookie has a learning curve. Many pundits however expect Rudy's curve to be more flat based on the experience he brings to the league after years in Spain and even the Olympics this past summer where he played against the best in the NBA. While his defense will mature as the season grows, the man himself is leaving his teammates in awe along the way.

"Rudy's a gamer.  I think he's adapted well to the NBA," Brandon Roy said.

"I think he does a great job of keeping teams off balance. He's so active, not only on offense because he's coming off screens but on defense he's always bouncing."

The defense will come.

The Blazers are just glad Rudy is here.