NEW YORK (2010 FIBA World Championship for Men) – Spain guard Rudy Fernandez revealed he is open to a possible return to Europe after finding his second NBA season a lot tougher going than expected.

Fernandez scored only three points and took just four shots in 20 minutes of play as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the New Jersey Nets 102-93 on Tuesday.

In a conversation with journalist Gonzalo Vasquez after the game, the 24-year-old admitted to being frustrated and that he is keeping his options open for his future beyond this spring.

“Right now I don’t rule out anything because I just want to play. I don’t mind where,” said Fernandez, whose name has already been linked to Real Madrid.

The 6ft 6in swingman, who helped Spain to EuroBasket glory in Poland last summer, was one of the most promising rookies of the 2008-2009 campaign, but has not been able to built on that and step up his play in his second season.

Through 40 games, he is averaging 8.4 points per game – two fewer than last season – to go along with 2.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 22 minutes of action.

While his rebounding and assists are on a par with his rookie year, he is playing three fewer minutes per contest.

Part of the drop-off in his playing time and production is down to a long spell on the sidelines – he missed 19 games because of a back injury that required surgery.

But Fernandez insisted the ailment is no longer a concern or an excuse.

“Since the operation, I have not had any problems with my back. Yes it does hurt a bit if I get hit, but overall I feel fine physically. Maybe better than ever,” he explained.

“Last year we had a different team and at least I had Sergio (Rodriguez) who understood my game. I have noticed a change this year. I don’t get the ball as much and the system is different.

“I guess I have to adapt to it. That’s it. Whenever I get on the court, I have to make the most of it. I have good games and bad ones. I must be more regular.”

Asked if the problem lies with head coach Nate McMillan’s style, Fernandez pauses before answering.

“It’s business as usual. He is a coach who makes things very clear and has his philosophy. I don’t always get it. I try to play the way he wants, but I don’t feel the trust that he had in me the first year,” he conceded.

And Portland’s glut in the backcourt and at the small forward position hasn’t helped him either. Minutes are hard to go by between All-Star Brandon Roy, Andre Miller, Fernandez, Frenchman Nicolas Batum, Jerryd Bayless and Martell Webster.

“It’s complicated and difficult to deal with,” Fernandez said. “In front of me I have Brandon Roy, a superstar player and we need him. My minutes have dropped but I have to be mentally strong and do my best to achieve my goals.”

While he is dealing with his share of problems, he is happy to delight in the current good fortune of his good friend and former team-mate Rodriguez.

The 23-year-old point guard was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the New York Knicks via the Houston Rockets, ending up in the Big Apple alongside Tracy McGrady.

So far, the fourth year player is making the most of the chance he has been given by Mike D’Antoni to run an uptempo offense.

“We were team-mates and I saw what he went through so I’m happy for him,” Fernandez recalled. “It’s the best thing that could have happened to him. He’s on a team where the system fits him and with a coach that trusts him. He has to make the most of it.”

Taking inspiration from Rodriguez, Fernandez will do his best to make the most of the rest of the season and hopes to play his part for Spain in this summer’s FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

But if the highs and lows of the current season have taught him a valuable lesson, it’s not to take anything for granted.

“I would be happy to be on the team if coach (Sergio) Scariolo thinks I should be on it,” he said cautiously.

No doubt that decision will be an easy one to make.

FIBA