Nuggets coach George Karl did admit his doubts in the Portland version of Fernandez. "I saw some cuteness," Karl said, "but I didn't know he kind of understands the game of basketball a little bit like a point guard. He sees the game as a playmaker. I saw his cuteness, but I didn't know his habits were pretty first-class." "He has the knack to find the open man," Karl said. "In American basketball, they read the defense after they catch it. In European basketball, they have a tendency to make the read before they catch it. I like the read before you catch it." -Art Garcia