Delaney Rudd looked down at the North end of the court at Memorial Coliseum and grinned. "This is going to take a little getting used to," he said.
The last time Rudd was in the Coliseum was last May, when he landed a dramatic three-point shot for the Jazz, sending Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals into overtime. Now he's back, but not as a member of the Jazz. Rudd arrived Saturday afternoon in Portland, having been signed to a contract through the remainder of the season by the Blazers.The Blazers' uniform is third one he's worn since he was a member of the Utah Jazz. Rudd played in the summer with the Houston Rockets, then began the basketball season with the Rapid City Thrillers of the CBA. He next flew to France in December to play for a team in Paris. But when Blazer guard Clyde Drexler was placed on the injured list last week, Portland went looking and found Rudd.
"I just walked in today," said Rudd as he warmed up at the arena prior to Saturday night's Jazz-Portland contest. "I learned what I know of the plays off a piece of paper."
Rudd, who was waived by the Jazz the week after the season ended last year, played in 65 games last year for the Jazz, averaging 3.0 points and 1.7 assists. His season high was a 12-point performance against the Rockets. He ranks sixth on the Jazz all-time list of three-point field goals made with 44.
"I started working over there (in France) two weeks ago," said Rudd. "The Blazers started talking with my agent two or three days ago. Then things just got closer and closer. And I finally got here."