Rudy Fernández is back in the game

The book on Rudy Fernandez wasn't a particularly good read last summer. The same guy who charmed his way into the Slam Dunk contest and NBA hearts just two years prior with a guitarra in hand had become an afterthought in Portland.

The Trail Blazers once believed the Spaniard could be a foundation piece, in the same mode and with the same on-court chaotic impact as Manu Ginobili. Instead, Portland dumped Fernandez in Dallas for a few pesetas. Or is it Euros?

The talk with the Mavericks, at least initially, was Fernandez could be the long searched for solution at shooting guard. Not quite. Fernandez was shipped to Denver before ever taking a dribble in Big D, landing in the Rocky Mountains with fresh set of doubts lumped on top of the old set.

The criticism went beyond being injury prone, asking for a trade (and being fined), questioning his work ethic and sizing him up as flash over substance. Now it was whether a homesick Fernandez could commit to the NBA and his teammates or was he just biding time before returning full-time to Europe.

Denver fans were excited, believing Fernandez was essentially a free replacement for China-bound J.R. Smith. But Fernandez also has a contract with Real Madrid that guarantees big money should Rudy decide to go back to Spain.

A month into his stay with the Nuggets, few are worried about the baggage. The 6-foot-6 swingman is more than a 3-point slinger or slashing dunker. Fernandez has been a difference maker in the Denver's surprising 12-5 start going into Tuesday.

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."

The knock on his work habits hasn't been an issue in Denver. And any concerns about his flash have dissipated with a concerted effort by Fernandez to fit in.

He doesn't want to be the story, even is he's becoming a bigger part of the larger Nuggets tale. He's essentially a point guard now, backing up Andre Miller.

"I don't care about (scoring)," Fernandez said. "More important is play for the team and keep everyone happy. I like to assist. I like to create space for my teammates. I'm happy with my work."

So are the Nuggets. Fernandez is averaging more than eight points and three assists per game. He's scored in double figures six times and dished out at least eight dimes on three occasions through his first 14 games.

"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."

That's not to say Fernandez can't slip back into "cuteness" mode.

"He likes to play around with the ball and do trick stuff every now and then," Miller said. "He'll have a turnover or two, but he's a person who likes to be involved with sharing the ball and being a part of the offense. He's doing good right now."

The flair in his game common to Spanish players -- ala Ricky Rubio -- does catch his Denver teammates off guard at times when Fernandez ties to do too much. At least one of the Nuggets was ready for it.

"I knew it because I've been playing against him for many years," guard Danilo Gallinari said. "We grew up in Europe. The average European player knows how to pass the ball. I knew what he could do."

Fernandez hasn't exactly abandoned his jumper. He's taking nearly four 3-pointers per game. Miller compared Fernandez to former Denver gunner J.R. Smith, who didn't have a conscious when it came to shot, distance or time.

The Nuggets haven't questioned the Spaniard's heart.

"He's fearless. He's creative," guard Arron Afflalo said. "He has the ability to pick up defensively full court. He has a lot of intangibles to his game that have been productive to this team early."

Fernandez could still be headed home after this season. Or he could decide to remain in the Denver or sign with another NBA franchise.

Whatever happens, he's happy now. He's gone back in time before the doubts and the baggage, in some ways, to find a new present in Denver.

"When I was younger, I start as a point guard," Fernandez said. "This is why I have a lot of control with the ball in my hands. It's fun to play with these guys."