ESP/USA - Rudy reflects on Blazers' season, confirms EuroBasket participation [video]

PORTLAND (NBA/EuroBasket) - Rudy Fernandez is coming off a solid season with the Portland Trail Blazers during which he has come to terms with his place and role in the city of roses. But a third consecutive first round playoff exit has left the Spain international a bit disappointed.

Fernandez, who confirmed his participation at this summer's EuroBasket, looked back on the 2010-11 campaign following his team's first round exit against the Dallas Mavericks.

"I feel a little disappointed to finish the season early because I feel when we played against Dallas we could have passed them and faced the Lakers," he said.

"We fought all the regular season to get to the playoffs and right now we feel like we didn't finish the war.

"But it's basketball and it happens. You have to be ready for this situation, be strong and learn from it.

The 26-year-old did draw some positives both for himself personally and for the team.

"Right now the positive is rest and spending time with the family," he said.

"You watch the playoffs and think about 'we can be there'."

Fernandez is all too aware of the fact that he's yet to make it deep into the playoffs. And while, that does weigh on him, he puts it in perspective of what has been an eventful season for Portland.

"It's my third consecutive year losing in the first round so it's tough," he admitted.

"But you think about the regular season and all the injuries and it's been a good year for us.

"Individually, I was happy with my work in the regular season and a little disappointed in the playoffs because probably I played less minutes and didn't play with confidence."

Fernandez struggled offensively for a good part of the year, but his improved play in other areas of the game has earned him praise from his peers.

Blazers head coach Nate McMillan, who isn't known to hand out compliments easily, singled out his defensive play in the second half of Game 4 against the Mavericks as the key to the 84-82 win.

Now, Fernandez looks forward to the summer and accomplishing great things with Spain in Lithuania.

"I will play with Spain at EuroBasket," he confirmed. "It's very important for us to qualify for the Olympics.

"I have to be there with them, to represent my country."

Check out what Rudy had to say after the Blazers season came to an end

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