PORTLAND (NBA/EuroBasket) - Rudy Fernandez has warned everyone not to "put too much pressure" on his former DKV Joventut teammate and fellow Spain international Ricky Rubio.

The 23-year-old Fernandez, who famously dunked over Dwight Howard in the gold medal game at the Olympics and has played to rave reviews in his first NBA season with the Portland Trail Blazers, was speaking ahead of the All-Star Weekend.

He and Spain center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies will play in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge, and Fernandez will also take part in the dunking contest.

Rubio, 18, who played at the Olympics, is being widely tipped to join the Spanish contingent in the NBA in the near future.

"You cannot put too much pressure on Ricky Rubio," Fernandez said.

"You need to take care of him, let him be the same person he is now because he is bright enough to take his own decisions with his family and he has to fix his own aims."

Fernandez says he couldn't be happier in Portland, a city that has very devoted Blazer fans.

"In Portland everyone has gone overboard to make me feel welcome and to adapt," Fernandez said.

"I am satisfied to have adapted well in the first few months. It´s given me more confidence and little by little, I feel like myself.

"Obviously, I miss the role I had in Europe with DKV Joventut but I am happy.

"To be part of the dunk competition is a great opportunity for me. It´s the first time a European player will take part and I think it´s something really good for basketball in Europe."

Spain will this summer attempt to win the EuroBasket for the first time and Fernandez says the national team is never far from his thoughts.

"I hope to play for the national team always, also to go to the EuroBasket," he said. "If I don´t have any injuries, it´s certain that my club will let me go."

FIBA