Meet Real Madrid's New Point Guard

[Nikolokolus]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/05/pritchard_the_puzzle_master.html

Sweet relief is nearer than you think guys:

One player who appears to desire an exit is Sergio Rodriguez. After an up-and-down third season that featured 13 starts and a productive final two weeks of the regular season, the backup point guard was an afterthought in the postseason, when he played 5:28 per game. Rodriguez said he was proud of his personal growth, pleased to be part of a team that returned to the playoffs and generally "happy all year." But he also longs for a change -- at the least in playing style, at the most in scenery.

"I don't know what my future (is) going to be," Rodriguez said. "I think something is going to happen, either a trade, or something. But I think for me, I feel like I need a change. I need to play a different way. I really enjoy playing three years here. But I think I need something (different). I feel after three years, I need a change."

Maris isn't going to like this I'd wager

 

[julius]

I know the change that Sergio needs.

An outside shot that falls once in a while.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't think Sergio grasps that you have to be able to do more than pass the ball if you want to play in the NBA.

 

[Fender]

Damn, that's a surprise

 

[Mediocre Man]

Now if we could get Outlaw, Blake and Nate to have that drive to leave we would be golden.

 

[illmatic99]

Watch him flourish in GS or NY next season.

 

[THE HCP]

He would be sweet at GS! No need to play any "D"!

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Now if we could get Outlaw, Blake and Nate to have that drive to leave we would be golden.

LMAO. Good guy man, I support your cause.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Watch him flourish in GS or NY next season.

If by "flourish" you mean stuff the stat sheet with assists and turnovers that lead to more losses than victories then I'm inclined to agree. I don't hate Sergio, I just hate his overall game, best of luck to him under D'Antoni or Nelson who both like their players to be shooters.

 

[RoyToy]

Watch him flourish in GS or NY next season.

On a team that won't make the playoffs, yeah, or expected to. Easy to give Sergio minutes in that situation.

Sergio is a good guy it seems but he's just not very good, and his upside is limited.

 

[Ed O]

I think it's silly to hope that Sergio would go to Europe. He's 22 years old and has an extraordinary skill: passing the basketball.

Was he a great backup? No. Is he a perfect player? No way.

But he's young and he's got good size and he, in my opinion, still has potential to improve. Compare him, for example, to Jose Calderon at a similar age.

I just don't understand why there's so much antipathy towards him to the point where people want him to be gone for nothing.

Ed O.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I think it's silly to hope that Sergio would go to Europe. He's 22 years old and has an extraordinary skill: passing the basketball.

Was he a great backup? No. Is he a perfect player? No way.

But he's young and he's got good size and he, in my opinion, still has potential to improve. Compare him, for example, to Jose Calderon at a similar age.

I just don't understand why there's so much antipathy towards him to the point where people want him to be gone for nothing.

Ed O.

Probably a lot of the antipathy stems from the perception that he is "blocking" Bayless. Another factor is that he is so good as a passer, people can't understand why the rest of his game is so weak. Frankly, it makes me question his work ethic/commitment to improvement.

 

[La Bomba]

Awesome, I'm a Real Madrid fan and Raul Lopez has been slaking lately so I'll gladly take Sergio.

 

[speeds]

Madrid is kickass and a great place for any athlete to be, but I think one taste of the NBA is enough to get a young guy like him hooked...

 

[Shooter]

I know the change that Sergio needs.

An outside shot that falls once in a while.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think it's silly to hope that Sergio would go to Europe. He's 22 years old and has an extraordinary skill: passing the basketball.

Was he a great backup? No. Is he a perfect player? No way.

But he's young and he's got good size and he, in my opinion, still has potential to improve. Compare him, for example, to Jose Calderon at a similar age.

I just don't understand why there's so much antipathy towards him to the point where people want him to be gone for nothing.

Ed O.

The Real Madrid thing was a joke, but being a little bit 'happy' (not quite the right word, but I'll go with it for now) that he might be gone next season and my lack of love for his game has been hard for me to nail down.

I think it comes down to this: Aside from the complaints about obvious deficiencies in his game, there's just something wrong with his demeanor and court presence (the hang-dog expressions and horrendous body language when he comes out of games) that scream 'pouter' and 'loser' to me ... I know that's a pretty subjective judgment and really has nothing to do with talent, but that's my gut level reaction to him.

 

[Minstrel]

If Sergio just had a jumpshot he'd be Jose' Calderon. Unfortunately, he doesn't. If Sergio could just finish at the rim, in traffic, or draw fouls, he'd be good. However, since he can't shoot, can't finish, and can't play D, he's the Spanish Telfair.

Perfect comparison. Great passing skills and handles, but nothing else going for him.

It's possible to make a living in the NBA like that (Telfair is), but hard to be a good player.

 

[Natebishop3]

If he was a great passer and a lockdown defender, I'd be much more willing to forgive his weaknesses.

 

[andalusian]

But he's young and he's got good size and he, in my opinion, still has potential to improve. Compare him, for example, to Jose Calderon at a similar age.

I just don't understand why there's so much antipathy towards him to the point where people want him to be gone for nothing.

Because he is an empty-stat guy. He has beautiful court awareness and passing ability that make people ignore how bad his impact on the team really is - but when Sergio is on the floor - the Blazer's win% is 38% which is atrocious. Even Travis - with his ugly +/- and bone-head moves has a 60% win%.

Having Sergio on the court is not a good thing. Simple as that. The guy might get better - but he has so many holes in his game and his domination of the ball is so bad for the team - that he is just a detriment.

 

[andalusian]

Perfect comparison. Great passing skills and handles, but nothing else going for him.

It's possible to make a living in the NBA like that (Telfair is), but hard to be a good player.

Actually - this is not a good comparison - JC is a low-turnover guy. Sergio is a very high-turnover guy. Even if Sergio had JC's shot - he would still not be as good a player as him.

 

[Minstrel]

Actually - this is not a good comparison - JC is a low-turnover guy. Sergio is a very high-turnover guy. Even if Sergio had JC's shot - he would still not be as good a player as him.

I think you misunderstood what I was responding to. I meant that his comparison of Sergio to Telfair was very good. I did explicitly mention Telfair in my post.

 

[bigbailes]

i understand why people don't like his game, but if you don't like his attitude than i hope you say the same thing about bayless. after blake came back he was downright pouting on the bench and not the joviel/jumping up and down, guy that he was early in the season. fact is, all these guys want to play and they are pissed when they don't. this isn't a great situation for sergio, with nate and his slow down style, i hope he suceeeds where ever he is next season (and i still really hope it's in PDX)

 

[Natebishop3]

i understand why people don't like his game, but if you don't like his attitude than i hope you say the same thing about bayless. after blake came back he was downright pouting on the bench and not the joviel/jumping up and down, guy that he was early in the season. fact is, all these guys want to play and they are pissed when they don't. this isn't a great situation for sergio, with nate and his slow down style, i hope he suceeeds where ever he is next season (and i still really hope it's in PDX)

Personally, I hate the slow down pace.

 

[shamelessblazer]

Count me as a Sergio fan but I think his time in Portland is done, and I think it's a shame too because he's a perfect 15mpg change of pace point. Sets up teammates really well, he's inconsistent but who isn't at his age, and he plays with a bunch of misfits and limited players (I'm looking at you Outlaw, Frye and Pryzbilla) of whom Travis does his own thing, and Frye and Pryzbilla you really have to work to help them score. I think if we would've seen more Sergio/Rudy/Aldridge lineups his stats would've been up, and Blake looks like shit just as often.

I'm pushing for a Sergio/Outlaw package to NY for their #8 and filler I suppose (all their fillers suck ass though).

 

[B-Roy]

i understand why people don't like his game, but if you don't like his attitude than i hope you say the same thing about bayless. after blake came back he was downright pouting on the bench and not the joviel/jumping up and down, guy that he was early in the season. fact is, all these guys want to play and they are pissed when they don't. this isn't a great situation for sergio, with nate and his slow down style, i hope he suceeeds where ever he is next season (and i still really hope it's in PDX)

Are we watching the same game? Bayless on the bench has been the same through out the season.

 

[bigbailes]

hahahaha...i guess not, try taking the bayless is the future sunglasses off. he was very cheery at the start but after blake came back and bayless realized he was destined to ride the pine his demeanor changed.

 

[bigbailes]

Personally, I hate the slow down pace.

to me the biggest mystery of the season is what is coming out of nates mouth on the sidelines the last few weeks of the season and the pace that we played at. he seemed to be yelling at them to push the ball but they never seemed to take off and go. we saw at the end of the year at home they seemed to be able to get out and run but that was about it.

is it nate saying one thing but teaching another?
is it brandon/blake that just don't feel comfortable running?

 

[hypnosmurf]

I know the change that Sergio needs.

An outside shot that falls once in a while.

As a starter Sergio shot fg%44.3 3fg%46.2

I think he just needs some constant playing time and a coach that will give him a little leeway. He would be great in NY or GS.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

If it's a choice between Blake going and Sergio going, it's Blake every time for me. Blake is not great at anything. He's eminently replaceable. Sergio is has by far the best court vision on the team.

 

[RayDavies]

Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.

Nik is right on saying Serg would be great at racking up stats in a (mostly losing) running team. He seems like a good guy and when he gets aggressive he is a decent player. As has been mentioned in this thread, he won't amount to much anywhere unless his outside shot improves drastically. He is very quick and can get to the hole IF defenders have to respect his shot.

Currently, they don't.