Sauce

[Scalma]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...rail_blazers_give_nik_stauskas_aka_sauce.html

After a prolific college career, Stauskas was selected No. 8 overall in the 2014 draft by the Sacramento Kings , and it seemed like he was on his way to earning a chance for that three-point face-off.

But there was a lion-sized problem: The Kings were a chaotic mess. Two months into his rookie season, coach Mike Malone was fired and assistant Ty Corbin was promoted to interim coach. Two months after that, George Karl replaced Corbin. By the end of Stauskas' rookie season, the Kings had finished with the third-worst record in the Western Conference and Stauskas had played for three coaches.

"It was crazy," Stauskas said. "I just remember wondering: 'Is this how it is in the NBA? Is this how it is for everyone?' I would look at other teams and it looked like they were having so much fun. I'm like, 'I'm not having that much fun. I wish I could experience that.'"

Things only got worse. The following summer, Stauskas was traded to thePhiladelphia 76ers , who were in the midst of "The Process." Stauskas saw an uptick in playing time and production -- he averaged 9.5 points, 2.4 assists and shot 37 percent from three-point range in 80 games during his second season with the 76ers -- but competed on some historically bad teams. His first year in Philadelphia, the 76ers finished with the second-worst record in NBA history (10-72).

In college, Stauskas grew accustomed to playing in marquee games before sold-out arenas. He feasted off the emotion and the moment. His college highlights don't just include driving baseline dunks over Florida State defenders, powerful two-handed jams against Northwestern and three-pointer after three-pointer after three-pointer. They also include plenty of passion, complete with celebratory chest-bumping, first-pumping, screaming and flexing.

"When I was coming out of college, my whole career, I was a guy that played off of emotion," Stauskas said. "My confidence and my swagger came off of emotion. There was nothing more I enjoyed than playing in close games in front of big crowds where everything was on the line. I perform better in those situations. When I got to Philly, I feel like I lost my swagger. It's hard when you're down by 25 in the fourth quarter ... to hit a shot and get hyped up about it. It's hard to play with swagger, because everyone looks at you like, 'Dude, you're down 25 points. What are you doing? Why are you talking trash? You look like an idiot?'"

Homes games in Philadelphia were littered with empty seats. And the few fans who did show up often booed.

"It took a lot of the joy out of the game," Stauskas said. "Part of the reason I play basketball is because I love those big moments, I love the heat of the moment. And I kind of had that taken away over the last four years, playing on the teams I played on. It was really difficult. For me, that's honestly been the biggest challenge of my NBA career, finding the balance of playing with swagger and confidence -- creating my own energy -- when it's not there in an actual game."
—————-

Cool article on Castillo. Thought the above part stood out. Sounds like the anti Meyers. Wants the big moments. Also this:
—————

"I can knock down shots," Stauskas said. "But that's not how I'm most effective. I'm most effective when I'm making plays and I'm active and I'm being aggressive, when I'm looking to attack and get to the basket. That's when I feel like I'm playing with confidence and swagger."

 

[Propagandist]

Historically Portland loves players that play hard. After going to one preseason game I was sold on Staukas because he plays determined. I like guys that care. And if he needs crowd energy, he'll get it here.

 

[Scalma]

Hope Terry gives him the freedom to play like this on a consistent basis.

 

[BonesJones]

He's the white MJ mixed with the white LeBron mixed with sauce.

 

[ripcityboy]

Our bench isn't going to be one of the better ones in the league so we need him for quick scoring, preferably from the three point line. Hopefully he can provide that.

 

[Scalma]

https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/portland-trail-blazers/more-just-shooter-nik-stauskas-has-game

TUALATIN - We’ve heard and we’ve seen it -- Trail Blazers wing Nik Stauskas is a pure shooter. But for Stauskas, he has being dealing with the label of “just a shooter” all of his life.

“It’s always been like a joke, people always seem to be like, ‘ohhh he’s not just a shooter’ ever since I was in college at Michigan. Every commentator would say that,” Stauskas said.


In Sunday’s home preseason game vs. Utah, the 25-year old wing had a juke move to get Jazz rookie Greysen Allen off balance, which led to Stauskas blowing by him through an open lane and finishing with the two-hand jam. Stauskas scored eight points on 50% shooting from the field, with none of his points coming from behind the arc in the Blazers loss to Utah.

Stauskas’ not only surprised the media and Blazers fans with his aggressive attack to the rim in various possessions on Sunday, he also surprised his teammates.

“I knew he could run, but I thought he was just a shooter. It’s good to see him having a good time,” Jusuf Nurkic said after practice on Monday.

Evan Turner has been working a lot with Stauskas. He offered up that there might be a reason why Stauskas isn’t attacking the rim as much in practice.

“We foul a lot in practice, I don’t think anybody’s really gotten to the rim, which has made attacking the rim in the game, pretty easy,” Turner said with a smile.

All joking aside, Turner knows that Stauskas having no fear is what could help him crack the rotation.

“He’s definitely unassuming in a sense of his athletic ability. He’s got bounce, his got a nice handle to him, when he’s hitting threes, it makes him tough to guard. He’s not scared to take into the paint. He’s not scared to try and go up and finish on somebody,” Turner said.

One person, who is not surprised by the University of Michigan alum’s ability to drive to the paint and finish, is Blazers head coach Terry Stotts.

“When he got here, obviously everybody talked about his three-point shooting and he’s an excellent shooter, but he has a lot of stuff to his game—he can handle, he's explosive to the rim, he can run the court, he moves well without the ball, he’s adjusting to our system and how we play,” Stotts said.

In the preseason, Stauskas has made it clear to the media that he has learned a lot and is appreciative to be on a playoff team after playing for Sacramento, Philadelphia and Brooklyn in his short 4-year career.

Stauskas is starting to put it all together in Coach Stott’s system and that’s what the Moda Center crowd got a chance to see on Sunday night.

“I think honestly, it’s just this offense, it’s me getting comfortable in this offense. I’ve preached over and over again, I think this offense puts guards in a position to just constantly be moving without the ball. The defense is going to break down that gives you opportunities to attack, you know last night, I just happened to have a couple opportunities to attack and make plays,” Stauskas said.

What the Blazers rotation will look like this upcoming season is still a question mark, but Stauskas does know where is bread and butter will always be, but he also wants Rip City to know that he isn’t just a one-dimensional player.

“Obviously, three-point shooting is something that I bring to the table and it’s probably my best strength, but I think of myself as an overall basketball player, someone who can go out there and make plays. So, putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim is something I feel comfortable with.”

Whether it’s handles and aggressive take to the hoop or showing off his range, there’s really just one thing Stauskas is looking to do this season: “My main goal is to just play meaningful minutes for this team.”

 

[Boob-No-More]

I know a lot of people shit all over Olshey when he signed Stauskas, but it was a typical Olshey signing of an undervalued player who had not been put in a position to succeed. He got him for the min salary. So, any playing time he gets and any contributions he makes justify his signing. If he cracks the rotation, it was an excellent signing. I fully expect him to have the best season of his career, but given the sseasons he's had so far, that's not really saying much.

Not only does SAC draft poorly, they also do a shitty job developing the talent they draft. I'm sure Stauskas is glad to be out of there. The teams he's played on have won 29, 10, 28 and 28 games. I'm sure he's thrilled to finally be playing on a winning team in front of one of the best home crowds in the NBA.

BNM

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I know a lot of people shit all over Olshey when he signed Stauskas, but it was a typical Olshey signing of an undervalued player who had not been put in a position to succeed. He got him for the min salary. So, any playing time he gets and any contributions he makes justify his signing. If he cracks the rotation, it was an excellent signing. I fully expect him to have the best season of his career, but given the sseasons he's had so far, that's not really saying much.

Not only does SAC draft poorly, they also do a shitty job developing the talent they draft. I'm sure Stauskas is glad to be out of there. The teams he's played on have won 29, 10, 28 and 28 games. I'm sure he's thrilled to finally be playing on a winning team in front of one of the best home crowds in the NBA.

BNM

I can only speak for myself but the problem I had with the signing was almost entirely timing. It was just... Strange. I know they didnt have much to work with but it appeared like they targeted him. That was their move. Sign him a week or two later and I bet most of us wouldve just been like, “eh ok”. Instead we hear Within about an hour or so of FA that Davis went to Brooklyn for basically nothing and we signed a guy that most of us had forgot was even in the NBA.

Now who knows Stauskus could end being a great pick up, but at least for me it was mostly timing that lead to my initial reaction.

 

[rotary111]

This video was what made me think he was going to be a good pick.

He's kind of hard not to root for. You just can't have too many shooters.

 

[THE HCP]

The teams he's played on have won 29, 10, 28 and 28 games. I'm sure he's thrilled to finally be playing on a winning team in front of one of the best home crowds in the NBA.

BNM

He is playing for the Blazers though. #40Wins

 

[Strenuus]

I know a lot of people shit all over Olshey when he signed Stauskas, but it was a typical Olshey signing of an undervalued player who had not been put in a position to succeed. He got him for the min salary. So, any playing time he gets and any contributions he makes justify his signing. If he cracks the rotation, it was an excellent signing. I fully expect him to have the best season of his career, but given the sseasons he's had so far, that's not really saying much.

Not only does SAC draft poorly, they also do a shitty job developing the talent they draft. I'm sure Stauskas is glad to be out of there. The teams he's played on have won 29, 10, 28 and 28 games. I'm sure he's thrilled to finally be playing on a winning team in front of one of the best home crowds in the NBA.

BNM

A lot of people did because of the timing"Why Stauskas... we just let Ed go and we go and get a guard when our front line is now depleted?"

 

[mook]

Patty Mills, Connaughton, Napier, Crabbe, Tim Frazier...and even Dame and CJ... Portland may be the best place in the league to boost your stock as an undervalued guard and go out and get paid. It's the natural outcome of Olshey's bargain-bin talents and Stotts' guard-heavy offense, sprinkled in with a year under the wings of Dame/CJ to show you how to get it done. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the agents for Curry and Sauce specifically pointed this out.

Portland has always had a miserable time acquiring free agents, so it's kind of interesting to see that our team is becoming a magnet for a certain type of player.

Seems like we have the same problem with Sauce that we do with Baldwin and Curry. Best case scenario is that they do really well and will get offered a lot more in the offseason. Without Bird Rights and just a 1 year contract, the only reason any of them re-sign with us is out of loyalty. Loyalty doesn't get you far. Given that we have star guards ahead of them, they'll likely find their way to another team. I guess you just have to hope Olshey can keep filling the pipeline.

 

[James lamphear]

The problem is not his offense but the other end of the court. But then I got a thinking that the problem with majority of our guards. Yes some have improved but we don't have know one is actually a lock down defender. But lucky we got Nurk and Zach to help them out.

 

[illmatic99]

https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/portland-trail-blazers/more-just-shooter-nik-stauskas-has-game

TUALATIN - We’ve heard and we’ve seen it -- Trail Blazers wing Nik Stauskas is a pure shooter. But for Stauskas, he has being dealing with the label of “just a shooter” all of his life.

“It’s always been like a joke, people always seem to be like, ‘ohhh he’s not just a shooter’ ever since I was in college at Michigan. Every commentator would say that,” Stauskas said.


In Sunday’s home preseason game vs. Utah, the 25-year old wing had a juke move to get Jazz rookie Greysen Allen off balance, which led to Stauskas blowing by him through an open lane and finishing with the two-hand jam. Stauskas scored eight points on 50% shooting from the field, with none of his points coming from behind the arc in the Blazers loss to Utah.

Stauskas’ not only surprised the media and Blazers fans with his aggressive attack to the rim in various possessions on Sunday, he also surprised his teammates.

“I knew he could run, but I thought he was just a shooter. It’s good to see him having a good time,” Jusuf Nurkic said after practice on Monday.

Evan Turner has been working a lot with Stauskas. He offered up that there might be a reason why Stauskas isn’t attacking the rim as much in practice.

“We foul a lot in practice, I don’t think anybody’s really gotten to the rim, which has made attacking the rim in the game, pretty easy,” Turner said with a smile.

All joking aside, Turner knows that Stauskas having no fear is what could help him crack the rotation.

“He’s definitely unassuming in a sense of his athletic ability. He’s got bounce, his got a nice handle to him, when he’s hitting threes, it makes him tough to guard. He’s not scared to take into the paint. He’s not scared to try and go up and finish on somebody,” Turner said.

One person, who is not surprised by the University of Michigan alum’s ability to drive to the paint and finish, is Blazers head coach Terry Stotts.

“When he got here, obviously everybody talked about his three-point shooting and he’s an excellent shooter, but he has a lot of stuff to his game—he can handle, he's explosive to the rim, he can run the court, he moves well without the ball, he’s adjusting to our system and how we play,” Stotts said.

In the preseason, Stauskas has made it clear to the media that he has learned a lot and is appreciative to be on a playoff team after playing for Sacramento, Philadelphia and Brooklyn in his short 4-year career.

Stauskas is starting to put it all together in Coach Stott’s system and that’s what the Moda Center crowd got a chance to see on Sunday night.

“I think honestly, it’s just this offense, it’s me getting comfortable in this offense. I’ve preached over and over again, I think this offense puts guards in a position to just constantly be moving without the ball. The defense is going to break down that gives you opportunities to attack, you know last night, I just happened to have a couple opportunities to attack and make plays,” Stauskas said.

What the Blazers rotation will look like this upcoming season is still a question mark, but Stauskas does know where is bread and butter will always be, but he also wants Rip City to know that he isn’t just a one-dimensional player.

“Obviously, three-point shooting is something that I bring to the table and it’s probably my best strength, but I think of myself as an overall basketball player, someone who can go out there and make plays. So, putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim is something I feel comfortable with.”

Whether it’s handles and aggressive take to the hoop or showing off his range, there’s really just one thing Stauskas is looking to do this season: “My main goal is to just play meaningful minutes for this team.”

Did a fourth grader write this? Holy hell, the typos.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Did a fourth grader write this? Holy hell, the typos.

My posts on here exceptionally bad so I dont really comment on others mistakes about grammar and spelling. Im not a journalist though.

 

[TBpup]

Did a fourth grader write this? Holy hell, the typos.

Jamie Hudson is young...but not quite a 4th grader.

 

[Propagandist]

Did a fourth grader write this? Holy hell, the typos.

As a father of a fourth grade I'm saying yes definitely a fourth grader wrote this.

 

[illmatic99]

My posts on here exceptionally bad so I dont really comment on others mistakes about grammar and spelling. Im not a journalist though.

Just get baffled at how little editing happens these days. Chris Haynes was the worst (Joe Freeman isn't far behind) and now he's a national bigshot. Crazy

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Just get baffled at how little editing happens these days. Chris Haynes was the worst (Joe Freeman isn't far behind) and now he's a national bigshot. Crazy

Especially with the technology available to assist in that stuff, if you’re a professional there really isnt a good excuse to publish stuff with that many errors, I agree. Like I said I reread my own posts on here from time to time and cringe, so i try not to be too hard on others for it.

 

[Propagandist]

Just get baffled at how little editing happens these days. Chris Haynes was the worst (Joe Freeman isn't far behind) and now he's a national bigshot. Crazy

I agree. Nearly every single article these days. It used to weird me out. Now I just think people don't care.

 

[andalusian]

I can only speak for myself but the problem I had with the signing was almost entirely timing.

If they really like him - the timing makes sense - why wait and hope he falls through the cracks? They were going to get some minimum salary guy anyway, why not get one they like early instead of getting whoever is available from the reject heap?

 

[jlprk]

You heard it here first. By midseason, Stauskas is a starter.

C
Jusuf Nurkic
Zach Collins
Meyers Leonard
PF
Al-Farouq Aminu
Caleb Swanigan
Moe Harkless
SF
Nik Stauskas
Evan Turner
Jake Layman
SG
C.J. McCollum
Seth Curry
Gary Trent Jr.
PG
Damian Lillard
Wade Baldwin IV
Anfernee Simons

 

[illmatic99]

You heard it here first. By midseason, Stauskas is a starter.

C
Jusuf Nurkic
Zach Collins
Meyers Leonard
PF
Al-Farouq Aminu
Caleb Swanigan
Moe Harkless
SF
Nik Stauskas
Evan Turner
Jake Layman
SG
C.J. McCollum
Seth Curry
Gary Trent Jr.
PG
Damian Lillard
Wade Baldwin IV
Anfernee Simons

I think he should start opening night. He can shoot, handle, and isn't totally lost on defense.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

If they really like him - the timing makes sense - why wait and hope he falls through the cracks? They were going to get some minimum salary guy anyway, why not get one they like early instead of getting whoever is available from the reject heap?

Absolutely, but because of the timing it FEELS like a Sauce for Davis trade, which is unappealing even if only for positional reasons.

 

[BBert]

Hope Terry gives him the freedom to play like this on a consistent basis.

Hahaha good joke.

If the past predicts the future, Terry will take Stauskas out of his game and tell him to pitch a tent in the corner.

 

[Pinwheel1]

You heard it here first. By midseason, Stauskas is a starter.

C
Jusuf Nurkic
Zach Collins
Meyers Leonard
PF
Al-Farouq Aminu
Caleb Swanigan
Moe Harkless
SF
Nik Stauskas
Evan Turner
Jake Layman
SG
C.J. McCollum
Seth Curry
Gary Trent Jr.
PG
Damian Lillard
Wade Baldwin IV
Anfernee Simons

I do like having that extra starter who can spread the floor for Dame, CJ, and Nurk

Not a bad list but I think Harkless is too low on it. I do not have a problem with him at PF, but I would put him ahead of Swanigan.
And I wonder if Baldwin and ET can co-exist on the 2nd unit. Although it could be a good defensive unit along with Collins and Harkless.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Another Leonard. If he played as well as he makes excuses, he'd be an all-star. At least Ole' didn't pay this one like an all-star.

 

[jlprk]

Not a bad list but I think Harkless is too low on it.

My roster assumes he'll stay injured.

July 28!

By the end of the season, Nik Stauskas will be the starting SF. Book it.

August 30!

I have Stauskas as our starting SF.
You know how I say that we need a true SF so badly that Olshey should just convert a 6-6 guard? He reads my posts.

 

[jlprk]

I can only speak for myself but the problem I had with the signing was almost entirely timing. It was just... Strange. I know they didnt have much to work with but it appeared like they targeted him. That was their move. Sign him a week or two later and I bet most of us wouldve just been like, “eh ok”. Instead we hear Within about an hour or so of FA that Davis went to Brooklyn for basically nothing and we signed a guy that most of us had forgot was even in the NBA.

Now who knows Stauskus could end being a great pick up, but at least for me it was mostly timing that lead to my initial reaction.

A lot of people did because of the timing"Why Stauskas... we just let Ed go and we go and get a guard when our front line is now depleted?"

Here's how a top-flight writer would word your idea.

http://www.sportstwo.com/posts/4515465/

 

[hoopsjock]

Patty Mills, Connaughton, Napier, Crabbe, Tim Frazier...and even Dame and CJ... Portland may be the best place in the league to boost your stock as an undervalued guard and go out and get paid. It's the natural outcome of Olshey's bargain-bin talents and Stotts' guard-heavy offense, sprinkled in with a year under the wings of Dame/CJ to show you how to get it done. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the agents for Curry and Sauce specifically pointed this out.

Portland has always had a miserable time acquiring free agents, so it's kind of interesting to see that our team is becoming a magnet for a certain type of player.

Seems like we have the same problem with Sauce that we do with Baldwin and Curry. Best case scenario is that they do really well and will get offered a lot more in the offseason. Without Bird Rights and just a 1 year contract, the only reason any of them re-sign with us is out of loyalty. Loyalty doesn't get you far. Given that we have star guards ahead of them, they'll likely find their way to another team. I guess you just have to hope Olshey can keep filling the pipeline.

We do have Baldwin's Early Bird Rights so re-signing him shouldn't be a problem even if he plays well. We'd also have the MLE to offer one of Curry or Stauskas if we want to keep one. So it seems logical that we could keep at least 2 of the 3 if we want. I'll gladly take the scenario that all 3 play well this year and we have to figure out a way to try and keep them over them not being worth signing next year. If all 3 are playing well we could also trade one of them at the deadline for some front court help.