Sergio...Getting It?

by Dave on Oct 13, 2008 12:08 PM PDT Comment 40 comments

I will preface this post, and I should probably put the following in bold, that the pre-season is littered with turn-around stories that never really materialize. It's a staple of early autumn media reporting. The new leaf gets turned so much in September and October you could use it to power your speedboat. Caveat emptor.

However, Joe Freeman has a nice piece over at O-Live today on the transformation of Sergio's outlook. I mention it because if Sergio is going to be come a regular NBA player, this is exactly the kind of thing he's going to have to commit to. It's also the kind of thing that we've been talking about for the last year or so and I imagine the kind of thing the coaching staff has been telling him. If this experiment turns out to be demonstrably repeatable and Sergio does earn a spot in the rotation, you have to give a lot of credit to him...not because of his skills and talent, but because he's started to get it: defensive intensity, attention to detail, practice and repetition, focus on what you have yet to do instead of what you thought you could do or what you just did. Bravo.

--Dave

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UPDATE: Brian Hendrickson also has a recent Sergio piece. Double your pleasure. Double your fun.

-- Ben

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Thanks Dave

I’m still not sold on Sergio. I’ve been saying all along that his days are numbered here. I think he has a legitimate shot in the NBA, I just wonder if it is with this team. I wish him the best though, he’s fun to watch.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision and a poet's heart.

by tominhawaii on Oct 13, 2008 12:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is his year to shine in the second unit.

Sergio and Rudy will be happy fun time.

by Sabonis4Ever on Oct 13, 2008 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I likes me Happy Fun Time

I just had a nap

"You're really making me feel good about myself, little man," says Oden as he starts dancing after scoring a goal. "You better come harder than that."

by BlueBooYay on Oct 13, 2008 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does that mean you won't be grumpy?

Grumpy about Sergio’s playing time this season.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision and a poet's heart.

by tominhawaii on Oct 13, 2008 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dave...question for you

I know that preseason can be fools gold….but if Sergio were to bring this kinda play into the regular season, would the Blazers keep him? I mean is that the style of play and amount of production that would fit with this team??

"I figured out how to get the canoe down the mountain, but I will need a snow blower and all your butter"-Michael Kelso

by 92wastheyear on Oct 13, 2008 12:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Given what we've seen so far

Sergio will get a chance in the regular season. If he can produce, there’s room ahead of him at point guard. The Blazers will keep him unless they get an offer that’s more valuable to them. The better he plays the higher the bar on that offer goes. Mostly Sergio just needs to take advantage of the opportunities he’s going to get and show consistently that he merits them and deserves more. If he plays hard and smart defensively and isn’t totally inept on his shot nobody will be able to keep him off of the floor. But as we said a couple posts ago, consistency is the key. He can’t have one good night (or week, or pre-season) followed by a few bad ones and expect to see a bigger role. That’s not to say he has to be perfect to play, but the mental side, effort, and desire have to be there.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 13, 2008 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In light of your excellent "NBA Players"post recently . . .

. . . you might wanna amend “The better he plays, the higher the bar on that offer goes” to read
“The more consistently he plays this well, the higher the bar goes.”

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Oct 13, 2008 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come on Sergio!!!

Stick with it darn it, I want to see you and Rudy’s alley-oop sweetness all the time.

When asked about his thoughts during the Olympic games about playing against Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard, Rudy responded "My first thought was respect. My second thought was to kick their ass".

Man I love him.

by twiggs on Oct 13, 2008 12:27 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

The minutes are helping.

I really like most of Sergio’s game. I can’t help but pull for him. A nice passer that pushes the ball, but sloppy at times. Risk-reward. Anyway, as much as I’d like him to succeed, I more interested in the teams overall success more than his. I’ll be watching Sergio with interest, but as a sideline.

I am trying to prepare myself to be realistic about the start of the season. The Blazers have a rigorous start to their season. I am cautiously optimistic that early stumbles won’t get them down. I look for them to slowly build momentum, much like last year, but not fall off so much as the season winds down. The realist in me predicts 47-49 wins, and the 7-8th seed in the west. Better than that is simply …better, but we shall see. I am not competent enough to be more specific in my prediction.

This isn't the Lakers,...
"Its not Show time. It's GO time!"

by GameFace on Oct 13, 2008 12:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Misconception of last year

The minutes are not what is making the difference. He is earning the minutes by turning other aspects of his game into positives. He isn’t magically playing better because he is out on the floor. He worked on his shot, his defense, and is trying to do what his coaches are asking him to do. He is seeing more time on the court because he is being productive, not the other way around.

PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04

by tssbro on Oct 13, 2008 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he is making a breakthrough . . .

. . . then credit must also go to the coaching staff, especially Nate.

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Oct 13, 2008 12:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

also credit Rudy

I think having Rudy on the team has benefited Sergio just as much (if not more) than having Sergio has helped Rudy.

by longzilla on Oct 13, 2008 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

And to Ricky Rubio.

If Sergio had maden the spanish national team ( because of Ricky was not better than him) two key things wouldn’t have happened. Firstly he would have spent the summer with Spanish team not using the spare time to improve as it seems he have used and secondly he wouldn’t have been hurt by not being in the spanish roster. If this is true, it says a lot of him. He didn’t fall but motivated him to improve.

by cbp on Oct 13, 2008 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

By the way...

It was Raúl López who took his spot in the Spanish National Team. Ricky Rubio Took Carlos Cabezas’ Spot. Spain has quite good point guards and this means that if you don’t play in the regular season you are out of the Spanish Team (Garbajosa played because there wasn’t a solid backup Power Forward).

I like Sergio, but Ricky Rubio is a better player. He has played quite well in the Olympics regarding his age, but he can play much better (as we could see in Spain last season). He’ll be in the NBA soon, and you’ll see his real level. He is an amazing player, much better than we saw in the Olympics. He is unbelievable.

by Bend3r on Oct 13, 2008 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Know.

So far if he develops as he is doingfor the last 3 seasons he will not only be the best spaniard ever in the NBA but the best europenplayer to play NBA (yes I say he will be better than Nowitzki). Bu let the time goes by to see if I’m right.

As for your comments on spanish team, you have a deep knowledge but I wouldn’t say Ricky took Carlos Cabezas’ spot. Maybe it is not true what I implied too but Carlos Cabezas is older than Sergio so I decided by my own Raul took Carlos Cabezas’ spot because Raul is older than Ricky.

As for Garbajosa is not just there wasn’t a solid backup PF but Garbajosa is an unique player due to his intangibles. I hope Victor Claver to develop to backup Garbajosa in the national team in the next future.

by cbp on Oct 14, 2008 3:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, it's a point of view

My point of view is based on minutes on court:

Cabezas: 2nd PG -→ Ricky 2nd PG
Sergio: 3rd PG -→ Raúl 3rd PG

I think that if Sergio had played regularly in the Blazers Spain would play with Calderon/Ricky/Sergio in the point.

And regarding Claver I can’t see him in the role of Garbajosa in the next couple of years, maybe in the future, but it’s complicated. I think when Ricky, Rudy and Marc are the key players of Spain there will be a huge difference between them and the rest of the team. I can’t see solid players like Garbajosa,Berni, Mumbrú, Reyes or Jimenez (he has no substitute and he is a KEY player) in the Spanish young players. We are living a unique generation of Spanish basketball players and I think Claver, Trías or Sada are not going to fulfill the expectations around them.

by Bend3r on Oct 14, 2008 6:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you are spanish. You can hardly can say who was the backup of Calderon with Pepu (the minutes of both were very similar).

The BE fans are very interested on the spanish feed regarding their spanish players so you will be very welcome.

Yes Carlangas is going to be a very important missing the next competitions. Even more important than Rudy as Rudy can be replaced by Navarro but there is nobody as Carlangas. And yes it is an unique generation but Ricky is an unique player

by cbp on Oct 14, 2008 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Similar playing time in the worlds...

…but not in the euros, where Sergio barely played.

by Bend3r on Oct 14, 2008 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's playing better in his no-Rudy time than I anticipated.

I expected his performance WITH Rudy would be an improvement,
but his non-Rudy performance is also up, and by almost as much.

Not sure how much positive impact Rudy has on Sergio’s Rudy-less play,
but I could see that happening, just from Sergio having a more comfortable personal setting.

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Oct 13, 2008 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rudy's impact is negligible

I’m sure there will be moments where we see Sergio and Rudy play off of each other to great effect (like the great alley-oop in the game against Sacto) but the fact remains that Rudy has been out of the lineup since the second game and Sergio is holding his own based on his own improved consistency. Just like I was never willing to blame others for Sergio’s struggles last year, I’m reluctant to credit others when he starts to show signs of success.

Let’s give credit where credit is due. Sergio took the initiative to improve his game over the summer and to improve his mental outlook … and this comes from somebody who was a very vocal Sergio detractor (on BBF mostly) Kudos to him.

by nikolokolus on Oct 14, 2008 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sergio loves running. This year Blazers will run more (I hope so). So this year can be the Sergio's year

by cbp on Oct 14, 2008 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Solid

Sergio will be fine. The kid is only 22, right? I haven’t seen a lot of Bayless (haven’t gone to any pre-season games and only seen the one shown on TV) but I’d play Sergio ahead of Jerryd most games. Bayless can easily create his own shot but he doesn’t seem very consistent with it. Sergio has the better court vision. Blake’s going to hold it down anyway, and none of the three are going to make or break the Blazers. Blake is the most consistent (not the most talented) and that is why he is the starter.
That being said, I wish Sergio nothing but luck.

by NBAstard on Oct 13, 2008 1:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The best thing about Sergio's game so far...

…has been his defensive performance against Williams in the Utah game. If he can bring that level of defensive intensity every night and keep a good assist/turnover ratio, then I’m not as concerned about him scoring many points. The occasional 3 to keep the opposition honest would be fine.

If he can show this sort of game this year, then I’ll be sold on Sergio. If not, then it may be time for him to move on down the line.

by DonkeyShins on Oct 13, 2008 1:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not a Buy or Sell, Sergio is a Hold

I’ve been a vocal critic of his play the past year and I’m glad he is showing progress in preseason. The skeptic in me still believes that he cannot hit the outside shot and turns the ball over too much. Teams will adjust in the regular season and force Sergio to make those shots. He hasn’t made the scouts change their report as of yet.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Oct 13, 2008 1:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've also been quick to sell on Sergio.

But I’d gladly be wrong in order to see him contribute to the team. It is still preseason. We’ll see how well he does when the year gets started. I would love to turn my opinion around, and it may happen.

One of Two Official Blazer's Edge Poets Laureate for the 2008-2009 Season

"In vino veritas." - Latin proverb
"Ich sitze hier und trinke mein gutes Wittenbergisch Bier und das Reich Gottes kommt von ganz alleine" - Martin Luther
"μηκέτι ὑδροπότει, ἀλλὰ οἴνῳ ὀλίγῳ χρῶ διὰ τὸν στόμαχον καὶ τὰς πυκνάς σου ἀσθενείας." - 1 Timothy 5:23

by T Darkstar on Oct 13, 2008 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mike D, Antoni's system

Sergio will be in NY, he is perfect for the style that they want to have. I just hope it’s for a high draft choice. There are no players that I’m intrested in on NY with the players we already have. I just don’t see Sergio fitting into a championship type team. Although the Blazers have a developing Batum, but if they could have traded Sergio for Balkman. I don’t know how well Balkman would of fit (I know that Balkman is in Denver now). That MIGHT of been a good trade based on need. You get that defensive stopper at SF.

Inallthetime

by inallthetime on Oct 13, 2008 1:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I love Sergio

But he’s not worth the draft pick NY is likely to get.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision and a poet's heart.

by tominhawaii on Oct 13, 2008 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

by Philthyanimal on Oct 13, 2008 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

david lee

david lee could definitely have a spot on our roster if we had the chance.

by Philthyanimal on Oct 13, 2008 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sergio Sergio Wherefore are't though Sergio

I thought I saw him over the, behind the 3 point line making 2 three’s in a row.
Or was that him at the free throw line, missing two in a row?
Only time will tell which flower will blossom.

A spaniard by any other name, would be Rudy.

# 10 Top Charles Barkley Quote: On the Portland Trail Blazers (back when they were known as the Jail Blazers) serving Thanksgiving meals: "In between arrests they do community service."

by BlazermaniacAndy on Oct 13, 2008 2:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey Andy...you see me at the game?

I was the one wearing the Blazer shirt

"I figured out how to get the canoe down the mountain, but I will need a snow blower and all your butter"-Michael Kelso

by 92wastheyear on Oct 13, 2008 2:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So many players, so little time

Unless we play a lot of 3-guard offense (Rudy, Roy and a point guard) there isn’t going to be much time for Sergio or Bayless. If we stick with Martell/Travis/Batum (and perhaps some Frye) at small forward, I see the 96 minutes at guard distributed something like Roy 38, Rudy 28, Blake 30 at the start of the season. The only minutes for Sergio or Bayless would have to come from Blake, but if Rudy plays really well he could cut into Blake’s minutes first. Nate has already said he doesn’t want to play a guard for only 8-9 minutes a game like he did Sergio last year, and I don’t see Blake’s minutes getting cut below 24 unless his play falls off significantly from last year (40.6% 3-pt shooting, 5.1 assists, 8.5 points). (Blake was a better 3-pt shooter than Webster 40.6% to 38.8%, and only took slightly fewer 3-pt shots per game than Webster. Blake made 1.5 per game, Webster made 1.6.)

I really hope we can make a 3-guard offense work for around 18 minutes a game, which would free up that time for Sergio or Bayless. But even then, I think one of them is going to get moved before the end of the season.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 13, 2008 2:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In two years time

I can easily see Sergio and Jerryd holding down the PG spot, with Steve as insurance. These guys both have more talent than Steve, and if they develop, they could take his minutes.

And I’m very high on Blake. I think we could win a championship with him at the point. But that doesn’t mean these guys can’t beat him out.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 14, 2008 4:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only two true point guards on the team:

Blake and Sergio. No way we’ll send Sergio packing unless another point guard is acquired. And why would we do that? To me Sergio has always shown he is NBA material. He brings a lot to the ~~table.~~ floor.

by TwoDeep on Oct 13, 2008 2:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Strange brew

But I think Sergio and Bayless are going to be very effective together.

by southern oregon on Oct 13, 2008 5:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Lets hope Brandon and Steve dont let it come to that

by Sabonis4Ever on Oct 13, 2008 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Off the bench.

by southern oregon on Oct 14, 2008 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thoughts

Mac says Sergio is ahead of Bayless right now, buy given one is starting his third season, and the other his first, if Sergio wasn’t ahead of Bayless right now, we wouldn’t even be having a conversation about it. I have no personal horse in this race, I just want the Blazers to be the best team – period. One thing that is clear is that Rudy – given Mac’s comments – is going to get minutes. His comments following the Olympics, and then those the other day, made it clear that he intends to have Rudy and Roy on the floor at times with Blake – and that is only going to increase given the injury to Martel. Blake can play point for Rudy/Roy, but Roy can also play some point for Rudy – given Rudy’s passing skills. This virtually guarantees that barring injury, Sergio and Bayless will be in the 4 and 5 slots. In the early going, there may be some extra minutes because the guards will pick up some SF minutes, but downstream, those will evaporate when Martel comes back. Unless, of course, they continue to take minutes from Outlaw/Webster. However, given Batum, then, if that happens, one of those players will likely be traded by the end of the year – or even earlier. After all, if you siphon 10-12 minutes off to the small ball scenerio, and by mid-season have the confidence to give Batum 10-12 minutes, that only leave 24 or so for Outlaw/Webster. And given Nate’s assertion that Batum is NBA ready on defense – I can clearly see times when Nate will put him in for that reason alone.

Then, we’re back to the debate – Sergio or Bayless. One, by the end of the year will likely be gone. Sergio didn’t like the 4 spot in a three guard rotation last year, and he’s not going to like it again this year, although mentally, I think he’ll handle it better. From where I sit, for Sergio to stay long term, he needs to show not that he’s a serviceable 4th guard, but that he actually has the ability to improve enough to take over for Blake, not just back him up. Bayless has the same issue. However, since he’s only 20, he’s also going to have time to work it out.

by Eben Calder on Oct 14, 2008 10:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, but I think this year there will be more time to share because we will win many games almost by the third quarter...

allowing to play the second unit a lot and still increasing the advantage with the second unit. I think nobody will play more than 32 minutes per game average in regular season.

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Oct 14, 2008 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs