Sergio might need 2 go!

by VinnyB on Feb 26, 2008 4:45 AM PST Comment 30 comments

I am getting sick of hearing Nate get upset when a journalist asks him about putting Sergio in the game. Either Sergio just isn't good enough or Nate can't work with Sergio. So I say play Sergio or trade him before his value starts falling. If I had it my way, Sergio would be starting and Jack would have been traded. Does anyone believe that Sergio is the answer to our Point Guard problems? I wish he was but Nate has not shown any faith in the poor guy and I don't think that Sergio is going to suddenly 'get' what Nate wants from him overnight and all their issues will just disappear. Trading Sergio might be addition by subtraction.

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Sick or not...

You're going to have to put up with it at least through the rest of this season... Or you could hope Jack gets injured, then we can see if Sergio really is all that his fans hope.

by ChrisB803 on Feb 26, 2008 6:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Next year

Sergio isn't going to get much burn until next year. Next year, the second unit should be a running unit, with Sergio, Rudy, and Travis. That will be Sergio's time to shine, or flop.

We can't play Sergio's game this year, we don't have the rebounders to start the fast break.

Next year, if Sergio and Rudy click, we'll be devastating, because teams will have to prepare to stop our starters in a half-court game, with Brandon, Greg, and LMA, and for a fast-breaking second unit with super athleticism and Sergio working magic at the point.

Sergio only gets traded this year if the offer is too good to pass up, because his evaluation year is next year.

I'm frequently right, but always certain

by jscot on Feb 26, 2008 7:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

It should be.

Nate has shown no sign that he will countenance his players running at any point.

Free Sergio!

by EnglandDan on Feb 26, 2008 7:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah

Nate's issues with Sergio relate primarily to defense, IMO. I think Nate appreciates Sergio's ability to push tempo and break down defenses. Of course, it would be nice if Sergio could shoot. Hopefully, Sergio will improve in those areas--shooting and D--over the off-season, then prove himself next year.

"Ime caught the guy in mid-air with a fist and calmly continued his dispatching of oncoming people." -Gabe Muoneke

by hurryup09 on Feb 26, 2008 7:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, we are near bottom of the league

in fast breakpoints with a team that is young, deep and pretty athletic. Aldridge, Outlaw and Webster can all certainly get up and down the floor, so I'm going with the coach stopping it from happening.

Nate clearly has many issues with Sergio, defense included among them. But I still have seen zero evidence that Nate is in favor of a running offense regardless of the players or opportunities.

by EnglandDan on Feb 26, 2008 8:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's said that everyone SAYS they want to run

...but that running is hard work and takes a tremendous committment. I don't think Nate actively discourages running. He just isn't convinced this group can pull it off, so he doesn't demand it of them. In addition, the Blazers' team leader, Roy, tends to prefer playing at a controlled pace. He's been that way his whole basketball life.

Next season, with the combo of Oden and LMA controlling the defensive glass, we'll see whether this team is going to be able to run. (That shotblocking combo down low should also create fast break opportunities not only thru shot blocks but also by freeing guards to gamble more for steals.) I do hope that Nate stresses opportunistic running next season--ala the Spurs. As many have observed, the Blazers don't get enough easy hoops. Trailing the league in fast break points isn't cutting it.

"Ime caught the guy in mid-air with a fist and calmly continued his dispatching of oncoming people." -Gabe Muoneke

by hurryup09 on Feb 26, 2008 9:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nate's Seattle teams

I don't think you can say that Nate is opposed to a fastbreak offense because that is exactly what he had when he coached in Seattle.

by porterfan30 on Feb 26, 2008 11:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sergio Struggles In Nate's System

Defense is not a game that any of our PGs are very good at. So, compared to Jack and Blake, I would not discount Sergio to heavily. I just think that in a half-court game, Sergio tends to struggle. He isn't a high percentage shooter from outside, but there is room for improvement (and we've seen glimpses of what he could be...like the Celts game), and he has struggled finishing in the lane amongst the tall lumber. It hasn't helped his number either that our shooters are too timid to shoot when he passes them the bal or they just haven't been hitting shots as of late.

One thing that everyone should keep in mind, in that Sergio is the third youngest player on the team at 21 years of age. Only Webster and J-Bob are younger. Nash didn't really develope into the player he is today until well after his 5th season in the league. A developement timeline needs to be set accordingly. I have little doubt that we will see more Sergio more next year.

Having Joel in the second unit next season will also help the fast break next season. Running teams get things started off of steals and rebounds and the Blazers have struggled with both this season. My fingers are crossed that improves next year.

by PtownJake on Feb 26, 2008 8:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Does he deserve more pt?

I had nearly a novel written in this post before Firefox crashed for some reason...so I will make this quick. I was a big fan of Sergio's last season. His ability to drive to the basket and dish is quite amazing, better than anyone on the team (except Roy). For someone with his ability, he needs to put it up more often when he is 12" from the basket. What is stopping him? Free throws! His free throw percentage is a little better than Joel's. Sergio: 66% Joel: 64%. If Sergio's percentage was hovering around +80%, he would probably see more playing time. Right now, he is so one-dimensional it probably drives Nate crazy. Drive and Dish. Drive and Dish. Drive and...missed layup...sitting for the rest of the game. I am not a fan of our other point guards either, but at least they have more options when they have the ball. I am not even mentioning his defense skills...which have improved from last season IMO, but still far from where they need to be. If he works on his shooting, I think he can achieve that potential.

by clonigro on Feb 26, 2008 8:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Steve Blake FT%

65%. i notice you accidentally omitted that.

Free Sergio! http://www.freesergio.com

by sergioFTW on Feb 26, 2008 10:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That was accidental

However Blake and Sergio play two completely different styles of point guard. Sergio could be at the line 10 times/game with his driving ability. Steve rarely drives and rarely gets fouled. Blake's career ft% is much higher than 65%. I am sure everyone on this board, would rather have Blake at the line, than Sergio.

by clonigro on Feb 26, 2008 10:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

4% is hardly 'much higher'

sadly, you are bitten in the butt once again by lack of research. Sergio career FT%: 72%, Blakes; 76%. Hardly 'much higher'.

Free Sergio! http://www.freesergio.com

by sergioFTW on Feb 26, 2008 11:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It is much higher

He said Blake's career FT% is much higher than 65%. 76% is much higher than 65%. You've been bitten by not reading what he said. :)

And yes, right now, I'd rather see Blake on the line than Sergio. I'm expecting Sergio's percentage to improve significantly over the next couple of years, though.

I'm frequently right, but always certain

by jscot on Feb 26, 2008 11:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ok mr. statitics

You need to read what I wrote. His fast break is amazing, but that means nothing if he is never a threat to shoot.

by clonigro on Feb 26, 2008 3:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

no way around it, sergio is not playing well

Blake and Jack are playing better consistently. It feels like every time Sergio comes in, our offense goes into a funk and the other team makes a run.

by blzrfan on Feb 26, 2008 9:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If Sergio cant get run with Roy out

There is something wrong. Unfortunately, Jack is the closest skill set to Roy we have right now, so Jack is going to have to play most of Roy's minutes. We just lost a guard that plays 40 minutes, somebody has to fill that void.

What I would like/expect to see with the rotation.

1 Blake
2 Jack
3 Webster/Outlaw for offense?
4 LMA
5 Pryz

2nd unit

1 Sergio
2 Jack/Webster/Wafer?
3 Outlaw/Webster
4 Frye
5 Raef

If Nate doesnt find Sergio some extra time with Roy out, I will start to believe the conspiracy theorys out there...

ps We need you James Jones!

Rudy > MJ

by myemic23 on Feb 26, 2008 9:20 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Sergio has the best ratio in the team

In steals per 48 minutes.
Somehow though he is the worst defender.
I am not going to say he is the best, but he does better than JJ in my opinion.
Also, and to answer one of you, we will not see more than 12 minutes of action from Sergio this week which hopefully will make some of the fans believe that Sergio will never have a chance under Nate. Conspirancy? I don't know, did you hear the answer from Nate to Tim's question? Pretty much saying "Sergio? I will play my mom before I play him"
I agree with Vinny, I wish he could stay, but it is better if he is traded...

by Empire on Feb 26, 2008 10:20 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

We also give up less points per possession

with Sergio in the game than with him out of the game (1.05 to 1.09) as with Blake (1.08 to 1.09), while with Jack it's about even. However, Nate only plays Sergio in the zone, which is rarely effective in the NBA for big minutes.

At the beginning of the year Sergio was our most effective point guard in terms of producing points for the team(he also lead our point guards in +/-). Nate benched him for his style which was high risk/high reward and since then Sergio has tried to fit within Nate's system which is the opposite of Sergio's strengths, and has regressed since then. As a result Nate has given him fewer and fewer minutes.

I'm hoping Nate is doing basic training on Sergio, stripping him down to instill discipline, defense, patience in order to let him free next year. I'd bet big money against it.

by EnglandDan on Feb 26, 2008 10:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Two of Sergio's big problems

Aside from not being too small and unable to shoot...

The Blazers don't move without the ball well.
The Blazers don't have anybody to cover his butt on defense.

You put Sergio on

by leeroyjenkins on Feb 26, 2008 2:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Oops hit post too quick

You put Sergio on a team with some big men who can help on D, with some wing players who never stop moving, and he'd be invaluable.

by leeroyjenkins on Feb 26, 2008 2:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

To early to evaluate Sergio

Like many other posters have said, it is too early to evaluate Sergio. He is 21 and English isn't his first language. I believe the language/culture change would slow a player (maybe just slightly) in development and learning the NBA game. If I remember corectly, the Spurs started Speedy Claxton over Tony Parker in the playoffs when they won their second title in 2003. My point is, it takes time for a young foreign player to learn the hardest NBA position to learn. Sergio is currently a running-oriented pointguard, but in my view, you have to be a servicable halfcourt player in the NBA if your going to be successful (especially in the playoffs.)

I wholeheartidly agree that if Sergio improves on his defense and spot-up shooting, he will be atleast the backup pointguard next year. He's not going to be traded unless its a deal that is just too sweet (i.e. Granger). I do believe Jack will be traded becuase he doesn't fit as a PG and is just way too undersized as a SG. I do really like Jack though. I have a suspicion that Jack is getting alot of minutes to up his trade value, but I could be just speculating too much there.

by WarEaglePDX on Feb 26, 2008 3:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget

21 in Spanish years is only like 18 in American years. He probably still lives with his parents.

"Sometimes nothing can be a pretty cool hand." - Luke from Cool Hand Luke (1967)

by tominhawaii on Feb 26, 2008 4:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course. I´m 45

and I see my mother 5 days a week.

"You, my friend, are an enigma" (einman77)

by amlmart1 on Feb 26, 2008 4:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Can she make savory

Haggis?

"Sometimes nothing can be a pretty cool hand." - Luke from Cool Hand Luke (1967)

by tominhawaii on Feb 26, 2008 4:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

She is a monster

of the "Haute Cuisine".

"You, my friend, are an enigma" (einman77)

by amlmart1 on Feb 26, 2008 4:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If I was Nate I wouldn't be playing Sergio either.

Seems like when Sergio is put in something goes wrong. Most cases he ends up driving to the hoop against two or more defenders and takes a hard shot and most of the time misses it. I have also noticed that when he drives in and dishes it out the player he passes to is left with a contested shot at the end of the shot clock. One thing I would like to add is that the last person I want taking the final shot of the quarter is Sergio. Seems like if he's in and time is counting down he makes bad decesions and is stuck with attempting a bad shot when in most cases Outlaw or someone else could have a chance at it.

by artybobb on Feb 26, 2008 4:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I haven't seen what his true potential is so

I am not going to jump to conclusions already. He is only 21? I didn't know that and that means he can only get better.

Its a marathon, not a sprint.

by theanomaly777 on Feb 26, 2008 6:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

So it seems that you

all want to keep Sergio for at least another year and decide then. Me too, but one of our Point Guards need to go for a better replacement to either be traded for OR drafted OR signed via free agency. So does Jack go OR Blake? Jack seems to be the most expendable and with his age could us the most in return. What could we get for Jack?

by VinnyB on Feb 26, 2008 8:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

No One

Don't make me quote Alicia Keys on you. Next year the Blazers will have a rookie Oden, LMA, and Roy. All the Blazers need, next year, is a point guard to get them the ball, and play defense. The three that are there can do that for cheap, and compete for a roster spot on a championship team. There is no need to rush things.

by tominhawaii on Feb 26, 2008 10:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Our PG just

aren't good enough. As a trio they are very poor both offensively and deffensively. Individually they are below average and none of them can play defense. I don't think that they compliment each other well either. There is no doubt in MY mind that one of Jack, Blake or Sergio will be gone in the next couple of seasons. It would help if we knew who to replace as soon as possible so we can make the decision and get in someone better suited to Roy, LMA, Oden, Outlaw and NATE!

by VinnyB on Feb 26, 2008 10:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs