Surprising Sergio news?

It was nice to read that.

Many on this site have been trashing Sergio recently (after being on his bandwagon the season before this last one). I for one haven’t at all given up on Sergio and I’m happy to see that it doesn’t appear that KP has either.

by TwoDeep on Jul 8, 2008 9:07 AM PDT 0 recs

It's funny

once Bayless was drafted, everyon immedaitely thought it was Sergio’s death warrant. They are ready to give Bayless the chance that Sergio was looking for, but he is still unproven. The only reliable point we have is Blake, and most seem to agree that he won’t be our championship guy. The point takes a long time to develop, and Sergio hasn’t been given nearly the time he needs. Funny thing is, they are now ALREADY giving Bayless too small of a window. I’ve read two years or bust. The kid is 19! I got news, he won’t be the man at the point by the time he’s 21.

by einman77 on Jul 8, 2008 5:44 PM PDT up 0 recs

Sergio is PROVEN.......

................................................ in fact, it’s been rather CONCLUSIVELY proven that

HE CAN’T FRICKIN’ SHOOT!!!

So of course Bayless is gonna get “the chance that Sergio was looking for.”

t

"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Jul 8, 2008 10:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

I think you are hitting the two points: money and independence.

Sergio has been saying KP and Nate throw different messages.

When Nate talked in springtime about Rudy as someone to be proven (then Sergio wasn´t colaborating to bring Rudy to Portland) and Rudy expressed a big concern about it, KP got nervous and Allen went to Spain to watch Rudy and have a talk with his family. KP talked about he would try to take Nate to Spain when they went to Spain to watch europrospects and have a talk with Rudy, but Nate choose to go to Hawaii and talked to Rudy by phone.

The Midnight Rambler

by amlmart1 on Jul 8, 2008 9:15 AM PDT 0 recs

Why would Nate be upset about personel choices?

KP has assembled a surprising amount of young talent, so it isn’t like Nate is trying to coach a bunch of no talent hacks. That is what doesn’t make sense to me.

by tingeyga on Jul 8, 2008 9:24 AM PDT 0 recs

A possible point of contention

concerns who gets to play. From what I’ve heard, KP is a bit of an activist for players he likes. This has been pointed out before with regard to Sergio. Sorry, I don’t have a link. Nate, like most coaches, wants to win. And win now. I see KP, probably with the full support of PA, as being willing to delay gratification somewhat while the young team gels.

Other conflicts may have to do with Jarrett, Joel, and perhaps others. For example, it was rumored that KP interceded with Nate to get Joel playing time in the 4th quarter. Again, no link. Sorry.

I’m sure Nate does see the potential this team has to win one or more championships, and since coaches willingly suffer all kinds of idiot owners and GMs in order to win it all, I’m sure he wants in. But, he may be playing a bit hard to get right now in order to increase his influence. Just a thought.

"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"

These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.

by CatMan2 on Jul 8, 2008 9:42 AM PDT up 0 recs

Where would Nate go?

His family is in Seattle and his son is in Arizona, for the next few years, anyway. I can’t see him Jonesing for a NBA job in (say) Carolina at this point of his career.

(OTOH, if Nate doesn’t want to reup in 2 years, I don’t think KP will have any trouble finding a high-quality coach who’s willing to step in…)

by two4larue on Jul 8, 2008 12:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

I haven't said that Nate will or wants to leave

All I’m saying - and this is pure speculation - is that it’s possible he’d like more autonomy as a coach, or more say in personnel decisions, and that he may in fact be bargaining for this.

"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"

These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.

by CatMan2 on Jul 8, 2008 12:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

Not a lot of leverage

If you ask me.

KP/Allen have made it clear they want him back. If Nate isn’t happy with his level of authority, he can opt out and try to get a head coaching job with more autonomy, elsewhere. (I don’t think he’ll be winning any “I know more than KP” arguments, if he was to complain to PA)

by two4larue on Jul 8, 2008 12:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

It would be the first power grab from Nate

And I don’t think he’d win in that argument with KP…

It would make more sense under the old regime, but even then Nate hasn’t done the ‘power grab’ thing as a player, or a coach. I don’t know him personally, but he doesn’t seem to have ‘roster control’ aspirations and would rather keep the status quo, of having a GM who respects and listens to him and who Nate can trust.

Besides, KP knows talent, Nate HAS to know that or I would question his intelligence.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 8, 2008 12:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

what are roster control aspirations?

what are you saying? He wants respect, open feedback and trust is what you mean right?
Shocking.

"Meow" --- My cat Bonzi on whether or not Travis Outlaw is a core member of the PTB.

by bow4meow on Jul 8, 2008 1:29 PM PDT up 0 recs

More or less agree

The thing is, there may be some difference as to what kind of vision Nate and KP have for the team. Nate has more than once stated his preference for a more veteran team, and is maybe not as complacent as KP in terms of waiting for the cake to bake.

I’m not saying this is any kind of “power grab” really. Just that it may be Nate’s way of asserting his vision.

"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"

These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.

by CatMan2 on Jul 8, 2008 1:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

I've got a link for you

Right here.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Batuuuuuuuum!

by rockingharder on Jul 8, 2008 3:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

Thank Goodness

I love to watch Sergio play but I was starting to think he only cared about lifting weights and complaining. If Sergio finds his jump shot, then all he needs is add a little defense and then he should earn more playing time. This is the best Sergio news I’ve heard in months.

The smart donkey in me wants to say Nate sees the writing on the wall as he watched KP unload almost everyone from the previous regime. WWLBD – Larry Brown would wait two years and take a larger paycheck.

"Man I want to rec it again." - pualo talking about jscot's long comment

by tominhawaii on Jul 8, 2008 9:59 AM PDT 0 recs

Fire Nate!!!

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Jul 8, 2008 10:17 AM PDT up 0 recs

I remember reading Sergio works out a bunch...

...Setting a record for ‘workouts in a month’ even. While Oden might be the type who really takes to weight lifting and gets real strong and big, Sergio might be the opposite. For someone who reportedly works out a bunch, I’ve never seen someone get less results for his alleged effort.

Perhaps he stops by the weight room, signs in, and takes off to cash in chalupa coupons from leftover games where we didn’t score 100?

I’d like Nate to sign an extension, but I really, really like that he said he wanted to “earn it”. That’s a big deal. It’s not like he’ll get a much better deal, he just wants to make sure he can take this team where they should be taken.

As we’ve overachieved every year, I couldn’t imagine much tension between KP and Nate, especially over a guy like Sergio. Nate has always gushed about KP, and seeing as KP offered an extension TWO YEARS early, that shows me KP likes Nate too (as he often says in the press—though while I can take what KP says with a grain of salt, I think Nate doesn’t always know how to not reveal how he feels). And besides Sergio, what contention over players would there be?

I think some make the mistake of thinking KP and Nate care as much about Sergio as some of us do. They care about him, but they cared about Jack as well. It doesn’t stop you from trading them. They care about the players, but it’s a much different relationship than we have with them as fans. They won’t fight over Nate not playing someone who isn’t that good (yet?) in Sergio, especially when we have such attractive alternatives like Blake or Bayless (or Roy, or Rudy).

If they honestly argue and have problems working with each other, which there is no evidence of, and it revolves around lil’ SERGIO RODRIGUEZ, Mr. Per-48 APG himself, then both lose a lot of esteem in my eyes. Because that’s just dumb, when there are much bigger fish to fry around these parts.

I like Sergio, don’t like the inordinately large amount of attention he gets because I think he’s not very important for the Blazers right now. I hope he improves a LOT, and I love his style, but is he better than Blake/Bayless/Rudy/Roy? I doubt very much that he is.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 8, 2008 10:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

I agree and disagree

and agree to disagree. But I don’t disagree with agreeing. Know what I mean?

I think you are right that both Nate and KP can adopt a business-centric point of view about the players. I also think they often do develop close personal relationships with them. And, I think that KP and Nate have each other’s mutual respect and, probably, close friendship.

But, I think Nate might be a little disappointed by some of the moves KP has made or rather not made. Nate has stated in so many words that the Blazers needed to have more leadership, experience, or veteran presence, but KP has continued to invest in young talent. (I don’t wish to get drawn into a discussion here of which strategy is best.)

And, I think it has been documented that Nate and KP have differed about who should get playing time, and when. In Sergio’s case, I don’t think there is disagreement about his current level of achievement, but rather the need to allow Sergio to develop through game experience while giving him a chance to build his confidence. In the case of Joel (and again I believe this has been documented), Nate just would not play him in the 4th quarter, with the result that opposing teams were having a field day dunking on the Blazers and scoring unchallenged layups. I guess Nate never really believed that Joel could make a free throw when it counted. But, apparently KP went to bat for Joel. I wish I had the pertinent links.

It seems to me that Nate is the kind of guy who would want to be fully in control. And, as I speculated above, it may just be that he is actually negotiating for that autonomy.

"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"

These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.

by CatMan2 on Jul 8, 2008 11:21 AM PDT up 0 recs

Joel, I agree

Nate seemed to favor a more offensive game in the 4th quarter, and I wanted him to play Joel more.

As far as the Sergio stuff goes, I do not think there IS a link that actually says Nate and KP are having problems about this. I wouldn’t be surprised if KP thinks much more of Sergio than Nate does, but that isn’t strange. People disagree, GMs and coaches will always disagree as well. However, I think the notion that this is a source of actual tension between the two is pure fan speculation. There has been nothing to suggest KP bugs Nate to play Sergio more, and that their relationship has suffered at all—or that it even COMES UP in conversation. And really, where would Sergio have gotten his minutes?

If you’re trying to win, feeding minutes to Sergio doesn’t make sense, and he probably played about as much as he deserved (but that is just my opinion).

I think both would sleep just fine if Sergio wasn’t a Trail Blazer, as opposed to anyone else above him on the depth chart. THEY LIKE HIM, Pritchard probably likes him more, but he isn’t that important. The future of Sergio is either as extra added gravy or as a trade piece.

I doubt Nate wants autonomy; he doesn’t seem like he wants or needs to make roster calls. KP has listened to him, Nate realizes it has to be the right trade for a vet (he said as much after the draft, that they got younger but they really like who they got), and I don’t think the Vet vs Youth thing is a source of tension either. Both realize this team needs experience, and a quick way to get it is to add a solid vet. However, that’s easier said than done and I can’t think of any that are available and better than what we got—and is the right kind of vet, who encourages younger dudes and leads by example. They likely won’t be that available until we prove we are a winning team.

What would Nate do with more autonomy? It’s not like KP hasn’t done the best for him, and Nate seems to express this.

Nate and KP have traditionally said the exact same thing: we’re young, need more experience, need more time. Both know that just because you “need” vets, it doesn’t always work out that you get one you’d like, and that has been the case since KP took over. Getting a real vet has ALWAYS been a priority, and as far as I can tell we haven’t missed out on anyone who would fit us well.

So, I can’t imagine Nate, as a seemingly reasonable and logical man, holds any annoyance at KP for not getting a vet, and I doubt KP, as a seemingly reasonable and logical man, has dictated or ordered or even SUGGESTED Sergio should get more run and that Sergio has become a source of contention.

With what we got brewing, how much sense does that make?

Obviously, I agree about Joel, but if Outlaw was better as a SF it wouldn’t have been as much of a problem. The end of game lineup was LMA at center, Trout at PF, Jones at SF, Jack at PG and Roy at SG. You move Trout down to SF and LMA to PF, and Joel to center, as was sometimes done, and I’m happy. But, for whatever reason, Nate felt like Trout just served as better as a PF.

I don’t think I disagree with much else Nate has done, and the Joel situation is worthy of debate to me. But Sergio?

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 8, 2008 12:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

When Nate declined to discuss an extension, I'm sure KP asked why.

I’m pretty sure they both know Nate’s plan and what KP plans on doing. To be honest, I think Nate is thinking about his future and it also makes a statement to his players. People act like KP drafts guys and never tells Nate what he is doing. If some vet becomes available, I’m sure even if it is laughable, that KP tells Nate about it. Sometimes he might decline the deal before ever telling Nate, but I’m sure he is always informed. KP and Nate are on the same page.

"Man I want to rec it again." - pualo talking about jscot's long comment

by tominhawaii on Jul 8, 2008 2:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nice post, but ....

I don’t think I disagree with much else Nate has done, and the Joel situation is worthy of debate to me. But Sergio?

“But Sergio?”!! The Sergio/Jack situation provided plenty of controversy last season. And as you mentioned there was the limiting playing time for Joel thing and of course the Joel/Magloire controversy of the prior season.

I think there well could be at least a small amount of friction and disagreement between KP and Nate, although I think that has nothing to do with a contract extension not being signed.

Sergio should get a chance for some playing time this year. Of course many thought that last year too with Jack’s often embarrassing performances opening the door; but nay, Nate wasn’t going to do it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nate continues the same bias against Sergio this year (if I were Sergio, Nate hugging instead of hand shaking with Bayless would have me fretting a bit). I’m also a little concerned now about Nate not giving Rudy a chance to develop, although maybe this fear is unfounded as there will be plenty of pressure on him to do so …. from fans and KP alike..

I know that many are now leaning against Sergio – like a tree in the wind, they swing one way, then the other (reminds me of the opinions on Paul Allen which shifted 3 times).

Sergio has a lot of skills. I just reviewed an Outlaw highlight of the last Rose Garden game when Travis had those two fantastic reverse ally-oop dunks. The lobs Sergio made for those dunks were incredible as he made them on the run from a distance not too far over mid-court. Blake couldn’t do that and Jack certainly couldn’t.

Needless to say, I’d really like to see Sergio get most of the minutes behind Blake this year while the rookie gets mop-up minutes as he pays his dues into the NBA. But I don’t expect Nate to give Sergio a fair shake. If he doesn’t I also wouldn’t be surprised to see increased KP/Nate friction. After all, I believe I just read that it was KP who made Sergio feel better about playing time opportunity this year. And I doubt KP would like to be made out as a liar.

by TwoDeep on Jul 9, 2008 10:07 AM PDT up 0 recs

My opinion on Sergio

Is partially based on feeling like he is very inconsequential for the success of our team. He’s just a trade piece, or if he develops further he becomes a backup. Bayless is much more talented than Sergio (based upon Sergio’s NBA and Euro career, and Bayless’ 1 college season—so, not much to base it on, but still), and fits what we need more than Sergio… shooting, athleticism, size, etc.

If a rookie is better than the current backup, I have no problem with him not paying any dues, especially when it’s just Sergio. I mean… he’s okay. I like him. He’s a good passer, clearly. He just does nothing else, as of now.

KP has to give Sergio a pep-talk and tell him he’ll have his chance to win the backup PG spot; what else can he say? That’s his job to pump up the players and make them believe in the team and their future. Rudy, judging from his Euro play, can do all of the fancy Sergio passes, and couldn’t be any worse at running a team. He isn’t a PG really, but he has playmaker skills to alongside Roy, and can hit an outside shot. As can Bayless, or Blake. What can Sergio do, that we need?

With the players we got, I don’t see how Sergio gets any reasonable amount of minutes. It’s not really his fault; other players are better. I’m sure KP thinks Bayless is more important to the future than Sergio also, so I doubt he’d be upset playing the rook and Rudy and Blake over Sergio. Why would he? Those three are either part of the future or an important stop-gap. Where does Sergio get his minutes from? Is he better than any of them?

Unless he improves greatly, I’d say he clearly is not.

And perhaps Nate shoulda played Sergio more, but I doubt it would have helped. That part is just my opinion and can easily be refuted. But in this upcoming season, we have much more talent at the guard spots, and Sergio isn’t important to us at all.

When Sergio doesn’t play, blame KP, not Nate. KP is the one who signed Blake, drafted Rudy, and drafted Bayless. Nate just plays ‘em, KP makes the team, and on this team maybe Sergio isn’t dressing for the games. And what can we do? He’s the 5th guard on the team. There aren’t many 5 guard rotations.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 9, 2008 10:37 AM PDT up 0 recs

Sergio brings more than just passing ability.

He’s probably going to be better at handling the ball under pressure than Bayless. He is excellent and running the break. He is not small —as you implied Mortimer.

You say there probably won’t be playing time for him as you list off all our guards plus a small forward. He’s not likely competing with Rudy, Martell , or even that much with Roy. It seems evident (at this point anyway) that Blake will start at PG, and Sergio will be competing only with Bayless - for back-up point guard minutes.

Umm, whether it was accurate or not I’m sure you noticed today, the posting regarding the Blazer’s opinion that Bayless’ game isn’t as sharp and developed as originally thought. I agree with you that if Bayless is great, he shouldn’t have to pay any bench-riding dues; but he’s just a rookie, not an extraordinary one. He’ll have to learn and a lot of that learning may be done from the bench. So there could be an opening here for Sergio. But considering his history with Nate, I’m not sure Sergio can be too encouraged even if Bayless isn’t ready.

by TwoDeep on Jul 10, 2008 10:46 AM PDT up 0 recs

He ain't small

But he isn’t big. He has good height, of course, but a small frame. That’s not important anyways, in a PG.

I call him lil’ Sergio to belittle his importance and to cast dispersions on his worth as a Blazer, to directly refute the (to me) blind love he gets for being a player with a very limited skillset.

He’s not a better ballhandler under presser than Blake, Roy, or Bayless in college. Bayless brought the ball up most of the times anyway, reportedly. Throwing a halfcourt alleyoop pass is fun, but doing two in garbage minutes against a Memphis team that had long given up doesn’t mean much.

What SF did I list? Rudy isn’t a SF. And I think we’ll see a lot of two SG lineups, such as Roy and Rudy and Roy and Bayless, with Roy and Blake being the probable starters. Rudy is going to play most of his minutes WITH Roy, most likely—Roy, at most, will sit out a quarter a game, while Rudy will play 2+ quarters (unless he sucks). At least half of the time it will be with Roy, and Blake can easily handle the rest of the time, even if we didn’t have Bayless.

My guard depth chart: ROY/BLAKE/RUDY/BAYLESS/SERGIO. No small forwards there. Bayless is definitely better than Sergio was last year, even if he hasn’t played a game yet. A vague rumor two days after Bayless arrived in Portland for the 1st time shouldn’t be used to support an argument, even if you acknowledge it’s just a rumor.

Basically, Sergio’s current talent level is just plain not worth the controversy. He isn’t very good, but gets a lot of support from fans anyways. I mean, he’s not even half as good as Sebastian Telfair was coming out of HS, and Sergio was coming from riding the bench in the Euro pros and the Spanish team. Telfair didn’t get 1/20th the leeway Sergio gets, and there just isn’t any room to worry about Sergio with how the team is currently constructed. (I use Telfair as an example because they are similar players with similar styles, with Telfair more of a scorer but a creative passer coming into the league as well)

I think we can all agree that a Telfair type player isn’t what we want or need for this team. How is Sergio better than that? Is Sergio even CLOSE to being as good as that? I’d say no. He is a good fastbreaker, makes cool passes and plays sometimes, but otherwise he has no mojo. He’s flat. When he doesn’t have his mojo going, he is next to useless.

And not getting a chance to show the Mojo this next season won’t really be Nate’s fault, as KP gave him better guards to play. Sergio got 9 minutes a game last season, which means some games he got 4, 5 minutes and other games Nate let him go for a quarter or more. He did a ‘heat check’ like you do for a shooter, like James Jones. You see if Sergio is gonna be Sergio that game, and if he is you let him run. Nate did that more often Sergio’s rookie year, and a lot less last season—which I attribute to Sergio not playing as well AND the signing of Blake.

Last year the controversy was over a 3rd string PG. Technically, he’s still the 3rd string, but as Rudy and Roy will both be together as playmaking shooting guards and switching off as PGs, Sergio becomes the 5th string guard. That means he likely doesn’t dress up.

He gets more attention than he is worth as a player. I don’t wanna be negative about Sergio or the love he gets, but I get bugged when Sergio’s “side” is taken and others get blamed for him not being very good.

I should add that I do not think Sergio is a whiner, or a bad kid. It’s a tough situation to be in: he came earlier than he probably should have, he plays for a tough coach, and he’s on a team that went from development to trying to win. He needs more development and isn’t ready to move on to the ‘winning’ stage of his career.

Even though I like watching him play when he is “on”, and I like him the person, I don’t think his talent level warrants the level of attention he gets from the media and the fans.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 10, 2008 11:54 AM PDT up 0 recs

Boy, my aging eyes ....

I swear I had seen where you listed Webster as the SF who would be competing with Sergio. But going back and re-reading it – nope, it’s not there. I wonder - have you been given post deletion capabilities?! I wouldn’t be surprised as sometimes I suspect you of being a paid Blazer employee.

I don’t know how you can “automatically” list a rookie – a single year in college rookie at that – in the #2 PG slot. I think the reason KP told Sergio his situation was better this year is because he may not be the 3rd string PG this year as he was when he was behind Blake and Jack. I expect him to have a good chance to be ahead of Bayless this year on the depth chart.

To help support my argument Morty, can you name even one point guard coming into the NBA with only a single year of college that made a significant contribution in his first NBA season? Maybe there has been someone but I’m coming up empty here. This should be kind of revealing Mortimer. It’s always been said that the NBA PG position is the hardest one to learn for rookies and having entered the draft after his freshman year, Bayless is a very green PG rookie.

And then, I keep thinking back to when KP was getting so many calls about Sergio after his rookie season, and how you now have him relegated into insignificance. Most be the rapid deterioration of his skills — due to advanced age and all.

Finally, Sergio and Telfair being alike? Bad comparison.

by TwoDeep on Jul 10, 2008 3:49 PM PDT up 0 recs

I think Sergio's game will excel with Rudy and Outlaw on the floor

"Man I want to rec it again." - pualo talking about jscot's long comment

by tominhawaii on Jul 10, 2008 4:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

Sergio definitely has value

But on THIS team, he won’t likely get minutes, and it won’t be Nate’s fault.

True, we can’t automatically say Bayless is better than Sergio, but I think it’s a safe-ish bet. He played really well as a freshman, and as far as ANY college PGs who came out as frosh’s, I am drawing a blank as well—Chris Paul was a sophomore, Mike Bibby was another Arizona kid who left early, but he was a Sophomore as well, Rajon Rondo was a soph as well… Hmm. At least I can say that it’s usually a good sign when a PG comes out early, and gets drafted really high (not saying Mike Bibby is a good example, but he went to Arizona, so that’s a shakey similarity for me to point out).

And since I trust KP with his draftiness, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bayless is good.

KP might have drafted Bayless for the long run, but I don’t think he drafted him to sit behind Sergio. Do you think Bayless isn’t as good as Sergio? We know Bayless can get up and down the court really quickly while dribbling the ball and can shoot really well… that already gives him something Sergio can’t do.

I don’t think Sergio is a bad player or a bad talent, I just think he isn’t that good for THIS team and that the minutes won’t really be there, unless Bayless or Rudy are big disappointments. I hope that isn’t the case, and I don’t think it will be the case based upon their past play. But Sergio has talent!

My main beef, is making SUCH a big deal over a kid who is one of the least talented players on the team now, and blaming his poor play on Nate. We have a lot of good guards; 1 is great and 2 others are projected to become great. Sergio has potential, but he is FAR from a sure thing and to force feed him minutes would do a disservice to the team, in my opinion.

If we had traded Jack and didn’t get a PG in return, it COULD mean KP and Friends have faith in Sergio. You would HAVE to play the kid, just because we didn’t have anyone else. However, KP drafted another PG who is projected to be better than Sergio right away, once again relegating Sergio to the rotational background.

How much faith could KP really have in Sergio being a long term fixture?

Sergio might take the backup PG role, I just doubt it, because Bayless is good. Like Tom says, Sergio might’ve done well with Rudy and Outlaw, and perhaps the 2nd unit becomes a 3 guard lineup, with Rudy kinda sorta playing SF, Outlaw goes to PF like last year, Bayless at the 2, and Sergio at the PG. That’d be a really fun lineup that I’d love to watch. Pryz would be the center to rebound and defend, so Frye gets the shaft in this version of the second unit (and I don’t mind that, even though I really like Frye the person).

Unless we do something like that, I doubt Sergio will have a chance to play, and we can’t put that on Nate, in my opinion.

Sergio and Telfair come from different places, but I find many aspects of their game to be similar but their support from fans completely different. Both were long on flash, short on substance. One gets loved for the flash, one gets hated for the lack of substance.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 10, 2008 4:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

I respect your allegiance to Nate.

See why I think you might be a Blazer employee?

by TwoDeep on Jul 10, 2008 7:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'm not saying Bayless won't be good.

I think most feel he has far better potential than Sergio. He should have too as he was selected 11th in the draft versus Sergio at …. 27 was it? Plus if you believe it, KP’s team had Bayless plugged in at #4 on their board …. in a strong draft year. I’ve really never been a huge Sergio fan, but I just think that Bayless will have normal rookie, PG adjustment challenges, and if he does and justice is done, Sergio could well play ahead of him. And the other reason I’m being so stubborn in this discussion is that – as I’ve pointed out ad nauseum – I don’t think Nate gave Sergio a fair shake last year. Oh yeah, OK - there’s one more reason. I think Sergio is a “unique” player.

by TwoDeep on Jul 10, 2008 7:49 PM PDT up 0 recs

And also--

—I know the Sergio controversy was a big controversy on Blazers Edge last season, I was just saying the JOEL controversy was much more relevant and worthy of debate than the Sergio controversy.

So I ain’t saying the controversy didn’t exist, just that Sergio flat out didn’t matter that much, especially when compared to someone who actually helps our team, like Joel Przybilla. I understand the annoyance at Nate over Joel, but I think the annoyance with Nate over Sergio is goofy.

In terms of relevance, I mean. Joel matters more to me. Sergio was something fun for fans of a bad team. He was an exotic fling, but now it’s time to think of the future and raise a family.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 9, 2008 10:41 AM PDT up 0 recs

Agree on some and disagree on some...

Unfortunately, Sergio will be totally buried on this year’s team, I see many DNP’s for him unless he comes back to P-Town with a consistant jumpshot, and even then it will be hard to get minutes.

I do disagree on the Joel vs. Sergio/Jack situation. Both seemed like fairly obvious mistakes to me, but Nate only admitted he was wrong on one of them. What I didn’t get is our white unit had Frye, Outlaw and Jones at the 5, 4, and 3. Those guys are all shooters that spread the floor. Sergio is an expert at getting shooters shots where they are comfortable, why only 5mpg? Our guard rotation was Blake, Jack, and Roy. Sergio couldn’t get a solid 7-9 minute playing stint every game because of Jarrett Jack? Was Jack really that much better than sergio? His main strength was going 1 on 1 and attacking the rim, not really how I want my pg to run the team. Whatever though, Bayless and Rudy are both immediate upgrades over Jack, and I no longer have to hear people justify Jack getting the same minutes as Blake because “he draws fouls”. I hated that reasoning, he was a turnover prone bowling ball that ran a black-hole like offense when he was the point. So often the play deteriorated to Jarrett calling his own number and barreling down the lane praying for a foul. Jack sure did give it his all though, I cant question that. He was also probably a little under appreciated by some fans(me), but some of his mistakes just drove me nutzoid…

I guess my bottom line is this, if Sergio couldn’t get minutes behind Blake, Roy, and Jack(justified or not), he is totally screwed playing behind Blake, Roy, Rudy, and Bayless. Heck, even Martell wants to play more at the 2 spot. Sergio will need to improve his game dramatically to get into our rotation next year

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Jul 9, 2008 12:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

The past Sergio controversies...

...and what I think of them are totally my opinion, so I don’t mind disagreements there or think it’s wrong to disagree. For the future though, like you said, Sergio just isn’t gonna get minutes over the other guards, and it won’t be Nate’s fault. That’s just (nearly) a fact, unless Sergio improves greatly or Bayless sucks. Sergio should improve, but I doubt Bayless sucks and I doubt Sergio improves past what Bayless was as a freshman…

Sergio averaged 8.7 minutes a game last season, so I guess he got the 7 to 9 minute stint you were hoping for, and it was usually in one chunk in the first half, or more if he had it going. For a team trying to win, feeding a really raw PG more minutes than they deserve doesn’t really make sense to me, so I think he got the playing time he deserved.

He COULD have played more, but I think it would have only hurt us. (I know you aren’t arguing with me or asking me to clarify my point, just trying to drown my point of view in as much text as possible). That point can always be argued, because no one knows the answer.

What can’t be argued, is whether Sergio will play much this upcoming season and if he doesn’t it will be Nate’s fault. Like I said above, KP is to blame for getting so many better players at Sergio’s position. When Sergio doesn’t dress for games, it won’t be Nate’s fault… getting depth with the foul prone bigs is more important than the 5th guard, no matter how fun he is to watch.

Some seem to think KP has complete faith in Kid Sergio, but I don’t think we’d draft so many PGs or playmaking combo guards if he did. Maybe Sergio will be the answer in a few years, but when he doesn’t play this next season we can’t blame Nate.

There are too many good players ahead of Sergio, and we need to win right now (or develop those who we know are gonna be good).

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 9, 2008 12:26 PM PDT up 0 recs

Dear God, not L.B.

I’d rather have Mike Schuler back. And that’s saying a lot.

by DonkeyShins on Jul 8, 2008 11:06 AM PDT up 0 recs

Where is Schuler now?

That’s something I’d like to know. Did he coach the Clippers after he coached us? He’s not a name I hear outside of the context of him as a Blazer coach who got fired…

I was too young to have an opinion of him, but people seem to dislike him.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 8, 2008 11:11 AM PDT up 0 recs

Yes he was a Clippers coach

I even have his basketball card from when he coached there. His reign as Clippers coach was brief and without any highpoints.

by tingeyga on Jul 8, 2008 11:26 AM PDT up 0 recs

I got the same card!

Now that you mention it, I got the same card. I think it was a ‘Fleer” basketball card.

One time Bessie from accounting brought in donuts, that was a high moment if you ask me. His reign at the top was not without it’s yummy moments.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 8, 2008 11:56 AM PDT up 0 recs

Tension around personnel decisions?

In a word, nope.

Since Nate’s been coach and KP’s been GM, the team has gotten rid of the bad apples who don’t help us win and we’ve won more each year. I think KP and Nate are on the same page all the way, and I’m not looking into his denying an extension as a bad omen… it’s a really smart move on his part. He leads by example to his young, impressionable team, he leaves his options open if things DO go sour, and he can probably command more money when his team has started kicking toosh.

As far as Sergio, it doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s on our team collecting a check, so the team will try to do as much as possible to help him grow into a gamer. I would have been more surprised if the team did nothing and let him do his own thing and flounder… that, IMO, would have been a bad sign.

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jul 8, 2008 10:58 AM PDT 0 recs

nate did say that he wants to see if he wants to be here

hold on guy , we lured you away from the sonics, you play for the richest owner in all sports, you work closely with the guy who considered to be in the top 10 of gm’s in basketball
and you have one of the most coveted young line ups in the nba,,, it would be poettic justice if he were not retained at the end of his 5 years..he should have extended..now what is he thinking about?

if it can be conceived it can be achieved

by lyfefindsaway on Jul 8, 2008 1:12 PM PDT 0 recs

MakeUrFreeThrows hits the point after.

Nate has forever been about ‘earning’ your keep. Nate can’t explain any better to this team he (I believe) loves how to excell in this league/life than by the example he sets with this decision. Is success in secure business decisions, or in a winning attitude? Winning attitude FIRST and foremost, means you already are a success. A new contract may or may not reflect commensurately.

I’m also impressed that he mans-up and dispatches with the safe conventional handshake and, for all to witness, hugs the new kid, which coming from an established successful superior shows he cares by reaching out; that this organization is about family/societal values; provides a personal spot-on validation of your hard hard work to date (this kind of validation can supply greater motivation than the draft slot or money).

by renaissant on Jul 8, 2008 3:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

"Sergio is doing a lot better (emotionally) now"

Who wouldn’t be, if they were in the Canary Islands?

"He feels good about his spot on the (Blazers), sees that maybe there might be more minutes for him."’

I don’t see how subtracting Jarrett Jack then adding Rudy and Bayless makes for more potential minutes for Sergio…but okayyyy

by two4larue on Jul 8, 2008 3:39 PM PDT 0 recs

Sergio needs to go to Europe...

............................ He will make a lot of money there and be a big star. His NBA tenure is near the end. He’s 5th guard out on the Blazers and has no trade value.

t

"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Jul 8, 2008 10:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

yeah

his value is probobly an early 2nd round pick, or a very late 1st rounder at best.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 8, 2008 10:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

Wow

If we could get a late 1st rounder for Sergio, I’d jump at it, and let Koponen come over. In a heartbeat.

I think Sergio still could be something special, but it won’t be on this team, and he’s got a LONG way to go to get there.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Jul 9, 2008 3:58 AM PDT up 0 recs

Thanks for all of your thoughtful comments in this thread

I don’t have any real attachment to the point of view I put forth here. It was simply an idea that struck me as worth discussing.

This Blazer management team seems quite candid. But of course there are many topics of discussion here about which we can only speculate, no matter what is stated publicly by the Blazers. That’s okay with me. In the end it’s not the behind-the-scenes intrigues that are really interesting. I’m just killing time until the start of next season.

"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"

These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.

by CatMan2 on Jul 8, 2008 6:13 PM PDT 0 recs

What does Barullo mean?

by MGNNoah on Jul 8, 2008 6:34 PM PDT 0 recs

Its simple really...

Nate is a smart guy, he just didn’t want to get pritchslapped by KP. He knows he would have went into negotiations with 2yrs at 6mil per, and walked out with a Jarrett Jack bobblehead, a pair of thunder sticks, and a lifetime commitment to the blazers. Nate knows that when KP calls you on the phone, you just hang up…..

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Jul 8, 2008 10:02 PM PDT 0 recs

OOOOHHHHHHHHHH

Wrong thread!!!! It must have been the small novel written by Morti that confused me. ZING.....

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Jul 8, 2008 10:09 PM PDT up 0 recs

No

you were bePritched.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Jul 9, 2008 3:59 AM PDT up 0 recs

Dear Sergio,

Please play in Europe and make tons of money.

Love, Sabonis4Ever

President of the Petteri Koponen fan club.

by Sabonis4Ever on Jul 8, 2008 11:44 PM PDT 0 recs

On Sergio: Sometimes you really have to wonder...

... what NBA execs and coaches do for a living? Sergio has had two major problems over the last two years—English and shooting. You’d think that after paying 3 mil for his rights and then another mil a year that the Blazers would have hired from DAY 1 a full time language instructor for, say, a measley hundred grand a year, from a local high school to teach him English.

As for his line-drive shots, by the end of last season they were flatter than ever—and NOW we’re sending over a shooting coach??? What has been going on for two years? Either (A) the Blazer coaching staff hasn’t insisted to Sergio that he learns how to shoot a basketball, or (B) he hasn’t cared to learn. Either way, it’s not good.

by blazerwizard on Jul 11, 2008 8:19 AM PDT 0 recs

Interesting

Realistically, you could pay a liberal arts grad a few thousand a year plus, say, season tix to hang with Sergio about 5 hours a week, working on his English.

"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"

These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.

by CatMan2 on Jul 11, 2008 11:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

He had access to a shooting coach all year

It’s not like they just hired a shooting coach, Sergio coulda’ been working with him all year. This hasn’t really been a franchise slow to react to stuff like that, after all.

He also could have English tutors very easily, and probably has had tutors. Most teams have intangible stuff like that for their players, let alone Mr. Money Bags Paul Allen.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 11, 2008 11:53 AM PDT up 0 recs

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