Blake's defense is not good - but it is still better than Sergio's, he is a better shooter and he is effective when not dominating the ball - a requirement when playing next to Roy. Unless people are willing to take the ball out of Roy's hands or limit his minutes - there is very little use for Sergio. It's that simple. He does not mesh well with Roy - and good game management calls for finding role players that work well with your stars, not the other way around.
Sergio shouldn't be playing with Roy in the game, that is the problem. And Rudy plays PG as well as Blake as well as Roy.... his minutes just aren't there, and IDK what he wants... he wants Rudy's minutes cut in favor of him? He is playing better this year, but we still have a logjam... there are MANY good players sitting on this team, not just him. I just don't get it. But I don't think him wanting to possibly seek other options is a bad thing. I think its the best thing for Sergio. Blake's play has also been very mediocre this year. There are a couple of things KP still needs to do... I'm really happy Batum has emerged as our starting SF though... When Webster comes back, Outlaw is still going to obviously play, so who sits out? Has to be Frye... and he is playing pretty well also. Not really too fair to him either.
I actually think the ball needs to be in Roy's hands less. Let him take over late in the game, but the offense is way too stagnant and predictable with Roy trying to break his man down every play.
Nate should let Sergio start at PG, that is a win-win for this Blazers organization. Win- Sergio gets his minutes Win- if he succeeds then we are better for it, if he doesn't then he has no room to talk
This argument totally cracks me up. Can you say "small sample size"? I knew you could. Prior to last night, Sergio hadn't even played 48 minutes all season. So, his per 48 numbers are boarding on insignificant and certainly don't signify anythings close to a long term trend. But, hey don't let that stop you for comparing him to guys who have been putting up those kind of assist numbers, as starters playing 30+ MPG year, after year, after year. Don't let the fact that putting up those kind of assist/48 numbers is a LOT harder to do when you are playing against the other team's best players for 36 minutes is a LOT hard than coming in against the other team's second unit it racking up a couple of quick assists in less than 10 minutes. Never mind that ALL those other players are FAR above average in at least one other aspects of the game than just racking up assists. Nash is one of the best shooters in the game. During his two MVP seasons, Nash lead the league in both assists and TS% (true shooting percentage). He has a career TS% of 0.603 and his TS% is currently above 0.630 for the 4th season in a row - an amazing stat for a guard. He gets to the line frequently and is the second best best FT shooter in the 60+ year history of the NBA. Nash's career 3FG% of 0.432 is second highest among active players and 5th highest in the history of the league. And these are stats he's put up over a 13-year career of averaging over 30 MPG - not in five games of less than 10 MPG of back-up duty. This is what's known as a significant sample size. Chris Paul is one of the most talented all around players in the game PERIOD. Last year he lead the NBA in both assists and steals - and is doing so again this season - while averaging over 21 PPG. He was also 2nd team all-defense last year. He has attempted more FT in the first five games of this season that Sergio has in his entire career. His career TS% is 0.557. His career FT% is 0.840. And, he's improved his FG% and 3FG% every season he's been in the league. Jason Kidd is one of the best defending and best rebounding guards in the entire history of the league. He is currently averaging above 7 RPG for the 5th straight season and 6th of his career. He's been 1st or 2nd team all-defense 9 times. And while shooting is considered his biggest weakness, he's a better shooter than Sergio (EVERYBODY is a better shooter than Sergio). So, Sergio puts up some nice assist/48 numbers for five or six games and he's now being mentioned in the same sentence as these three sure-fire Hall of Famers. And while his current assist/48 number is comparable to theirs over a much smaller sample size, EVERY other aspect of his game is WAY, WAY below average. The others all excelled at at LEAST one other area. I didn't mention Calderon as his sample size isn't as large as the others, but he is also a great shooter who has extended his range to 3-point territory and he's an excellent FT shooter. Sergio isn't even a poor man's Calderon and has absolutely no business being mentioned in the same sentence as Nash, Paul and Kidd. And even less business whining about his PT. BNM
Its obvious that he and Nate are not on the same page. Perhaps Sergio could go through some defensive drills or something to work on his steals or causing a trap on a player? Perhaps Sergio isn't patient enough on half court offense? Blake takes his time and Sergio always appears rushed.
Effective when not dominating the ball? That is a reach at best. Blake his been border effective at best, through out his career.
Blake can shoot the long ball and his defense is better than Sergio. Sergio is a hopeless spot-up shooter - and his defense is worse than Blake. If you are asking me what is the worst position the Blazers need to address - I would agree that PG is it - either by letting Bayless get some burn or by trading - but it is clear that if you put someone who can not shoot to save his life next to a guy like Roy who needs the ball - he is not going to be effective. While Blake is not shooting lights out - I would take 42%/36% (FG/3P) over 28%/22% every day of the week and twice on Tuesday... To be honest, with the way our PGs play defense this year - a Roy/Rudy combo will not lose anything on defense - but we will get Rudy's magnificent 46%/42% shooting...
I agree with you that Roy and Rudy is the back court of choice. I also believe that all the people who called it a failure after one game, have no patience. Oh let me see. Are 2 guys who have never played together in a pro game going to excel the first time together? No? Oh ok, throw the idea completely out the window, and give up on it because it did not work out the first time or two. We might as well trade Rudy and Brandon both now.
Yea, which brings up another point. The team had been together for weeks. So Nate decides after 3 weeks the best time for them to play the first time together is in a game?
Boob, you are surely being intentionally clueless? Hello? Sergio DID THIS for his rookie season, too -- just not quite as sterling numbers. As for the rest of your "argument" .... Go ahead. Post examples of backup point guards in the NBA that are in the top 3 in assists/48 for a whole season (as Sergio was his rookie year), or who have ever managed 16.4 assists/48 for 6 games. You can't. Because there are no examples. Backup point guards simply do not do what Sergio did his rookie year (and so far this year). Sergio is no star, today. But his passing is extremely rare, possibly without equal in the NBA today. If he can improve the rest of his game (admittedly, unknown right now) .... iWatas
