You'd think Nate would have learned from this experience but... Posted by Jason Quick, The Oregonian November 07, 2008 11:25AM After averaging 12.9 minutes a game last season as the third-string point guard, Rodriguez this season won the backup job, but has averaged only 9:18 a game in the first five contests, despite a sterling 15 assists-to-2-turnover ratio. He is averaging 15.6 assists per 48 minutes. McMillan has played Rodriguez only in spurts, usually opting to use a three-guard unit that features Steve Blake, Brandon Roy and Rudy Fernandez. However, in last night's overtime victory against Houston, Rodriguez played 4:58 of the fourth quarter while starter Steve Blake played only 10 seconds. Rodriguez had three rebounds, two assists and no turnovers during his time, missing his only attempt, a three-pointer. In the second quarter, during a shift when Rodriguez had three assists in his first three minutes, he was pulled from the game when a timeout was called with 9:03 left and replaced with Blake. As the Blazers huddled during the timeout, Rodriguez left the team's bench and headed into the tunnel that leads to the Blazers locker room. Eventually, lead assistant Dean Demopoulos also left the huddle and went into the tunnel in search of Rodriguez. A minute or so later, Rodriguez came back out, with Demopoulos close behind. But 24 seconds later, during an official timeout, Rodriguez was put back in the game. P.S. His leaving the bench last night was to use the bathroom. For the Blazers, it's a pretty good sign when your third point guard (Blake is No. 1, I put Roy as No. 2) can get six assists in 11 minutes. KP at the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Japan: The other person we were over there to support was our rookie, Sergio Rodriguez, who was playing for Spain. Blazers scout Jason Filippi joined Steve and I to evaluate where Sergio is. He did a great job coming into games and proved to be a big spark plug off the bench for Spain. He really shined in Spain's semifinal against Argentina. He scored 14 points in 15 minutes and I don't think Spain wins that game if Sergio didn't play as well as he did. He's really a dynamic player. He's going to be flashy, unique, and certainly fun to watch, but he's also going to need to learn to play the NBA game. But, you look at his overall stats and we're thrilled to death with what he did in the tournament. He was 11 of 23 in field goals, made some three pointers on 3 of 6 shooting, and had 21 assists. The assist stat comparison isn't exactly comparing apples to apples because an assist in FIBA or Euro basketball is different. Over there an assist needs to lead directly to a lay-up before it's counted as an assist. He has a great ability to play the pick and roll. He's also terrific at getting in the paint and finding players. The one thing that he really has a knack for is the lob pass. He's got a great sense for leading players and hitting them at just the right time. Most people feel that he'll be starting for Spain in the not too distant future. He's playing at a high level this summer and played a major role in helping Spain capture the gold medal. Cut the crap Nate, and put a winner on the floor.
Sergio has sucked in the playoffs, STFU already. He can't defend or shoot or run a half-court offense.
Wait Maris, let me get this straight... you think Sergio should play more? I learn something new every day!
STFU yourself. Since you obviously have nothing factual or insightful to offer, why don't you just put me on ignore as I'm doing with you right after I hit post. He hasn't yet (significantly) played in the playoffs, which you would know if you even watched the games. Either way, it's clear you need some learnin' before you offer your opinions on a game that's clearly beyond your grasp. Nate and KP, George Karl and many other coaches, along with every sportswriter who has ever written about his play, all agree he runs the pick and roll as well or better than most guards in the league. The pick and roll IS half-court offense, and the most consistently effective play in the game. ESPECIALLY if you have bigs like Greg and Joel. He is the only PG who has been able to get the whole team involved and scoring when we've been down in games this year, and we've never been as down in offense as we are right now with him sitting. He's also the only PG we have who's been effective offensively against Houston this year.
Here's some other tidbits for you: We're being embarrassed and outclassed by Houston's defense because we (Steve and Brandon) walk the ball up and don't pass the ball. We're being embarrassed and outclassed by Houston's defense because Brandon dribbled away over half of our last 6 minutes of the game due to his inability to think of plays to run. We're being embarrassed and outclassed by Houston's defense because Steve only passes to the same 2 guys all night. We're being embarrassed and outclassed by Houston's defense because the only PG who can slice and dice the Houston defense is warming the pines. We're being embarrassed and outclassed by Houston's defense because the only PG who's interested in playing a team game is warming the pines.
I'm all for giving your best players more minutes in the playoffs. If that means Sergio doesn't play, fine with me. Aside from Maris, I don't know of anyone who would argue that Sergio is better than Blake, Roy or Rudy.
I will add that we should look to run more. All year, with or without Sergio in, we have looked for an easy bucket early in the shot clock by pushing the tempo, and if that doesn't work we take our time trying to get a good shot. In game 3 we didn't look to push at all. I think Nate needs to get them back to being aggressive early in the shot clock, and I think they can do that despite Sergio not playing.
When sergio is on he does really well but his problem is he isn't nearly consistant as Roy or Blake which is why he's losing minutes at least right now. And plus he plays a risky defense and a lot of the time he gets blown by. That's not to say Steve doesn't but it happens a lot worse with sergio especially with brooks. On a side note I think we should have batum guard wafer he would shut his ass down to nothing
Nate clearly pleaded with Blake and Roy on 2 televised timeouts in a row in the 4th quarter last game to push it up the court and get some quick opportunities. His tone was almost begging. Blake and Roy completely ignored him. Assuming they respect their coach, they are apparently unable to follow his directions.
Brooks has never "blown by" Sergio. Not saying he couldn't, just that in the 2 or so minutes they've faced each other he has not. Sergio was +1 in their only playoff meeting, Brooks -1.
