Posting and Toasting: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook

Get to Know a Knick: Sergio Rodriguez

Guesssergio_medium

Yesterday's flurry of trades changed the complexion of the Knicks' roster pretty substantially. I figure you're already pretty familiar with Tracy McGrady and Eddie House (for more on McGrady, I recommend this piece by Alan Hahn (subscription)). People might not be as familiar with the handful of other Knicks joining D'Antoni's motley crew, though. So that this wouldn't become a game of Guess Who?, I sought some opinions from those who know each of these players best: fans of their old teams. Here's the first batch of responses.

Does he have the sharpest widow's peak known to man? Yes. Is he called "Spanish Chocolate? Yes. Can he hit a jump shot? Maybe. It's Sergio Rodriguez, y'all. Read what Kings fans had to say, after the jump.

Star-divide

Aykis16:

Sergio will dazzle you. He will also frighten you. He has amazing court vision, but sometimes this is a detriment, as his passes can go to someone who isn’t expecting them.

He’s lightning quick, one of the faster point guards I’ve seen. He can get to the rim exceedingly well because of it, and has led a few garbage time rallies for the Kings because of it. It’s also a big reason why his FG% is at a career best, he’s getting more efficient shots.

He gets knocked as a bad shooter, and he’s not great, but he has improved his 3P% each and every year and his form is solid. He’s currently at 35.7% this year.

On defense, he tries, but he’s really not that good at it. He’s a good ball hawk though, and plays the passing lanes well. He might be a little too aggressive in playing the lanes sometimes.

He’s young, and has the potential to be one of the best assist men in the league. He will also probably lead the league in turnovers. But you know what? D’Antoni should absolutely love this guy. If D’Antoni can’t make Sergio work, then Sergio isn’t as good as any of us thought he could be. He’s only 23 so there is still some potential, and D’Antoni is the perfect coach for him.

My prognosis: Start him immediately. Duhon isn’t worth your time anyway.

Grasul:

He has to make the play, Sergio is allergic to the concept of making the pass that leads to the pass that gets a score. he’s got to do it on his own.

That said, he’s fast with the ball, and has good court vision. He’s always trying to make a play for someone else to his credit. Sergio’s shooting numbers are better this year, but you wouldn’t know it from watching the games. Rarely does he take a shot that you’re not cringing at the time.

Given 15 minutes a night, he’s money in the bank for two pretty plays that lead to baskets and one "that might have been the worst decision I’ve ever seen on a basketball court" play.

Hoops Mike:

Sergio will RAGE in your offense. He is NOT a good defender, but he will absolutely jump start your offense and get you back up to the terrific pace you have played at in the past, and Dantoni had with Nash. He was very effective on the Kings when he played, it is just that it was difficult to mesh him with our other pieces – especially when we are so young that his style can bring out bad habits. In your style I think he will be your starter within about five games. He might not be your starter long-term, but I think he will fit in quite nicely on your team.

MustangMBS:

His ability to hit players takes time for teammates to get used to and begin to prepared for or expect. When he is clicking with his teammates he can have a zero turnover game, but often with the Kings the slow grind of the offense up until he comes in has led to players being completely out of sync with his style of play.

He has the ability to bring dynamic energy to the game and matched up with running players who are good away from the ball will lead to a fast paced and explosive scoring team. Just perfect for Dantoni. I mean it. He has been a huge change of pace for the Kings and his passing has been phenomenal.

He is young and still developing as a talent. He has room to grow and mature into a great PG. His turnovers and decision-making will improve as he is set up to succeed within a team that plays a style that matches his game. Knicks are perfect for him.

Mortimer (a Blazers fan):

Very exciting and fun player. If you aren’t trying to win a lot of games, he’s fun to watch.

He is not a good defender and won’t likely ever be one. He can get steals from his gambling nature.

He has AMAZING court vision. But he also pounds the ball into the ground for 20 seconds before deciding what to do. No one else will touch the ball much unless they are shooting it or finishing a pass he set up. He really dominates the ball in a way that is unhealthy for a PG who will always be playing with other guards who are better than him.

Not a good shooter, but Duhon has been awful this year so he might even be an improvement.

Playing up tempo should work well for him, and he will AT THE VERY LEAST give you some very fun plays. He’ll also find your shooters on the perimeter nicely. He racks up the assists.

Have fun with him, take him for what he is, and don’t get too attached. He captivates some people and makes them obsess over him. He’s a fun guard, but not really a player who plays a winning style.

Take these to heart, and check out what everybody else had to say in the thread I started at Sactown Royalty. This guy might very well be your starting point guard, soon, so it's worth preparing yourself. To me, this is an underrated component of the three-way deal that has me pretty excited. This could be Sergio's first chance to get starter's minutes for a prolonged stretch, and anything can happen.

Also, "S-Rod" is a totally unacceptable nickname, and I think we can do better than "Spanish Chocolate".

0 recs  |  Comment 60 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

More from Posting and Toasting

Sergio Rodriguez Back to Spain?

May 2010 by Seth - 30 comments

Wednesday Giant Otters

May 2010 by Seth - 5 comments

Knicks 113, Clippers 107

Apr 2010 by Seth - 16 comments

Tracy McGrady is a straight-shooter.

Apr 2010 by Seth - 8 comments

Around SB Nation

Monday night McGrady

Jul 2010 from Blog a Bull - 260 comments

Tracy McGra-day

Jul 2010 from Blog a Bull - 703 comments

Comments

Display:

The Serge!

A promising young point guard on the Knicks…

"We're only going to score 17 points?" ~ Tom Brady

by mwilli on Feb 19, 2010 11:53 AM EST reply actions  

so sergio is shooting basically 70% better than duhon from 3

whats this can’t shoot nonsense?

twitter.com/aighttho
http://aightthen.tumblr.com/

by stingy d on Feb 19, 2010 12:05 PM EST reply actions  

I like this guy already.

I think Serge is a good nickname as long as we all agree to pronounce it like the character in Beverly Hills Cop http://vimeo.com/2349151

And also to make lots of Beverly Hills Cop references for the remainder of the season.

by Frederic Weis on Feb 19, 2010 12:07 PM EST reply actions  

Spanish Choclate?

Does Rodriguez have a fucked up grill too? Cuz Jeffries left too early for ‘El Chupacabra’ to stick

by FreeBradshaw on Feb 19, 2010 12:07 PM EST reply actions  

hairline fracture?

twitter.com/aighttho
http://aightthen.tumblr.com/

by stingy d on Feb 19, 2010 12:21 PM EST reply actions  

umm

duhon should have been exocommunicated…not nate robinson…..

by TO. on Feb 19, 2010 12:47 PM EST reply actions  

you right you right

but duhon is marrying dantoni’s daughter.

twitter.com/aighttho
http://aightthen.tumblr.com/

by stingy d on Feb 19, 2010 12:54 PM EST up reply actions  

Nate's a Celtic

Which is actually worse than being excommunicated, if you ask me. But he actually wanted to go there. So, ya know, Knick up & move on. The Nate era, with all its fantastical non-winning, is over. The Duhon era should be over too. He can keep his religion as long as he’s wa-wa-WAIVED! Say it with me! It’s the Sergio/Toney era now!

by fuhry on Feb 19, 2010 12:56 PM EST reply actions  

hmmm

I’d like to wait on the “knick-name” until he plays a couple games.. nicknames have a lot to do with how they perform …right? except jeffries.. with his, starbucks, or madagascar names… lmao.

miss ya jeffries…well.. maybe not that much

by semsemma on Feb 19, 2010 1:17 PM EST reply actions  

Posted on another thread

that it sorta feelsl ike Sergio is like a passing version of Nate. Instead of the aggressive explosion leadign to a dunk, we get aggressive explosion leading to a pass leading to a score. Both have the occasional “are you f’ing kidding me!” TOs, but I like this.

I’m eager to see this kid play

"you're the Rod Thorn in my Chris Bosh side."

by Chris Child's Fist on Feb 19, 2010 1:21 PM EST reply actions  

Not a fan of Spanish Chocolate as a nickname

we def should fix that.

"you're the Rod Thorn in my Chris Bosh side."

by Chris Child's Fist on Feb 19, 2010 1:22 PM EST reply actions  

theknickblog.com

has youtube vids of sergio and the rest of the new acquisitions..

s/n: bill walker has bunnies!!

by semsemma on Feb 19, 2010 1:37 PM EST reply actions  

HOPS!

twitter.com/aighttho
http://aightthen.tumblr.com/

by stingy d on Feb 19, 2010 4:37 PM EST up reply actions  

mmmmmmmmmm

rabbits!

twitter.com/aighttho
http://aightthen.tumblr.com/

by stingy d on Feb 19, 2010 4:39 PM EST up reply actions  

I like how that little girl found his picture in the boardgame

what a coincidence! the guy is already famous!

"you're the Rod Thorn in my Chris Bosh side."

by Chris Child's Fist on Feb 19, 2010 1:45 PM EST reply actions  

nice gogo track too

i might float w/ the spanish fly. seen some vids..he zips around like one too

by semsemma on Feb 19, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions  

maybe we could call him

the perculator???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMEDZnM_TZE

twitter.com/aighttho
http://aightthen.tumblr.com/

by stingy d on Feb 19, 2010 4:06 PM EST up reply actions  

nice

influenza should also be considered. maybe inquisition

by Ray Smuckles on Feb 19, 2010 3:10 PM EST up reply actions  

The Inquisition

Nobody ever expects the Inquisition!!

"you're the Rod Thorn in my Chris Bosh side."

by Chris Child's Fist on Feb 19, 2010 4:22 PM EST up reply actions  

I like it.

Darrelle Revis once won a game of Connect Four in three moves.

by bm01bath on Feb 19, 2010 6:25 PM EST up reply actions  

the anti-defemation league

jewish chapter, might not like that one.

twitter.com/aighttho
http://aightthen.tumblr.com/

by stingy d on Feb 19, 2010 4:38 PM EST up reply actions  

how about...

… “no look bowl of paella to the face.”
Might be a bit long.
But “No Look Paella” would look sweet on a t-shirt…

by RobDiablo44 on Feb 19, 2010 2:08 PM EST reply actions  

That could have legs.

Ha. Get it?!? Legs? Genius.

"He's the straw that makes the drink go."

by Thelonious Dunk on Feb 19, 2010 3:45 PM EST up reply actions  

no look paella

whether or not that sticks, i’m gonna start saying that.

by Seth on Feb 19, 2010 4:31 PM EST up reply actions  

i only skimmed the descriptions

but he kinda sounded like nate to me…

by enron4515 on Feb 19, 2010 3:47 PM EST reply actions  

i would suggest reading them

because he sounds like the opposite of nate to me.

by gbaked on Feb 19, 2010 3:49 PM EST up reply actions  

I called him Lieutenant Surge

But everybody over there is too old and not nerdy enough to get it.

Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order and Originator of the "Brock Ness Monster".

by Aykis16 on Feb 19, 2010 4:27 PM EST reply actions  

blazer fan here.

Kid has amazing vision and a terrific handle. Great point guard playing with a screener who can get into the lane and finish — he even contributed to a couple of electric Jamaal Magloire highlights, if that’s not too much of a contradiction. He has a bad tendency to foul when he gets beat defending on the perimeter — I’m not sure if he’s ever had a coach who has pointed out that that’s the wrong thing to do. Nate McMillan has a defensive reputation but is actually pretty poor at teaching defensive fundamentals to young players.

He’s a player who I think has really nice potential as a quality starter on a winning team, but will really have to learn good fundamentals for that to happen. Think White Chocolate with Hubie Brown.

by howlingfantods on Feb 19, 2010 6:08 PM EST reply actions  

I’m looking forward to seeing him play.

Darrelle Revis once won a game of Connect Four in three moves.

by bm01bath on Feb 19, 2010 6:26 PM EST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Posting and Toasting: Blogging the Knicks Robin Hood-Style Since 2007
Start posting about the Knicks »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Mikey15_small
Signing Greatness Vol. 1: A Retired Knick, Who Would It Be?
Johnelwayvortexhowler_small
Doesn't the system make the man?
Gallo_cerveza-logo-ddcc925d1f-seeklogo
Just Say No To Bad Contracts!
74656_kings_warriors_basketball_small
A Thread For Not Paying Attention To Chris Paul's Whiny Ass Right Now
Migdal2_small
A thread for Chris Paul trade proposals.

Recent FanPosts

Mikey15_small
2010-2011 Free Agency: Plan B?
Small
Let's patiently be REALLY EXCITED about Anthony Randolph
Small
Top Players Most Likely Dealt Before the Start of the Season
Mikey15_small
ESPN Negative Lebron Article Mysteriously Vanishes, Here It Is!
Mikey15_small
Knicks Still Pushing For Fernandez
Knicksbigapple_small
Is Amare Stoudemire Jewish?
Gallo_cerveza-logo-ddcc925d1f-seeklogo
Knowledge Reel + Points of Discussion
Mikey15_small
Hornets Prefer To Keep Paul
Hope_medium_small
The Anthony Randolph Study

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SPONSORS

SBNation.com Recent Stories

 LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat speak after being introduced to fans during a welcome party at American Airlines Arena on July 9 2010 in Miami Florida.  (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

How Good Will LeBron James And The Miami Heat Be In 2011? Hint: Very Good

Lorenzen Wright 
(Getty Images) +7 updates

Lorenzen Wright's Body Found In Memphis, Police Conduct Homicide Investigation

Chris Paul LeBron James

'The Miami Model': Why Greed Is Good, And The NBA's Superteam Era Will Be Great

More from SBNation.com >