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Good point. But let's not forget that we dont know for sure if Rudy is coming next season, and he'll be a rookie out of europe.

Telfaire wrote:Good point. But let's not forget that we dont know for sure if Rudy is coming next season, and he'll be a rookie out of europe.

I think we absolutely know he's coming next season. The certainty level of his arrival is right at about the same certainty that we'll have Greg Oden playing next year.

mojomarc wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I think we absolutely know he's coming next season. The certainty level of his arrival is right at about the same certainty that we'll have Greg Oden playing next year.

I think there is a high probability, but I was reading an article a few weeks ago...may have been draftexpress...that said at least 2 and maybe 3 european teams were going to throw a lot of money at him to sign a multi-year contract. Somewhere around 3 or 4 million a year.

That's a lot of persuasion. I know 3 million would persuade me, but then when somebody is offering me a million dollars I feel real slutty....theoretically of course.

Until the guy signs his Blazer's contract and steps off the plane,
nothing is for certain.

At 6'6 185lbs he seems a bit thin to me and until he matches up
against NBA players, no Euro is a sure thing. In my mind, the
only thing that really matters is adding Greg Oden to a team that
won 42-45 or so games. We have only nine more months before
we see Greg Oden playing in a regular season game and I can't
wait.

Wizenheimer wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I think there is a high probability, but I was reading an article a few weeks ago...may have been draftexpress...that said at least 2 and maybe 3 european teams were going to throw a lot of money at him to sign a multi-year contract. Somewhere around 3 or 4 million a year.

He's apparently been telling Sergio that he can't wait to come over and try his game in the NBA. The extra $2m a year for a few years can't buy that.

As far as his size, I'm not too worried about that, either. He is the same size as Reggie Miller was, and Miller was durable enough. Bruce Bowen is also 185lbs and plays as physical a game as any wing player around. What he has is a great first step, a fantastic ouside shot, and a real explosive leaping ability, and that should be good enough to at least make him productive in his first year, even if he does have an adjustment period.

The last few games I've watched sergio play I've found myself screaming at the TV for Nate to take the bum out.

Hmmm, so maybe Sergio has to stay until Rudy comes over and signs? I'll stop trading Sergio in my proposals.

Hmmm, so maybe Sergio has to stay until Rudy comes over and signs? I'll stop trading Sergio in my proposals.

I don't think we want to trade Sergio anyway. I was watching the 1977 team retrospective on NBA TV last night, and watching Ramsey talk about how getting Walton's rebounding and defense back from injury totally changed the team from a collection of jump shooters to a fast break team the parallels to this team immediately sprung to mind. With Oden, we're going to have the opportunity to push the pace on teams and get scores of easy buckets, something we flat out do not do this year. This means that Sergio's ability to lead the fast break, which is far better than Jack's and better than Blake's or Roy's as well, will be supremely useful. Now if we got a replacement like a Harris or a TJ Ford or a PG in the draft that had the quickness and decision making ability, then Sergio does become expendible. Without that guarantee, though, we would be leaving probably 10 or so points per game on the table by getting rid of Sergio at this point. That's how much I think our game will change with a guy like Oden combining with Joel to give us 48 minutes of quality (dominant?) defensive center play.

It might be a bit frustrating to watch him now, but Sergio is still very young, has very limited pro experience, and is trying to fit his speed game into Nate's buttoned-down offense, so it shouldn't be all that surprising that he makes mistakes. We shouldn't be frustrated about it at this point. If he is still this inconsistent next year when he's likely to get more like 20 minutes per game as we start really running on our opponents, then we can start being frustrated with him.

I agree we should give him a chance next year. He's got the skills; we've seen that. Just give him a yr or 2 more to prove himself.

mojomarc wrote:I don't think we want to trade Sergio anyway. I was watching the 1977 team retrospective on NBA TV last night, and watching Ramsey talk about how getting Walton's rebounding and defense back from injury totally changed the team from a collection of jump shooters to a fast break team the parallels to this team immediately sprung to mind. With Oden, we're going to have the opportunity to push the pace on teams and get scores of easy buckets, something we flat out do not do this year. This means that Sergio's ability to lead the fast break, which is far better than Jack's and better than Blake's or Roy's as well, will be supremely useful. Now if we got a replacement like a Harris or a TJ Ford or a PG in the draft that had the quickness and decision making ability, then Sergio does become expendible. Without that guarantee, though, we would be leaving probably 10 or so points per game on the table by getting rid of Sergio at this point. That's how much I think our game will change with a guy like Oden combining with Joel to give us 48 minutes of quality (dominant?) defensive center play.

It might be a bit frustrating to watch him now, but Sergio is still very young, has very limited pro experience, and is trying to fit his speed game into Nate's buttoned-down offense, so it shouldn't be all that surprising that he makes mistakes. We shouldn't be frustrated about it at this point. If he is still this inconsistent next year when he's likely to get more like 20 minutes per game as we start really running on our opponents, then we can start being frustrated with him.

Part of me wants to say you're all wet with the comparison. But that's because I saw that team when they were at their best, while the current version probably has 5 years before that point.

As far as running. I'm not sure about that. For one thing, the art of the outlet pass seems missing these days. And don't forget, not only was walton one of the best outlet passers ever, portland also had Maurice Lucas and Lloyd Neal who were great at it as well.

And then of course when portland ran...or in their case sprinted...the fast break, they had Hollins, Gross, Davis, Twardzick, Gilliam, and Steele. And not only could those guys run like the wind, they could finish.

But it was a different era, and what was necessary to be an exceptional running team then, may not be necessary now. The current blazer roster does have some guys who should be able to run and finish: Roy, Webster, Outlaw, Sergio...even Blake. And LMA's ability should factor in.

It will take a conscious effort, and building a team that runs effecrively...and efficiently...won't happen in an off-season.

I also question if portland will be able to do it exclusively off of defensive rebounds. portland needs to start forcing more turnovers, and even running off of opponents made baskets. Houston and GS aren't rebounding powerhouses, but that doesn't inhibit their running games.

Goldbum wrote:The last few games I've watched sergio play I've found myself screaming at the TV for Nate to take the bum out.

Thats funny, I say the same thing but about Jack.

Atleast with Sergio he trys to play to his strengths.
You cant say the same about Jack.. .

The only thing to think about when sergio's driving you crazy is Travis. It took him 5 yrs to get it together and oh boy there goes the game.