Rodriguez Gets a Chance to Shine on the Biggest Stage
Feb 23 2010 3:14PM
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Sergio Rodriguez plays with a flair that will electrify New York City.
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Sergio Rodriguez, who wears No. 13 for the Knicks, realized something on his drive to Madison Square Garden before making his New York debut on Saturday night.
"When I was coming from Westchester, I was thinking A-Rod," the point guard said with a smile.
Rodriguez still has a long way to go before he reaches the superstar level of the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, but he certainly won over New York fans in the 26 minutes he played in the Knicks' heartbreaking overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Not many New Yorkers had the opportunity to see Rodriguez play during his four-year career for the simple fact that he played on the West Coast with Portland and Sacramento. But it didn't take long until he showcased his quickness and incredible passing ability, dishing out a team-high six assists to go along with five points off the bench.
"I really didn't know much about Sergio but he is one heck of a player," fellow newcomer Tracy McGrady said. "The basketball IQ is phenomenal. His passing ability is pretty dag on good. He seems like he is going to be a fun guy to play with."
Rodriguez is also going to be a fun player to watch while playing in Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced system. Several times throughout his debut he got to the rim with ease and kicked the ball out to open teammates along the perimeter. He had three behind-the-back passes in the game.
"I think this will be an opportunity for him to play in a system he'd probably do best in," Knicks president Donnie Walsh said. "Obviously we're sorely in need of a guy who can get the ball to people and make plays and create a fast tempo. So he's in a situation where if he can do that, this is a good opportunity for him."
Rodriguez will have an opportunity to play significant minutes for the Knicks, who had been looking to add depth at point guard over the last two seasons. D'Antoni had no problem playing Rodriguez in all but 18 seconds of overtime in the Knicks' 121-118 loss to the Thunder.
Rodriguez was acquired from Sacramento as part of a three-team, nine-player deal at Thursday's trade deadline. He became the first Spanish-born player to appear in a game for the Knicks and the 20th international player in franchise history.
Rodriguez is thrilled to be in New York not only because he will play at The Garden each night but because of the Spanish fans. "There are like 10, 12 flights everyday to New York from Madrid and Barcelona," he said. He is looking forward to having his own cheering section, like the Lakers' Pau Gasol has when he makes his annual trip to the Mecca of basketball.
"When I was coming from Westchester, I was thinking A-Rod," the point guard said with a smile.
Rodriguez still has a long way to go before he reaches the superstar level of the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, but he certainly won over New York fans in the 26 minutes he played in the Knicks' heartbreaking overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Not many New Yorkers had the opportunity to see Rodriguez play during his four-year career for the simple fact that he played on the West Coast with Portland and Sacramento. But it didn't take long until he showcased his quickness and incredible passing ability, dishing out a team-high six assists to go along with five points off the bench.
"I really didn't know much about Sergio but he is one heck of a player," fellow newcomer Tracy McGrady said. "The basketball IQ is phenomenal. His passing ability is pretty dag on good. He seems like he is going to be a fun guy to play with."
Rodriguez is also going to be a fun player to watch while playing in Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced system. Several times throughout his debut he got to the rim with ease and kicked the ball out to open teammates along the perimeter. He had three behind-the-back passes in the game.
"I think this will be an opportunity for him to play in a system he'd probably do best in," Knicks president Donnie Walsh said. "Obviously we're sorely in need of a guy who can get the ball to people and make plays and create a fast tempo. So he's in a situation where if he can do that, this is a good opportunity for him."
Rodriguez will have an opportunity to play significant minutes for the Knicks, who had been looking to add depth at point guard over the last two seasons. D'Antoni had no problem playing Rodriguez in all but 18 seconds of overtime in the Knicks' 121-118 loss to the Thunder.
Rodriguez was acquired from Sacramento as part of a three-team, nine-player deal at Thursday's trade deadline. He became the first Spanish-born player to appear in a game for the Knicks and the 20th international player in franchise history.
Rodriguez is thrilled to be in New York not only because he will play at The Garden each night but because of the Spanish fans. "There are like 10, 12 flights everyday to New York from Madrid and Barcelona," he said. He is looking forward to having his own cheering section, like the Lakers' Pau Gasol has when he makes his annual trip to the Mecca of basketball.
