D'Antoni always had an eye on Rodriguez
Sacramento Kings guard Sergio Rodriguez, center, of Spain, drives to the basket between Denver Nuggets' Chris Andersen, left, and Kenyon Martin during the second quarter of an NBA game. (Jan. 9, 2010) Credit: AP
GREENBURGH, N.Y. - Sergio Rodriguez is finally where he always wanted to be.
New York.
"I'm very, very, very happy to be here," said the soft-spoken native of Spain, who was acquired Thursday from Sacramento in a three-team deal that also sent Houston forward Tracy McGrady to the Knicks. "It's been a long time I've wanted to play for the Knicks, so now it's a dream come true and I'm really happy . . . New York, Madison [Square Garden], and this organization are great . . . I feel very, very blessed to be here."
Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni has had the 6-3 Rodriguez on his radar since the 23-year-old point guard - who was just 19 at the time - worked out for Phoenix and was later drafted 27th overall by the Suns in 2006.
That same draft day, Rodriguez was traded to Portland.
Though unimpressed with Rodriguez's range at the time, D'Antoni kept his eye on him. And when the opportunity came to finally bring him to New York, D'Antoni and team president Donnie Walsh didn't hesitate.
"I like him. I've always liked him," D'Antoni said of Rodriguez, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. "He's improved his shot, definitely, from where he worked out in Phoenix in the draft year. I think that's the biggest thing that I didn't like, that he's improved. And he can really pass.
"It's up to me to give him confidence and to see what he has. And I think the more confident he feels, the more secure he feels, he'll play better . . . I don't know his game that much, but I'm excited about having him and seeing what we can do."
Rodriguez, who has averaged 3.9 points, 2.9 assists and 13.3 minutes in 258 career games, had trouble securing a regular lineup spot in Portland and Sacramento. But that won't be the case in D'Antoni's up-tempo system - especially with Chris Duhon's struggles.
"By far it's the best opportunity I'm going to get," Rodriguez said. "So I'm going to try to take advantage of that . . . I like the pick and rolls, I like playing in transition, I think it will be good."
