Philadelphia 76ers FA Buys Team Time To Develop Youth

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (25) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) pose for a photo at a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (25) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) pose for a photo at a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Sergio Rodriguez

Sergio Rodriguez is a unique signing in that he was signed away from Euroleague’s Real Madrid team.   He is a point guard who is a pick-and-roll specialist with a flair for passing.

Rodriguez played with the Blazers from 2006-2009, then was traded to Sacramento during the 2009 NBA Draft. He later played for the New York Knicks. He played 219 games for the Blazers, including 14 starts, and averaged 3.6 points and 2.9 assists.

We covered him earlier as he was signed to the team.  He shoots 45.2 percent from the floor, with a 40.9 percent from the three-point range.  He averages 10.9 points per game, 2.2 rebounds per game, 6.2 assists per game,  In the Euroleague playoffs, he scored a whopping  66.7% of his treys.

Rodriguez is a player who can translate NBA and Euroleague for the rookies on the team, particularly as we continue to take on a more international flavor to the roster.  He can slide into a point guard role and excel at passing the ball, or play of the ball.   He is a superb passer, and ensures players who move will get shots.  Combining his passing with that of Ben Simmons and Dario Saric, and you have the makings of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

But he should project as the starting point guard we’ve been looking to replace ever since point guard  Ish signed on with Detroit.  Rodriguez’s fast pass will kick start the team, forcing players to move or be passed over.

Rodriguez is not the volume shooter that Smith was, nor does he hesitate to shoot like McConnell. He makes the right decision where to go with the ball or keep it and drive for the shot.

Next: Better Than Last Year's Approach