“Sergio is playing exceptionally well, especially in passing and creating plays,” Spanish National Team coach, Chus Mateo, told NBA reporter and friend of the site, Toni Canyameras.
The Spanish point guard out of Valencia averaged 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, five assists and averaged 66.7 percent on three-pointers (on three shots per game) this preseason. Unsustainable, but nonetheless impressive for a rookie.
“I think he’s a player who also has to adapt to a pace that, so to speak, is different from
what he’s used to with players who are very physical and probably have superior athletic ability. But his size and his understanding of the game also help him create many opportunities for his own team,” Mateo said.
The 6’6 rookie has surprised a lot of people with his passing during the preseason, making it look easy to create and connect with his teammates despite playing in a physically tougher NBA environment than where he comes from.
But there’s a lot to work on for the rookie, too.
“He’s shooting well, but more with his feet on the ground,” Chus Mateo pointed out.
“I think that perhaps little by little he’ll manage to shoot more in the pick and roll after the dribble, which is perhaps one of the areas he can improve. He’s a genuinely intelligent player both on and off the court,” the Spanish coach said.
Mavs coach Dusty May has also praised De Larrea’s basketball IQ and most recently his unique ability to shine under pressure.
“He’s a gamer, especially when the lights are on. He has the ‘it’ factor. We’ve been very pleased with him,” May said after the first preseason games.
Spanish NBA reporter, Toni Canyameras, notes that he believes that Sergio De Larrea has a good chance of becoming the first option in the rotation after Kyrie Irving. This echoes what the Mavs have said previously in the season, and how they played him through Summer League, as well as the preseason.
“A knack and feel” for the game and that it’s “innate”, “something you can’t teach”, as Mavs Summer League head coach Joe Boylan described it back in July. Already back then, De Larrea’s ability to scan and pass before the defender can catch up left defenses scrambling. And Dallas excited.
Unfortunately, things look a little different for the other part of the Spanish Mavs connection, Santi Aldama.
The seven-footer and NBA veteran has been out with an injury, recovering from the knee arthroscopy that ended his season last March and has yet to play a minute for the Mavs. A return date has not yet been disclosed.
Aldama was traded to Dallas this season after five years with the Memphis Grizzlies. And Toni Canyameras is optimistic:
“This is a refreshing reset for him after being part of that project led by Ja Morant, which has been in steady decline over the years,” he says.
There will be a lot of competition for the power forward spot in Dallas, however. But the fact that Aldama also has the ability to play as a dynamic center is worth noting.
“His proven combination of size, shooting ability, and playmaking skills opens up a wide range of possibilities. The Grizzlies’ roster instability, plagued by injuries in recent years, has spurred Aldama’s versatility, allowing him to play in every position,” Canyameras notes.
As the Dallas Mavericks prepare to open the season this week with an almost completely different roster than last year, and a handful of newcomers, including in leadership, their Spanish rookie seems ready for his debut. Vision, IQ, and size will give him an advantage to start; improved pace and physicality will be points to improve.
But as the very best in the world, Sergio De Larrea has something worth paying attention to. He thrives under pressure. And that’s something you can’t teach.
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