A "sucky" situation

[Nikolokolus]

Brian Hendrickson with an article on Chan Man
http://www.columbian.com/article/20081221/SPORTS01/812209969

He has looked lost in the offense at times, and played passively. His shots have come almost exclusively from the perimeter off kickouts, and he rarely created opportunities for himself. And since the Blazers’ power forwards are key decision makers in the pick-and-roll sets of their offense, getting lost and playing passively is a quick path to a reduced role.

And that is what has happened. Blazers coach Nate McMillan turned to Ike Diogu, who has been waiting for an opportunity to impress, and moved Frye to the end of the bench.

“He just looks a little hesitant,” McMillan said. “I think he has to just go out and play and not think, (but) react to situations.”

Frye insists he is not upset, but he understands that he is caught in a tight spot of the rotation — and it could get worse.

When Martell Webster returns from a fractured foot, McMillan could opt to give Travis Outlaw minutes at power forward, where he was most productive last season. Should that happen, the few minutes left to Frye and Diogu may vanish. And with Frye facing free agency this summer, losing an opportunity to showcase himself only adds to the pressure.

It’s something Frye said he thinks about, but tries not to focus on. Instead, he tells himself that there is still time in the season to turn things around.

“Everybody understands my situation with the team. And if L.A. wasn’t playing great, or if Joel wasn’t playing great, or Greg, I’d be in a totally different situation,” Frye said. “It’s a sucky situation, but I can’t let this hurt my confidence.”

Damn I feel bad for the guy, I think he actually does have some talent, but DNPs and six minutes a game are apparently not going to cut it for the "Buffet of Goodness" I hope KP can work a trade for him if this is how it's going to be ... terrible timing to be coming up on a contract year.

 

[ucatchtrout]

Damn I feel bad for the guy, I think he actually does have some talent, but DNPs and six minutes a game are apparently not going to cut it for the "Buffet of Goodness" I hope KP can work a trade for him if this is how it's going to be ... terrible timing to be coming up on a contract year.

Agree.

Channing has always been a team first guy. He even refused to talk extension with the Blazers this summer, perferring instead to "earn it".

I hope they reward for being an honorable guy and negotiate a deal to a club where Channing can get some PT. Its hard not to root for the guy. As a person, he is a great fit here. Unfortunately, there just doesn't seem to be a place for his game on our roster.

 

[Ed O]

He doesn't have a good game (near-three point range, no post-up game, poor rebounding, soft defense) and he's not even shooting the ball well.

If he were playing well and not getting minutes I'd feel worse for him.

Ed O.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Dude's terrible. About time Nate bench him. Hopefully, for good. He plays like a SG without a handle and playmaking ability. I don't feel sorry for him. I'm glad that he's out of the rotation.

I think I just feel bad for him because he's a likable guy ... you're right though, he hasn't looked good at all lately.

 

[yenniedn]

I really feel for the guy - he seems like such a good, likeable guy (off the court). A good (professional photographer) friend of mine did a shoot for him at his house for some local magazine last year and she said he was the nicest guy. His entourage was another story but Frye himself was a very classy guy she said.

I just don't think there's a spot for him on this team. I hope he (read: KP) finds a good fit for him somewhere where he can get the PT to get his confidence back!

 

[craigehlo]

I feel bad for him, but he's pretty much played his way out of town this summer if not sooner via trade. We needed his jump shooting last season when we has an anemic offense, but now with the addition of better shooters, his game is a poor fit.

Thankfully Nate didn't keep trotting him out there and put Ike in front of him finally. We could probably pluck a guy out of the NBADL right now that's playing better than Frye.

 

[MAS RipCity]

I heart Channing as a person (see blog and interviews), but damn, I only feel comfortable with him on the court if we are up by 20. He just isn't what we need on the 2nd unit. He lacks aggressiveness and is a streaky shooter at best. He rarely rebounds and doesn't get any easy buckets. His hsots usually come quick in the offense and disrupt the flow.

 

[alex42083]

Yeah, it sucks for Channing, but I'm glad to see the coaching staff making the move to Ike -- even if it is for 5-10 mins a game. You could tell Ike hadn't played in any meaningful PT all year, but I liked the hustle he brought.

 

[BalancedMan]

He's played much better in the league than I ever though he would have coming out of college. He's already overperformed in my eyes.

 

[jwhoops11]

He doesn't have a good game (near-three point range, no post-up game, poor rebounding, soft defense) and he's not even shooting the ball well.

If he were playing well and not getting minutes I'd feel worse for him.

Ed O.

Agreed about his game Ed....

I do however understand feeling bad for the guy, and I think that local fans of the team will probably feel that more than fans from other cities who haven't had a chance to see many games at the Rose Garden this year.

I'm really not an emotional guy when it comes to an idividual player, but with Channing it's different becuase he's become the likable personality that the team runs out during games on the scoreboard at the Garden promoting different "bits" to entertain fans during timeouts. He's constantly laughing, smiling and cracking jokes which does honestly give me a little more of a tender spot for him. I'm not sure if others who have attended games at the Garden feel this way, maybe it's just me, but I do feel bad watching his struggles.

That being said, at this point he doesn't belong on the floor and I'm totally down with Diogu getting his shot. Channing has hurt the team more than anything else as of late, but I do hope he turns that around.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I hate to say it, but some of us did predict this.

Frye looked surprisingly good last season - just as he did his first season in NY. He just can't sustain that level of play. I don't think he is "lazy" in the classic sense, but he seems to lack focus and intensity (something that goes back to his college days). As much as people rip LMA for being "soft", Frye is worse.

Too bad, as he does seem to be a nice guy.

 

[e_blazer]

Fry played well last season when he got the starting nod due to injuries to other players. It may be that he's just one of those guys who can't play off the bench. Either way, I don't see much of a spot for him on this roster, so I agree with those who have said that including him in a trade to a team where he can play would be the best thing for him.

Good dude. Bad situation here.

 

[handiman]

Happens to everyone with a head too small for their body.

 

[Nikolokolus]

In that case, he'll be out of the league soon. Frye's not starter material in the NBA. I wouldn't mind re-signing for the minimum with his role as being a Jack Haley or Mark Madsen type of cheerleader from the bench. He does seem to get along well with his teammates.

Actually I wouldn't mind seeing him come back when his playing days are done and take over Mike Rice's color commentator role.

 

[anonymous gambler]

I think the sad truth is that backup power forward is something we probably need to address in the offseason. Maybe Freeland?

 

[ABM]

Raef told him, "You're me, only without the contract, dude."

Ouch.

 

[STOMP]

Channing has always been a team first guy. He even refused to talk extension with the Blazers this summer, perferring instead to "earn it".

I'm pretty sure that Frye's agent was talking to the Blazers about an extension this past summer... that would be very unusual/strange if he didn't. They obviously didn't come to an agreement but that doesn't mean that they didn't discuss matters.

STOMP

 

[alex42083]

Actually I wouldn't mind seeing him come back when his playing days are done and take over Mike Rice's color commentator role.

I echo that! Bring Frye back to do some commentating, except replace Anthony Harvey rather than Rice. Or.... the terrible halftime crew.. (notice Holton's awkward second of pause at the end, as if saying wtf did Tony just say?)

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[Nikolokolus]

I echo that! Bring Frye back to do some commentating, except replace Anthony Harvey rather than Rice. Or.... the terrible halftime crew.. (notice Holton's awkward second of pause at the end, as if saying wtf did Tony just say?)

I actually like Holton and Harvey, Tony Luftman on the other hand sounds like some kid in the AV club, he's turrible, absolutely turrible.