Gerald Wallace: Not a difference-maker

[Shooter]

The verdict is in, it seems to me. Gerald Wallace has a nice game, but he's not a difference-maker. Despite his nickname of "Crash," he's not quite as fierce, not quite as athletic, and not quite as dominant as I thought he would be. I was really hoping he would help push us over the top in the playoffs, but it's just not happening.

I hope he proves me wrong and has a monster game on Thursday. God knows we need it.

 

[PapaG]

Wallace has been a real disappointment in the playoffs. When he missed that easy lay-up in the 1st quarter on Monday, it just seemed like he was tight to me. Also, when he had that breakaway steal, he nearly kicked the ball, and then barely elevated at all on his lay-up. A thunderous dunk would have been appropriate on that play, but it seemed as if he was fighting his nerves.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

he's always nervous in new situations it seems. disappointing. thought he would be a warrior.

 

[Shooter]

Wallace has been a real disappointment in the playoffs. When he missed that easy lay-up in the 1st quarter on Monday, it just seemed like he was tight to me. Also, when he had that breakaway steal, he nearly kicked the ball, and then barely elevated at all on his lay-up. A thunderous dunk would have been appropriate on that play, but it seemed as if he was fighting his nerves.

Yep, he seems tentative and unsure of himself a lot of the time. At Charlotte, he was the king of the mountain, but here he seems like just another player. I'm even wondering if he's on the downside of his career.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I agree with El Presidente; I think he does best in situations where he is comfortable. Although he appears to be a good decision-maker. especially with the ball in his hands; I just have the feeling that he needs more guidance from the coaches and more set plays. Not sure what is happening on defense; Blazers may be changing up more than he is capable of absorbing quickly. I hope by next year he can do a lot better, or by some miracle start tomorrow.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Yep, he seems tentative and unsure of himself a lot of the time. At Charlotte, he was the king of the mountain, but here he seems like just another player. I'm even wondering if he's on the downside of his career.

no. i don't think so. I think this is just him adjusting to the playoffs. He probably is freezing up.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I think it has a lot to do with our incredibly slow and predictable offense where there are no plays run for him except the occasional isolation. We also can't fast break for shit. And him having to guard centers on defense probably doesn't help..

 

[Ed O]

The sample size is too small. He's not really a guy who is best when plays are run for him, and he's best when he gets out and runs.

He is definitely a "difference maker" in that he's an above-average player. He's not an all-star level guy, but that's not really a problem given the low acquisition cost involved to get him.

Ed O.

 

[james3921]

A lot of it has to do with our offense, as one poster has already noted.

Think about what he does well: cut to the hoop, play around the rim, defend, bring energy, get boards. All or most of those things revolve around playing in the painted area (hubie brown voice).

Well, it's hard to play in the paint when we have no outside shooters and the mavs can just pack it in. not to mention in nate's offense, the 3 position is merely a stand-in-the-corner, catch-and-shoot type of role. Occasionally we've seen GW get a post up or an isolation play run for him, but again, that's not his game.

A Sloan-style motion offense would do wonders for this team. I can't even think about how good we could be if we had the crisp cutting, fake screens, and constant motion that a Sloan offense requires.

Sigh.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Why won't he release his birth certificate?

 

[DaLincolnJones]

I think it has a lot to do with our incredibly slow and predictable offense where there are no plays run for him except the occasional isolation. We also can't fast break for shit. And him having to guard centers on defense probably doesn't help..

Dang it! I was waiting for everyone to pile on before I posted, and here you go and say just what I was going to say!

The guy is used to being a slasher, creating the offense. Not being played properly what so ever. This is just like when we got Miller, Nate try-ed to stuff a round peg in a square hole.

Also does not help that every time he makes a move the refs blow a friggen whistle.

 

[BBert]

Why won't he release his birth certificate?

 

[Shooter]

The sample size is too small.

Wallace has had plenty of time to make a difference, and he just hasn't done it. He's had some nice games, but he doesn't make a big shot when you need it, or carry you in the fourth quarter, or impose his will on a game.

He is definitely a "difference maker" in that he's an above-average player.

This is the joy of debating with you, Ed. You know very well what "difference-maker" means, but you choose to apply a very literal meaning to it just to make your point.

He's not an all-star level guy, but that's not really a problem given the low acquisition cost involved to get him.

Huh? Who cares what it cost us to get him?? You're talking like a businessman rather than a fan. Wallace has a reputation as a high-flying, athletic guy who can really make a big impact on a game, but he's rarely done that since coming to Portland. You know it, I know it, and everybody on this board knows it.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

No doubt he hasnt been great so far in the playoffs. But there is no doubt he can and WILL step up HUGE in Game 6 & 7! He is a difference maker, just hasnt been so far.

 

[mercykersey]

Gerald Wallace does all the little things, steals,blocks,taking charges and defense, great on the fast break or slashing, average shooter. He has had his moments, hes just looked a little unsure of his role, i think its more that hes been playing out of position (power forward) half his minutes and has struggled against marion at times.. Every dog has his day, Gerald is a proven difference maker.

 

[magnifier661]

He is definitely a "difference maker" in that he's an above-average player. He's not an all-star level guy, but that's not really a problem given the low acquisition cost involved to get him.

Ed O.

That's what the Lakers said in their deal to get Gasol. Just because we acquired him for cheap, doesn't mean his value is worth the players we traded him for. New York got a hell of a deal for Zach. There have been countless "lop-sided" deals that teams take advantage of, knowing other teams are either trying to cut payroll or get rid of a problem.

 

[BBert]

Agree with those who say Gerald's offensive game is more suited to running in the open court and slashing to the basket, rather than posting up or standing and watching. We need another rebounding big man, and a good fast younger point guard, to help get the team out on the break more. Even though our offense is probably not the best for him, we are a much better team with Gerald than without him, I don't see how that is questionable. The one frustration I have with Gerald is that he misses a lot of layups.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Bahhhh I dont even want to think of how many shots we have missed at the rim as a team.

Collectively, this team plays best when they play faster. By bringing Roy back, and I hat to say it but even Camby, that has slowed the game down. The Mavs D has also done a great job of slowing down our guards, and we have not adjusted to that. We need to be pushing the ball up the floor, forget having Miller/Roy handle it all the way up, and get into our offense before they get their D set.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

The bigger problem is that we are built to be a post up and three point shooting team but no one on our team is that good at threes. We have missed so many wide open threes it's ridiculous. Gerald doesn't fit in an offense like that, it's not entirely his fault.

 

[Ed O]

That's what the Lakers said in their deal to get Gasol. Just because we acquired him for cheap, doesn't mean his value is worth the players we traded him for. New York got a hell of a deal for Zach. There have been countless "lop-sided" deals that teams take advantage of, knowing other teams are either trying to cut payroll or get rid of a problem.

I know, and I consider the Wallace deal to be lop-sided... even if he's not an all-star and/or if he's not played that well in a five game stretch against Dallas.

Ed O.

 

[Draco]

He has had a bad playoff series. In the regular season he was our second best player. Having solid 3 point shooting would help him and Aldridge out a ton, but still he should be doing better than 11ppg on 40% FG's with a PER of 12.

Yes it is a small sample size, but still even 5 games does mean something. Hopefully this isn't the start of a Cliff Robinson type playoff career.

 

[e_blazer]

You can't have this discussion and not mention the fact that Shawn Marion has played some great defense on Gerald.

I do think that Cho is going to have to think about the future of the SF spot this summer...whether Wallace is a great fit with Nate's system, how Batum will be used and developed, and whether it would be better to use the trade value of either one to gain another player at a different position. But that's a discussion to have this summer. For right now, I'm looking for Wallace to have a breakout game tomorrow.

 

[RoyToy]

He certainly made a difference in the regular season.

As far as the playoffs, don't underestimate Marion's defense. I was reading an article the other day where Marion has basically made it his mission to stop Gerald Wallace. Shawn Marion is no slouch.

 

[Minstrel]

At Charlotte, he was the king of the mountain, but here he seems like just another player.

Only if you ignore all the games he played "here" prior to the playoffs.

Huh? Who cares what it cost us to get him??

Because he replaced the guy(s) it cost to get him. Considering those players were low-value, his acquisition made the team better, even if he's not your idea of a difference-maker. It's kind of silly to use a standard of "either you're a star [difference-maker] or else you're completely irrelevant and it doesn't matter what the team paid to get you."

 

[BBert]

Collectively, this team plays best when they play faster. By bringing Roy back, and I hat to say it but even Camby, that has slowed the game down. The Mavs D has also done a great job of slowing down our guards, and we have not adjusted to that. We need to be pushing the ball up the floor, forget having Miller/Roy handle it all the way up, and get into our offense before they get their D set.

It is evident to me that Rudy HAS to play a faster tempo to be effective, even on his three point shots. (I'm certain he's heading back to Spain after the season.) Wallace has to play at a faster pace to maximize his talents. LaMarcus was built to play fast for a big man. Batum...'nough said. Matthews is a hustle player and not a post up guard, and scores effectively when his man loses him on the three point line. Our scrubs, Patty and Chris Johnson -- thrive in chaos. I love Miller, I think he is effective pushing the ball (by the pass, not the dribble) or playing slow. Roy and Marcus? Yeah, they play Nate ball.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

He's not a difference maker "HERE" cause Nate has him posting up and taking bad jump shots as opposed to crashing the glass and getting the foul. This always falls back onto Nate and his boring non effective offense! As soft as Dallas is, Wallace should be crushing them! He is built to attack a team just like this.. doesn't get any easier.

 

[Minstrel]

As soft as Dallas is, Wallace should be crushing them! He is built to attack a team just like this.. doesn't get any easier.

Shawn Marion isn't "soft" and that's the guy he's competing against the vast majority of the time.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Wallace can get position on Marion and get him in foul trouble I know he can.

 

[Duckhook]

A lot of it has to do with our offense, as one poster has already noted.

Think about what he does well: cut to the hoop, play around the rim, defend, bring energy, get boards. All or most of those things revolve around playing in the painted area (hubie brown voice).

Well, it's hard to play in the paint when we have no outside shooters and the mavs can just pack it in. not to mention in nate's offense, the 3 position is merely a stand-in-the-corner, catch-and-shoot type of role. Occasionally we've seen GW get a post up or an isolation play run for him, but again, that's not his game.

A Sloan-style motion offense would do wonders for this team. I can't even think about how good we could be if we had the crisp cutting, fake screens, and constant motion that a Sloan offense requires.

Sigh.

IMO, THIS. Wallace is only functioning as a SF would in Nate's offense. Plays will have to be written in the off-season to better utilize GW.

 

[MickZagger]

Huh? Who cares what it cost us to get him?? You're talking like a businessman rather than a fan. Wallace has a reputation as a high-flying, athletic guy who can really make a big impact on a game, but he's rarely done that since coming to Portland. You know it, I know it, and everybody on this board knows it.

Uhhh, Wallace was arguably our best player the last 20 games of the season.