Hollinger's All-Defense team(s)

[Nikolokolus]

Nic and Martell get a nice nod as honorable mentions and he's particularly high on Nic longterm:
(insider only) http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-100406

Small forward
In contrast to shooting guard, the small forward position gave us an unusually strong field of candidates. The 3 is traditionally a spot where we're scrounging for a full set of candidates, but this season I had to exclude several players who seemed worthy of at least third-team consideration.

Honorable mention: Two young Blazers are working their way up this list. Martell Webster handled stopper responsibilities for much of the season and did solid work, especially when matched against bigger players who didn't rely on quickness. He's not quite a natural, but he's put in a lot of effort. Late in the season, after an injury, Nicolas Batum came on and provided an impact. He's likely to be a regular on this list in coming years but doesn't have enough minutes to get more than honorable mention this season.

 

[Minstrel]

Sounds like Nic was only an honourable mention due to not playing enough. I agree with that. I think he's already pretty much a premier defensive wing. He just needs to do it over a full season.

 

[jlprk]

Hollinger sure is stupid. Him and his numbers. Wait..this one was in our favor.

In Webster's first week at preseason, the rookie said he wanted to be like Ray Allen, who was in Seattle, where Webster had lived watching the league. McMillan told him that he wanted to see defense, not shooting. Webster has been aimed at defense for his whole NBA career, which explains a lot about his strengths and weaknesses.

 

[44Thrilla]

who made the team(s)?

 

[BGrantFan]

Hollinger sure is stupid. Him and his numbers. Wait..this one was in our favor.

In Webster's first week at preseason, the rookie said he wanted to be like Ray Allen, who was in Seattle, where Webster had lived watching the league. McMillan told him that he wanted to see defense, not shooting. Webster has been aimed at defense for his whole NBA career, which explains a lot about his strengths and weaknesses.

Well no shit. Nate had Roy, Aldridge, and Oden to provide offense, and Batum would be coming back at some point.

Poor Martell. I guess he'd make a nice starter on a 25-win team that doesn't play defense, if only Nate would set him free!

 

[RR7]

Well no shit. Nate had Roy, Aldridge, and Oden to provide offense, and Batum would be coming back at some point.

Poor Martell. I guess he'd make a nice starter on a 25-win team that doesn't play defense, if only Nate would set him free!

Except it says that was from Martell's rookie season. Roy, Aldridge, etc. weren't here.

 

[BGrantFan]

Except it says that was from Martell's rookie season. Roy, Aldridge, etc. weren't here.

Oh, missed that one! I amend my post. Martell wasn't even a good part-time starter on a 21-win team!

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Oh, missed that one! I amend my post. Martell wasn't even a good part-time starter on a 21-win team!

Martell was also 18 years old at the time. Nate has been his coach and guiding his game for a good part of his life. Ever think that has something to do with the fact that Martell can't quite figure out the game? He's being forced to focus on the weakest aspects of his natural talent at the expense of his strengths.

 

[hasoos]

Martell was also 18 years old at the time. Nate has been his coach and guiding his game for a good part of his life. Ever think that has something to do with the fact that Martell can't quite figure out the game? He's being forced to focus on the weakest aspects of his natural talent at the expense of his strengths.

Wow you really believe that? I am more a believer of the fact that good players find a way to get it done.

 

[BGrantFan]

Martell was also 18 years old at the time. Nate has been his coach and guiding his game for a good part of his life. Ever think that has something to do with the fact that Martell can't quite figure out the game? He's being forced to focus on the weakest aspects of his natural talent at the expense of his strengths.

He was 19, and he had arguably his best season at age 19. He's not being "forced" to do anything. He's had wide open threes for much of his career. The fact that he can't consistently hit them is nobody's fault but his own. Is he in the wrong system? Perhaps, which is why I already posted he could be a nice starter on a piss-poor team.

 

[blazerboy30]

Hollinger's PER is worthless!

 

[OddEnormous]

Hollinger's PER is worthless!

What does PER have to do with this?

Some of you really have a hard on for Hollinger don't you?

 

[RR7]

What does PER have to do with this?

Some of you really have a hard on for Hollinger don't you?

What do hard ons have to do with this?

You really like to know about the sexual arousal of other posters, don't you?

 

[OddEnormous]

You really like to know about the sexual arousal of other posters, don't you?

You have no idea.

What are you wearing?