I'm sorry Martell, can you forgive me?

[Kaydow]

I know I said a lot of bad things about you, but these last 5 games you have been off unreal. You're shooting the ball with confidence, not forcing things, getting to open spots on the floor, and your shot looks the best I've ever seen it. You are finally letting the game come to you. Not to mention the defense you've been playing. I can't believe what I saw you do tonight against Kobe. You kept him from making the moves and getting to the spots he likes to, and many possessions it was just you and Kobe - no double team, and you were still winning more times than you lost. Not many guys do that. I can't believe I'm saying this, but this may be your coming out party. I've seen more mental toughness from you in the last week than in your previous 4/5 seaons - not afraid to take big shots late in games - that's not who you WERE!! I don't know what happened, but I think I finally believe.

 

[dreamcloud]

You know what's weird? Even though according to the box-score he didn't shoot that great a percentage, watching the game live it felt like he was playing one of his best games yet. His defense and rebounding has been GREAT! His handling skills have improved dramatically, and dude is finally starting to take advantage of that athletic frame! PROPS MARTELL!

 

[Nate Dogg]

He only had one highlight on sportscenter and that was his 3 point in the corner.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I am feeling pretty good about the future of our SF position between he and Batum.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

I am feeling pretty good about the future of our SF position between he and Batum.

+1

Still want to see improvement on the offensive end, but loved the defense tonight. Sunday's game against Lebron should be fun to watch.

 

[Kaydow]

He only had one highlight on sportscenter and that was his 3 point in the corner.

His defense on Kobe tonight was noting short of spectacular. I could care less if it made Sportscenter.

 

[ehizzy3]

Hm. Nate told batum he was gonna start right? I thought I remember hearing that...if Martell keeps this up, sorry nic lol.

 

[Kaydow]

+1

Still want to see improvement on the offensive end, but loved the defense tonight. Sunday's game against Lebron should be fun to watch.

Did you see the 3 games he had before tonight? 14-28 from 3 Pt. 20+ points in 3 straight games for the 1st time in his career. Even Ray Allen goes 2-10 some nights.

 

[jlprk]

When Webster started, he said he wanted to be like the Sonics' Ray Allen. McMillan said, I want to see defense. Ever since then, Webster has had a gleam in his eye for defense. Here's a guy his height.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/bruce_bowen/career_stats.html

 

[Shooter]

Yeah, the last 5 games have been real eye-openers. I had some doubts that Webster would ever evolve into a real NBA player, but he is making huge strides right now. You can see his confidence growing every game, and it's a beautiful thing.

 

[alex42083]

His defense on Kobe tonight was noting short of spectacular. I could care less if it made Sportscenter.

No doubt. Kobe pulled out all of his moves, he was giving his jukes and head fakes and ball fakes, and Martell stayed down for the most part and didn't bite. He made Kobe shoot over the top, which is all you can do with him and hope he goes 10-35 or something.

Great game by Webster tonight.

 

[Buzz Killington]

loved it when his 3 got blocked, he got the ball back and attacked the rim, not thinking or lamenting about the block. then played great defense on the other end.

 

[Webster's Dictionary]

Did you see the 3 games he had before tonight? 14-28 from 3 Pt. 20+ points in 3 straight games for the 1st time in his career. Even Ray Allen goes 2-10 some nights.

I love Martell, I love how he's played defense all season, but I will admit, he doesn't have to be on every night, but he goes through stretches of games where he is in the offense, and stretches where he's out of it.

A game here and there isn't what bothers me. It's the prolonged periods of games. But he's incredibly young. I still think he'll only get more consistent. Maybe a Roy/Webster/Batum backcourt is plausible, with Batum and Roy sharing pg guarding duties.

 

[EGame]

His ball handeling has seemed to improve a little bit to where he can attack the rim (usually on a pass off of some sort), however, that is always a good thing! It is hard to believe he went 2-10 from 3 tonight because he seemed like he was doing better than that. If he could only be a much better ball handler and penetrate he would be another huge threat for us. His game has improved a lot that is fore sure and it all starts with confidence.

 

[jlprk]

Ray Allen's nemesis, Bruce Bowen, hated by Sonic fans, is retired now. Hire him to do 1-on-1 and watch Webster's productivity go up. If we ever trade Webster, don't send him to Popovich.

 

[BrianFromWA]

This thread stole my intended thunder a bit. I waited for 5 games to make sure.

Completely shoving defense aside for a second, the last 5 games:

40 mpg,19.2 ppg, 6.4 reb, A/TO 1.33/1

50% FG, 40% 3pt, 58% FT (blech)

I'm afraid to start pimping him publicly b/c he'll get torched by LeBron now, but he's playing relatively consistently and playing relatively well. He's no all-star, but he's pretty darn serviceable right now. And he's in such good condition...high level of play even after playing 40 straight minutes against K*be.
One of my more out there observations of the 3 years I've been posting is that I think Webster can be a pretty fun combination of Bowen and Reggie Miller. We don't need the Miller every night, and he really needs to up his percentages to get there, but his offensive game is leap years ahead of Bowen's.

Fun +/- fact tonight....in 46 min of Webster playing team was +16.
In the 2 minutes he was out....-7

 

[Kaydow]

This thread stole my intended thunder a bit. I waited for 5 games to make sure.

Completely shoving defense aside for a second, the last 5 games:

40 mpg,19.2 ppg, 6.4 reb, A/TO 1.33/1

50% FG, 40% 3pt, 58% FT (blech)

I'm afraid to start pimping him publicly b/c he'll get torched by LeBron now, but he's playing relatively consistently and playing relatively well. He's no all-star, but he's pretty darn serviceable right now. And he's in such good condition...high level of play even after playing 40 straight minutes against K*be.
One of my more out there observations of the 3 years I've been posting is that I think Webster can be a pretty fun combination of Bowen and Reggie Miller. We don't need the Miller every night, and he really needs to up his percentages to get there, but his offensive game is leap years ahead of Bowen's.

Fun +/- fact tonight....in 46 min of Webster playing team was +16.
In the 2 minutes he was out....-7

I think I owe you an apology too Brian. We had a "debate" about a week ago or so about Martell. Then he goes out and has his best week (by far) as a pro.

You were right, I was wrong.

 

[jlprk]

Everyone down to Dante Cunningham is psyched up when only 6-7 players play. When we have a full roster, Webster may revert to normal.

This is why I say the bake philosophy will never boil water. Pritchard should make trades to consolidate the talent into a class system of 7-8 really good players and the rest scrubs. The top class will then play with more motivation, as desperately as the 7 guys do right now.

Of course, you can say, what if we have injuries like now...

 

[BrianFromWA]

No apologies necessary. In fact, I'd almost rather have people still harp on the kid, but I don't worry about things like jinxes.

I'm with you on consolidation. B/c other than a big and a younger PG I'm not sure we need a ton. If we even had one of Przy/Oden available, we'd be crushing.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Webster has played well the last week or so, but I still think Batum is a better overall player. As I said in the other Webster thread......Both are a lot better than Outlaw.

 

[ABM]

Martell & Jerryd = Thunder & Lightning

Man, those dudes' games compliment each other nicely. Once the gang gets back, they will provide the foundation for a super-solid backup unit.

Naturally, this will make Rudy expendable.

 

[STOMP]

No doubt. Kobe pulled out all of his moves, he was giving his jukes and head fakes and ball fakes, and Martell stayed down for the most part and didn't bite. He made Kobe shoot over the top, which is all you can do with him and hope he goes 10-35 or something.

Great game by Webster tonight.

Webster played very well last night. But it wasn't his D that caused every one of Kobe's misses. Bryant missed many wide open looks all on his own... it wasn't his night.

STOMP

 

[hasoos]

I know I said a lot of bad things about you, but these last 5 games you have been off unreal. You're shooting the ball with confidence, not forcing things, getting to open spots on the floor, and your shot looks the best I've ever seen it. You are finally letting the game come to you. Not to mention the defense you've been playing. I can't believe what I saw you do tonight against Kobe. You kept him from making the moves and getting to the spots he likes to, and many possessions it was just you and Kobe - no double team, and you were still winning more times than you lost. Not many guys do that. I can't believe I'm saying this, but this may be your coming out party. I've seen more mental toughness from you in the last week than in your previous 4/5 seaons - not afraid to take big shots late in games - that's not who you WERE!! I don't know what happened, but I think I finally believe.

You know, I have to say I am asking for the same. I said a few weeks ago I didn't think he was worthy of being an NBA player (he was playing very badly at the time). I admit I was dead wrong.

I have figured out why he looks so much better now. He has lost the streakyness. In days gone past, when Martell was missing, he missed in bunches, and then would get hot, and would hit a bunch in a row. Now Martell is getting makes after individual misses. He is finally breaking the streakyness to his game. I hope the best for this kid, he is a good seed to have on a team, and I can't imagine the pressure that must have been on him having been traded for the Chris Paul pick.

 

[Luther]

Webster has played well the last week or so, but I still think Batum is a better overall player. As I said in the other Webster thread......Both are a lot better than Outlaw.

His defense on Kobe was great. Either you weren't watching the game or you don't understand that Kobe is incredible at getting easy buckets. We don't have a shot blocker right now so it's incredibly obvious that Martell didn't allow him to get those easy buckets and he didn't send Kobe to the line.

 

[Luther]

You know, I have to say I am asking for the same. I said a few weeks ago I didn't think he was worthy of being an NBA player (he was playing very badly at the time). I admit I was dead wrong.

I have figured out why he looks so much better now. He has lost the streakyness. In days gone past, when Martell was missing, he missed in bunches, and then would get hot, and would hit a bunch in a row. Now Martell is getting makes after individual misses. He is finally breaking the streakyness to his game. I hope the best for this kid, he is a good seed to have on a team, and I can't imagine the pressure that must have been on him having been traded for the Chris Paul pick.

I completely understand why some people would be upset with Webster due to his inconsistency on offense but he has been our BEST perimeter defender this year. You have to remember this kid is still 23 years old. He is going to get better on both sides of the ball and I have said that for months. I was getting really tired of people bringing up his PER in past years and claiming he hadn't improved in his first 3 years in the league. Very happy to see Martell making huge strides and getting his respect from people who completely gave up on him as a 22 year old.

 

[BlazerBeliever]

I am not going to jump on his bandwagon yet. I have never been impressed with Martell's game. Has he played well these last few games? Yes. I will hold out until the end of the season to see if he becomes that consistent player he is supposed to be. Then I will hop on.

 

[Kaydow]

His defense on Kobe was great. Either you weren't watching the game or you don't understand that Kobe is incredible at getting easy buckets. We don't have a shot blocker right now so it's incredibly obvious that Martell didn't allow him to get those easy buckets and he didn't send Kobe to the line.

This. Nobody shuts Kobe down - let's be clear. If you can keep him from getting to the Basket/FT Line or getting in the lane for pull up jumpers, and you're able to force him into taking shots over the top of tight defense on the perimeter, you've done the best you can. Now, will Kobe still have games where he's hitting highly contested shots on the perimeter? He's Kobe Freeking Bryant, of course he will. But Martell played about as good of one-on-one defense on Kobe that anybody not named Lebron can play. Yeah, Kobe got 32 points - but on 37 shots! I'll take that any day, but even more so last night - I thought Bynum and Odom were going to kill us (with our current front court line-up) But as it turns out, the majority of their shots came on offensive rebounds and put-backs. Not a lot of post up opportunities. Thank You Kobe.

 

[andalusian]

I think the biggest adjustment we see out of Webster is one of maturity. He seemed pretty sure that he was going to be a big star when he came in the leauge (understood, given his age, lack of college experience and high draft position) and seemed to float or get down on himself when things did not go his way. He is much much better this year - and that's great for him. He understands that he needs to work hard all the time, he can handle the peaks and valleys much better. Nothing but great stuff for him - and with Nic coming back, we have gone from being nowhere at the SF position - to being at least two nice role players deep, if not better (I still think Nic has all the tools to be a very very good SF in this league).

 

[Buzz Killington]

nah, he'll never improve, even though he's only 21!!!!

 

[Kaydow]

I am not going to jump on his bandwagon yet. I have never been impressed with Martell's game. Has he played well these last few games? Yes. I will hold out until the end of the season to see if he becomes that consistent player he is supposed to be. Then I will hop on.

BB - I hear you. Martell has made me crazy at times. But don't you see something different from him right now? He's playing with focus, confidence, and with purpose. He's playing smart and under control. That's new. All I ever wanted from the guy was to play smart/within himself & consistently knock down spot-up jumpers when Roy/Miller/Bayless breaks down the defense - I would have settled for him basically being Steve Blake on offense. Other than one previously inexplicable quarter vs Utah, we haven't seen much of him curling around from the baseline on a dead sprint, getting to an open spot, and knocking down shots. But even more, we haven't seen him play with confidence - especially after a few misses. Now he's just letting them fly (but not forcing) even late in games. And his dogged defensive concentration, determination, & focus (and while playing 40+ minutes) . . . I can't say enough about that. I'm probably going overboard here, but I'm just excited about this.

Doesn't Martell (or didn't he used to) go down to LA in the summers to work out with Kobe? I remember hearing that years ago. It was him that shook Kobe's hand after the "Rudy/Ariza" game last year. Did Kobe say anything about the job Martell did on him last night? I couldn't find anything.