MARTELL WEBSTER!!!!

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Mods, merge this if you must. BUT if you're a real fan, you let this thread stand alone. Tonight, bear wtiness!! Dude deserves it. Doesn't matter if he doesn't become a star. He's shown he's still going to be a key player for this team.

The kid has arrived!! Who the fuck is Martell Webster?? You don't just come out of nowhere and throw down big multiple times! Where the fuck you been all my life??

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

This guy is doing it at both ends. Making big plays. Making smart, veteran moves. I haven't seen a Blazers player make some of these smart, quick plays in years. I'm fucking impressed.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Been waiting 3 years to see this from him. Gonna enjoy it while I can.

 

[maxiep]

He was drafted #6 for a reason. He has an NBA body, a great stroke and unbelievable athleticism.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

He was drafted #6 for a reason. He has an NBA body, a great stroke and unbelievable athleticism.

No shit. But how many players are drafter high for an array of reasons and don't pan out? And how many people have said what a bad pick he was? One game doesn't make a career. BUT... last preaseason...this preaseason...and two games into this season he has shown a maturity beyond his years. He has brought flare and excitement to the game. He can shoot the ball. He tries hard on the defensive end. Fuck. I love it.

 

[Buzz Killington]

<--- Long time Martell Webster supporter.

 

[LameR]

I'm stoked to hear/read he's doing well, but he needs to do it over more than a couple games before I get my hopes up. If I give Outlaw that treatment, I should give it to Martell too.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I like Outlaw, so I understand where you're coming from. But from day one, Webster had something many guys coming into the NBA don't have (Hint: something you find between your ears).

You listen to him speak, and from day one, I felt like he got it, and he was intelligent, and I understood everything he said. Can't say that for 95% of the guys in the NBA. Or even 95% of the people I work with.

 

[andalusian]

Nothing would please me more than to see him take that jump. So far, so good, this year. Good for him, good for us.

 

[SpanishFly]

greta start to the season for him so far! Keep it going Webs!

 

[alex42083]

Hopefully Martell can keep it up! Love what he's bringing so far.

 

[Luther]

I don't see why he didn't play more tonight. He was playing smart on both ends of the floor. Melo was making incredible shots on whoever was guarding him.

 

[Shooter]

I've been rougher on Webster than almost anyone, but I have to admit I'm impressed with his first two games. The kid is really coming on. He's stopped relying on his jump shot, and is trying to play a complete game. I love what I'm seeing so far.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

[video=youtube;5m53Wl4dTxo]

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Martell is as advertised so far. Not as good an on-the-ball defender as Batum, but Webster can rebound, block shots, and score if he is asked to. I love Nic, but Martell's showing serious savvy out there.

 

[Tince]

I've been really happy with Martell. He sure seems to buy into his role and fit in where ever he can.

I agree with the poster who said his individual defense still could use work, but I've seen improvement. I'm glad we didn't throw him out with the bath water like some wanted. I think he'll contribute for us plenty more times down the road.

 

[Minstrel]

I don't see why he didn't play more tonight. He was playing smart on both ends of the floor. Melo was making incredible shots on whoever was guarding him.

Some of it was foul trouble. He played good aggressive defense against Anthony, but picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter, I think. I'm surprised he didn't get more minutes in the fourth quarter, though.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Some of it was foul trouble. He played good aggressive defense against Anthony, but picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter, I think. I'm surprised he didn't get more minutes in the fourth quarter, though.

It's tough; who do you take out for Webster -- Miller? LMA? Rudy? All are potentially better in crunch time, and all are more proven commodities.

 

[PapaG]

Uh, Anthony absolutely abused Webster on offense. Martell looked OK on offense, but I missed Batum on defense tonight. Roy had to try and guard Anthony since Webster couldn't do it.

 

[Tince]

Uh, Anthony absolutely abused Webster on offense. Martell looked OK on offense, but I missed Batum on defense tonight. Roy had to try and guard Anthony since Webster couldn't do it.

Anthony abused Webster, Roy, and Miller.

I agree that we missed Batum tonight.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Uh, Anthony absolutely abused Webster on offense. Martell looked OK on offense, but I missed Batum on defense tonight. Roy had to try and guard Anthony since Webster couldn't do it.

Roy couldn't really do it, either. It's hard to stop a superstar. Though Martell did have a block on Carmelo in the 3rd.

 

[PapaG]

Roy couldn't really do it, either. It's hard to stop a superstar. Though Martell did have a block on Carmelo in the 3rd.

Roy shouldn't have to defend a SF. Webster and Outlaw both failed tonight, and that's a big reason why Denver won the game. I do realize that "superstars are superstars" at times, however, no matter how they are defended.

 

[alex42083]

Roy just lost too much weight to battle down low and bang with a guy like Carmelo on the defensive end. But Melo is just a great player anyway, and might be an MVP candidate this season.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

I've been rougher on Webster than almost anyone, but I have to admit I'm impressed with his first two games. The kid is really coming on. He's stopped relying on his jump shot, and is trying to play a complete game. I love what I'm seeing so far.

I think Nate needs to play Webster "right' for this team: He needs to be our 6th man!

His energy, athleticsm, ability to shoot from all over the floor. He'd give the team that important lift it needs. Shoot, he's even playing solid, tenacious defense.


Start Rudy (against a smaller team) and start Outlaw (against a bigger team) at the 3. Bring in Webster as 6th man.


From what I'm seeing (overall), the "White team" "Black team" doesn't really work, nor does it truly play out as two teams. So go back to a true 6th man approach.

I'd even go as far as predicting Webster would win 6th man of the year if this were to happen.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I really dislike the idea of Outlaw starting, but Rudy starting at the 3 is an experiment worth considering. If Webster hadn't already done so much to earn a starting spot, I'd feel fine with his psyche about it, too. But from a pure fantasy GM perspective, sure, I'd love to give "Rudy/Roy tag-teaming the SF position" a try.

 

[RudyFor3]

I don't see why he didn't play more tonight. He was playing smart on both ends of the floor. Melo was making incredible shots on whoever was guarding him.

Blake and Miller were at the PG spot and Roy at the SG, and Rudy was on fire in the 4th so you couldn't really take out Rudy. Only other option was take out Blake/Miller for Webster which is what should have been done so have a Roy/Rudy/Webster lineup but McMillan went with Blake/Miller instead.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

I really dislike the idea of Outlaw starting, but Rudy starting at the 3 is an experiment worth considering. If Webster hadn't already done so much to earn a starting spot, I'd feel fine with his psyche about it, too. But from a pure fantasy GM perspective, sure, I'd love to give "Rudy/Roy tag-teaming the SF position" a try.

Not contradicting you....but I'm not certain what Webster has done (other than playing for 5 minutes all of last season, playing in pre-season games and playing decent in game 1 this year) to "earn" the starting spot?

Miller/Roy/Rudy is not too much of an experiment. Against bigger teams - perhaps so. I'm simply making a point that great teams have a great 6th man. The 6th man (on a great team) is essentially an extension of the starting unit - providing an often-needed spark off the bench and/or a momentum-changer.

Webster's aggressive play and his ability to score can be something quite special for this team - if a 6th man role was carved out for him. And once Batum comes back, I think Batum is a better 'starter' for this squad (because of his defensive abilities more than anything). You typically don't bring in a defensive stopper as a 6th man. The 6th man needs to provide an offensive spark. Batum won't give us this.

So why play with Web's head by starting him? This is setting up Batum's return as a negative to the team and to Web's psychy?

Start Rudy at the 3 and bring Webs in as our 6th man.

 

[KingSpeed]

He was amazing early but then he pretty much vanished from our gameplan. It was disappointing to me.

 

[B-Roy]

He was amazing early but then he pretty much vanished from our gameplan. It was disappointing to me.

He got no shots in the second half, which, to me, was kind of baffling.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

He got no shots in the second half, which, to me, was kind of baffling.

Is this not 100% coaching?

I'm not a Nate hater - but I have questions.....



Yes, Rudy getting hot (real hot!) in the 4th may have kept Webster on the bench.


I don't know.....maybe we need to get a grip that Brandon is our best point guard!

Roy
Rudy
Webster (Until Batum gets healthy)
LMA
Oden


Let the opponent match up with "US" - and when CP3 starts to burn us, then bring in????? oh yeh, do we have any other guard that can handle him anyway?


PS: I'm kinda looking forward to seeing Mills get healthy and play. I think we're going to like his game!