Martell Webster

[Minstrel]

To address an issue with Webster (that may or may not be fair), that he only plays well as a starter. Well, in some sense, that's not the worst thing in the world even if he's a reserve. You need your reserves most when the starter is injured. If you have a reserve who can step into the starting role and up his level of play, for whatever reason, that's a decent state of affairs. When the starter is not injured, you limit Webster's minutes. He has value as a "starter stand-in."

 

[STOMP]

the psychological problem excuse is a common blazer fan fallacy.

fueled by him seeing a sports psychologist for his confidence issues a few years back and then (at least for me) coach Nate calling out an unnamed player for their streaky offense being tied to their defensive effort earlier this season. I've observed exactly that with Martell many times. He makes a few shots and he starts pounding his chest/yelling and is expending a lot of energy on D. But miss a few and he's hanging his head and looks like he wants invisibility powers.

guys that get too high when things are going right are the same guys prone to getting too tight in a hurry. Though he's a much bigger talent, I see KG as one of those types too. Whatever one choses to label it, Martell's temperament isn't ideal.

STOMP

 

[Cake]

Batum isn't playing that great either, Martell is just in a huge slump and therefore, is not playing. There is no "experiment", he played well when he was needed to fill in due to injuries earlier in the year. Now that more of the regular rotation players are in, he's getting pushed back. Trading him for nothing or a second round pick isn't going to do much really, I'd rather have an inconsistent Martell than stashing some schlub in Europe that will never see the court. He's fine as a backup SF (but again, right now he's not).

He's actually been playing much better than Rudy this year.

Actually, Batum has played great. Or at least borderline great.

In terms of win score per 48 minutes, which is a tremendous stat to track overall play, he's the 3rd best player on our team, after Oden and Roy. He's playing at near all-star level, he just hasn't yet gotten the minutes.

Webster is right at the league average, which is his career high. Fernandez slightly below average this year, but was at near all-star level last season. I don't think Webster is playing 'much' better than Fernandez, but he is slightly better this season. But the one thing that nobody can argue with...Webster is mentally fragile as the OP said.

Trading Webster would be a good move, not JUST to get some Euro schlub, but to clear more minutes for better players like Batum and Fernandez, assuming Fernandez returns to form.

Side note, we've traded most of the players who are below average on the list of win score per 48 minutes over the last 3 seasons. I think it's a number that Pritchard really looks at, or at least a great number to measure the value of a player on the court.

Over the last 3 seasons, here are the players who have finished a season with below league average in win score per 48 minutes.

Steve Blake
Travis Outlaw
Martell Webster
Jarrett Jack
Taurean Green
Von Wafer
Jerryd Bayless
Channing Frye
Raef Lafrentz
Sergio Rodriguez
Ike Diogu

Just 2 of those players are still with us. Now this season, Fernadez, Przybilla and Juwan Howard are in danger of finishing below average with Webster a possibility to drop below average if he continues his sucking ways.

Not a good sign for your Portland future if you're on that list.

 

[MrSelfDestruct]

The core will be Roy, Batum, LMA, Oden and Camby......and I think Cunningham will survive the fury...everyone else...maybe not.

Seriously? You think a guy who is 36 is part of the core? As much as I'd like to see it happen, I'm not even convinced he'll re-sign here this offseason.

He's had four good games this month. He's in a supreme funk right now, probably due to..i don't know, huge roster moves of getting Camby and Roy back.......he's actually been fairly consistent this season except for this recent stretch and an anomomly here and there.

Consistent?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?playerId=2795

Consistently inconsistent, maybe. January was the only month he was consistently good.

Dude has 56 points over the last 9 games, and 28 of those came against the Clippers.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Seriously? You think a guy who is 36 is part of the core? As much as I'd like to see it happen, I'm not even convinced he'll re-sign here this offseason.


Consistent?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?playerId=2795

Consistently inconsistent, maybe. January was the only month he was consistently good.

Dude has 56 points over the last 9 games, and 28 of those came against the Clippers.

He's had double figures in 17 out of the last 27 games. That's not too bad.

and Batum has 64 points over the last 9 games....BORDERLINE ALL STAR!!!!

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

win score per 48 minutes?








seriously?

 

[oldmangrouch]

Awesome triple post, Mr. President. Multi-quote much?

I'm waiting for Fez to suggest a Webster for Mayo . . . or Webster for Beasley . . . or Webster for Marc Gasol . . . or Webster for Tyreke Evans . . . or Webster for JaVale McGee . . . or Webster for Rubio trade because in FezWorld, all good young talent is available for Blazers scraps.

What!

What true Blazer fan would trade Webster for any of those schlubs!?!

Webster is a star...or will be....someday....really....

 

[oldmangrouch]

fueled by him seeing a sports psychologist for his confidence issues a few years back and then (at least for me) coach Nate calling out an unnamed player for their streaky offense being tied to their defensive effort earlier this season. I've observed exactly that with Martell many times. He makes a few shots and he starts pounding his chest/yelling and is expending a lot of energy on D. But miss a few and he's hanging his head and looks like he wants invisibility powers.

guys that get too high when things are going right are the same guys prone to getting too tight in a hurry. Though he's a much bigger talent, I see KG as one of those types too. Whatever one choses to label it, Martell's temperament isn't ideal.

STOMP

Bingo, bango, bongo!

It is much easier to be forgiving of a guy who always plays hard, but with inconsistent results. IMHO, that is what separates Batum and Bayless from Webster and Rudy. For the latter 2, if their shot isn't falling, they go into a shell.

 

[jlprk]

Both Batum and Rudy have only 1 year of experience. Both missed half a season and have rejoined the team in midseason. Both must hit the ground running against players who are in midseason shape.

Both are playing below their rookie years. I'm not surprised. Evaluate them at the end of the season. For now, only preliminary evaluations.

Oh, and don't be influenced by Rudy's crooked smile. He's trying harder than it appears. He should have a cigarette dangling from that mouth, like a European movie star.

 

[STOMP]

Both Batum and Rudy have only 1 year of experience. Both missed half a season and have rejoined the team in midseason. Both must hit the ground running against players who are in midseason shape.

Both are playing below their rookie years. I'm not surprised. Evaluate them at the end of the season. For now, only preliminary evaluations.

by what measure is Nic playing below his rookie year? Dude has been kicking ass since he returned. Last year his PER was 12.9 this year 15.2... and thats without tonight's career topper factored in.

Also, I hope you weren't trying to compare a back injury to a shoulder... those body parts aren't at all equal in how they affect one's overall health.

STOMP

 

[BlazerBeliever]

Should Rudy go back to the D-league too?

When did Rudy go to the D league?