Most important development before training camp?

[SodaPopinski]

In your opinion, what is the most pressing thing that needs to happen before training camp?

 

[PapaG]

Extend Roy and LMA. If one or both of them head into the season without a contract extension, things could have the potential to get interesting in terms of chemistry. If Roy is extended and LMA is not, that may even be a worse scenario.

 

[ironcrotch]

Oden shows up in shape in OSU form.

 

[Tyler_Hansbrough]

Oden is the single most important thing our team has to worry about. Roy and LMA will get signed, for sure. That is not a worry of mine.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

odenodenodenodenodenodenoden

 

[Mediocre Man]

Who the hell voted for Martell? Oh yes, I forgot he was a future HOFer.


Anyway, Oden is the key for me. If he shows improvement then Portland will be better. if not they won't. Roy and Aldridge are a close second because I think their happiness goes a long way to the success of the team as well.

 

[Ed O]

Who the hell voted for Martell? Oh yes, I forgot he was a future HOFer.


Anyway, Oden is the key for me. If he shows improvement then Portland will be better. if not they won't. Roy and Aldridge are a close second because I think their happiness goes a long way to the success of the team as well.

I was the second person to vote for Martell.

Webster's comeback will give us another reasonably good player in the rotation. It's more important over the next couple of months than anything else.

The next two months of Oden aren't that important, although clearly over the long run he's the most critical piece on the team.

The extensions and overseas play are irrelevant to me.

Ed O.

 

[Further]

I clicked Oden expecting to see everyone else clicking Roy/LMA signing. I was surprised how so few people put that at the top of the list.

 

[BTOWN_HUSTLA]

Oden finding his sack.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Greg Oden.

Period.

 

[PapaG]

How can Oden show marked improvement prior to training camp?

I'll be waiting until the season before I begin assessing his improvement.

 

[SodaPopinski]

How can Oden show marked improvement prior to training camp?

I'll be waiting until the season before I begin assessing his improvement.

It would have to be something like him coming in early with some of the other guys and us seeing a video on blazers.com that looks like he's spry or something like that. Or him going to work out with other NBA guys and us getting reports of his improvement.

Things like that.

But yeah, for the most part we won't know for sure until we see him in live games that count.

 

[BBert]

Who the hell voted for Martell? Oh yes, I forgot he was a future HOFer.


Anyway, Oden is the key for me. If he shows improvement then Portland will be better. if not they won't. Roy and Aldridge are a close second because I think their happiness goes a long way to the success of the team as well.

I put Oden first, by a landslide. I did however put Martell second. Partly because I'm not concerned about the extenstions or how our guys are doing overseas; and partly because, if the Martell we saw in ONE preseason game comes back this year, it will significantly improve the position and the team's flexibility.

 

[PapaG]

It would have to be something like him coming in early with some of the other guys and us seeing a video on blazers.com that looks like he's spry or something like that. Or him going to work out with other NBA guys and us getting reports of his improvement.

Things like that.

But yeah, for the most part we won't know for sure until we see him in live games that count.

I read the Oden part as it applied to developments prior the start of training camp. I will certainly agree that Oden showing improvement this season is a much more important development than Roy being signed (which is what I voted for in the poll).

 

[SodaPopinski]

I read the Oden part as it applied to developments prior the start of training camp. I will certainly agree that Oden showing improvement this season is a much more important development than Roy being signed (which is what I voted for in the poll).

Yes, yes, prior to training camp. Officially, training camp starts < 10 days before the first preseason game, but traditionally some of our guys have come in two or three weeks before that. So I would guess Oden might be in that mix, and I would bet we'll hear some news about his development this summer before training camp.

 

[Minstrel]

Most important thing: end these insane and stupid contract delays.

Get Pendergraph and Cunningham signed, for god's sake!

 

[Idog1976]

Oden getting in shape and getting play time with NBA level players is the most important. I would love to see him have 6 foot hook that was closing on .500 FG% as well.

 

[Reep]

I was the second person to vote for Martell.

Webster's comeback will give us another reasonably good player in the rotation. It's more important over the next couple of months than anything else.

The next two months of Oden aren't that important, although clearly over the long run he's the most critical piece on the team.

The extensions and overseas play are irrelevant to me.

Ed O.

At first I thought you were slipping. However, thinking about it more you could see how devastating Martell could be if he can hit his shot and drive enough to keep people honest. I could see him as the starting SF hitting open shots, or also playing with Rudy in the second unit. My recollection is that Rudy seemed to find Martell often for fast breaks and dunks.

As much as I want to see Miller getting the ball to Oden and LMA in the right spots, a Rudy/Webster/Outlaw fast break lead by Miller would be really exciting.

 

[PapaG]

Yes, yes, prior to training camp. Officially, training camp starts < 10 days before the first preseason game, but traditionally some of our guys have come in two or three weeks before that. So I would guess Oden might be in that mix, and I would bet we'll hear some news about his development this summer before training camp.

True, but last year's reports were "he's doing things we've never seen before" and such, and that came directly from the general manager. I imagine the remarks will and should be much more tempered prior to camp. I mean, we get video of GO blocking a shot at the Team USA camp, and suddenly multiple posters are trying to trade Joel Przybilla. People want Greg to do very well, so I really hope the team just lets his play do the talking.

 

[THE HCP]

Greg comin' back as a beast!

 

[MARIS61]

Hire a new coach willing to design and run an offense that utilizes our players' talents.

Doesn't matter how big a motor you have if your boat's still tied to the dock.

 

[MARIS61]

Most important thing: end these insane and stupid contract delays.

Get Pendergraph and Cunningham signed, for god's sake!

Why?

These are 2 guys very unlikely to have any serious impact on this team's performance or future.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

If Oden shows a marked improvment, this team jumps a level.

 

[Eastoff]

... My recollection is that Rudy seemed to find Martell often for fast breaks and dunks. ...

Did they play in pre-season?

 

[Eastoff]

Why?

These are 2 guys very unlikely to have any serious impact on this team's performance or future.

i'm pretty sure that was a joke. However, I do think they will be good second unit guys with time.

 

[Reep]

Did they play in pre-season?

I believe so.

old post

I love the Blazers-Kings highlight video, must've watched that at least 50 times, and keep rewinding the lob to Rudy, and the Rudy lob to Martell.
It's like a season-highlight video in just one game.

 

[THE HCP]

Did they play in pre-season?

The one game they played together was the first pre season game against Sac. Rudy found Martell at least 4 times for dunks!

 

[Reep]

This might be the link. (I don't get youtube at work).

[video=youtube;RhVKGvANt2g]"]

 

[Eastoff]

This might be the link. (I don't get youtube at work).

that was like a bizarro reality. sergio had 11 points? Kings came out to a good start? martell playing? I bet Adam Morrison is a Beast in that Bizarro reality!