Question about Gerald Wallace

[Shooter]

I admit I haven't seen the guy play that much prior to coming to Portland, but I'm rather unimpressed with him so far. I don't see what all the hullabaloo is about. He takes ill-advised bank shots from 20 feet . . . He drives to the hoop with reckless abandon and rarely finishes. He seems out of control most of the time.

Is it just a matter of him getting used to the Blazers, or is this the way he plays all the time?

 

[MickZagger]

He's always active, a great defender, great rebounder, great in the open court and slashing to the hoop, willing to take a charge. All-Star and All-Defensive team last year. Trying to fit in with a new team and new concepts is always tough.

A solid, solid player trying to understand how to fit in with his new team.

 

[McNicholicious]

He is fairly reckless by nature, but he just needs to get used to our offense. He does seem lost at times, so when he gets that ball he takes it to the basket. I also think he isn't used to not being the go to guy. He has always been the man on offense in Charlotte (aside from Stephen Jackson). He will get used to being the second or even third scorer and get used to our offense. He is a talented, athletic player. He will show you soon enough I think.

 

[RoyToy]

He's gone from being "the guy" to being Cunningham on steroids. Not really being used the same.

I'd really love to see him play some 3 and be a wing player. This whole hybrid 4 crap is pissing me off. It's a waste.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm reserving judgment until next season after he's had a training camp under his belt.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I love his attitiude. He is the type of player "every team needs". But I always felt that his big numbers on a shitty team were being over estimated (as usual) from some of our posters. Again I love the way he plays and I am glad we got him. But he has deficiencies in his game. And I hope he and our fans realize he is not a great offense player.

His numbers will go down and it will not be Nate's fault. He has teammates that are just as good if not better at shooting the ball. He needs to adjust his game just like Nate needs to adjust for him. But I really think he will help this team once he finds his niche. Attacking the basket is needed. But going 1 on 3 is not. He will figure it out.

 

[mgb]

Going to take time for him to do really well with Portland, but I like him getting 10 rebounds tonite.

What happen to Rudy? Only 16 mins? Numbers crunch or is he still sick?

 

[Pinwheel1]

What happen to Rudy? Only 16 mins? Numbers crunch or is he still sick?

I am hoping it is because they expect him to play big minutes tomorrow night. And not because he got hurt flying into the stands. I did like the ending line-up of LMA. Wallace, BRoy, Wes, and Andre. Not because they played particularly well together tonight, but because i think they eventually will.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I disagree that Wallace was ever the man on offense in Charlotte, not even close. He will fit in fine even being a third option. His teammates need to get the ball to him more when he is in position to go to the basket. He can also do more to get himself into that position; it seemed like he was standing out on top many times when Aldridge was doubleteamed, i would have liked to see him going to the basket just as soon as the double teamer headed towards Aldridge. I do agree he doesn't seem to be as athletic as i thought he was.
Another thing to consider is that he is often being played as a 4 which is not his preferred position and apparently not one he is as comfortable in. Hopefully these issues will be worked out; i expect him to be a big contributor to the team, i never expected him to be dominating in any way.

 

[jlprk]

He seems to have very good quickness. I'd like to see Nate place him into more defensive situations to use it.

 

[Nate Dogg]

Yeah I don't know why Rudy was out of sync or had less minutes.
Wallace tended to stand around a lot instead of moving, unless he was close to the paint and then he took it. I think Nate is still trying to find out Wallace's best role at some positions.
Wallace did get 10 boards which is a good thing.

 

[jlprk]

Yeah I don't know why Rudy was out of sync or had less minutes.

Rudy ran into a woman in the stands and took a long time to get up. He was hurting but not injured. She was laughing her head off with all her women friends for several long minutes. The South is still in the 60s and women there act like silly geese.

 

[OddEnormous]

and women there act like silly geese.

Fucking hell

lulz!

 

[MickZagger]

I disagree that Wallace was ever the man on offense in Charlotte, not even close. He will fit in fine even being a third option. His teammates need to get the ball to him more when he is in position to go to the basket. He can also do more to get himself into that position; it seemed like he was standing out on top many times when Aldridge was doubleteamed, i would have liked to see him going to the basket just as soon as the double teamer headed towards Aldridge. I do agree he doesn't seem to be as athletic as i thought he was.
Another thing to consider is that he is often being played as a 4 which is not his preferred position and apparently not one he is as comfortable in. Hopefully these issues will be worked out; i expect him to be a big contributor to the team, i never expected him to be dominating in any way.

He's not as athletic as you thought he was? Did you see the ally-oop from Matthews against the Kings? You realize he was in the dunk contest last year? I know jumping isn't the only sign of athleticism, but I don't see how you can say he's not athletic.

 

[Natebishop3]

I just can't believe how impatient some people are. The guy was in Charlotte for six and a half seasons and now he's suddenly traded to a new team, new system, new conference. Things are different here and it's going to take some time to adjust. It's been five games for pete's sake. He's used to starting and he isn't starting. He's used to being a focus of the offense and he's not the focus of the offense. Give the guy a break. He needs to learn the system and his teammates and they need to learn him.

 

[MickZagger]

The nature of this board has always been knee-jerk reactions for the most part.

 

[illmatic99]

I just can't believe how impatient some people are. The guy was in Charlotte for six and a half seasons and now he's suddenly traded to a new team, new system, new conference. Things are different here and it's going to take some time to adjust. It's been five games for pete's sake. He's used to starting and he isn't starting. He's used to being a focus of the offense and he's not the focus of the offense. Give the guy a break. He needs to learn the system and his teammates and they need to learn him.

BTW, he made some excellent reads and cut to the hoop well last night and his teammates found him. It's gonna be an interesting transition for him, but he can handle it.

Also, his first step is incredibly quick. He's easily our best slasher. I didn't expect that.

 

[OneSport3]

I'd really love to see him play some 3 and be a wing player. This whole hybrid 4 crap is pissing me off. It's a waste.

Totally agree. He's a 3! Using him at 4 is utterly ridiculous and reduces his efficiency.

 

[maxiep]

Our guys have no idea how to play to his strengths yet. There were several times in last night's game that he was open rolling to the hoop, but our guards flat-out didn't see him. Right now, he's just playing on effort and hoping good things happen. When he gets comfortable in the system, he's going to be devastating for us.

 

[KingSpeed]

I love him. He always seems to be playing with a higher level of energy and intensity than anyone else on the floor. Matthews used to be that guy but now Wallace has eclipsed him. He was big for us against Orlando. He's only going to get better as he gets used to his teammates. Camby's numbers were down when he first joined us. So were Matthews'. We are a better team with Wallace. I'm very excited about of our chances of winning in the playoffs if we stay healthy.

 

[KingSpeed]

Our guys have no idea how to play to his strengths yet. There were several times in last night's game that he was open rolling to the hoop, but our guards flat-out didn't see him. Right now, he's just playing on effort and hoping good things happen. When he gets comfortable in the system, he's going to be devastating for us.

Yes, like when Oden played. Always rolling to the hoop and no one passes to him. I also hate when they don't see him on the break. He races down the floor and no one throws him a lob pass. Frustrating.

 

[Blazinaway]

I'm reserving judgment until next season after he's had a training camp under his belt.

don't hold your breath with a lockout likely and a limited season and camp likely if we even have a season

 

[Shooter]

The nature of this board has always been knee-jerk reactions for the most part.

If we had picked up Kobe Bryant at the trade deadline, no one would be saying, "Give him time to learn the system." We'd expect him to start contributing right away. I'm not saying that Gerald Wallace is in Kobe's league, but he certainly came with lots of rave reviews--and it's a little surprising to see him struggling so much.

 

[Natebishop3]

If we had picked up Kobe Bryant at the trade deadline, no one would be saying, "Give him time to learn the system." We'd expect him to start contributing right away. I'm not saying that Gerald Wallace is in Kobe's league, but he certainly came with lots of rave reviews--and it's a little surprising to see him struggling so much.

Would Kobe be coming off our bench? Would he be sitting around the 3 point line like a glorified James Jones? Wallace IS contributing, just not in the scoring department. He had 10 boards last night. Seriously, if you thought he was going to come in here and average 20+ points, you clearly have no idea what he brings to the table or what his strengths are. He's not a volume scorer. If we had traded for Melo and he came in here struggling to score, you might have a case, but Wallace is a do-everything man. He rebounds, plays defense, and slashes. He's not a Kobe or a Melo. Get your facts straight.

 

[Shooter]

Would Kobe be coming off our bench?

Probably not, but if he were, you can be sure he'd be contributing in a significant way.

Would he be sitting around the 3 point line like a glorified James Jones?

And whose fault is that? Wallace should be moving without the ball and trying to get open. I doubt that McMillan told him to hang out at the 3-point line.

He's not a volume scorer.

To say the least. So far, he's not a scorer at all. He chucks up awkward jump shots from about 20 feet with a man on him, and they clang off the backboard. It's one of the ugliest-looking jump shots I've ever seen. Even when he drives to the hoop he looks awkward.

Wallace is a do-everything man. He rebounds, plays defense, and slashes.

The rebounding is good, the defense is good. I've got no complaints there. The "slashing" is a joke, so far. He looks completely out of control when he goes to the hoop; it's as if he has his mind made up to go up and dunk it before he evens knows what the defense is going to look like.

As I said, I hadn't watched Wallace a lot before he came to Portland, so I didn't know what to expect. So far, he looks like a very unpolished offensive player.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Totally agree. He's a 3! Using him at 4 is utterly ridiculous and reduces his efficiency.

Who else did you want playing the 4 last night? Andersen played 38 minutes and Turkoglu played 41 minutes. One of those guys usually played PF. Combined they took 10 three pointers. The Blazers had to go small IMO as Camby is no help on the perimeter.

I guess Wallace feels he can not over power a PF like he can as a SF. But the game has changed a little bit. He is stronger than a lot of P'sF out there. I also see it has an advantage as he can go around bigger slower players. I like the smaller-quicker line-ups at times, and when he plays the 4, they are quick. I say get your best 5 players on floor at the end of games. LMA at center and Wallace at PF enables that.

 

[Natebishop3]

Probably not, but if he were, you can be sure he'd be contributing in a significant way.


And whose fault is that? Wallace should be moving without the ball and trying to get open. I doubt that McMillan told him to hang out at the 3-point line.


To say the least. So far, he's not a scorer at all. He chucks up awkward jump shots from about 20 feet with a man on him, and they clang off the backboard. It's one of the ugliest-looking jump shots I've ever seen. Even when he drives to the hoop he looks awkward.


The rebounding is good, the defense is good. I've got no complaints there. The "slashing" is a joke, so far. He looks completely out of control when he goes to the hoop; it's as if he has his mind made up to go up and dunk it before he evens knows what the defense is going to look like.

As I said, I hadn't watched Wallace a lot before he came to Portland, so I didn't know what to expect. So far, he looks like a very unpolished offensive player.

No, Kobe would be pouting on the bench if he wasn't starting. There's no way he would "contributing in a significant way".

Wallace is doing what the coaches told him to do. He doesn't know the system so he's floating. Trying not to get in the way.

 

[crandc]

Please, can we make it a trade for LeBron James so the scenario is not so repulsive?

I think Shooter still has me on ignore, but his analogy does not hold up. Had the Blazers acquired LeBron, his role would be EXACTLY the same as it had been on his previous team. To be the center and focus on every offensive possession. And everyone on the team would know it.

Gerald Wallace is having to adjust to a new role. And while a good player, he is not a top 3 in the league and no one claimed it.

Also remember the Blazers, having painfully adjusted to playing without Roy and Camby, now have to readjust to playing with them. Good in the long run, but still an adjustment. Essentially they are integrating/reintegrating 3 players on the fly. And BTW, have just won 3 consecutive games.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Having Wallace makes trading Batum for the PGOTF much easier. I say make a play for Nash while Brandon can still walk. Go for it now!

 

[Pinwheel1]

Having Wallace makes trading Batum for the PGOTF much easier. I say make a play for Nash while Brandon can still walk. Go for it now!

I don't think Brandon quite fits in with the Sun's style of ball?