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[Reep]

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Person on the Hot Seat: Martell Webster

I hate to put such a good character guy on the Hot Seat, but I really have no other choice. Martell has been a steady player for the Blazers since being a top 10 pick a few years back, but now is facing some intense competition for minutes. You figure that three definite starters are going to be Roy, Aldridge, and Oden. Then at point there is Steve Blake, Roy and Bayless. Now competing for that small forward spot is Webster, Travis Outlaw (since he wants to be a starter this year), Rudy, and Luk...ok just kidding, not Luke Jackson. But in all seriousness, with all the new additions, it appears that Martell may be the one who’s minutes might drop off a bit this season if he fails to produce.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I have to agree with that sentiment.

I think it's fifty-fifty between Martell and Travis as to who will be with the team come next season.

 

[Reep]

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. Martell is much more the prototypical SF physically, and is apparently in great shape. But, he needs to get over the head games he plays with himself. I hope he can do it because he is a unique talent.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I like both players for different reasons, so I don't really feel like I have much of a rooting interest as to who sticks with the team long term ... whoever fits in better with Roy, Aldridge and Oden -- let the chips fall where they may.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

Agreed, Niko. I still feel as though Outlaw can play alongside Frye at the 4 and 5 positions when we need to get some offense going, so it may work out in terms of playing time. Plus, who knows how healthy Joel can stay?

A lineup of Bayless, Rudy, Webster, Outlaw and Frye would be instant offense off the bench. Who knows how they'd fair on defense, though.

 

[Ed O]

Webster might be on the hot seat as a Blazer... but the guy's still only 21 years old. It's not like his career is on the line.

Of course, the article HAD to pick someone, right? So Webster seems a reasonable selection.

Ed O.

 

[Masbee]

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. Martell is much more the prototypical SF physically

Interesting that you should mention that.

When Martell was a rookie, there was great debate among Blazer fans about his position or his best position. Was he a 2 or a 3?

I argued then that Martell and the team should focus on Shooting Guard. Why? I felt - and still feel - that at his size and length - that he would have an advantage at SG and be neutral or at a disadvantage at SF.

I don't think he is long enough to be an above average SF.

Unfortunately for Martell, he has not developed the handles, passing, ability to create his own shot or lateral quickness to be a worthwhile SG.

After writing all that, I suddenly have an overwhelming feeling....

john nash you sucked!

you drafted a shooting guard sized player who doesn't have the abilities to play above average at that position. You drafted a "tweener", passing up the two best young (not tweener) PGs out of multiple drafts to do it.

 

[Ed O]

Interesting that you should mention that.

When Martell was a rookie, there was great debate among Blazer fans about his position or his best position. Was he a 2 or a 3?

I remember being attacked (not by you) for saying that Webster was going to be a Glen Rice type. Or a Dennis Scott. Or a Tracy Murray.

Attacked.

While I might be one of the bigger backers of Webster on this board, I still think that Rice was and is the upside he's got, and if he becomes a Dennis Scott-pre fat or even Tracy Murray pre-injuries kind of player, he could really help the Blazers win a lot more games.

john nash you sucked!

you drafted a shooting guard sized player who doesn't have the abilities to play above average at that position. You drafted a "tweener", passing up the two best young (not tweener) PGs out of multiple drafts to do it.

Dude. No doubt. And his premature/inexplicable commitment to Webster was not his only massive mistake.

He committed a series of outrages against humanity and the Blazers. Mainly humanity, but also the Blazers.

Ed O.

 

[tlongII]

Martell isn't undersized for a 3. 6-8 is plenty big enough.

 

[Masbee]

Martell isn't undersized for a 3. 6-8 is plenty big enough.

Where the hell did I say he was "short"?

We had the #3 pick.

When you have the goddammed #3 pick - and suffered through a really crappy season to "earn" it, you don't go for players that are "plenty big enough" or "plenty good enough" or "plenty fast enough" or "plenty strong enough" or, or, or.

You go for players that are bigger, faster, stronger, better, etc. than virtually all other players, you know, so you have an .....

ADVANTAGE.

You want to use that rare opportunity of a top of the draft pick to locate players that will scare the crap out of the opposition because they are so fast and poised (Paul) you can't stop them, or so strong and tough (Deron) you can't stop them.

Nash picks a guy who is "average" in size - which could be fine - but other elements need to be superior. Martell plays slow and so far fails to use what athletic talents he has to full effect. He is not poised, not tough. Scares nobody.

Martell is 6'6", 6'7.34" in shoes.

Wingspan - 6'11". Not bad.

Kevin Durant - 7' 4.75"
Marvin Williams - 7' 3.5"
Rudy Gay - 7'3"
Julian Wright - 7'2.25"
Trevor Ariza - 7'2"
Josh Howard - 7'2"
Tracy McGrady - 7'2"
Danny Granger - 7'1.5"

 

[Masbee]

I remember being attacked (not by you) for saying that Webster was going to be a Glen Rice type. Or a Dennis Scott. Or a Tracy Murray.

Attacked.

While I might be one of the bigger backers of Webster on this board, I still think that Rice was and is the upside he's got, and if he becomes a Dennis Scott-pre fat or even Tracy Murray pre-injuries kind of player, he could really help the Blazers win a lot more games.



Dude. No doubt. And his premature/inexplicable commitment to Webster was not his only massive mistake.

He committed a series of outrages against humanity and the Blazers. Mainly humanity, but also the Blazers.

Ed O.

Ah, but he did answer our e-mails... in creepily speedy fashion. He was a Crackberry addict no doubt.

 

[Ed O]

Ah, but he did answer our e-mails... in creepily speedy fashion. He was a Crackberry addict no doubt.

And Patterson played golf with Tonkin.

How did that work out for everyone?

Ed O.

 

[Minstrel]

And Patterson played golf with Tonkin.

How did that work out for everyone?

You're not happy with where the Blazers are? If not for Tonkin's campaign, Darius Miles would undoubtedly be our franchise player.

Of course, if Miles ever puts his talents together...

 

[tlongII]

Where the hell did I say he was "short"?

We had the #3 pick.

etc, etc...

I argued then that Martell and the team should focus on Shooting Guard. Why? I felt - and still feel - that at his size and length - that he would have an advantage at SG and be neutral or at a disadvantage at SF.

I never said that you said he was short. But you clearly inferred that he was undersized.

 

[drexlersdad]

did anyone see his workout video on blazers.com? he was a freak, he made like 10 in a row from 30 feet, and completely dominated. workout wonder.