SI: NBA's Potential Secret Weapons - Webster

[SheedSoNasty]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/09/17/secret.weapons/index.html

Martell Webster, Portland: The Blazers thought Webster was on the verge of a breakout last season, and felt that the four-year, $20 million contract to which they signed him would be a bargain once that happened. Instead, Webster broke a bone in his left foot that was slow to heal and kept him out all season. Now that Webster has been cleared for 5-on-5 practices, Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard has likened his return to a key free-agent signing on a team that already won 54 games last year. The 22-year-old adds the outside shooting threat the Blazers were pursuing in their courtship of Hedo Turkoglu, which they hope will pull defenses off Brandon Roy. Webster is also a solid wing defender and has steadily improved each year. If that continues, his return could be the piece needed to push the Blazers near the top of the Western Conference.

Sorry if it's been posted. If he's truly healthy and fit by the time the season rolls around, we're going to be really happy that he's back. That lone pre-season game against Sacramento last year gave us some really perspective as to how good he can be. Mind you, he'll likely never reach All-Star status, he could end up being just what we needed last year to get over the hump.

 

[The Professional Fan]

"the 22 year old"

I keep forgetting how young Webster is. I love that. I still have high hopes for him.

 

[Boise Blazer]

If Webster develops ... nice! If Oden develops ... nice! If Oden AND Webster develop ... the league is in trouble.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

"the 22 year old"

I keep forgetting how young Webster is. I love that. I still have high hopes for him.

I had that exact thought. It just stood out and stunned me as I read that. B-Roy was 22 when he was starting his rookie year. Webster is a pretty bright young kid. I look forward to him having a solid, if not exceptional, career (as a Blazer, of course).

Another reason it stood out is that it reminded me how quickly we turned from bottom of the league to a competitor.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/09/17/secret.weapons/index.html



Sorry if it's been posted. If he's truly healthy and fit by the time the season rolls around, we're going to be really happy that he's back. That lone pre-season game against Sacramento last year gave us some really perspective as to how good he can be. Mind you, he'll likely never reach All-Star status, he could end up being just what we needed last year to get over the hump.

I've been smackin this all off season. I feel Martell is primed for a break out season this year. If he and Andre are inserted into the starting lineup and are given significant minutes, I think this team will compete for most points per game average by an nba team. Martell is an offensive juggernaut.

 

[STOMP]

I've been smackin this all off season. I feel Martell is primed for a break out season this year. If he and Andre are inserted into the starting lineup and are given significant minutes, I think this team will compete for most points per game average by an nba team. Martell is an offensive juggernaut.

good grief... the term putting the cart before the horse springs to mind. All his seasonal results reveal him to be a below average offensive player who is improving at a snail's pace. Here's hoping for the best for him this season and all but I wouldn't be that surprised to see him end up earning Bayless type minutes.

No handle + little D = small role

STOMP

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Really? You look at his shooting percentages including his TS% and you think he is an offensive juggernaut? He's been scoring mostly on open spot up shot and in transition, and his percentages are still lousy.

Yes, I do feel he has the potential to be an offensive beast.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Really? You look at his shooting percentages including his TS% and you think he is an offensive juggernaut? He's been scoring mostly on open spot up shot and in transition, and his percentages are still lousy.

I tell you what. Go back to the Utah matchup two years ago where he reeled of 26 points in one quarter I believe. If that isn't a juggernaut, I don't know what it is.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

So is it basically just you hoping he's going to be an "offensive beast" or you have seen something in his development that makes you think he'll be an "offensive beast"? If it's the former, then I share how you feel. Hell, I hope each and everyone of our players turn into Hakeem, Jordan, Magic, Bird, Duncan, etc. If it's the latter, then I have difficulty finding what part of Webster's game to be optimistic about.

I gave an example two posts above. He has proven he has it in him. And while I think he can become a potent scorer. His impact will be closer to a Detlef Schrempf type in his prime rather than a Hakeem, Jordan, Magic Bird etc.

 

[Minstrel]

I tell you what. Go back to the Utah matchup two years ago where he reeled of 26 points in one quarter I believe. If that isn't a juggernaut, I don't know what it is.

The legend of Martell Webster is a fine story. It starts with him being drafted, continues with his great NBA triumph as the slayer of the Utah Jazz for one quarter and then probably ends with him retiring, having nothing left to prove or accomplish in the NBA. What else can a player do after having a great single quarter of play?

I think we'll all tell our children of the quarter in which Martell Webster scored 24 points in one quarter. Later, if we have time, we may mention Michael Jordan.

 

[STOMP]

I gave an example two posts above. He has proven he has it in him. And while I think he can become a potent scorer. His impact will be closer to a Detlef Schrempf type in his prime rather than a Hakeem, Jordan, Magic Bird etc.

Detlef could dribble and pass the ball without getting stripped. He had great size for a 3 allowing him to board and post up... so far I see Martell more as a homeless man's Dennis Scott

STOMP

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Detlef could dribble and pass the ball without getting stripped. He had great size for a 3 allowing him to board and post up... so far I see Martell more as a homeless man's Dennis Scott

STOMP

Martell is 22. Martell is more athletic than Scott. Think some of you are quick to close the book on him.

 

[STOMP]

Martell is 22. Martell is more athletic than Scott. Think some of you are quick to close the book on him.

If you read my posts you'll see I'm not closing the book on him. Unlike you I'm not ignoring the chapters that have been written to pretend he's been decent. I want him to succeed, but thus far his play has been very underwhelming.

btw... Scott was also a former lotto pick/one trick pony outside shooter who merely started for a team that made the finals. His career accomplishments far exceed Martell's so far.

STOMP

 

[oldmangrouch]

I tell you what. Go back to the Utah matchup two years ago where he reeled of 26 points in one quarter I believe. If that isn't a juggernaut, I don't know what it is.

Let me offer some assistance.

82 games x 4 quarters = 328 quarters in a season. Getting hot for 1/328th of the season? Is there such a word as "feeblenaut"?

 

[oldmangrouch]

Martell is 22. Martell is more athletic than Scott. Think some of you are quick to close the book on him.

It's possible. Then again, some people thought we were making a mistake by trading Telfair too quickly.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

It's possible. Then again, some people thought we were making a mistake by trading Telfair too quickly.

We did. Give him just one more chance, and you'll see. You'll be upset we trade Theo Ratliff and our pick for Raef Lafrentz and Boston's pick. Just wait.

 

[HailBlazers]

If Webster develops ... nice! If Oden develops ... nice! If Oden AND Webster develop ... the league is in trouble.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I really wonder what it is that makes people think that Webster has improved during his first three seasons. He still doesn't have a reliable handle to get to the basket. Still a lousy passer. Still can't create his own shot. Doesn't have much of a midrange game or a post up game. Still a mediocre rebounder. His defense has improved enough to the point where he is now a mediocre defender at best. I will give that he has steadily improved on his three point shooting. He's produced more, but only because he has gotten more playing time. As far as his efficiency and PER, he has been the same player ever since he came in the league.

When was the last time you saw him play? You are stating these things as facts, when they are not. Yes he hasn't been more than decent, but the Webster optimists here feel he has the potential to be a very solid player for us. I won't repeat arguments but we, at least I, feel this optimistic because of what I've seen, not was is in the box score. Call it irrational or whatever you want, but we will see. Deal?

 

[The Professional Fan]

It's hard to be in Webster's camp. I'm planted firmly in it, but it's difficult to convey exactly why. I don't have much more than a glimpse of Webster in last years pre season and a gut feeling, I guess. I really felt there was something different about Webster going in to last season. He seemed to carry himself with much more confidence, he looked more athletic, and really - he just didn't seem like a boy any more. He was growing up. It's really hard to explain. I just felt he was going to have a breakout year, and I think he'll have a very good 09-10 season. I think he has the talent. And now I think he has the mind and confidence.

I'll look forward to coming back to this thread to see if I was way off. I will admit it if I am/was, but I fully expect Webster to earn the starting SF spot.

 

[BenDavis503]

Let me offer some assistance.

82 games x 4 quarters = 328 quarters in a season. Getting hot for 1/328th of the season? Is there such a word as "feeblenaut"?

Well put.

I hope Webster does well, but there is a lot of homerism going on in this thread.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I certainly wish Martell the best and hope sincerely that he has a monster breakout year -- He's the kind of guy you hope puts it all together for a variety of reasons (high draft selection, periodic flashes of brilliance, maybe the prettiest stroke I've seen since Glen Rice and he's signed to a long-term cheap deal!).

But let's be real here people; Martell (despite the Utah quarter) has been a really inconsistent player in his three active seasons in the NBA and add to that a year out of basketball, we haven't seen him do anything on a court since he pulled up lame in that Kings pre-season game last year. At this point I think it's probably fair to hope that he's able to come back and just not be a detriment when he's on the court -- the ability to play passable wing defense and shoot the ball efficiently from the perimeter in 15-20 minutes per game -- I think you have to be willing to accept that for a guy who is coming off of a pretty serious injury.

 

[Boob-No-More]

We did. Give him just one more chance, and you'll see. You'll be upset we trade Theo Ratliff and our pick for Raef Lafrentz and Boston's pick. Just wait.

When did that happen? We didn't trade our pick to Boston, we traded it (in the form of Tyrus Thomas) and Viktor Khryapa to the Bulls for LaMarcus Aldridge. We basically traded chump change for the pick that eventually got us Brandon Roy - although technically, we didn't draft either Aldridge (Chicago did) or Roy (Minnesota did).

BNM

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I haven't missed more than two Blazers games in the last five years. I have also attended summer league games when Webster played.


Just because I did not put in "in my opinion" on every one of those sentences doesn't mean I'm stating them as facts. They are simply my observation. I'm confident that my observation is accurate. If you disagree with that, fine.


Like I said, I wish I could share your view, but Webster has not shown me enough to be optimistic.


I'd love for me to be wrong and you to be right on this, but I doubt it. We'll see.

What I meant is that none of us have seen him play in a long time and although I concede it is unlikely that he is better than he was in 07-08 right now, we don't know.

 

[mgb]

Put me in the camp that Webster will do well. Of course he's not played for a year so it may take a bit for him to get going this season, but I think he will. He's only 22 so I'm not to surprise at him being inconsistent in the past. Hopefully that'll change this season.

 

[STOMP]

What I meant is that none of us have seen him play in a long time and although I concede it is unlikely that he is better than he was in 07-08 right now, we don't know.

if he's to garner regular PT in 2009-10 he's going to have to be better then he was in 07-08 because the talent on the roster has significantly improved... this is not a bad thing. Batum was better as a skinny 19 year old rookie then 07-08 MW on both ends of the court. After a year working with the various Blazer trainers on his body and game, I sure don't think he'll be worse in his 2nd season. If so, I doubt he'll foul or tire out in 25 MPG or so.

Rudy is ahead of Webster in the PT pecking order as well. I'd expect we'll see RF teamed with Brandon at the wing spots far more then as backcourt partners. Brandon is probably their top wing option at either spot and certainly a better option then Martell. There are only 13 MPG (or so) of backup SG minutes and it's my feeling that Rudy will play at least 25 MPG. If Roy and Rudy are teamed on the wings for 13 MPG that only leaves about 10 MPG of SF minutes. If Martell hasn't improved since 07-08 as you expect, it's arguable whether he'll deserve any of those scraps over Travis.

career 3 pt%

Rudy 40%
Blake 39%
Webster 37%
Batum 37%
Travis 36%
Roy 36%

Hopefully everyone stays healthy this season and they'll be able to settle the PT questions by merit rather then default. But barring injury (and regular blowouts ), some decent players will be riding the pine much more then in seasons past.

STOMP

 

[Mediocre Man]

I really hope Webster lives up to the hype he is getting from people this year. I don't need him to be better than the two all league PG's we passed on for him, but it would be nice for him to be a boaderline all-star sometime in the near future. Maybe a 15/5/4 guy who doesn't only settle for the three ball?

 

[The Professional Fan]

if he's to garner regular PT in 2009-10 he's going to have to be better then he was in 07-08 because the talent on the roster has significantly improved...

This is a two fold kind of statement. Webster should be a better player BECAUSE he's surrounded by more talent. This is easily the best Blazers team he's played for and because of that I would anticipate less defensive attention going his way. Imagining him in our starting lineup excites me because he'll have lots of open looks. How do you defend that starting 5 with a "good" Webster? Tough, tough, tough.

p.s. Assuming Miller and Oden are part of that 5.

 

[STOMP]

This is a two fold kind of statement. Webster should be a better player BECAUSE he's surrounded by more talent. This is easily the best Blazers team he's played for and because of that I would anticipate less defensive attention going his way. Imagining him in our starting lineup excites me because he'll have lots of open looks.

What defensive attention are you referring to? Dude's off the dribble game has been pretty nonexistent thus far into his career and (if memory serves) he enjoyed mostly wide open looks for his 3 attempts back in 07-08 playing off Roy and Aldridge. In half court sets he'd stand on the wing/in the corner with his feet set waiting for the ball to be swung to him and if he was open he'd let fly. He's certainly never been much of a go option as the clock is winding down, he rarely ever drove to the hole as evidenced by his miniscule FTA rate... he's been a perimeter spot up shooter and thats about it. Rudy Blake and Travis filled this role last year and did it at least as well. This year with Miller added to the mix, I'd expect Brandon to be doing this more then ever too. Martell will have to add to his skillset or shoot the lights out like JJones did if he's to wrestle PT away from the rest of this lineup as his 07-08 skillset has been duplicated.

STOMP

 

[Blazer_Hippie]

I like Webster, I hope he blows everyone away...but it seems to me like this Webster optimism is a function of:

1. Residue from last summers overheated Blazer hype machine...remember all the "Oden is a beast" talk...well that was always closely followed by or preceded by talk of how Webster looked awesome...I think some folks drank a little too much of that Kool-Aid.

2. Hope for a feel good story after how much of a bummer his season turned out last year.

Here's to hoping the hype is correct!

 

[Shooter]

If Webster develops ... nice! If Oden develops ... nice! If Oden AND Webster develop ... the league is in trouble.

The league is already in trouble.



Get ready, NBA. Here come the Blazers.