SLAM Notes On The Blazers

[ABM]

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2009/11/team-s-dot-timeout-lebron-the-rip-city-boys/

...............I was overjoyed after that game was finished, and I ended up seeing that the San Antonio Spurs were gonna be on as well, playing the intriguing Portland Trail Blazers. There’s so much to like about both of those teams, it’s not even funny, and there’s so much riding on them, also, that it makes for good drama any time that they are playing other teams, never mind each other.

For Portland, I really wonder what Nate McMillan is planning as far as implementing new schemes in Portland’s game plans. With so much structure, the essence of basketball is to play a free game. I like a free game. I myself love playing free games. I’m pretty sure the Roy enjoys playing free games, too.

Speaking of Brandon Roy, I mentioned this in the previous 21 Questions column, but why all the fighting and tit-for-tat over the point guard position? I say this because it’s indisputable that the best point on the team is Roy, and while I’m fond of Andre Miller, this whole thing could’ve been avoided altogether by not signing him, or better yet, just starting him from the beginning. This is a big boy’s league, and if Steve Blake is going to cry a little bit about not starting, tough. I know that Kevin Pritchard and McMillan have been doing the usual “He’s Our Point Guard” rounds with the media, trying to justify why Blake should continue to be the starting point guard, but in reality, Blake was there out of necessity. Jerryd Bayless (whom I also love and believe will be a more explosive version of Terrell Brandon) wasn’t ready. The departed Sergio Rodriguez was wasting time on the bench (a McMillan failure, by the way), and for some reason, no one had the gall to say, “Roy is not only our best player, but clearly revisiting the talent of Scottie Pippen as a big point guard–let’s play him there full-time”. NO–everyone wanted to do something different and more conventional and so Steve Blake was the man by default. Nothing is inherently wrong with that, except for the simple fact that when you bring in a high-quality starting point guard as your prime free agent acquisition, you play him accordingly.

Now, giving credit to Steve, I’ve followed him since he was a Maryland Terrapin, and I honestly believe he was better than Juan Dixon (his former teammate at Maryland, with the Washington Wizards and in Portland) back in college, and that he was a first-round pick back when he was actually taken in the second round in 2003. He’s a good guard, very sound, very good in terms of distributing the basketball and shooting–he’s just a very sound player, and the type of player that most championship teams need and often covet when it comes to playing high-quality roundball. The simple fact is that he is somewhat inferior to Miller as the primary lead guard in the lineup. It’s not any diss to Blake, it’s just that Miller is quite good, very good. End of story.

Watching Martell Webster come back from his injuries and early struggles in developing in the NBA is also good to see. He’s so mature and sound-minded about himself and his role, and he’ll be especially valuable to Portland in upcoming months.

Greg Oden is coming along, and I believe he’ll become an All-Star. He’s becoming more NBA-coordinated and just now learning how to use his body again (which by the way, is a different machine altogether since he’s been rehabbing and added significant muscle–he’s really coming around).

The rest of those guys on the Blazers I’ll have to check later on, but I do know this–Portland overpaid for LaMarcus Aldridge, and while I’m not big on putting prices on peoples’ heads, I don’t think his game is worth $65 million. Maybe $50-55 million, but not $65 mil, so I’m trusting that he’ll develop into that kind of player. Then again, that’s a much better investment than throwing that money into Andrew Bogut–he’s not a bad player either, but I remember his extension, and I was absolutely vexed by that indignity of Milwaukee’s. His game is easily worth $15 million less than what his contract calls for.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

A more explosive Terrell Brandon would be amazing. If he can find his jumper this comparison is not too far off.

 

[RR7]

Ramble On

 

[Nikolokolus]

Pretty solid "outsider's" take on the team ... Interesting to actually read a national media person's perspective on Oden; not many seem to want to buy that he's improving or anything other than a bust.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Pretty solid "outsider's" take on the team ... Interesting to actually read a national media person's perspective on Oden; not many seem to want to buy that he's improving or anything other than a bust.

Reality is, he is improving. You can talk all the numbers you want. I urge everyone to push the numbers to the side and just watch him on the court. Come back and tell us you don't feel he is improving. That would be erroneous. He is MUCH improved. And getting better.

 

[ABM]

Thought this was a bit curious:

I do know this – Portland overpaid for LaMarcus Aldridge, and while I’m not big on putting prices on peoples’ heads, I don’t think his game is worth $65 million. Maybe $50-55 million, but not $65 mil, so I’m trusting that he’ll develop into that kind of player.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

LaMarcus definitely needs to step it up and play up to his extension. So far, he hasn't.

He has to go from an 18/8 player to a 20/10 player. Maybe the new uptempo offense will light a fire under him.

 

[Idog1976]

LaMarcus definitely needs to step it up and play up to his extension. So far, he hasn't.

He has to go from an 18/8 player to a 20/10 player. Maybe the new uptempo offense will light a fire under him.

LaMarcus was BUILT for an uptempo game. The guy is freaking unstoppable in transition, he's too fast, too long, too strong and too skilled. If his man can't muscle him out of position he is deadly. In a fluid full court offense LaMarcus can pad 6 points a game at point blank range. I'm ecstatic about LMA + Miller.

I found myself screaming at Nate through the TV, "You are using him correctly sir!" after months - every season up til now in fact - of screaming "You're using him WRONG SIR!" (Sifl and Olly quote for the unelightened).

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

LaMarcus definitely needs to step it up and play up to his extension. So far, he hasn't.

He has to go from an 18/8 player to a 20/10 player. Maybe the new uptempo offense will light a fire under him.

LaMarcus needs accountability. He obviously doesn't hold himself accountable enough. Whatever he is doing, he is fine with. So how do you fix this? I personally feel, until he becomes an all star, this team will always fall short. Unless Oden, really comes on which is possible. But, I don't think this coaching staff is the answer to LaMarcus. I think LaMarcus needs to be pushed and challenged. I'm not sure that's happening here. I don't want to say he needs a hard arse for a coach. Although he could. I just know whatever is happening right now is not enough.