Sounds like Webster is gonna start.... and some thoughts

[MIXUM]

Which is 100% the right choice. Lets face it... batums offensive game isnt even close to websters. Finally, we have a SF who can score over 10 points. Schonz and Rice both said in so many words martell would start. I said this in September. While the batum lovers tried to make their cases. Really guys... its not close. Sorry.

- Broy has become a concern in this pre season. Im sure he will get it going but hes giving off a weird vibe. You can almost feel it through the radio which is alarming.

- Rudy... euro league wore him out. Hope it doesnt linger cause hes not right.

- Oden seems to be ready for a huge season.

- Outlaw needs to be traded ASAP. I mean listening to teh game last night... you could picture exactly what he was doing when the suns made their run. Turnover, bad shot, turnover, clank... and deer in headlights look. We really are better off with howard at backup PF. I just cant take outlaw anymore.

- LA... its funny how everyone thought he would be the problem in pre season with no contract but amazingly hes been 100 times better then roy who has his deal. LA looks ready to go.

- Miller has won the starting role. Sounds like hes tuned up but does he fit with roy is the question. I mean LA, Oden, and webster seem to play well with him. The problem is... our best player doesnt so far. Big issue but maybe time will change that.

- Blake/Pryz are grouped together because neither has done much and both are likely pissed they lost their starting jobs already. Seems like they were going through the motions last night. Just hope they dont carry this over into the season but im getting the vibe they arent pleased.



In closing, this team is not looking good in PRE SEASON but you hope they turn it on soon to avoid getting off to a slow start which will lead to drama in the locker room. Maybe the Blazers are the Tenn Titans of the NBA. A team everyone was picking to go deep in the playoffs with lots of expectations but fell on their face as soon as the season started. I hope not cause the titans aren't making the playoffs which is shocking considering their talent! Hmmm that sounds familiar! It is pre season so like i said... lets hope they can figure it out.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Where does it sound like Webster is going to start? I'm not disputing you, but I haven't read anything, and I live in Houston, so I haven't heard anything on the radio either. Schonz and Rice have as much say in who starts as you and I.


Also, I'm not sure the starting unit needs scoring, and Batum is a much better defender.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

A mostly positive post by MIXUM? END TIMES ARE HERE!!!!

 

[MIXUM]

they both seemed pretty sure webster would start in broadcast.

 

[PapaG]

they both seemed pretty sure webster would start in broadcast.

Great. With Miller jacking up shot after shot this preseason, and with Webster needing shots to be effective, we're looking at some serious problems on offense. Plus, Miller is at best Blake's equal on perimeter defense, and Webster is a downgrade from Batum.

It could be a very interesting season.

 

[magnifier661]

- Outlaw needs to be traded ASAP. I mean listening to teh game last night... you could picture exactly what he was doing when the suns made their run. Turnover, bad shot, turnover, clank... and deer in headlights look. We really are better off with howard at backup PF. I just cant take outlaw anymore.

I agree. I would love to bring in a guy with more interior scoring, defense and rebounding. Nothing too special, but just enough to help Pryzbilla anchor the second unit defensively. I would love to get my hands on Brandan Bass or Foster. I think we have way too much outside scorers that just don't rebound well. Our second unit needs more rebounding and interior muscle IMO.

 

[magnifier661]

Plus, Miller is at best Blake's equal on perimeter defense, and Webster is a downgrade from Batum.

I completely disagree with that statement. In fact, Webster's rebounding alone is so much better than Batum. And as for the perimeter defense between Blake and Miller is almost laughable in comparison. Give this pie some time to cook. Remember that this is only Miller's 4th game as a Blazer. Let's make our assessment a little further on in the season.

 

[RR7]

I agree. I would love to bring in a guy with more interior scoring, defense and rebounding. Nothing too special, but just enough to help Pryzbilla anchor the second unit defensively. I would love to get my hands on Brandan Bass or Foster. I think we have way too much outside scorers that just don't rebound well. Our second unit needs more rebounding and interior muscle IMO.

Bass or Foster alongside Joel would be scary on offense. Might as well just have a 3 man rotation down low, and play Greg and Joel together.

 

[magnifier661]

Bass or Foster alongside Joel would be scary on offense. Might as well just have a 3 man rotation down low, and play Greg and Joel together.

We don't sub 5 players all the time, just FYI. I expect Nate to try and keep at least 2 starters on the floor the entire game.

 

[shamelessblazer]

Bass or Foster alongside Joel would be scary on offense. Might as well just have a 3 man rotation down low, and play Greg and Joel together.

or Turiaf or Marc Gasol (w/weight loss)

it's just clear that Outlaw is a huge detriment on defense and rebounding while in (hurting the C he plays with) and offensive flow, and about half the time he makes up for it while being 'on' with his shot. Letting him go would help out everybody on the team while 'on' the court.

Outlaw/Bayless for Ronny Turiaf? (they could move Jack easier after that maybe with their 3 filled)

 

[RR7]

We don't sub 5 players all the time, just FYI. I expect Nate to try and keep at least 2 starters on the floor the entire game.

I understand we don't sub 5 people at once. I didn't say we do. You said you wanted someone like Bass or Foster alongside Toel, to help anchor the second unit. That our second unit needed help with rebounding and toughness alongside Joel. Which is what i was replying to. I don't think either of those two alongside Joel is going to work. I think someone like McDyess or Joe Smith would have been great alongside Joel.

 

[Luther]

Great. With Miller jacking up shot after shot this preseason, and with Webster needing shots to be effective, we're looking at some serious problems on offense. Plus, Miller is at best Blake's equal on perimeter defense, and Webster is a downgrade from Batum.

It could be a very interesting season.

Webster is a downgrade....on defense. Nic is going to be a great player in this league. Potential wise I have no problem saying he will be better than Webster, but right now. Nic is a complimentary player on offense and a stopper on defense. A way more athletic Bruce Bowen minus the three point shooting and dirty play. We have all seen what Martell can do when his shot is falling and Nic hasn't shown any sort of consistency on offense. I'm not saying Martell has been consistent either but much more so than Nic. I can see them getting pretty even playing time during the regular season. They both work in the starting lineup or coming off the bench.

 

[Luther]

or Turiaf or Marc Gasol (w/weight loss)

it's just clear that Outlaw is a huge detriment on defense and rebounding while in (hurting the C he plays with) and offensive flow, and about half the time he makes up for it while being 'on' with his shot. Letting him go would help out everybody on the team while 'on' the court.

Outlaw/Bayless for Ronny Turiaf? (they could move Jack easier after that maybe with their 3 filled)

Outlaw and Bayless for f*ckin Ronny Turiaf??? No thank you.

 

[PapaG]

I completely disagree with that statement. In fact, Webster's rebounding alone is so much better than Batum. And as for the perimeter defense between Blake and Miller is almost laughable in comparison. Give this pie some time to cook. Remember that this is only Miller's 4th game as a Blazer. Let's make our assessment a little further on in the season.

Rebounding isn't defense.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Webster is a downgrade....on defense.

I disagree completely. Web's defense has improved by leaps and bounds, and had even before the injury. He was super active last night, WAY WAY better than Trout.

 

[EWT]

We need scoring from the bench which is where Martell should be coming from there aren't enough shots for Martell on the starting unit.

 

[magnifier661]

I understand we don't sub 5 people at once. I didn't say we do. You said you wanted someone like Bass or Foster alongside Toel, to help anchor the second unit. That our second unit needed help with rebounding and toughness alongside Joel. Which is what i was replying to. I don't think either of those two alongside Joel is going to work. I think someone like McDyess or Joe Smith would have been great alongside Joel.

What I meant is bench player's roles. It's obvious we don't bring in Pryzbilla to score. He is a defender and rebounder. I think we could use some other players at other positions that can do the same thing. I am trying to explain that, as much as scoring is a necessity, defense is or maybe even more of an importance off the bench.

It's obvious we have Miller, Roy, Aldridge, Rudy and Oden all capable of handle most the scoring load. We need role players able to come in handling the defensive roles.

 

[PapaG]

I disagree completely. Web's defense has improved by leaps and bounds, and had even before the injury. He was super active last night, WAY WAY better than Trout.

I'm not comparing him to Outlaw. I'm comparing him to Batum.

 

[magnifier661]

I disagree completely. Web's defense has improved by leaps and bounds, and had even before the injury. He was super active last night, WAY WAY better than Trout.

I was wondering if they are making these claims from play two years ago, cause during these "pre-season" games, he's been doing very well.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Is it just me or does it seem like people are reading way too much into box scores and the win loss columns? The fact is we're making an awful lot of assumptions about lineups, player combinations and effectiveness at the offensive end of the court when the only real team trends you can point to are a propensity for missing foul shots, excessive turnovers, high FG% allowed, and giving up a lot of fast break points.

 

[RR7]

What I meant is bench player's roles. It's obvious we don't bring in Pryzbilla to score. He is a defender and rebounder. I think we could use some other players at other positions that can do the same thing. I am trying to explain that, as much as scoring is a necessity, defense is or maybe even more of an importance off the bench.

It's obvious we have Miller, Roy, Aldridge, Rudy and Oden all capable of handle most the scoring load. We need role players able to come in handling the defensive roles.

I think it'd be better to try to find players who don't end up being liabilities for you, though, on one end of the court. Not that Bass or Foster necessarily are, but Foster is a C, not a PF. He's not going to play alongside Oden or Joel. So he would take up Joel's minutes, basically. Bass isn't happening, but he would strictly backup PF. I agree that we need role players, but if you look at rotations, and hwo Nat emight keep people on the floor, one of Joel or Greg is generally always going to be providing toughness and defense down low. Adding a PF that does the same makes him potentially a poor fit alongside either of them, which means they'd be at their most effective with Aldridge at C, which takes our two defensive anchors off the court. Looking at the rotation, you start Oden and Addldridge. You take out Oden and put in Joel. Stillhave good spacing from the PF, and defense at the C position. Then, you remove Aldridge and put in Outlaw, and soon after remove Joel and put back in Oden. Again, the continued spacing from the PF position, and the ability to spread the floor.

I am not a big fan of Outlaw, would prefer a different role player in that slot, but don't see a bruiser type as the ideal fit at PF, except for instances when Aldridge is at C.

 

[Idog1976]

Is it just me or does it seem like people are reading way too much into box scores and the win loss columns? The fact is we're making an awful lot of assumptions about lineups, player combinations and effectiveness at the offensive end of the court when the only real team trends you can point to are a propensity for missing foul shots, excessive turnovers, high FG% allowed, and giving up a lot of fast break points.

Come on Nik, you know as well as I do you can look at a Pre-Season box score and predict a season and indeed the eventual NBA champ. Just ask Kobe about how serious Pre-Season is...

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

I agree. I would love to bring in a guy with more interior scoring, defense and rebounding. Nothing too special, but just enough to help Pryzbilla anchor the second unit defensively. I would love to get my hands on Brandan Bass or Foster. I think we have way too much outside scorers that just don't rebound well. Our second unit needs more rebounding and interior muscle IMO.

The problem is, unless you throw in another player or two in the mix to get that player, then you still leave yourself with the same problem. Another guy among many that needs his time. I would make it a consolidation type deal and I would target Turiaf.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

I completely disagree with that statement. In fact, Webster's rebounding alone is so much better than Batum. And as for the perimeter defense between Blake and Miller is almost laughable in comparison. Give this pie some time to cook. Remember that this is only Miller's 4th game as a Blazer. Let's make our assessment a little further on in the season.

This is turned into a pie now? Damn Kp, what did you put into mix?

 

[magnifier661]

The problem is, unless you throw in another player or two in the mix to get that player, then you still leave yourself with the same problem. Another guy among many that needs his time. I would make it a consolidation type deal and I would target Turiaf.

Exactly... Use a couple players to consolidate to a very nice veteran role player. A player that isn't too concerned about "playing time" and is happy coming in whenever needed.

 

[magnifier661]

I think it'd be better to try to find players who don't end up being liabilities for you, though, on one end of the court. Not that Bass or Foster necessarily are, but Foster is a C, not a PF. He's not going to play alongside Oden or Joel. So he would take up Joel's minutes, basically. Bass isn't happening, but he would strictly backup PF. I agree that we need role players, but if you look at rotations, and hwo Nat emight keep people on the floor, one of Joel or Greg is generally always going to be providing toughness and defense down low. Adding a PF that does the same makes him potentially a poor fit alongside either of them, which means they'd be at their most effective with Aldridge at C, which takes our two defensive anchors off the court. Looking at the rotation, you start Oden and Addldridge. You take out Oden and put in Joel. Stillhave good spacing from the PF, and defense at the C position. Then, you remove Aldridge and put in Outlaw, and soon after remove Joel and put back in Oden. Again, the continued spacing from the PF position, and the ability to spread the floor.

I am not a big fan of Outlaw, would prefer a different role player in that slot, but don't see a bruiser type as the ideal fit at PF, except for instances when Aldridge is at C.

Foster is listed as a 5, but he is very capable and has played 4 plenty of times. He is a rebounding and defending machine, plus doesn't have a big ego. It doesn't have to be him though. Just someone able to accept a nice back-up role.

 

[RR7]

Right, I'm just saying Foster duplicates what Joel gives us. He can play alongside Aldridge, but isn't going to be effective alongside Greg or Joel.

 

[mook]

Great. With Miller jacking up shot after shot this preseason...blah blah blah

I've stopped reading your posts. It's just getting too repetitive and boring and silly. I used to find some of your stuff interesting, so maybe I'll try again in a few days.

I know you probably don't care. But just in case you do, I thought I'd let you know.

 

[magnifier661]

Right, I'm just saying Foster duplicates what Joel gives us. He can play alongside Aldridge, but isn't going to be effective alongside Greg or Joel.

You honestly don't think he could play with Greg or Pryzbilla? I've seen him do it in Indiana playing with other PFs and Centers with no "real" perimeter game.

 

[RR7]

He usually plays alongside Troy Murphy, who is mroe perimiter oriented. He could play alongside them, just like they COULD play alongside eachother. But, not too many teams have big bruisers at backup PF AND C. So when they have a smallish PF in the game against us, which one of those guys is covering him? Foster? That'll suck.