Start Webster over Rudy?

[e_blazer]

Maybe I'm overreacting to one game, but I thought moving Rudy to the starting lineup last night just didn't work well. He didn't do much with the starters, plus moving him out of the 2nd unit left that group without having his passing skills available to help Bayless out. I'd like to see Webster play the 2G spot with the 1st unit. He could still take a few minutes at SF when Nic has to come out. Maybe Cunningham pulls a few minutes at the backup SF spot as well.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Webster has really impressed me, would not be opposed to him starting

 

[Eastoff]

I like the idea of giving webster the starting 2 guard spot, except I'd be worried about Nico and he getting enough rest when they are guarding the tough matchups.

 

[hasoos]

Webster has always played better as a 2 guard than SF IMO. He is more comfortable in the offense when he plays the 2.

I was pretty happy when Nate went big to finish off last nights game. Miller, a couple of 6'8" guys, and a couple of 7 footers. It makes it very hard to score when there is that much length on the floor to defend.

 

[BGrantFan]

Oh HELL no. Marty's fragile psyche will have enough pressure in the playoffs. Don't compound the error by making him play out of position, with the starters, trying to fill Brandon Roy's shoes.

 

[hasoos]

Oh HELL no. Marty's fragile psyche will have enough pressure in the playoffs. Don't compound the error by making him play out of position, with the starters, trying to fill Brandon Roy's shoes.

At least with Martell there is a chance he will get hot. Unlike Rudy and Bayless, who seem to throw up about 75% bricks these days. Those guys would be fine to replace Roy if they would just nut up and hit their shots. On the rare occasion that happens.

 

[Eastoff]

Oh HELL no. Marty's fragile psyche will have enough pressure in the playoffs. Don't compound the error by making him play out of position, with the starters, trying to fill Brandon Roy's shoes.

perhaps it will give marty the confidence he needs. Just imagine, Nate announces he will be making a game day decision about who starts. Bayless and Rudy are squirming about who gets the honor and then BAM "who me?! Tell!? ALRIGHT!"

 

[blazerboy30]

I don't really care who starts, but I hope that if the game starts getting physical Webster will get more time than Rudy.

IMO, Martell has made great improvements in learning how to play physically, and Rudy doesn't stand a chance. We will probably need that physicality in the playoffs.

 

[BGrantFan]

perhaps it will give marty the confidence he needs. Just imagine, Nate announces he will be making a game day decision about who starts. Bayless and Rudy are squirming about who gets the honor and then BAM "who me?! Tell!? ALRIGHT!"

Marty finally strung two decent games together for a bench that sorely needed it, and you guys want Nate to fuck it all up by playing him out of position.

Stick with Rudy, go to Martell early off the bench if needed.

 

[Eastoff]

I don't really care who starts, but I hope that if the game starts getting physical Webster will get more time than Rudy.

IMO, Martell has made great improvements in learning how to play physically, and Rudy doesn't stand a chance. We will probably need that physicality in the playoffs.

good point. and chances are denver and utah will be that kind of series.

 

[mook]

I was pretty happy when Nate went big to finish off last nights game. Miller, a couple of 6'8" guys, and a couple of 7 footers. It makes it very hard to score when there is that much length on the floor to defend.

Definitely. I'm a big fan of the huge lineup for the end of the game.

And really, I've been pleasantly surprised by Webster's defense in the last several games. I really think he's turned it up a notch. Maybe it's the influence of Batum and Camby, two guys who use brains and speed to cover the floor. Oden and Przybilla were great defenders, but they weren't nearly the kind of leader Camby is in directing the defense, and Camby just seems to be a better role model for a guy like Webster about how to cover the paint with speed and athleticism.

I don't know about starting Webster. I kind of like the idea of both Webster and Batum being out of foul trouble as the game winds down, so they can be more aggressive on defense without worrying about fouling out. You put Webster in the starting lineup and he might not be able to be quite as aggressive.

I loved how this team just completely clamped down on the Thunder in the fourth quarter. Just seemed to come out of nowhere. I can see that kind of ambush working for a few games in the playoffs.

Besides, Rudy seems uber-streaky. He's had a bad patch, so maybe he's due to heat up again.

 

[hasoos]

Definitely. I'm a big fan of the huge lineup for the end of the game.

And really, I've been pleasantly surprised by Webster's defense in the last several games. I really think he's turned it up a notch. Maybe it's the influence of Batum and Camby, two guys who use brains and speed to cover the floor. Oden and Przybilla were great defenders, but they weren't nearly the kind of leader Camby is in directing the defense, and Camby just seems to be a better role model for a guy like Webster about how to cover the paint with speed and athleticism.

I don't know about starting Webster. I kind of like the idea of both Webster and Batum being out of foul trouble as the game winds down, so they can be more aggressive on defense without worrying about fouling out. You put Webster in the starting lineup and he might not be able to be quite as aggressive.

Besides, Rudy seems uber-streaky. He's had a bad patch, so maybe he's due to heat up again.

I am hoping you are right and Rudy gets it going. It seems to me that with Rudy, as with many young players, the problem is getting that first bucket. Once they get that first bucket, everything else comes easier. What the Blazers really need, is a sure fire play that typically gets Rudy a very easy look early. Get that bucket, the tension comes off, and he relaxes the rest of the game.

 

[Minstrel]

I don't really care who starts...what I hope is that McMillan will be fairly aggressive in substituting between Webster, Bayless and Fernandez. If one of them is going well, stick with them. Otherwise, substitute freely. I recognize that this may be problematic in terms of "rhythm," but I think it's more important to find the "hot hand" (or hottest hand).

 

[jlprk]

Webster may be more comfortable at guard, but he's more productive at forward, unless he's hitting his shots. At forward he can rebound and defend. At guard he gets no assists and can't defend. If he plays guard on offense, he'll still have to play forward on defense.

I started noticing last night that Rudy always starts poorly but improves as the game wears on. He's a 2nd half player, which is great if you're one of the team's leading players, but not good if you're a substitute.

So maybe play Rudy more in the 2nd half and Webster in the 1st.

 

[BlazerBenner]

NO. Do not start Webster over Rudy.

 

[BBert]

I would start Rudy. I like Rudy with Miller and I like the ball movement and player movement with Rudy. I wouldn't want to mess with the lineup and the rotation and the roles it has taken Nate all season to develop. IF Martell is as mentally fragile as some posters believe, that's another reason not to change Martell's role on the team. I think Rudy can handle and thrive under the starting pressure better than Martell.

Mostly, I love the Batum/Webster one-two defensive punch. I think that is going to be very key for us.

What I would do differently is give Webster more of Bayless' minutes and some SG minutes late in the game. I don't want to see Bayless on the floor with Miller again.

 

[HailBlazers]

All comes down to match-ups. Webster for D, Rudy for O, whatever we need

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Oh HELL no. Marty's fragile psyche will have enough pressure in the playoffs. Don't compound the error by making him play out of position, with the starters, trying to fill Brandon Roy's shoes.

Webster was originally a 2 guard and it's his natural position.

 

[BGrantFan]

Webster was originally a 2 guard and it's his natural position.

Well, if by 2-guard, you mean a spot-up shooter who can't create his own shot, then I'll agree. Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant, Brandon Roy, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson, and Manu Ginobli are off laughing in the corner.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Webster plays D, and historically he's done better as a starter than as a reserve ... but frankly I don't care, I just want whomever is playing the best out there to get the most minutes which should be evident pretty quickly in these games.

 

[STOMP]

Webster's complete lack of a handle puts too much ball handling responsibility on Miller... Portland becomes too one dimensional. I'd start Rudy or Bayless and play Martell in backup minutes. I'm fully on board with giving Donte a bigger role. Dude is solid.

STOMP

 

[BGrantFan]

Webster plays D, and historically he's done better as a starter than as a reserve ... but frankly I don't care, I just want whomever is playing the best out there to get the most minutes which should be evident pretty quickly in these games.

With his baseline performances, I don't see either option as being a given.

 

[STOMP]

Webster was originally a 2 guard and it's his natural position.

2 guards need to be able to handle the ball which is something Martell is far from natural at.

STOMP

 

[KingSpeed]

Yes! Webster actually plays pretty well in pressure situations. Remember our last game in Denver? Remember his game against Phoenix when we came back from 25 down and he played most of the second half at PF? He's very focused this season. Whether he starts or not, I expect him to play 30+ minutes. I personally think he's the key to us winning without Brandon. Rudy has never, in his two seasons with us, shown that he can play well in big games.