Starting SF?

[MARIS61]

Nate will start Nic.

I would start Travis.

 

[Eastoff]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/09/blazers_notebook_aldridge_stil.html

Small forward (non)issue? To no great surprise, the hottest topic of media day surrounded the starting positions -- point guard, small forward and center -- that are up for grabs heading into training camp. But, in a stroke of potential good luck for coach Nate McMillan, at least one of those positions might not be an issue.

Nicolas Batum, last season's starter at small forward, admitted Monday that his ambition was to start. Moments later, however, when Martell Webster spoke, he relayed a different message. After starting two seasons ago and missing virtually all of last season with a foot injury, Webster said starting is not his primary concern.

"I don't blame (Batum), that's great motivation," Webster said. "For me, that's just not where my mind is this year, for this team. For me it's just going out there and doing what I'm capable of doing and whatever it is that coach asks me. I don't care about the starting position. That doesn't mean much to me. Most importantly to me ... is being on the court when the buzzer rings. I want to finish games."

 

[BenDavis503]

Small forward (non)issue? To no great surprise, the hottest topic of media day surrounded the starting positions -- point guard, small forward and center -- that are up for grabs heading into training camp. But, in a stroke of potential good luck for coach Nate McMillan, at least one of those positions might not be an issue.

Nicolas Batum, last season's starter at small forward, admitted Monday that his ambition was to start. Moments later, however, when Martell Webster spoke, he relayed a different message. After starting two seasons ago and missing virtually all of last season with a foot injury, Webster said starting is not his primary concern.

"I don't blame (Batum), that's great motivation," Webster said. "For me, that's just not where my mind is this year, for this team. For me it's just going out there and doing what I'm capable of doing and whatever it is that coach asks me. I don't care about the starting position. That doesn't mean much to me. Most importantly to me ... is being on the court when the buzzer rings. I want to finish games."

I like that attitude. And I think it matches Nic perfect because it seems he cares more about starting games, even if he doesn't get that many minutes.

God I love this team!!!1 Oh, I voted Batum.

 

[Eastoff]

I like that attitude. And I think it matches Nic perfect because it seems he cares more about starting games, even if he doesn't get that many minutes.

God I love this team!!!1 Oh, I voted Batum.

yeah Batum is only 20, maybe 21? You have to figure that "what's best for the team is best for me" hasn't quite set in. I still think he'll become the star us "homer"s think he is inside.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

yeah Batum is only 20, maybe 21? You have to figure that "what's best for the team is best for me" hasn't quite set in. I still think he'll become the star us "homer"s think he is inside.

Webster is only 22

 

[ABM]

I guarantee it will be Batum.

 

[Eastoff]

Webster is only 22

true, true! In all honesty if something awful happened to Batum I would be okay with the other two guys.

 

[oldmangrouch]

yeah Batum is only 20, maybe 21? You have to figure that "what's best for the team is best for me" hasn't quite set in. I still think he'll become the star us "homer"s think he is inside.

I think we sometimes make the mistake of comparing Batum to Rudy. While both played pro ball in Europe, Rudy is 4 years older, and played against a higher level of competition. He is way ahead of Batum on the developmental curve, but I won't be the least surprised if Batum ultimately emerges as the superior player.

(and let's face it - despite his greater age/experience, Rudy is still something of a "me first!" guy.

 

[Draco]

I could see Martell getting the nod for his superior 3 ball. Especially if Miller and/or Pryz is in the starting lineup, then Martell's offense will be more needed than Batum's defense.

Yet I still give a slight edge to Batum based for his more well rounded game so he got my vote.

 

[PapaG]

So, is Webster admitting that finishing games is more important than starting them?

Minstrel, wasn't that you on BBF telling me otherwise, among other posters. I wish I had that quote back then.

 

[PapaG]

I could see Martell getting the nod for his superior 3 ball. Especially if Miller and/or Pryz is in the starting lineup, then Martell's offense will be more needed than Batum's defense.

Yet I still give a slight edge to Batum based for his more well rounded game so he got my vote.

Do people even look at statistics?

 

[Minstrel]

So, is Webster admitting that finishing games is more important than starting them?

Minstrel, wasn't that you on BBF telling me otherwise, among other posters. I wish I had that quote back then.

Unlikely, since I've never bothered to prioritize "starting" or "finishing" games. I think you play your best players as many minutes possible. Technically, it really doesn't matter whether they play the first minute and/or the last minute, but naturally the best players tend to do both. Sometimes, though, matchups dictate otherwise. Steve Kerr was often on the floor at the ends of games due to his shooting prowess. Not due to being a brilliant player or some clutch ability...for a specific ability.

Saying that starting doesn't matter, finishing does, strikes me as a fairly irrelevant point to make. If I were a player in the NBA, my focus would be on deserving the most minutes.