Webster: What have we learned?

[Natebishop3]

We've played 20 games. What have we learned about Martell this season? I think he plays better when he's starting. I think he has improved on defense. His shot is still very inconsistent. Anything else?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Webster being better as a starter is something we knew from a couple years ago. His defense is pretty decent, definitely. He'll always be a streaky shooter, but then so will Rudy (Rudy's just streaky at a better clip).

I'd say that Webster is Batum Lite. His need to start will hinder him in the future, but for now, he's doing a good job keeping the SF spot warm for Nic.

 

[Natebishop3]

Is Batum out for the season? I've heard it bantered about, but I never saw anything concrete.

 

[Natebishop3]

That would really suck. Other than GO, Nic was the guy I was most looking forward to watching.

I thought I had heard that he was out for the season, but I haven't seen any confirmation.

 

[B-Roy]

Somewhat consistent when starting. Crap with coming off the bench. Still pretty streaky. Better defense. Lots of effort.

 

[Natebishop3]

Somewhat consistent when starting. Crap with coming off the bench. Still pretty streaky. Better defense. Lots of effort.

I think it's because Webster is a rhythm shooter and he has trouble getting into a rhythm when he's coming off the bench.

 

[B-Roy]

I think it's because Webster is a rhythm shooter and he has trouble getting into a rhythm when he's coming off the bench.

Yup, I agree. I don't think he's playing bad as a starter either. But it wouldn't hurt to see him improve a bit.

 

[julius]

we learned that, just like the TV show, he's not as good as players that are of a similar nature in Portland.

(Webster not being as good as Differen' Strokes, Punky Brewster and Guiding Light).

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

When I think of Martel I think of a complimentary player. He plays well with the starters and does what's asked of him. I'd like to see him play better, but I'm not too unhappy thus far.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

That we suck when he starts? (What IS our record with him starting? Not good, I'm betting.)
That he is just not a very smart basketball player?
That his shot always looks good?
That he has an incredibly annoying habit of dribbling into a crowd and losing the ball?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Is Batum out for the season? I've heard it bantered about, but I never saw anything concrete.

Not according to Brian T. Smith:

Mills and Batum going through light action.

 

[Natebishop3]

Not according to Brian T. Smith:

That would be good. Maybe we'll make a trade when Nic is healthy.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

When I think of Martel I think of a complimentary player. He plays well with the starters and does what's asked of him. I'd like to see him play better, but I'm not too unhappy thus far.

TRADE HIM

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Webster is just a big waste of time.

He's atrocious as a bench player and he's still below average as a starter.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Webster is a nice little role player, and nothing else. I think he has a higher basketball IQ than Travis...then again so does my 7 year old, so I would like to keep him for that purpose. I am not saying I wouldn't trade him, but he is the better player. That's not saying much though.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Webster is a nice little role player, and nothing else. I think he has a higher basketball IQ than Travis...then again so does my 7 year old, so I would like to keep him for that purpose. I am not saying I wouldn't trade him, but he is the better player. That's not saying much though.

I disagree about the claim that Webster > Outlaw.
Webster does try hard on D, but is about as effective as Travis. Webster used to have a better 3 point shot, but Travis has become just as good. And the one thing Travis has that Webster absolutely does not is the ability to get his own shot any time. Can you imagine Webster getting a game winner in the way that Travis has?
But I will agree that neither of them is particularly clueful on the the court.

 

[BenDavis503]

I would add that he hasn't played hoop in a year and you cannot expect any consistency out of him.

 

[barfo]

Webster is a nice little role player, and nothing else. I think he has a higher basketball IQ than Travis...then again so does my 7 year old, so I would like to keep him for that purpose. I am not saying I wouldn't trade him, but he is the better player. That's not saying much though.

That's pretty harsh. Is your wife also willing to trade your 7 year old? And what would it take to get him?

barfo

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think Webster has turned into a pretty good weakside shot blocker and he certainly brings energy to the court on defense (and he also crashes the boards well at both ends) but a good defender he is not. He frequently gets lost on rotations, he doesn't play tight enough on his man on the perimeter and he has trouble reading where his help is at and then funneling his opponent there. As for his offense, he should almost never be allowed to dribble the ball when he catches it in the corner or on the wing (unless it is to pump fake, take one dribble and step inside the arc to take an 18 foot jump shot) and he's still hot or cold game to game , quarter to quarter. On the balance he looks like a reserve being miscast into a starting role, but unfortunately he's even less effective coming off the bench.

Maybe I'm being too critical, but to me he looks like the same old Martell I saw the previous three years he played, with the addition of better effort (not necessarily results) on D.

Bottom line? I miss Batum.

 

[hasoos]

The thing I have learned about Webster is that he plays much more comfortable when playing SG than SF.

 

[handiman]

I view Webster as that scrappy, feisty little brother who brings endless energy and enthusiasm but doesn't necessarily get results. Sort of a bull in a china shop, but replacing brute force with chaotic finesse.

 

[LittleAlex]

I learned that I liked Batum a whole lot more then I thought I did.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I learned that I liked Batum a whole lot more then I thought I did.

+100000000000000000000000000000

 

[blue32]

The thing I have learned about Webster is that he plays much more comfortable when playing SG than SF.

This.

Webster never was a SF.

 

[Natebishop3]

I learned that I liked Batum a whole lot more then I thought I did.

 

[STOMP]

I would add that he hasn't played hoop in a year and you cannot expect any consistency out of him.

the only consistent thing Martell has ever demonstrated is inconsistency so I don't know why anyone would expect anything else. Missing a year hasn't caused him to miss a beat, he's pretty much on his mediocre career averages.

STOMP

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

TRADE HIM

THIS!

 

[BrianFromWA]

I'm intrigued that those lamenting Batum's loss (I'm one, also) seem to be the ones critical of Webster's PERAgainst of 10 and PER of 15, while shooting 37% from 3 and a rebound every 7 minutes while covering the best player on the other team. And that's lumping in his horrible off-the-bench minutes.

Batum, by the way? 37% shooting from 3. A rebound every 7 minutes. A PERAgainst of 16. PER of 15.

 

[KingSpeed]

,
,
,
<============================ can play

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'm intrigued that those lamenting Batum's loss (I'm one, also) seem to be the ones critical of Webster's PERAgainst of 10 and PER of 15, while shooting 37% from 3 and a rebound every 7 minutes while covering the best player on the other team. And that's lumping in his horrible off-the-bench minutes.

Batum, by the way? 37% shooting from 3. A rebound every 7 minutes. A PERAgainst of 16. PER of 15.

There's just something about him being so streaky and inconsistent that tends to kill his effectiveness. It's like he locks people up for a few plays and then he gets completely lost for a few, goes on a hot streak one game (or one quarter) and then gets absolutely ice cold the next.

The advanced stats are interesting, but with all of the switching that this team does I wonder how much you can read into the PER against number, also how many elite wings has he been given the primary defensive assignment this year? I'd be really curious to see an in depth scouting report on Martell by some NBA scouts, I wonder what they are seeing play to play.