Martell

by TFan on May 19, 2007 12:08 PM PDT

Webster has apparently been working out extensively with the professional trainers working out draft participants in the last week. Draftexpress (which is a great site) has some good stuff written about a couple of his workouts. While it is a bit discouraging to hear about him being compared to incoming rookies, and the apparent lack of development (particularly with adding dimensions, such as ball handling), it is nice to hear he is putting in work.

http://draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2058

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i think martell has a lot

of pride, and realistically knows he has to work hard on some things if he's ever going to be the player he wants to be. pride is very different from vanity.

now, whether martell can actually become the player he wants to be -- i don't know. there's some evidence both pro and con.

ignacio

by ignacio on May 19, 2007 3:12 PM PDT reply actions

I read that article too

Your comment was about the best i could walk away with.

I was disappointed he wasn't giving it his all or working on areas that needed improvement. He should be dominating the new rookies without even trying, in my opinion. Instead he was nothing special.

After reading that article, i'm more convinced than ever that Martell will be a dud.

Sucks, because i wanted to draft him. Ah well.

by ratbastird on May 20, 2007 7:00 AM PDT reply actions

while my brewer

had martell for lunch.see i've been saying it for 3 years now get me some college men and i'll build you a winner..

by fatty on May 20, 2007 9:13 AM PDT reply actions

Quick?

It seems that the article is still upbeat about Martell's coach-ability and work ethic, which have become a concern for Jason Quick. Although his concern may be centered around his lack of growth, and lack of practice, in areas outside of his natural talents. I don't think that the Blazers can get anything for him, and if any team in the NBA needs a shooter it is the Blazers--which is why I am not sure if drafting Brewer is a wise choice--so I tend to lean towards keeping him. Thoughts?

by TFan on May 20, 2007 4:19 PM PDT reply actions

hang onto him

remember that it took years for jason kapono to become a productive member of society (or the nba) and he spent a couple of years at ucla. it won't kill martell to ride the pine.

ignacio

by ignacio on May 20, 2007 10:30 PM PDT reply actions

Martell still has tremendous upside...

He is still only 20.

He is proving to us that he has the desire to achieve and work hard to improve.

He has the talent to be that killer 3-point shooter that we all know we need.

He is still younger and less experienced than all juniors and seniors in this draft, but he is learning the NBA game and how his talents are going to translate from one of the best shooting/defending guard players-turned coach: Nate McMillan.

Thanks to fill-in-great-guy Ime Udoka, Martell's development CAN take the time he needs so we don't rush him and blow his confidence, or trade him and let another team reap the rewards of his development.

Martell's abilities are for more than just a pretty shot from the outside. When he was drafted by the Blazers his draft cards said that his shooting was the best attribute, but at 6'7 225, his body was IDEAL for his 2/3 position, his leaping ability, finishing at the rim ability (dunking and what not), and BBall IQ were all well above average.

True, we have not seen him turn into a starter in his two seasons, but his defensive work showed that he is buying into Nate's program, and the work he is putting in this summer does show that he has enough PRIDE to make it in the NBA. I like Martell and still believe he will be a great contributor, and possibly our starting SF during the Roy/Aldridge era.

P.S. Everybody keep your positive thoughts on us getting that top draft picks in the lottery this Tuesday. Blazers WIN it and get #1 overall! YEAH!

by Scotty the Mastermind on May 20, 2007 11:09 PM PDT reply actions

I think the question about Martell is

(and this is somewhat similar to the Viktor Khryapa question of last year...)

If Portland has the chance to upgrade in a big way, or get the player they've had their eye on for a while, but Martell must be included for the deal to get done, do you do it?

Typically the answer to that question is always "Well it depends on the deal and the player we'd get in return."

- Sam

by Samuelson on May 21, 2007 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Martell has more upside than VK...

...or at least we think he does. Nobody thought Viktor would be more than a role player.

Though it may turn out that the same is true of MWeb.

by EngineerScotty on May 21, 2007 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions

hence the words

'somewhat similar'. He's certainly more valuable than Khryapa was, but he's not a keeper, and he has yet to show anything on or off the court that's really impressed anyone save for his shooting stroke.

It's easy to forget, but a lot of people were irritated that we moved Khryapa just to jump up a few spots. It ended up being a great decision.

- Sam

by Samuelson on May 21, 2007 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions