JJones vs MWebster
How long will Nate be able to keep James Jones out of the starting lineup considering how well he is playing and how Martell Webster is slumping? I understand it is good to keep Tell from getting down, but unfortunately the gap seems to be widening between their individual productions.
I'm a big Webster fan, but I think we may see a new insertion in the lineup sometime in the coming weeks.
0 recs |
24 comments
Comments
I like the idea....
Problem is: he's awesome with the black unit and he's awesome with the white. It's just where do you think he'll be more awesome? They probably feel his stabilizing influence is more beneficial to Sergio, Jack, and Outlaw than it is to Roy, LMA, and Blake.
But I sure like the notion of really jumping on people in the first quarter with him out there. I'm very, very concerned about Webster in general.
by Fizbin on Jan 1, 2008 5:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Webster will be alright
by fisheyes on Jan 1, 2008 7:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't be concerned ...
We're all thrilled with Outlaw right now, but it took him 5 years to get to this place out of high school. I think Martell has several more years of improvement ahead before he hits his full potential at around 24 or 25 years of age ...
That said, I like Jones' game better right now. He's smarter and more skilled at this point. I'd like to see him getting 30+ minutes a game, rather than his current 22.
by bfan on Jan 1, 2008 10:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't really know which should start
by hurryup09 on Jan 1, 2008 5:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I like the rotation as is
He is only four games removed from a hot streak that saw him shooting the lights out. His cold streaks have not been as pronounced this year because he is contributing in other ways and his turnovers have been way down lately. I see him getting hot again before I see Jones taking his spot. Why mess with the line-up at this point?
by tssbro on Jan 1, 2008 5:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I like him in the second unit
Also: if the streak and the loss to the Jazz showed us anything, it is that keeping a strong bench is essential. The Jazz beat us with their bench, and we beat everyone else with ours most nights. The first unit has been getting first quarter leads with Martell as well, so I don't know if it would be a net negative if the first unit has already gelled pretty well as is.
by supremepuntiff on Jan 1, 2008 5:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
One thing about jones
by ssa400 on Jan 1, 2008 6:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Webster has the potential to be versatile...
Having said that, Jones contributes in multiple ways at both ends--rebounding, defending, supplying veteran leadership, etc. He's proved to be a great pickup.
by hurryup09 on Jan 1, 2008 11:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Also, Jones is not a rebounder
by t jay on Jan 2, 2008 12:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That's not persuasive
per48 rebounding for Webster is 6.65 and for Jones it's 6.24.
Less then a half rebound per 48 minutes between the two players isn't significant.
by moldorf on Jan 2, 2008 6:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
We've been nothing but...
A direct benefit of building with an eye towards character and team culture is James Jones isn't going to be upset, bitter, or a problem if he doesn't start. Nice to have a team with that character.
by Krang on Jan 1, 2008 6:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Jones should stay in the white unit
Why mess with success?
Jones pretty much sets the tone on defense in that unit.
by damir on Jan 1, 2008 7:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Keep Martell in the 2nd unit. We need to keep
Jones will do equally well in either unit and wants to do whatever is best for the team. What a great move bringing him to the team. KP, you have done it again.
by jferg on Jan 1, 2008 8:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Martell is sooo young.
He and JJ are great guys to have, but I look at how much Martell has elevated his game in the last year, then project that much more growth in another year or so. And the chemistry right now seems really special; let's let the cake rise.
by ojala on Jan 1, 2008 8:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I also think
by mpressive on Jan 2, 2008 9:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I like how it is
Jones fits well with both units, and has been finishing our games. Webster has a lot more potential, but currently Jones is a better version of Webster because of his consistency and experience. It is still important to get Martell minutes and keep his confidence up, plus his play has improved drastically even with the inconsistent offensive production.
You move Jones into the starting lineup and play him 30 mins, you may lose Webster and thus lose a guy coming off the bench with a sweet stroke from 3 land. Also, then you got pretty much all inexperienced young dudes in the second unit, which is what we had before the streak... Jones' consistency and on-court coaching helps much, much more with the 2nd unit than the 1st, and his solid play is better suited to end games with as well.
Again, in short, I like the rotation as is.
Mortimer
by Mortimer on Jan 2, 2008 1:11 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
The Problem Will Be
Once Oden is playing, it's quite likely that most of the C minutes will go to Oden or Pryzbilla. Considering how weak portland has been at rebounding that's a good thing.
But it means that LMA will be playing almost exclusively at PF. That will limit the backup PF minutes, and with both Outlaw and Frye, it will mean Outlaw will play more at SF. That will limit available minutes for Webster and Jones.
Normally, Webster might be able to relieve the pressure and play some at SG, but it seems likely that next season, SG minutes will be going to Roy, Fernandez and possibly Jack.
Too many players for too few minutes.
Add to that the fact that unless Martell's contract is extended THIS summer, he will go into the 'cap-space' off-season of 2009 as an 11.3 million cap-hold.
Decisions may have to be made about Portland's SF roster, and maybe sooner rather then later.
by moldorf on Jan 2, 2008 7:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Frye
by DonkeyShins on Jan 2, 2008 11:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
We've seen Frye's game take major steps forward lately. Not only scoring but rebounding as well. As a matter of fact, frye is rebounding at a better rate then Aldridge.
But assuming LMA plays 35 or so minutes at PF and frye gets a few, then Outlaw will only get 12-15 minutes a game at PF. He's playing 26 minutes now. That would leave Webster and Jones to split 35-38 minutes a game at SF. And that's assuming that niether Roy or fernandez occasionally slide to SF in 'small ball' scenarios.
It's simply not enough minutes for either Jones or Webster to be effective.
by moldorf on Jan 2, 2008 1:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
it is a problem
by myemic23 on Jan 2, 2008 3:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think we could get some good value
by darkhelmit54 on Jan 2, 2008 2:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If Martell's contract
Here's hoping they sign him.
If they don't, Jones is a very acceptable substitute into the starting lineup, but with far less versatility and potential.
That would also mean less minutes for Outlaw at the '4', unless we also dump Frye.
I would guess if there was a trade to be made, these are our most marketable and realistically trade-able players:
Jones
Martell
Sergio
Jack
Frye
I'm keeping my eye out for a Jones_OR_Martell+Jack+Frye package to be sent off in the near future.
That, or we're standing pat until next summer, when we'll have to move parts to make room for Rudy and maybe even Petteri.
by broggerboy19 on Jan 2, 2008 2:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

by 






















