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Who should start?

Tiny by inallthetime on

After seeing Rudy play last night, one thing became clear. He is not a bench player. I know that Rudy is not a SF. Sure, he can fill in for short stints. He was an excellent SG in Europe and is talented enough to be one in the NBA. I just question that SG is his best position to maximize floor time on this team. WHY CAN'T HE BE THE STARTING POINT GUARD?

Star-divide

Several people compares him to Manu, Sure his attacking style is sort of similar. But Manu seems more, I want to say mechanical and Rudy is more fluid. Manu seems more of a finisher, a spark and Rudy more of an enabler. He passes like a PG, he moves like a PG, with Roy he wouldn't have to be the main ball handler but he could be. He is very quick for a guy 6'5"-6'6". As I look at how it helps the first unit I get excited thinking about it. He automatically has someone else to handle the ball with him in Roy. Two true facilitators on the starting 5 with Oden and LMA while also being able to score. And we all saw how effective he was with Martel. That was the best attacking the basket Martel has ever showed. Having Rudy's outside shooting with Oden opens the floor more then with Blake on the floor. Rudy also seems to speed the game up for the Blazers. Blake is a really good PG, but he is not the finisher that Rudy is. This also allows our bench to be just as effective. I was a little concerned with experience on the floor with the second unit. One of the duo's we overlook is how Blake and Pryzbilla work together. They work the pick and roll very effectively. They have been playing together for a long time. This would also allow Bayless and Outlaw to have another veteran presence on the floor. This puts Bayless in a scoring position with Blake, it allows Blake to compete against backup PG's which is what I think fits him best. You might have a little size issue with some two guards in the league, but I have seen Nate put Blake on Kobe almost every time we have played the Lakers. What do you think? Isn't in most cases the best five your starting five? How can you possibly argue that Rudy is not a top 4 on this team? Starting Unit Rudy Roy Martell LMA Oden Blake Bayless Outlaw Frye/Diogu Pryzbilla

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It's just one game.

Let’s not overreact. First, we may learn much more about these players in the coming weeks. Second, Rudy may be very happy in a bench role and may thrive there.

by Timmay! on Oct 8, 2008 9:28 AM PDT   0 recs

not so sure about that.

I don’t think that Rudy will be happy with a bench roll. I don’t think most fans will be happy with Rudy having a bench roll. I don’t think Nate will be happy with Rudy having a bench roll.

I know I would not be happy if all Rudy becomes is a bench player. He’s already better than that.

Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'. -the shawshank redemption.

by pdxborn on Oct 8, 2008 10:39 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

in Spain

most players don’t care about who starts or who comes off the bench, infact many times a teams best player will not start, as Rudy didn’t in the Gold Metal game. Starting doesn’t matter, it is getting him the minutes on the floor that matters, as long as he gets those, I don’t see him having an issue at all.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 8, 2008 11:03 AM PDT to parent up   1 recs

I totally agree

Usmcr3049 spot on again. Rudy wants minutes he doesn’t need to start. And minutes he will get unless he has one of his off nights and then he knows why he isn’t getting them. He’s a man and he will respond accordingly.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 8, 2008 11:14 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm with you two

All he has ever said is that he wants “minutes.”

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 11:35 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I've noticed that too

I wonder what Rudy thinks ‘minutes’ means. He uses it in such strange places

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Oct 8, 2008 12:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Minutes" in Spanish

Also has the same meaning as “boobies” in English.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 12:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lollll

He who laughs last thinks slowest.

by prezofdeath on Oct 8, 2008 3:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Please,

Your going to tell me that with the money the noteriety that these guys no matter where they are from don’t want to start. This is not the Olympics, this is their career. I guess that it seems that Calderon wanted that too. Now, what is he doing this year.

Inallthetime

by inallthetime on Oct 8, 2008 1:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Calderon volunteered to come off the bench

Calderon started last year when TJ Ford got hurt. Once Ford came back, Calderon volunteered to come off the bench in order to soothe team turmoil concerning the starting spot. In the offseason the Raptors chose to go with Calderon rather than Ford, and I don’t think it was because Calderon was clamoring for the starting spot.

JAH

by abetterbomb on Oct 8, 2008 2:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Your right,

But, if they would of kept Ford, Calderon was going to leave.

Inallthetime

by inallthetime on Oct 8, 2008 2:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He was actually TJ Ford who said he wanted/needed to be the starter after Calderon volunteered to come off the bench.

TJ should have kept silence but he had to talk. Then Calderon, if not himself for sure his agent, just found out what was all about.

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Oct 9, 2008 4:15 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Fortunately for Calderon, his game and health

spoke louder than Ford’s words.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 9, 2008 11:50 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nate McMillan

PryzOden is REJECTOR

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 8, 2008 9:38 AM PDT   0 recs

He can't defend most point guards, and Roy can't either (at least not full court if you want him to have any energy left)

However, since Rudy is a competent passer putting Bayless in the first unit would team him up with Roy who is great in that regard, and Blake/Sergio could play with Rudy. Thus two equally good passing guards are on the floor at all times. The problem with that approach might be that we don’t know yet if Bayless can hit outside shots anywhere near as good as Blake. So I would expect that switch not before January, if at all this season.

Odenied: If you're given lemmings—make lemming-ade (Bow4Meow)

by Norsktroll on Oct 8, 2008 9:40 AM PDT   0 recs

He can't guard the quick point guards in the league

No one can guard Chris Paul, but he is the standard for guarding point guards. If Rudy can’t guard Chris Paul, then he has no business playing point guard.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 9:44 AM PDT   2 recs

So Tom,

who can guard CP3??? First you say nobody can, then you say if Rudy can’t then he doesn’t belong playing point. HUH?

What is it you are saying? Seems like you just said nobody should play point in the whole league, since no one can guard CP3…

Please clarify…

thx.

Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'. -the shawshank redemption.

by pdxborn on Oct 8, 2008 10:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

it’s Tom for crying out loud!

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 8, 2008 10:57 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yup

It is pretty common for fans to say they need a defensive stopper to stop the best guys in the league. No one can guard the best guys in the league, so saying they need a defensive stopper to stop them is just silly. I want a point guard who can distribute and minimize the offense of about 83.76% (Just pulled that number out of my butt.) of the leagues point guards.

No one can stop Kobe, no one can stop Chris Paul, no one can stop LeBron, no one could stop Shaq in his prime, yadda, yadda, yadda. Let them get theirs and have the rest of the team stop or minimize everyone else.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 11:43 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

hehehe

you said butt.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Oct 8, 2008 11:55 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Why are there numbers in your butt?

do you have a 7

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Oct 8, 2008 12:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nah, I used it on that comment

I keep a lot of things up there for safe keeping. I am the Louis Dega of Blazers Edge.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 12:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lol,

I think tom was saying the standard is unfair to most pg’s in the league.

College Football Doghouse warden: Why are you here?

Me: I got kicked in the nuts by a 5-7 beaver.

by premthegrem on Oct 8, 2008 11:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think you give too much importance to who is the starter.

While we can keep depth we should forget that idea.

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Oct 8, 2008 9:57 AM PDT   1 recs

Who should start?

Oden, Aldridge and Roy.

What? You mean at the other two positions? I’ll let Nate deal with that one. I’ve already done 60% of the work for him – don’t want him getting complacent, you know…..

by Storyteller on Oct 8, 2008 10:06 AM PDT   0 recs

LMAO

nicely put Storyteller. And I agree. Poor Nate swamped with talent 2 and even 3 deep at every position. * A single tear rolls down Idog’s face *

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 8, 2008 10:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He was fun to watch last night, but...

He plays fast and loose; he is a momentum guy.

It may be fun to drop him in at point when we are down by a few points, but as pointed out above, he will get burned by many of the PGs in the league.

It’s too bad that he really only fits at the same exact position that Brandon plays, because i agree that he is way too good to come off the bench.

by everett on Oct 8, 2008 10:08 AM PDT   0 recs

true

i like him as a change of pace guy as well. we must remember that brandon likes to slow down the pace of the game. our 2nd unit has some pretty damn athletic players on it. i’m predicting a ton of fast breaks and drives to the rim from them.

by Philthyanimal on Oct 8, 2008 10:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd rather see Nate start

whichever combination of guards he thinks works best according to the situation and oppponent.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 8, 2008 10:50 AM PDT   1 recs

Rudy is the ideal 6th Man!

Bottom line…Rudy is a 6th Man typa guy. He is smart and can score in bunches. When Nate calls his number he can come in and be the difference maker that he is. Rudy Fernandez is a game changing player!

Starting 5
,
PG- Blake
SG- Roy
SF- Webster
PF- Aldridge
C- Oden

Closing 5

PG- Roy
SG- Fernandez
SF- Outlaw
PF- Aldridge
C- Oden

Good luck to the rest of the NBA Teams!!!

by blazerfaninvegas on Oct 8, 2008 10:51 AM PDT   0 recs

The bigger question to me is

Is Sergio really this improved? If he plays like he did last night, we won’t be able to keep him off the floor, if that happens, what does KP do with Blake/Bayless/Sergio? One of them will have to go…that is a good problem to have I guess.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 8, 2008 11:05 AM PDT   0 recs

The thing is

Sergio is best when playing with Rudy. I mean he is on a different level when Rudy is on the court. No question as to his performance being magical last night but Surge is awe inspiring when he can work with Rudy. They also can communicate out loud without fear of a defensive adjustment by most teams. I think Sergio has earned the backup spot. I’m not quite ready to make him a starter. The real question is: If Sergio is this much of an offensive wizard don’t you almost have to keep Bayless for defense? I can’t believe I’m even considering deep stasis benching Blake and/or packaging him in a trade but…I guess it’s now a possibility! (note to Blake fans I’m not saying this is likely just that the thought had never occurred to me before. Alot rests on Bayless and how he performs)

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 8, 2008 11:12 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Bayless is still a rookie

He is too good and too driven for it to happen but I see nothing wrong with a rookie riding the pine all year. Sergio pretty much did it last year in his second year.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 11:46 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree

Sergio looked like a different player when he was playing with Rudy. And Rudy, I think, might have been more comfortable as well. Sergio still can’t defend, so that’s what makes it tough. But a small lineup of Sergio, Rudy, Bayless (at SG), Outlaw (PF) and Frye/Diogu© might be intriguing. That unit could run circles around just about anybody.

by DrivetheLane on Oct 8, 2008 12:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't want to make too much of 1 preseason game

So lets be clear, we are talking about “what ifs” here. But “if” Sergio can play for a full season as well as he did last night, meaning a much improved 3 point shot, much improved confidence, and much improved TO/Assist ratio, etc… and “IF” Bayless plays for a full season like he played last night, meaning good one on one defense, fearless drives to the hole, confidence in his outside shot, etc… than I think Blake could be gone at the end of this season, (blazers hold a team option on him I believe) Unless Sergio and Bayless just go nuts in the 1st half I don’t see Blake going anywhere until then however.

Oh and Sergio can too play defense, did you see his Block last night? That was beautiful.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 8, 2008 2:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no

i dunno about blake being gone at the years end…but his role would be reduced. even if those 2 outplay blake, blake will be around for insurance, and for his experience. we can’t have 2 inexperienced pgs without someone to show them the ropes. bayless and sergio still have a long ways to go as far as experience goes.

i’d get rid of our 14th or 15th man before i’d let blake go. no harm in letting blake sit on the bench.

by Philthyanimal on Oct 8, 2008 3:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Say WHAT?!

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 9, 2008 11:58 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My stab at pretending I know anything.

Early season

Starters:

PG – Blake (Sergio if Blakey is hurt)
SG – Roy
SF – Webster (D fense and new found slashing)
PF – LMA
C – Idog…well I guess we’ll have to take what we can get since I’m not under contract Oden

Second Unit.

PG – Sergio
SG – Rudy
SF – Troutlaw
PF – Frye/Diogu
C – Pryzbizzle

Late game situational lineups:

PG – Bayless (For D)
SG – Rudy
SF – Roy (not obviously against teams like Cleveland/L@)
PF – LMA
C – Oden

Line up when down alot of points:

PG – Rudy/Roy
SG – Rudy/Roy
SF – Outlaw (firepower)
PF – LMA
C – Oden

Late Season line ups:

Starters.

PG – Bayless (I still think he is the answer next to Roy)
SG – Roy
SF – Martell
PF – LMA
C – Oden

Bench:

PG – Sergio
SG – Rudy
SF – Outlaw (main man off the bench)
PF – Frye
C – Pryzbizzle

I don’t think we can realistically start Rudy and we can’t bench Roy. I think Rudy has to be the first guy off the bench along with Outlaw to cover 1 – 4. Rudy and Roy can definitely play together and they will…during the 4th quarter. Rudy will have to be satisfied with Starter minutes without starting.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 8, 2008 11:07 AM PDT   0 recs

I think it's pretty accurate

The only exception i take is Bayless. It’s not because of his talent level, but I’m questioning how he fits with the team. His bulldog attitude is good, but he needs to learn a little about being a leader and it seems like he’s trying to take it. Leaders are followed. Bayless seems like the guy running off into the sunset while everyone watches him run the wrong direction. If BAyless learns to harnass that passion and do it for the good of the team instead of self, he’s our starter. If not… he’s outta here.

Because bayless will need to learn this, I see Blake as the starter for the year. On talent alone, yeah… i think Bayless could do it, but the PG is also a floor leader and Bayless needs to figure that part out.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Oct 8, 2008 12:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Bayless is only 20, he'll "never"* be outta here

Ain’t no way in hell that fellow is going anywhere because in three years, he’s going to have three years of experience in the NBA, he’s going to be three years older, and KP is going to extend his rookie contract all legal like and whatnot.

Who cares if a rookie has an ego or a me first attitude? People act like his ego is greater than the Blazer’s culture. It is not. He is a rookie, everything is going to work out, KP is in charge, lets just sit back and enjoy watching this all play out.

*"never" in basketball terms. He can be traded when he’s old or he can retire.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 12:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i am sitting back and watching

I am also identifying it as a concern and something to work on.

Just like the team defense last night that was pretty ragged.
Just liked missed offensive opportunities in the first half.
Just like the rust that all these players had and the fact that as good as they did tonight, they’re young and could do equally as bad tomorrow.

Some players can learn, and some can’t. Same as peoples. My hope is that Bayless learns.

We haven't done anything yet... but don't blink.

by ratbastird on Oct 8, 2008 12:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

mine too. I share your concerns...

or you share mine, one of em though.

"You just WATCHED history No need to study it! You LIVED it."
Mortimer

by faith on Oct 8, 2008 1:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

OK

You be all concerned and worried and all.

Tom and I and a whole bunch of other people are going to be too busy enjoying 50+ wins this year to worry with you, though. Sorry.

Oh, and Bayless is too smart and too driven to not learn. The guy does NOT want to sit for four years until his rookie contract is up. So that means he’ll do what Nate wants, he’ll clean the floor of Nate’s office with his tongue if he has to, to get on the court.

Bayless is going to be Nate but with more hops and quicker on D within two years. He might be worthless this year, but that will be educational as well. I don’t think so, I think he’ll be competing big time for minutes by the end of the year. And he’ll be doing it Nate’s way.

Last night, Jerryd learned lesson #1 — this team doesn’t actually need him. We could play Blake for 30 minutes, and not hurt for it. We could play Rudy for 30 minutes, and no one would grieve. And Sergio looks like maybe, after all, he can do the job we all thought he could. Nate doesn’t need Jerryd, but Jerryd needs Nate. Jerryd will be everything Nate wants him to be, very quickly.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 8, 2008 2:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i still predict

that bayless will get more minutes than sergio last year. sergio hopefully would cut into blakes mins a bit this year.

by Philthyanimal on Oct 8, 2008 3:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lets not forget

Bayless (I love him) was the 11th pick (and he’ll probably murder me for bringing this up); but it will not kill him to see limited minutes this year. He’s going to have to earn his spot on this deep, deep team. I imagine the second string pg position battle is going to be intense, especially after seeing how Surge shot the three ball last night. Whoo baby!

by 50backflips on Oct 8, 2008 3:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Right

So I’m not worried.

Bayless will get there. How long will it take? I don’t know or care. But it will be soon enough to be a key part of our dynasty.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 8, 2008 3:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe he can speed things up

if he learns to step on the sideline once or twice each game.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 9, 2008 12:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

kinda silly anymore isn't it.

I’m still smiling.

"You just WATCHED history No need to study it! You LIVED it."
Mortimer

by faith on Oct 8, 2008 1:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think this year Rudy would have a problem

coming off the bench, but I agree with you ‘inallthetime’, Rudy is not a bench player.

He simply facilitates too well to have him coming off the bench not to mention he is an inside and outside threat as well.

I guess it’s unfortunate that the best player on our team plays the same position as Rudy. But Nate is going to have to find a way to use them both - and I’m sure he will.

by TwoDeep on Oct 8, 2008 11:24 AM PDT   0 recs

i had a conversation yesterday

but what would happen to the dynamic of the team if Rudy outplayed Roy over the course of the year (maybe not this year but down the road)? Would Nate ever have the heart to bench Roy? It’s kinda like rooting for the backup QB to take over the starting spot. I think Roy brings more to the table than his basketball skills, his leadership skills are definitely felt when he is not suitted up. So I would expect him to start regardless if he played worse than Rudy.

However if Rudy became a .400+ 3pt shooter and ranks in the top 10 in the NBA for 3pt %, would there be a chance Rudy could take the SF spot over Webster?

by Philthyanimal on Oct 8, 2008 3:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If Rudy outplays Roy

Just let that sink in, that someone could even speculate that we might have someone that good.

And yes, it is possible that we might have two perennial all-star talents at the same position.

You would have to either devise a scheme to play them together or trade one of them. You can’t have all-star talent sitting on the bench the entire game. So you would have to trade one of them for a perennial all-star at another position. It would be a waste, otherwise.

It’s totally absurd to even think about it, but it could happen.

And don’t think Rudy doesn’t have leadership skills, either. He’s a multi-MVP for a reason. He’s a playmaker, and that translates into leadership. You make other guys better, they start to look to you.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 8, 2008 3:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

leadership

i’m not questioning rudys leadership skills. your right in that his accomplishments would suggest he is a good leader. i would expect the language barrier to be some kind of hinderance to rudy becoming as strong of a leader as roy.

by Philthyanimal on Oct 9, 2008 12:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This year and probably next

that’s true. Language barriers disappear over time, especially as you get to know people well.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 9, 2008 4:33 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

While he's healthy,

Brandon Roy will always be our best player. He does so many things … a special player.

by TwoDeep on Oct 8, 2008 6:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd give that

about an 80% possibility of being true.

I could see both Oden and Rudy having the potential to become better than Roy. But in all probability, no matter how good they become, Roy will stay ahead of them.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 9, 2008 4:35 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

do you think

that having so many talented players that could be primary focuses on other teams prevent them from reaching their true potential?

i dont know if this is true but i think of steve nash. he was really good when he played for the mavs, but when he went back for his 2nd stint with the suns he became mvp caliber. after steve left dirk became mvp caliber as well. did they both improve because they got more experience or was it because they didnt have each other to rely on and had to shoulder more of the load?

by Philthyanimal on Oct 9, 2008 8:35 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nash had even more talent in Phoenix.

He did so well in Phoenix because he shook the injury bug that had kept him out of games and less efficient in Dallas (and which was part of the reason Cuban wouldn’t pay him enough to stay), he went to a team with a coach who had the perfect offense for Nash and a bunch of scorers and shooters to throw passes to… and maybe a little because he wanted to prove something to Cuban.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 9, 2008 12:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's always possible

On the other hand, having lots of talented teammates keeps the other team from gearing their defense to stop one player.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 11, 2008 12:44 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think we will find

that Blake is going to be as good if not better than our current pg’s (S-rod and Bayless only). Remember, Blake has been working on developing a rapport with Oden, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a better performance than the other 2 guards.

I think what we saw yesterday from our pgs was due to the presence of our big guy, rather than because of the individual improvements of the players themselves. Sergio was always a great facilitator, and his main improvement was being able to knock down the 3. But it’s not fair to Blake when we prematurely say that he’s going to ride the pine to give these guys minutes, when he hasn’t even had a chance to show us what he’s capable of with Oden on the floor.

College football fans please don’t attack me for saying this, but our “predicament” seems eerily similar to USC football, in that they have a bunch of all americans at every position, and Carroll makes them compete for playing time. And honestly, I doubt any of us would have a problem with McMillan emulating Carroll’s success, would we?

by premthegrem on Oct 8, 2008 11:55 AM PDT   0 recs

come now,

I think the Blazers’ version of Oregon State will be the Grizzlies. Really young starting squad (If the squad is Conley/Mayo/Gay/Arthur/MGasol). Nobody will expect us to lose to them, but they will consistently beat us (on the road).

by premthegrem on Oct 8, 2008 1:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe both then

USC also lost to Stanford at home. The Sonics won games against the Blazers last year, that they should have lost.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 1:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

OT

tom, love the pic. loved that game, enjoyed beating the snot out of Glass Joe.

Sometimes I feel like I'm going in different directions...

by porterfan30 on Oct 8, 2008 2:04 PM PDT to parent up   1 recs

rec

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 2:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yes and no

In some positions, we can have a competition. PG and SF come to mind. However, as far as our big 3 go…I dont think we can leave those starting spots left up for competition. We recognize them as our future, and they are still young. We need to speed up their growth by letting them play thru their mistakes, not by punishing them for them (like we did sergio last year).

by Philthyanimal on Oct 8, 2008 3:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The recent emphasis on team D

seems designed to allow for just such a scenario. We’ll hear a lot about how Rudy and Roy can’t defend quick, little rascally PGs. But, the team can. It’s not like there’s going to be anywhere for them to go. Paul can burn Roy or Rudy, and still see Aldridge and Oden.

In our cases, a PG burning us would mean a J. That’s cool. Let em rain.

TiH was right. Roy and Rudy will play a lot together.

Still, one game shouldn’t make us ready to change our lineups. Let’s see what happens tonight. Two’s plenty.

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Oct 8, 2008 12:19 PM PDT   0 recs

who should start?

does it matter anymore?

"You just WATCHED history No need to study it! You LIVED it."
Mortimer

by faith on Oct 8, 2008 1:24 PM PDT   0 recs

No

What matters is who should finish.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 1:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

heck to the heck yeah tih.

How’d last night effect that rookie ranking of yours? did rudy make it to 2.0 rookie?

"You just WATCHED history No need to study it! You LIVED it."
Mortimer

by faith on Oct 8, 2008 1:34 PM PDT