The "Win" Unit

by Philski on Nov 12, 2008 8:48 PM PST

The Blazers started a tradition last year by making a conscious decision to stop using the terms "Starters" and "Reserves". The players on the court at the beginning of the game became the "Black" Unit and the next group of five players to come in became the "White" Unit, referencing the color of their practice jerseys.

It's actually not too well publicized, but the other five players, who wore red practice jerseys, were secretly called the "Mighty McBob's", mostly by the members of the White and Black Units, but I digress ...

The current members of the Black Unit are:

Joel - C
LaMarcus - PF
Nicolas - SF
Brandon - SG
Steve - PG

The current members of the White Unit are:

Greg - C
Channing - PF
Travis - SF
Rudy - SG
Sergio - PG

In the 4th Quarter, when it's Crunch Time, the Blazers bring out yet another combination that has lit up the scoreboard for over 30 points in the last two games. In the 4th Quarter, the Blazers turn to their "WIN" UNIT

LaMarcus - C
Travis - PF
Rudy - SF
Brandon - SG
Sergio / Steve - PG

Phil

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Should I do it again??? Yes!!

“The Win Unit” FTW!!!

"Fez, the foundation of any good relationship is three little words: I-don't-know.

What're you doing? I don't know.

What're you thinking about? I don't know.

Who's that under you? I don't know. "
-Michael Kelso

by 92wastheyear on Nov 12, 2008 8:50 PM PST reply actions

TWUFTW!!!

"I like blocks," Fernandez said.

by joelor on Nov 12, 2008 10:37 PM PST up reply actions

Good post!

This is the truth. I like the post.

The way Batum has been playing well against the stars defensively (Parker and Wade), I think Coach Nate Mac should consider putting Batum on the Win unit.

It seems like the stars can torch us with Roy playing defense and offense at the end of the game.

Maybe defense for offense switch.

by JimmieG on Nov 12, 2008 9:18 PM PST reply actions

The WIN Unit

Sounds like a bad Fox series. Or on Comcast, a ticket to the WCF.

There once was a Sea’ Cap’n Nate
Whom with Blazers did negotiate.
The pool, t’was so deep!
"That KP don’t sleep."
Gold medals and rings were his fate.

by LaoTzu on Nov 12, 2008 9:31 PM PST reply actions

The WIN Unit FTWinStreak!!!!!

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog

by LaMarvelous on Nov 12, 2008 9:35 PM PST reply actions

hush

please don’t talk about “win streaks.”

We cannot put up with this flagrant lack of accountability anymore.

by MT Suit on Nov 12, 2008 10:37 PM PST up reply actions

So does anyone want to talk about just how dangerous our White Team is gonna be in the second half of the season?

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog

by LaMarvelous on Nov 12, 2008 9:37 PM PST reply actions

do they still call them the white unit?

its not really a “unit” as much as it was last year…but they are fun to watch tho.

Honor Terry Porter

by Philthyanimal on Nov 12, 2008 9:39 PM PST up reply actions

you know...

the main thing with our bench is that last year they couldnt rebound or play defense…
that has definitely improved this year. we haven’t had the 2nd unit get torn up or dig us into a hole we cant get out of this year defensively. i remember last year when they would consistently give up points in the paint despite being in zone and could not rebound at all on the offensive or defensive glass.

Honor Terry Porter

by Philthyanimal on Nov 12, 2008 9:41 PM PST up reply actions

If I had to guess ...

I’d say that the White Unit after the 1st of the year will be …

Greg – C
LaMarcus – PF
Martell – SF
Brandon – SG
Steve – PG

The Black Unit will be …

Joel – C
Travis – PF
Nicolas – SF
Rudy – SG
Sergio – PG

I think that the “Win” Unit, however, will probably be the same …

Phil

by Philski on Nov 12, 2008 9:44 PM PST up reply actions

White and Black are obviously reversed above ... my bad

by Philski on Nov 12, 2008 9:47 PM PST up reply actions

Nah, I like Brandon off the bench

Find another team with a better second unit than that.

by Royster on Nov 12, 2008 10:21 PM PST up reply actions

...

I would rather have Outlaw starting then Martell.

Like everyone says about LeBron… If he learns how to hit the deep shots he will be great…

I guarantee if Travis Outlaw continues to get better he could easily be the best in the league at his position.

"I just know that I can't get big, I can't eat whatever I want to. I have to eat healthy, I have to stay right, I have to stay involved and ... I have to be here at practice because you know what? I can play pretty quick."

by TheGreatDane17 on Nov 13, 2008 11:42 AM PST up reply actions

i'd have a 3 forward rotation in the white unit

with frye in the mix with travis and nic.

i wonder how effective the white unit would be offensively with joel nic and sergio.

Honor Terry Porter

by Philthyanimal on Nov 12, 2008 10:35 PM PST up reply actions

Nicolas can finish, and the White Unit can run

Nate wants the White Unit to change tempo, and Nicolas, Travis and Rudy running the break with Sergio is definitely about the most uptempo unit the Blazers can put on the floor. That unit would have a lot of length to defend, they’d get steals, Joel would clean up the defensive glass to start the break, and they’d get easy buckets. Keep in mind that as the Season rolls along, the White Units minutes would decrease. They’d do just fine for about 8 minute stretches starting toward the end of the 1st and 3rd Quarters.

Phil

by Philski on Nov 12, 2008 10:58 PM PST up reply actions

IMO as the Season rolls along, the White Units minutes would "increase" because Nate trusts more and more on it.

Nate will be able to rest Roy, using him as you play your Queen in chess.

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

by amlmart1 on Nov 13, 2008 7:31 AM PST up reply actions

The "Win" unit worked well against the Heat

but the lack of size in that unit could be a problem against teams that have legitimate centers. I think once Greg gets going full speed we will see (Sergio or Blake)/Roy/Rudy/Aldridge/Oden as the closing unit against most teams.

by trk on Nov 12, 2008 11:38 PM PST reply actions

Even in this era of fewer true centers, the Miami Heat have a remarkably undersized starting lineup.

Sans anomalous situations like last night’s contest, Greg Oden or Joel Przybilla ought to finish games.

by AK1984 on Nov 13, 2008 3:50 AM PST up reply actions

I think we are more likely to go big

and have the unit consist of Roy/Rudy/Outlaw/Aldridge/Oden

"It's not who jumps the highest -- it's who wants it the most" Buck Williams

by Fund A Mental on Nov 13, 2008 9:07 AM PST up reply actions

Small Ball

It’s nice to play small and spread the court with shooters. Small ball is also a gimmick. It’ll work on nights against certain teams, but its situational.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Nov 13, 2008 2:10 AM PST reply actions