James Jones injury a blessing in disguise?

by blazermaniac32 on Feb 6, 2008 7:46 AM PST

Let me preface my title by looking back a bit. Remember late last year and early this year when Nate insisted on having Travis Outlaw on the floor late in the fourth quarter. Remember how many mistakes Travis made and how many bad shots he took. Remember how frustrated we as fans were with Nate for having Travis in the game? Now look at Travis! Other than Roy who else do you want shooting in the fourth quarter? Now we have two great options at the end of games.

So thinking about that, and knowing that we have another youngster blossoming before our eyes, does the James Jones injury force create an opportunity for Martell Webster to add to our fourth quarter arsenal? Should Nate force feed Martell into some late game shots irrespective of how it turns out for the team?

I think he should. I think this accomplishes a few things, 1) Nate going to Martell would instill confidence in Martell, which we know to be a big component of his game (being confident). 2) He is a pretty good defensive player when he wants to be. I thought he did a competent job against Carmelo in the last game. 3) Can you imagine if Martell hits a couple of game winners? What would other teams do? Let Roy go to the hole? Double team him and leave Travis and Martell open? Travis for a jumper or a drive? Martell for the same? Oden and Aldridge to clean up any misses?

I know this may be painful for the rest of the year, but let's be honest. Jones isn't our future, Martell is. Jones is a great complimentary player, but Martell could become a good to great player who can carry your team in stretches. I want that person, and I am willing to sacrifice a win or two this year for that opportunity for the next 5 years.

So I say, Nate play Martell in the fourth! Ride him at times. Call a play or two for him late. Forgive his mistakes, let him grow! Imagine the possibilities....

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I like this thinking

I agree that Martell is the future. I didn't think that before this season, but I do now.

A long way to go, but definite steps forward this year. If he can be a threat to close games out, we can be so hard to stop....

by jscot on Feb 6, 2008 8:15 AM PST reply actions

the future...

I think this could help Martell, we will see. But as for his future, or his ceiling, I don't see him becoming this great player alot of other Blazer fans do. I see him becoming a James Jones, only more explosive at times. If Martell could consistant give us good defense, and 10-13 ppg with the occasional 20+ night, I would say he hit his ceiling and gave us very good return on his draft position.

I actually kind of hope he doesn't get any better than that, I know, I know, you are all saying, "WHY NOT!!!" Well if he does get better than even those lofty goals, he will become too expensive for us to keep. I know Paul has the money to pay whoever, but realisticlly he is not going to over pay for a team to the extent he did back in the day. We will have 3 stars making big bucks soon, Roy, Oden, and LMA. All three will make 10+ million a year, if Martell becomes a star instead of a role player, he will demand that kind of contract as well as more shots on the floor, both of which the blazers will not be able to give. I base this opinion on looking at the Spurs payroll, we all know KP came from the Spurs and learned to do things in a simalir way. You pay your stars, then find role players to compliment them.

So I hope Martell becomes a great role player, but because I want to see him remain a Blazer, I don't want to see him become a star.

by usmcr3049 on Feb 6, 2008 8:35 AM PST reply actions

James Jones

is a great player right now. I hope he gets better soon. We need him.

I assume the hope is that Martel will become more confident and consistent. I would love to see it, but James Jones is already there.

Martel seems to need to get himself into the right frame of mind to perform at a high level. And then can only hold on to that frame of mind for some minutes. James Jones is always in the frame of mind to play at his level. Martel, to his credit, will play some very good defense, run the player guarding him ragged, and get some rebounds in any event. Occasionally he or someone or something else will switch him on and then he is truly an outstanding player. Maybe going to him late will flip the switch permanently. Maybe it is worth a try. But if it switches off permanantly it would be catastrophic. Later in the season when the heat is off might be better. That's what they did with Travis. They switched him on for good. I hope the same thing happens with Martel.

"I was in the neighborhood, feeling a little daffy, so I thought I would stop in for an aperitif."

by Kampeska on Feb 6, 2008 10:36 AM PST reply actions

Lights off

Good point about the potential for failure if it backfires. But wouldn't you rather know about this sooner rather than later. Not that he might not be able to eventually work through it. Still doing this later in the season may be best for all concerned.

by blazermaniac32 on Feb 6, 2008 11:14 AM PST up reply actions