Martell Webster is, and probably always will be, considered a shooter and a scorer.

But behind the scenes this season, the Trail Blazers have been trying to reinvent the small forward by turning Webster's focus more toward defense than offense.

"We are kind of changing Martell's attitude," coach Nate McMillan said.     

That attitude, McMillan hopes, will become a mindset of stopping the opponent's top perimeter scorer, and shooting three-pointers when they are presented.

Reinventing Webster is an example of how the Blazers' focus has shifted from acquiring and developing potential to filling specific needs to win a championship.

The Blazers are confident that in the coming years Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge can carry the offense, and that Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla will provide interior defense. But they are unsure whether they have a perimeter defender who can contain the likes of Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony.

"We gotta get that guy," McMillan said. "And if we don't develop it from within, then we have to go out and get it. But I think we might have it here in Martell. He is a scorer, but what we want him to do, and for him to help this team, is for him to become a stopper."

In fact, Webster has made more three pointers (279) in his first three seasons than any other Blazer to start his career.

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