Politics as Usual

by Ben. on Sep 18, 2008 6:30 PM PDT Comment 30 comments

How sick would it be if there were daily tracking polls like Rasmussen, CBS News, NY Times, etc. giving us 7 updates a week on how Blazer Nation feels about key questions.... "Is Blake fit to lead?," "Does Nate McMillan have the foreign policy experience to manage Rudy's transition?", "Does Nic Batum represent change, hope, or both?" and the like.

If such polling existed, and it absolutely should, one question would interrupt more dinners than any other: "Martell or Travis?"

I remain firmly undecided. However, for quite a while I have been one of those voters that thinks Martell needs to do a bit more to confront the questions about his being, for lack of a technical term, SpongeBob Soft.

Thankfully, old friend Wendell Maxey has some interesting new information for us...

Martell Webster has been putting in his time with a personal trainer at Club Sport across the street from the Blazers practice facility. The workouts - which have included some shadow boxing, glove work, core building techniques and the like - usually last a few hours in the morning. Hard to tell how many days a week though. Anyway, let me just say, Webster is busting his hump in these workouts. It's no joke. From the looks of it, it's a pretty intense workout and Webster is all-in. It's the kind of workout that makes you tired just watching. Both Travis Outlaw and Steve Blake have also partaken (as have Steven Hill, Jamaal Tatum and assistant coach Monty Williams - who looks as if he could still play) in these sessions sporadically, yet it is the work ethic of Webster that is most noticeable.

I'm not saying Blake and Outlaw aren't going all out, although it's clear Travis isn't even close to being in the same condition as Blake and Webster right now. You can tell those two guys have invested the time this summer. You can tell just by watching these guys go through the various drills. Travis seems a step or two behind Steve and Martell. Again, that's not a knock on Outlaw or anything.

Another old friend and former BE interview subject, Bethlehem Shoals, had this to say about TO...

I wish the Blazers could play 200 guys at once. Last year's upstart nucleus is joined by new faces Jerryd Bayless, Rudy Fernandez and Ike Diogu, and of course, Greg Oden's deferred rookie year begins. That means LaMarcus Aldridge moves to power forward full-time, where do-it-all Outlaw got his share of minutes, and spot-up shooter Martell Webster becomes a no-brainer in this offense.

So where does that leave Outlaw, who can play positions 2-4 and last year learned clutch and the longball? Well, he's certainly not going to get as many shots as Roy and Aldridge got in 2007-08, which is his stated goal. And he's no longer as desperately needed as a situational stop-gap. Expect Outlaw to be used selectively, as a match-up scrambler, defensive fright, and occasional big-shot option. But after last season's meteoric arrival, this year he'll be receding back into the rotation.

Oh no, a recession! He said recession!

So, like a typical undecided voter, I'm letting the media swing me from questioning Martell's tenacity to questioning how well TO's skills fit within the context of our roster makeup.

The subtext to this debate has always been, "Is there really room on this team for both?" In political elections, you've got to make a choice. When it comes to basketball, it's not always as simple as marking A or B on a ballot. But the minutes at stake here are pretty tight. More than likely, a choice between the two will be made at some point down the road.

Look, I'm not trying to swift boat the guy, but if you listen to Maxey and Shoals it sounds like Travis, not Martell, is the one that needs to shore up his support. But perhaps that's how Travis would prefer it. Historically, he always seems to perform his best with a chip on his shoulder.

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)

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Comments

Keep Martell

Travis’ skills are good, but not what this team needs anymore. We have guys who can create their own shot and out of the two of them, Martell’s skills (3 point shooting and defense) are better suited to this team and what we need alongside Oden and Aldridge.

by BlazerD on Sep 18, 2008 7:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

by upper left corner on Sep 19, 2008 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fine Ben, you got me thinking, and swinging my vote

I Pick Outlaw
No, Change that, I Pick Marty

Change that, I pick Martell

He will arrive this year. I am impressed with his workout routine. Much similar to my own daily rituals of, um, sleeping in as late as I can, I respect a man who sticks to his own guns and does something simply because HE wants to!

And Sir Matrell Webster from the great Pacific Northwest is learning to dunk.
Oh and he can shoot.

Outlaw could be the new rapper on the block with that slang twang. He’s mister 4th quarter. He’s a freak (good term) from the south and I love his skills. Much similar to my bow hunting skills.

Marty was starting last year.
And he is still earning his respect this year and I didn’t know who would earn the starting job away from him, at first I thought Outlaw would work hard instead of telling reporters to watch their nads from the bugs but he decided to go home and fish and work “pretty hard”, Martell has been working “Hella Hard” is it enough to keep his starting job, none of us know.

At first I said Travis would win out the starting spot this year, he is going to be a starter in this league someday. As in soon, he’s too good to leave on the bench at any time of the game other then letting him rest. And this year we will see that.
Martell will at that level this year too and he’s got this thing out to prove the Blazer’s were wrong for trading around Chris Paul and Deron Williams to trade down and pick him.

Don’t let me down Marty McFly. Bring me back to the future.

even Mattell knows that barbies have a limited shelf life
Sophia 09/18/08

by BlazermaniacAndy on Sep 18, 2008 7:30 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Nothing new here ("More of the same" if you will)

We’ve always known that Travis does not have a Jerry Rice caliber work ethic.

Last year he didn’t work out because he was waiting for a contract and didn’t want to get hurt. Sure, so you show up to camp out of shape? That’s unbecoming of a professional athlete (even though a lot do it).

Martell is more driven, that’s a given.

This stuff is like talking about how McCain ditched his first wife or Jeremiah Wright’s eloquent sermons.

As they say, all politics is local. The question is, who will win the favor of Nate McMillan?

I think that is the most interesting thing to look forward to this season. What lineups will Nate use? How will minutes be distributed? What plays will be called? That’s why I’m excited about the upcoming season. Not necessarily how many rebounds Greg has or if Jerryd knows how make assists, but how do all things pieces interact. The person most in control of that is Nate.

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 18, 2008 8:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Who will win the favor of Nate McMillan?

To extend the election year analogy…who will the party bosses choose to Brandon Roy’s running mate?

I suspect it will come down to which candidate shows the strongest committment to…Defense

by two4larue on Sep 19, 2008 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I think it will come down to security issues (who will play better defense, which is probably Martell) because I think they are about the same on the economy (selling tickets, though Travis might have a slight leg up). Right now Travis has more NBA ready offensive game, but Martell is still 21/22 year old, and if we give Travis five years to develop, why shouldn’t we give Martell the same?

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 19, 2008 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Foreign Policy

Which candidate will be able to negotiate with the Spanish ambassador’s request for more playing time?

by two4larue on Sep 19, 2008 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Martell seems more worldly

having grown up in the big city Seattle basketball culture (like B Roy, Jason Terry, Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford and etc.).

Travis seems more down home (being from the town of Starkville where he dad is a sheriff) and that endears him to a lot of voters (especially female Blazer fans who fantasize about him).

While I can see Travis’ appeal to the populous, I certainly give Martell the nod as far as foreign policy credentials.

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 19, 2008 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes it's always a loaded question,

in that the jury is still out on both…this is why they dominate the discussion rings…Most people feel this position(the 3) is the most vulnerable, with 2 young people holding it down…..The question in my mind is; when will they become men/players?…It looks as though, Web is taking a step forward and Outlaw taking a step back ( I think Outlaw’s mouth and work ethic have seriously damaged his position on the team)….
       A commitment to defense may be the deciding factor…but an overall commitment to the team would satisfy me, and keep me on the support board…..Add this to their natural skills and you have a player (IMO)…For now, it is still probably wait and see…..I see the 3 position as still up for grabs and we will see during the first part of the season who wants it the most….or maybe, who is willing to be a backup/role player as well.
     Outlaw is gifted with outrageous athletic ability, but it doesn’t do the team any good if he can’t use that within the context of game play. One other fact is, he caught some teams by surprise last year and they could easily adjust and take advantage of his weakness’s. He did not show, this summer, a good mind set directed towards his fit and role on this team.
     Web appears to be maturing a little every year and an emphasis on conditioning and strength training will go a long way towards improving his game….To play all aspects of the game, you need to be conditioned, because a tired player just can’t make the plays as well. He started off the first couple of years with a poor attitude and too much weight…..So now we will see if he’s matured enough to be the starting 3.
     The Blazers probably have a goal of making the playoffs this year. As the season starts to unfold, they will have their eye on what they need to get there. It is important, for both, to understand that they are no longer prospects and must become NBA players. (for their future as well as the team). They have both shown “Flashes” but nothing consistent. I would think that after this season(or half way through) the Blazers will decide on whether Outlaw or Webster will be part of this team.

by 67 on Sep 19, 2008 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

good points

Travis made a huge gaffe (the crap he said to J Quick) and I question his ability to lead from day 1 (of training camp if he is in less than perfect shape).

Martell seems more committed to the mission (winning and being a great player) and he also seems more attune to kitchen table issues (eating for nutrition and the like during the off-season).

Travis is a war hero (making those last second shots in close games last year) but Martell is very eloquent (I think he’s the most well spoken memeber of the team during post game interviews).

Travis has shown an ability to negotiate with the enemy and get his way (being able to take anybody one and one and get off his shot and make it) but Martell is better at clandestine operations (sneekily spotting up from outside the three point line and draining it like an assassin).

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 19, 2008 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

#25

"Besides, AnntheFan will be here any minute to #25 you." T Darkstar

by annthefan on Sep 18, 2008 8:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah that goes without saying ann, why don't you go express your love for T-Law in my new post :)

even Mattell knows that barbies have a limited shelf life
Sophia 09/18/08

by BlazermaniacAndy on Sep 18, 2008 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, don't bother taking the blinders off

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 18, 2008 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

#25

"Besides, AnntheFan will be here any minute to #25 you." T Darkstar

by annthefan on Sep 18, 2008 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

stay the course

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 20, 2008 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Martell Stays

Last year he still stood out beyond the 3 point line in the corner but we saw him drive to the basket and jam it, swing down under the basket and curl out to toward the half court catch and shoot and generally making himself available to receive a pass. We saw that when he went off for 25 in that glorious quarter last year. Agreed, he still stood at the corner too much but he may be learning that he has got to move around on offense.

If he has improved his defense as he said he would work on it this summer, he could be more than anyone can handle defensively and offensively.

Big ifs, but may be worth it.

by SpeedBall on Sep 18, 2008 9:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

he still stood at the corner too much but he may be learning that he has got to move around on offense.

It depends on the play call. In that quarter vs Utah that MW was running off screens, catching and shooting those were plays that were called because the coaches 1) needed an offensive burst and 2) recognized that MW had the hot hand.

To say Martell needs to constantly move like that on offense is incorrect, he needs to move at the precise time the play calls for him to move. But if the play calls for him to space the court, park in the corner and wait for the pass, he should do that.

by two4larue on Sep 19, 2008 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Travis is still the man

I Like both Travis and Martell. But I believe the time is coming soon when one of them (or both) will be traded. They each bring different skills to the team. Martell is the better all around 3 point shooter while Travis is deadly in the corner. Travis is the guy who can create his own shot while Martell is more of the set shooter. Both are able to play descent defence if they keep working on it. Both have learned a lot coming straight from High school.

But Travis can give you that spark that I’m not sure that Martell can give you. This is not a knock on Martell. God give everyone different talents and gifts.

Nate last season gave Travis the green light to take the shot, and Travis gave the coach what the Blazers needed right then and there. If Nate tells Travis that he needs him to rebound more I’m sure that Travis would do just that . Sometimes we forget that these players are asked to do certain things for the team. And we as fans first thank them for what they do and then later criticize them for not rebounding more or defending better or passing the ball.

This is a tough question still to answer because we don’t know how all the pieces even fit together yet. It all comes down to who you believe is going to be the better player.

I still say that Martell is still more one dementional at this point than Travis. But that could change. Travis can play more than one position (PF/SF) while Martell can play the Shooting guard he is better at the SF spot.

Maybe this is the year that Martell find his role with the team like Travis was able to do last year. Until then I have to go with Travis with no hesitation.

Long play #25
Long play #8

D Marty

by Dmartyparty on Sep 18, 2008 11:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I pick both for now

But Outlaw once again not working hard during the summer to stay in shape is really depressing. That alone would make me pick Webster if I had to choose.

by usmcr3049 on Sep 19, 2008 7:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This year will be the year we find out who stays

Could be Martell…could be Travis…could be both. It appears that Martell is far more driven to succeed this year than Travis. Being called a draft bust by some pundits can have that effect, and Travis’ breakout year has perhaps given him the feeling he can coast a bit. The biggest question is not whether Martell’s game improves substantially over 2007-8 (although that is my hope), but whether or not Travis can see the forest despite the trees – e.g. it is better to be a key component of a (potential) championship-caliber team rather than the star of an also-ran. Cliff Robinson, for all his flaws (he inhaled), was able to see that forest and choose to be a 6th Man with the Blazers (although he sadly never got his ring).

I think by February, we’ll have a pretty good indication on how this will play out. I really hope both Trout and Martell stick around as it should be an E-Ticket ride.

by DonkeyShins on Sep 19, 2008 8:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Obama and the Championship Trophy

Martell and Travis
Chocolate and cheese
Tacos and Pabst
Champagne and touching hands under the table
“The Portland Trail Blazers” and “are the 2008-2009 NBA Champions”
…
Somethings just go together well.

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Sep 19, 2008 10:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Im all about Hope

Does Nic Batum represent change, hope, or both?"

Sophia

"Thank God those nightmarish booty-less days are behind us. I blame cocaine."-Mortimer
I detest that man who hides one thing in the depths of his heart, and speaks for another. - Homer
That was a very hard winter,
and it was just like one long night,
with me lying awake, waiting and waiting and waiting
for daybreak.
- Black Elk
1881
The wild hawk stood with the down on his beak And stared with his foot on the prey. - Lord Alfred Tennyson

by BlazerFan1 on Sep 19, 2008 12:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yer all about Batum.

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Sep 19, 2008 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know the date on this

but rotowire doesn’t want you to put Web on your fantasy team. "The reward doesn’t come close to outweighing the risk, avoid him if possible. "

"We’re not going to sit here and get punked by other teams and let them deter us from what we need to do." - Channing Frye, 09//03/08

by jorga on Sep 19, 2008 4:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Lets Keep both

I like Travis and Martell. Both of them continue to make progress. They have different skill sets. Martell doesn’t require as many shots and he spreads the floor with over half of his shots from beyond the arc. But, Travis has the confidence to go against anyone in the league and brings instant offense.

Both bring game and a ton of character to the team. But until we have to choose, lets wait to see who grows more and fits better

by neilan on Sep 20, 2008 12:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Trade them both for Josh Howard - Just kidding

Just like real politics, I’m not going to vote. Someone more educated in the needs of the team should make this decision, so I’m going to leave it up to Kevin Pritchard and Nate McMillan.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Sep 20, 2008 2:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you!

The NBA is an oligarchy. Let’s not try to get in the way. Let it function.

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 20, 2008 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw's trade value

is higher than his play value. I agree that his skills no longer fit in with the team, and the Blazers could fill some serious gaps by trading him. One of the most notable needs, which has been discussed over the past weeks, is defense at the 3 spot. Outlaw should be packaged with a few others for Tayshaun Prince!

By the way Ben, I like the political theme =D

by CaptainSexyJacob on Sep 21, 2008 11:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh if only we could..

I would take Tayshaun in a heartbeat

"Why would we lie to ourselves dude?"
"Be excellent to each other."
"All we are is dust in the wind, dude."
"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K."

The Wisdom of Bill S Preston Esquire and Ted Theodore Logan

by GreatOden'sRaven on Sep 22, 2008 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs