Outlaw article part I & II are out: Playing for the game, not the jumper

by Norsktroll on Sep 2, 2008 8:55 AM PDT

In Part I titled "Travis wants shots; Nate wants Teamwork", coach McMillan reacts to Travis' request for more shot attempts, saying it will be an important issue for this new group:

"OK, we put together this team, now how can you help this team? We may not need as many shots (from Outlaw), but we really needed him to score for us the last two years, and we need him this year, too. But it may be in a different role. We may need defense more than his offense because of where he is playing and who we have coming in. So, understand that that is what we need to be successful. It's not about just your shots. You will get those. I know that you need shots, and want shots. Everybody does. But you can't be single-minded like that.''

In Part II titled "McMillan on Outlaw: If he learns this, there is no way of guarding him", now the coach gives Quick his vision how he intends to play Travis in his new role predominantly as a small forward - and make him a dominant player. The focus is quite different from what Travis was suggesting in his piece:

1. More free throw attempts.
2. More post-ups.
3. Become a defensive stopper

Also, he makes it clear Travis will be on the floor in the fourth quarter again because of his "fearless approach". And while McMillan still keeps the door for the starting small forward spot a bit open in Part I, the preference to put him on the second-unit surrounded by this lineup seems equally set (few surprises):

You can drop him (to the post) with Frye feeding the ball to Travis, and you put Joel (Przybilla) under the board and you spread Rudy and Jerryd. Travis becomes your post player with that second unit, as long as you have a guy like Frye on the perimeter who can shoot it.

Anybody else a little worried that Frye who has made exactly 9 three-pointers in his career is supposed to become a perimeter player? Also, what do you think of this lineup, and Nate's plans on how to make Travis into a hard to guard player? Will it work effectively?

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We all know Channing can shoot from outside

Maybe not all the way to the three-line yet (at least, as you point out, he hasn’t done much of it yet) but 18-20 feet has always been Channing’s domain. I would still consider that shooting from the perimeter.

by MattyDread on Sep 2, 2008 9:04 AM PDT reply actions

Good to hear Nate's take

is essentially the same as most of ours, i.e. TO shouldn’t be playing for the jump shot like it sounds like Travis wants to do based on his quotes from the first article given that he’s spent so much time on it.

Really, a solid jumper should be the means to an end, rather than the end itself. You need one to keep the defense honest, but it really should be your last resort offensively, behind getting layups/dunks and getting to the line. Nate states it perfectly, having the jumper forces the defense to play up on you, which makes it easier to either get by, or to draw fouls.

I understand that Travis is proud of all the work he’s put into his jumper and wants to show it off, but I hope Nate drills it into him early and often this season that constantly settling for 20 footers isn’t going to cut it.

And I don’t think there’s a single Denver fan, player, or coach who would rather see Melo jacking up perimeter jumpers than putting in some extra effort and getting some easier buckets.

by Royster on Sep 2, 2008 9:14 AM PDT reply actions

Will Travis take a hit and finish?

This is what I will be looking for, will Outlaw buy into what Nate has said would potentially make #25 unstoppable? We’ve seen flashes of Trout dunking on domes in season’s past, but too often he seems will to “settle” for dribbling once, rising up and taking the J. Will he drive to contact? Will he post up and take something other than a Hakeem-shake fade-away? Will he accept the challenge to body up and play defense?

If not, I can see Nate looking to replace Outlaw with a veteran small forward who will know his role and do “whatever it takes” to be the glue-guy, instead of believing he should be the “go-to” guy

by two4larue on Sep 2, 2008 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions

FryeGuy can shoot just fine.

Doesn’t have to hit 3s to clear some room for travis, just has to make some jumpers and his man can’t leave him as fast.

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Sep 2, 2008 10:14 AM PDT reply actions

If Carmelo Anthony is a ferrari

(NBA superstar/MVP candidate/Olympic gold medal winner/Perennial all-star/D-bag) what is Travis Outlaw again (13ppg, 5reb/non-starter for obvious reasons/never been on a winning team/nice guy)? I’d say…Honda Civic. Yeah. Honda Civic.

Hey, thats a nice car.
Thanks man, I just got it. Good mileage, its safe; the speedometer goes up to 120mph but I only take it to about 75 at the most. Its the kind of car that someone who earns 13 points per year can afford.
Well, um…cool bumper sticker (my other ride is an escalade).

Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely.

"He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors," Frye said after giving up his share to Oden in the workout.

by chrischa on Sep 2, 2008 10:27 AM PDT reply actions

Nothing wrong with Civics

Question is, is the 2008 Outlaw really a high performance car or does he just look like one?

by grimc on Sep 2, 2008 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Acuras are really nice too!

Joel Freeland=Stud

by hightide on Sep 2, 2008 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Very cool

Well said coach!

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Sep 2, 2008 12:29 PM PDT reply actions

One point to consider

earlier in the beginning of the summer travis was working on his dribbing skills both right and left handed. If he was just intent on taking one dribble and shot why would he even practice dribbling?

IMO he is working on becoming a well rounded player. And with so many new components on the team, we will have to wait and see how he and the second unit work together. I’m hopping to see more fire from both Travis and Martell on both ends of the floor.

Remember that both players are in their early twentys. How many of us still had/have things we need to work on.

So lets wait and see what he gives us on the court because last year was a beginning to what Travis can do.

Man I can’t wait for the reg season to begin!!!!

D Marty

by Dmartyparty on Sep 2, 2008 10:24 PM PDT reply actions