Oden's playing time

by saveourbluths on Oct 17, 2009 8:44 PM PDT

Theres something i dont understand. Someone who has had a similar injury history but is now healthy in Andrew Bynum is getting 31 minutes per game in the preseason. Greg is only getting 24. I know people might be tired around here about the constant dissection of Oden, but i think this is significant.

What is the plan for Oden this year? My view was if he is healthy, which he absolutely will be, he should be playing around 30 per game. But do u guys think that having Przy is still going to get 24 minutes a game? If not, why not start getting Oden used to those kinds of minutes as soon as possible? The only reasons i can think of not doing this all stem from the fact that it's preseason. 1, fear of injury in a meaningless game...2, trying to figure rotations...3, i dunno i cant think about it cuz it makes me angry.

I cant imagine this post will get a lot of responses, but im just trying to see if anyone feels kinda the same way. And am i just being a Nervous Pervis? Personally, i think Nate feels compelled to use Przy just cuz hes there. Any sign of trouble, ya got nice warm blanket to cover up. But the things that will advance Oden's game the most is playing through growing pains. His overall impact on the game will still be positive, so i just dont get playing him for less than 30 minutes. could be preseason, but im just worried about this strategy of playing em only lets say 24 minutes or 26 persisting thru the entire season.

its probably just over analysis relating to a desperate yerning of the season finally getting under way.

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Greg should play as many minutes as he can

I’m encouraged by how he’s committing fewer fouls during the preseason. GO is also in better shape, and that should help him stay out on the court, more

The way Travis is playing, I’m becoming more in favor of the “twin towers” lineup. Let Greg and Joel stay in the game, together. They can set screens for shooters like Webster or run PnR with Miller. (And maybe #52 can shoot that face-up jumper a few times?) Don’t limit the two of them to less than 24 mpg ’just because" they both play center. Oden and Przy are both in the top 8 players of this team, so let them play as much as they can, even if it means less backup PF time for Outlaw. The Blazers interior defense and rebounding should be off the charts while the big guys are both in the game

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 17, 2009 9:05 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Oden should be priority #1

Unit Chemistry analysis being done by Nate should center around his Center… Oden needs to be starting and we need Oden to be producing as many minutes as possible. Joel Pryzbilla remains a very important cog on this machine we know as the Blazers. Joel is so good and has great size, defense, rebounding and toughness,isn’t going to be crying about playing time or contracts… Oden needs to be on the court to develop and Pryz can Be fresh in the playoffs.

by Portland Dynasty on Oct 17, 2009 11:32 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I prefer Joel/Greg

over Greg/Travis or Joel/Travis or Aldridge/Travis.

by StuckeyDuck on Oct 18, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Here's a vote for Gregzilla.

At least the name and a periodical appearance. I think the two can work together, but only as a situational lineup.

My only problem with Gregzilla is it means that LmA is on the bench and it takes away the option of a speedy second unit. I’m curious to see how outlaw fairs with a point like miller pushing the pace.

by Oggbog on Oct 18, 2009 2:20 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Or as many minutes as the refs let him...

Again, I’m fine with Greg fouling out every game… as long as i’s becausehe’s played 35+ minutes… Which stat line do you prefer for Greg?:

Min Pts Reb Ast Blk Fls
38 24 13 4 3 6
29 17 10 2 1 4

I know which line I vote for… Greg’s got six fould – use ’em!

by Visionary2 on Oct 17, 2009 10:12 PM PDT reply actions

That math doesn't add up

Why would nine more minutes (less than a 33% increase) result in DOUBLE the assists and blocks and 40% more points?

That said, I also support leaving GO in longer & not pulling him every time he gets a quick foul.

by Marvin100 on Oct 17, 2009 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Rhythym

by ColeFitz88 on Oct 17, 2009 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions

yeah, or the 9 extra minutes would be his worst, because those would be the ones in which he's most tired and foul-prone

If you ever hear of someone punching out a girl scout and stealing her Samoas, it was me
- Mortimer

by Clevelander among roses on Oct 17, 2009 11:40 PM PDT up reply actions

you're just about right Marvin...

but the trend for the other stats when there is a jump from 4 to 6 fouls is more along the lines of about 20% or 1/5. Two common misconceptions are that they would jump about 33% (because 4 is 2/3 of 6) or, less often, 50% (because 6 is 50% more than 4).

It would be an additional 1/5 because you can play with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 fouls, but not six. At four fouls, 0-4 each represent 20% and the fifth would represent 20% more even though 1/6 equals about 17% (for the same reason that 3 points is 50% more points than 2 points).

The stat line change would look more like this:
29 min to 34.8
17 pts to 20.4
10 reb to 12
2 ast to 2.4
1 blk to 1.2

None the less, I agree- Unleash the Beast!

by rpresto2 on Oct 17, 2009 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm "just about right" about what?

I didn’t offer a projection at all; I just pointed out the optimism of another poster’s projection. But cool to see some numbers based on a real trend. Thanks for that.

by Marvin100 on Oct 18, 2009 1:04 AM PDT up reply actions

I accidentally put the wrong name in there.

by rpresto2 on Oct 18, 2009 2:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Well that's just unacceptable I'M VERY VERY ANGRY

oh wait, no, that wasn’t me.

by Marvin100 on Oct 18, 2009 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions

I know, I know...

I won’t like you when you’re angry.

by rpresto2 on Oct 18, 2009 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Calm down

Greg is getting the 5th most minutes of all the players on the team in the preseason. The only players on the court more this preseason have been, in order: BRoy at about 27 mpg, Martell at 26.5, Andre Miller at just over 26 a game and Juwan Howard at just under 25. Howard and Martell aren’t going to get anywhere near those minutes in the regular season. Once the regular season rolls around Greg (and LMA and Batum and Rudy and Blake and Roy) will see much more PT. Do a little more research before you get all worked up.

The question I have for you is why would you want to see a player as important as Greg on the court for 30+ minutes in the preseason? What are those extra 6 minutes of non-counting game action going to do for him long term?

by KitIsh on Oct 17, 2009 10:22 PM PDT reply actions

Howard and Martell aren’t going to get anywhere near those minutes in the regular season

Juwan? God I hope not

Webster? Rudy’s good, but he’s dinged up. Martell can guard the bigger SFs, so Roy won’t “have to” like last year…I wouldn’t be so quick to take the minutes away from Webster that he was getting back in ’08 and hand them over to Fernandez…

but a Outlaw deal would be beneficial to them both

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 17, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Batum still has to be factored in, though

Dude, what are you doing, man? Why you gotta be holding a corn dog when I go for a high-five??

by 1badbadger on Oct 17, 2009 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions

oh, I know

and that’s the rub. If Martell hadn’t gotten hurt last year, he probably would’ve started and played 25-30 mpg at SF. Rudy would’ve gotten his 25 mpg and Nic would’ve gotten the scraps

But we all know what really happened. Batum got to start and show his stuff and now he’s worthy of at least 20 mpg, and that number should be climbing. So you’ve got 3 guys and 48+12 = 60 minutes to divvy up. (And that’s assuming that Travis plays no time at the SF…)

KP says “it’s not my problem, Nate’s a master at making this work”

Nate says “the players will show me who should play”

Do you see the storm clouds on the horizon? Miller and Oden have “shown” Nate that they’re worthy, but he’s starting Blake and Przy, out of “loyalty” to Roy (option 1) and LMA (option 2) Meanwhile, Nate has rested Nic and Rudy (which makes sense, they played in EuroB) and Martell has played hard, and looked like his spunky, former self.

I’m not liking this situation one bit. If another wing player goes down (like Rudy’s back is barking, right now?) then it’s a good problem to have too much depth at the wing positions. But if they all stay healthy for awhile? Not good, not good at all

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 17, 2009 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions

i completely agree

Dude, what are you doing, man? Why you gotta be holding a corn dog when I go for a high-five??

by 1badbadger on Oct 17, 2009 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions

It's interesting that Howard is getting 25 minutes.

Nate is definitely testing Howard’s legs to see if he has anything left. He seems interested in Howard’s ability to pass the ball and defend. It will be interesting to see if Howard gets the start against Denver (LMA is out) instead of Outlaw. Nate suggested that he might start Howard today. Outlaw is having an awful preseason. There’s not much chance that Howard will replace Outlaw as the backup PF, but if LMA gets hurt this year Howard may get more minutes than expected.

Cunningham is only getting 9 minutes in preseason and doesn’t seem to be on Nate’s radar for any garbage time this year. Right now I would guess that Bayless and Howard dress as the 11th and 12th guys, while Cunningham sits in street clothes and goes to the D-League for spells.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 18, 2009 2:53 AM PDT up reply actions

This was an issue last season

I wouldn’t be surprised if Oden plays in the 20’s of minutes instead of the 30s again this season. And I agree he should play more than that.

by goblazer1 on Oct 18, 2009 12:17 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

Lake's arent' as deep. nuff said.

Portland's PG of the Future - Meet John Wall
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.

by Net Ranger on Oct 18, 2009 12:23 AM PDT reply actions

I expect Greg to play 2000+ minutes this season

This means 24+ minutes per game, and is an increase of about 700 minutes over last season. I would prefer 2300+ minutes (28+ minutes per game), but that would be a huge increase of 1000 minutes. Joel is still a very good center who is great on defense and albeit not a huge offensive weapon very efficient for the chances he gets close to the rim. And Nate will use him accordingly.

"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard

by Norsktroll on Oct 18, 2009 7:51 AM PDT reply actions

Don't worry, be happy . . .

The season is about to start and GO will get plenty of
minutes. I like Big Red giving the talk to the team, emphasizing
working together, putting personal goals aside and working
for the ultimate goal – a Championship.
I know 8 out of every 10 Blazer fans realize what Joel brings to
the table. They also realize tha GO is still learning and growing into
his game. He’ll end up playing lots of minutes and both will be needed
in this Loooong NBA season.

       GO BLAZERS
                                  & Year # 3 of the COINCAST BLACKOUT is on the way !
                                                      THIS DEAL SUCKS !!!!!

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Oct 18, 2009 5:29 PM PDT reply actions