"Get Rid of Outlaw": Are You Crazy?

by LaoTzu on Oct 28, 2009 1:59 AM PDT Comment 37 comments

AP (Allen, Paul "Do I own that?") -- Travis Outlaw's unconscious shooting off the bench gave the Portland Trail Blazers the big push they needed tonight to win their home opener 96-87 against the Houston Rockets.

Outlaw came into the game when Aldridge, the leading scorer to that point, had to sit with early foul trouble. With the separation Outlaw and newly acquired back-up veteran point guard Andre Miller provided in the second quarter, Portland built a lead it never relinquished in winning their home opener.

The depleted Houston Rockets showed heart in the road loss, clawing their way within six points in the fourth quarter. Outlaw's buoyed his leadership in heading the Blazers in the scoring column by opportunistic play on defense and two key rebounds late as Coach Nate McMillan kept Outlaw in the game down the stretch.

During the preseason, Portland area websites and local sports talk programs had been clogged with demands that the franchise rid itself of Outlaw. Perhaps seeking revenge for an ousting by the Rockets from last year's playoffs, "Trout" would not be denied.

Outlaw spoke with this reporter after the contest. "Travis, some folks out there questioned your ability to help this team win. Was this a statement game to set the record straight?"

"Nah. It ain't even like that. Portland fans are smart. B-Roy says they know I hit nine game winners for them last season. I keep winning games for them, Coach Nate says they gotta come round to me."

"Some question your role on this team. You have few starts in your years here in Portland. The lineup is clogged with wing players. You looked to be behind both Webster and Batum at small spot before his injury. Nate came out before the season and said you would be backing up Aldridge at power forward. But with your build you seem out of position there. Where do you see your yourself fitting with this team, at the three or the four?"

"Well, you know, I'm a scorer. I don't see myself as having so much a position except to come in and score. I guess, you know, I a sixth man type player."

Travis Outlaw is certainly a scorer. Going 9-14 from the field, hitting shots from everywhere on the floor, Outlaw led his team with 23 points in the victory. If the Blazers ever trade him, Portland fans can rest assured that young gun Portland GM Kevin Pritchard will demand someone very special in return.

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Sorry, he can't play PF against strong players like Scola/Landry/etc

I read it on Bedge, so it must be true.

I can tell you how to make an Excel spreadsheet that proves Portland wins 62 games this year.

by jscot on Oct 28, 2009 2:25 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

you can read?! O.O

"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.

"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.

by Tofu Anonymous on Oct 28, 2009 6:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't you think

the Blazers could’ve used last night’s output from Travis, during the playoff series?

beware the pyrite.

And don’t be shy to comment re: Outlaw after the games when he shoots 3-12

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 28, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

When you recognize Outlaw's positive contributions, then agreed.

There were alot of Blazers underperforming in the series with the Rockets.

by LaoTzu on Oct 28, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was impressed with Outlaw last night

Who wouldn’t be? Especially when he went up high to snag those rebounds, in traffic. Here’s hoping he keeps this up, shows consistency, and makes it a hard for KP to decide whether or not to extend him, next July

Yes, last year’s playoffs were a huge disappointment, and Travis was the team’s 3rd leading scorer during the regular season. High expectations = lion share of the blame

FWIW, I was disappointed in Blake’s play against Houston last April, as well. That’s why adding Miller should make it easier for the TBs to advance in the post season. But “how far” they go will depend on how well Roy/Miller mesh

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 28, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't been shy to comment on Travis' shortcomings

But that game proved the fallacy of the argument that he can’t be effective against that kind of PF. It just isn’t true.

Travis’ real problem is not that he can’t do the things we want, but that he isn’t consistent. He can do those things, and he does, just not consistently enough.

His contribution has been mainly built around crazy shooting, and that will never be consistent. Rebounding and defense can be consistent. If he adds those to his game, then he will make a regular positive contribution even when the crazy shots aren’t falling, and he will destroy opponents when they are falling.

I can tell you how to make an Excel spreadsheet that proves Portland wins 62 games this year.

by jscot on Oct 29, 2009 2:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

6 game series, versus 6 year career

Maybe this is the year the “lights” will come on for Travis. It is his contract year, after all. Maybe he won’t see himself as merely a “scorer off the bench” but his post-game comments the other night weren’t encouraging. The Blazer could use a role-player who can do all the “dirty work” off the bench backing up LMA. Does Outlaw have the “edge” to be that kind of player? I’m skeptical. I know he doesn’t have the upper and lower body strength, and his excuse for not working on his body this offseason was that it would hurt his jumping ability

Like I said earlier, Trout waited 7 months too long to have a big game against Houston. One of these “23 point outburts” in games 3,4 might have swung the series in Portland’s favor. Count on him showing new-found consistency at your own risk

We’ll all be watching, but 6 years is enough of a sample size, for me

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 29, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

with batum out

outlaw becomes much less expendable

bayless leaves over my dead body
andre miller>hedo, blake

by thomasikehara on Oct 28, 2009 6:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Except Dante is a baller in training

Trav is great but just with what he has always been great at.

by idoltime on Oct 28, 2009 6:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have this feeling Dante Cunningham is going to be sweet

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Oct 28, 2009 7:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dante?

You’d have a feeling Luke Walton would be sweet if he was the alternate for Travis.

*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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by staylost on Oct 28, 2009 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Walton would look sweet in a Blazer uniform

oo the nostalgia … Father – Son heritage …

He's doing little shimmies. Jump hooks with the left hand, jump hooks with the right hand. - Brandon Roy on Greg Oden

by ECFIVESTER on Oct 28, 2009 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

gakkk

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Oct 28, 2009 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Better than his scoring was his energy and dare I say it?? his play on the other end

Still I want to see this game in and game out before I jump on the bandwagon

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Oct 28, 2009 7:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great game by Outlaw

In many ways, summer 2010 is looking like it will be much more interesting than 2009. There’s less mystery involved with potential, unknown future Blazes and more likely movement with people we know and have followed for years. There’s way more potential for drama in that.

What does Oden get paid? What is the fate of Rudy, Martel, Bayless, Pryzbilla, and Outlaw on the Blazers? Any one of those players could be gone, as could either Miller or Blake if KP get his hands on the young point guards of his dreams. The only players I would bet my life on being a Blazer opening day 2010 are Oden, Aldridge, Roy and Batum (mostly because I think his trade value isn’t that high compared to his potential, especially with the injury).

Honestly, I will be bummed when any of those guys go. There is a feeling of senior year in high school, when at the end of the year the gang is going to have to go its separate ways.

by matthewcc on Oct 28, 2009 7:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I hated my senior year in high school

There was this chick named Valerie who had the hots for me but I kept avoiding her. Finally one day her best friend Kristin confronted me and asked me why I was avoiding Valerie. I told her Valerie was annoying and I just didn’t want to hang out with her. A lot of my friends thought I should have gone out with her because she was really hot but I just couldn’t stand the sound of her voice. Seems like most people were really immature. I was really glad when we went our separate ways.

To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead. -- Thomas Paine, US patriot & political philosopher (1737 - 1809)

by Love on Oct 28, 2009 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you should have done her anyway

and just worn earplugs.

by superfly05 on Oct 29, 2009 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"I don't see myself as having so much a position except to come in and score."

I was buzzing on his play last night but this statement could get me down. First, you should assume your shots won’t always fall like they did yesterday. Second, when Greg finds his role in the offense and Brandon gets warmed up for the season, you’ll find less opportunities to shoot. I’d like to see a more balanced approach to the game. Let’s hear some more about teamwork and defense. You played good on both sides last night but good defense should be there regardless of how you’re scoring.

by jiminut on Oct 28, 2009 7:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have a pretty good sarcasm detector,

and I’m pretty sure there isn’t a hint of it in your post. I’m 98% sure that this is not a real AP story, and rather LaoTzu’s creative way of making a fanpost.

The Dude abides

by noaher on Oct 28, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, dude

I wasn’t wearing my satire detection lenses.

by jiminut on Oct 28, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i was a fan of trading outlaw

until last night if he can keep that up i am all for keeping him but if he shows that he is still inconsistent then he needs to be shown the door, we could have had a second round pick and mike miller for him a season or two ago that would have been awesome miller can shoot the 3 like crazy

by BLAZERS#52 on Oct 28, 2009 9:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Miller was rubbish last year

I can tell you how to make an Excel spreadsheet that proves Portland wins 62 games this year.

by jscot on Oct 29, 2009 2:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only thing I don't like....

about a game like last night’s was that I fear it makes the Blazers fall in love with the jump shot even more. We saw very little low post feeding last night. Granted, Oden was completely uncomfortable and out of sync, but hopefully the team will stick with him and not go away from him completely like they did last night. We need him to be a low post threat on offense in order for them to reach their potential and go far in the playoffs.

by socalblazer on Oct 28, 2009 11:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

But that is Nate’s offense. Get Aldridge off, spot up the PG and the SF at the 3-point line, then finish with Roy.

Pryz and Blake are great doing that, and Travis looked great playing in LMA’s scoring slot. But that offfense doesn’t utilize Greg much.

I would like to see Miller and Oden on the pick-and-roll. As it was last night, when Roy was in the game, Miller fed him the ball and stood around the perimeter looking uncomfortable.

by LaoTzu on Oct 28, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last night

was one of those games Outlaw excelled at. Ragged, lots of fouls, turnovers. Yes he went 9/15 but it is fools gold. Tomorrow night against a much more balanced front line If Travis shoots 14 shots and GO shoot 3 we are going to get killed. My problem with Travis is the similar with my problem with ZBo before we traded him. Black Hole. No passes into the post. His shots are low percentage and he rebounds pathetically. That said, if he was on a team he could run and gun on he would be GREAT. But those kinds of team DONT WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS! Every game he we shoot predominantly from the perimeter we delay our developement towards that goal.
O.R.

by Odenrising on Oct 28, 2009 12:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

His trade value is so high right now.

Buy low, sell high.

by j.v. on Oct 28, 2009 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great Post!

I wish more people would wake up and realize what Travis means to his team.
There is always a place on a good to great team for a player like him.
You play 8, 9, or 10 guys, so there is plenty of room for Travis.
He will not always be as good as he was last night, but nobody is.
He is the best chemistry guy we have (all his teammates love him)
There is probably not a better bargain in the NBA (Except for a few rookie contracts)
Do your thing Trout… There are a lot of people out here, (especially your teammates) that appreciate what you bring to the court and culture-wise.

by Rick_D on Oct 28, 2009 3:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have been critical of Outlaw

but, I got to give the man his props for last night. I can accept a “low BBIQ” or lack of #’s if your effort was there. Thats probably all I am really after with this guy. I would like for him to show some effort. Run hard, crash the boards, set real picks, play D with a real end in mind.

I have said it before, when he hustles, it shows where he is special. He is 2x faster than anyone on the court when he gets a full stride going. The knock is, I would like to see him in full stride more than 10x a season. How about 5x+ a game?

My hope is he keeps his effort up in all areas. His shortcomings outside of that I can turn a blind eye to as I have with the other players. You can only be what you can be and Outlaw has been able to be much more for a long time. If he keeps it up I will support him.

Land Rondo.

by loyal_blazer on Oct 28, 2009 4:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I also could not help but think

when they were up 20— this is the difference when he plays ball. With him GOING, they go up big time. With him going through the motions they are behind or are in a much closer game.

Land Rondo.

by loyal_blazer on Oct 28, 2009 4:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

#25

ball does lie

by In Walks Rudy on Oct 28, 2009 9:37 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

rec

ha. trout makes me happy and sad, often times in the same week. he is dynamic. I like him…

"No disrespect to Jeff Blake"

by Eat Politicians on Oct 28, 2009 11:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thx

by LaoTzu on Oct 29, 2009 12:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw is who he is

He shows up big against Houston on the offensive end. He then goes 1-8 against Denver in the next game in a situation where the Blazers could have really used an offensive sparkplug.

Outlaw will continue to be subject to trade rumors all year long. Not just because of his inconsistency, but because his expiring contract might be appealing to some teams. Right or wrong, those rumors will continue to fly. You don’t have to like it, but you are going to have to live with it.

"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY

by Storyteller on Oct 31, 2009 10:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw had a nice line last night, but if you didn't watch the game live you didn't see

all the mistakes he made, like not blocking out etc.

I saw them though.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Nov 4, 2009 7:08 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I completely agree.

Even when Outlaw is at his best offensively, I think he still costs us more points than he generates. Also, Outlaw has terrible vision, so he often chucks up an off-balance shot at the expense of a pass to a wide-open teammate with a much better chance of converting.

Outlaw kills us more night than he saves us, even when his box score is solid. Last night he was a big part of the second quarter collapse.

by DC Blazer on Nov 4, 2009 10:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs