Discussion: Your Closing Line Up?
by Ben Golliver on Oct 30, 2009 11:53 AM PDT
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PrintNate McMillan has been quite open about how he has been experimenting a little bit with his late-game lineups, looking for the combinations that will work the best together. Through just two games, it's been all over the map.
Of course the two givens are Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge -- no doubt about either one of those guys and what they bring from an experience and execution standpoint.
But what about the other three players? Are you leaning in a certain direction? Is Oden a given? Blake or Miller? Martell or Rudy or Travis? Go small or go big? Other ideas?
With a solid nine man rotation, McMillan will have (and employ) the luxury of using multiple late-game lineups depending on match-ups. Your task: pick your "default" closing five, the lineup you would like to see close the majority of games. Please explain your thinking in the comments.
Also, feel free to suggest lineups you'd like to see in specific situations, such as last night when matching up against an MVP type player or maybe a variation you would like to see when protecting a lead.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
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Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy and wildcard
Depending on matchups, hot hands etc…. I would only choose between Miller, Webster or Outlaw. Obviously this precludes any foul trouble.
This gives you a blend of Offense/Defense/Rebounding and the wildcard can be used to exploit any matchups that favor the Blazers.
"I saw him in the face" Sergio's quote on the latest alley-oop to Rudy.
by blazermaniac32 on Oct 30, 2009 11:56 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I like this
I think you could see the Nuggets collapse the defense when the Blazers showed they couldn’t hit the jump shot. (Except Webster and Rudy, who did.) That’s the Miller dilemma in action — the Blazers couldn’t spread the floor last night. I’d add Blake to the list of options — as soon as he gets his shot back.
it would have to be Miller
otherwise you won’t have enough ball handling, and you’ll be susceptible to turnovers.
So I guess for me, it would be Miller, Roy, Aldridge, Oden, and one of Rudy/Webster/Outlaw. – Elgin
Travis Outlaw, the Funnel Cake of the Blazers
I think this is it for me as well.
Unless Miller is having a bad game, or both Rudy and Webster are really playing well…but this is the default.
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
IMO, this is the clear and obvious lineup--I agree with Elgin
The Rudy/Webby/Outlaw depends on matchups, but Martell seems to be making a very strong case, isn’t he?
I am an oasis of Blazer fandom in a bleak desert of Laker fans.
by RenoBlazerFan on Oct 30, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I like this
Webster, Outlaw, or Miller could get that 5th spot based on the game/matchups. Rudy showed us yet again he’s an NBA starter at the 2 – unfortunately, he’s behind an All-NBA caliber player in Portland.
I hate Comcast.
Card carrying member of Team Bayless
I believe in Greg Oden
by blazeraddict on Oct 30, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions
yep
I think this is what I agreed with in a thread a few days ago.
this is for the last 4 minutes of a tight game, with the 5th spot depending on matchups and who’s playing well that night out of the 3 people mentioned. Obviously, once you get inside 30 seconds, and you are doing offensive/defensive subsititutions, then things will change a bit more then.
Right now, when we go to the Roy 1-4 iso in crunch time, we have started seeing teams just run a 2nd guy at him 40 feet away from the basket to get the ball out of his hands. Since that has started, our response has ALWAYS been to pass the ball to Outlaw at the top of the 3 point line. I don’t like this option, because Outlaw is not a guy whose going to take that pass and quickly exploit the 4 on 3 advantage from that spot. So, what I would MUCH rather see is that it be Miller (if he’s in) or Rudy (if Miller’s not in) that comes to get that pass from a doubled Brandon. Either one of those guys can then immediately look to drive the ball and take advantage of the mismatch before the defense can recover all the way back.
All that said, I’d also like to see a lot less use of the isolation 1 on 4. Someone should chart those possessions, but my gut tells me it hasn’t been very effective.
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
why is Aldridge an "automatic"?
I realize he’s the “only” PF on the roster, but LMA doesn’t crash the boards, and either he runs away from the ball in crunch time, or his teammates aren’t looking for him in those situations
Right now I don’t have an “alternative” big man to suggest (Joel and Greg together on defense might be OK, depending on their foul situation…I’m not all that crazy about “big shot” Travis on offense, either, especially when the Blazers are protecting a lead…) Still, unless LMA starts showing me more heart and hustle at the end of games, he can stay on the bench and wave the towel. A wide-body backup PF who can scrap and bang would be more useful, at least he wouldn’t be a “bystander” when rebounds and loose balls are being claimed by the opposing team
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Not in agreement
LMA didn’t give up any rebounds (those offensive boards were long bounces over the top of the defense – giving Denver some freebies).
However, the biggest point is that maybe LMA should have been put on Anthony, instead of Roy (late in the game). I think this is a much more favorable matchup for the Blazers.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 30, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions
WAFOR
Webster, Aldridge, Fernandez, Oden, Roy.
Roy’s a better crunchtime PG than Miller/Blake, Webster can play defense and hit a big shot, so can Rudy, and Oden is a gamechanger on defense. At the end of games, our offense gets stale with isolations. With Rudy and Martell in, that doesn’t happen. Also, a hot Travis could replace either Rudy or Webster depending on the game.
by robrun2 on Oct 30, 2009 11:58 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
i would do the same...
with a line up of billups/carter roy/rudy can handle that.. then have webster/outlaw/batum (when he’s back) handle melo. ughhh.
Notes to Broyposse: "Don't let him pull that move, Don't let him pull that move! That's the move! Ohhhhhhh that's the move!"
This.
The end of the game is the time when we run the offense through Roy most so Miller is useless during this time
I want Roy, a bunch of shooters around him we can run off screens and kick out to, and Oden to grab the boards and stuff people inside
"When jumpers are outlawed only Outlaw will take jumpers"-LoadedOrygun
by DominicanAvenger on Oct 30, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Me too
nailed it perfect. When Oden fouls out toss in Pryz or Howard
by BanDenjamin on Oct 30, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm on board with this lineup.
Roy is the only one that needs to be handling the PG in crunch time.
Rudy with his big shot mentality and ability combined with Webster and his determination and smooth stroke, and new found defensive tenacity, provide perfect outs for B Roy when the defense collapses. Two threats that spread the floor is a must.
Oden, who leads the league in offensive rebounds, is a must for his effect on both ends of the floor. He will only get better as his confidence grows.
Aldridge because, despite his early struggles, he is the best pick-n-roll partner for Roy. He also provides a semi-reliable inside game if they defend the perimeter players. He too will get better with time. His newly added weight will show it’s effectiveness sooner of later IMO.
In addition, with this lineup we are long and athletic. I feel this lineup is well balanced in all faucets. If I had my way, this would be my starting unit.
pick and roll partner?
we stopped running the pick and roll last spring, and we never ran it very effectively before then even. Pick and roll implies you are actually going to occassionally pass the ball to a guy who is rolling to the hoop (not popping for an 18 footer).
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
My bad..
I meant pick and pop. Maybe I am still dreaming of the day these two run the pick and roll like the great tandems of past times. In any event though, Aldridge is a real good second option to run your offense through. He will learn to roll one of these days.
Id also like to see him posting up more
he was getting good toward the end of last year down there, especially with is driving hook shot across the lane. more of that please.
to me, it’s obvious: Dump ins to the post should be to LMA a lot more often than to GO (yet we do the opposite)
pick and ROLLS (not pops) should be to GO. This is where he can be at his best offesively, not on post ups
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
Pick and rolls to GO
Will only work when he learns to keep the ball above his head. He gets stripped more than anyone I have ever seen because he brings that ball down. From what I have seen of his rolling he instinctively brings it down as he is trying to muscle up his power step. I think Aldridge with his high release and ability to keep the ball up would work better.
I do agree with LA posting up more. He is young, he will get there.
He gets stripped more than anyone I have ever seen because he brings that ball down. From what I have seen of his rolling he instinctively brings it down as he is trying to muscle up his power step
The antidote is the lob pass, but Dr. Andre hasn’t administered it, yet
why that is = not my question to answer
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Agreed
I think that’s the default. Let Roy dominate the ball, have Oden in for D/rebounds, and then three shooters.
I think a variant would be a smaller lineup where you sub Trout, or even Blake, for Oden. You let LA handle the rebounding and post game, Roy still dominates the ball, and he has yet one more shooter to look to. It’s basically our best closing lineup from last year (Blake, Rudy, Roy, Trout, LA), with Marty subbed in for either Blake or Trout.
By the way, Martel looks like a freaking stud. He’s exactly what the Blazers need. Energy, and muscle. As he continues to get his touch back and starts cutting down on some of the hyper mistakes, he’s going to be fantastic. I love the way Rudy and Martel work off the ball. Offensively, any backcourt with Roy keying the plays and Rudy and Martel roaming the perimeter should be potent.
Slight tangent: Blazers who hustle
Are Rudy, Webster, and Blake the only Blazers who consistently hustle? I don’t expect Joel or Oden to hustle, that’s just asking for needless fouls, but LA, Trout, Miller, and even Roy to a degree, aren’t hustlers.
Oh yeah, Batum hustles too.
I raise this point, because I think hustle is HUGE at the end of the game. It’s a big part of what won it for Denver last night. They wanted it more. I love seeing a lineup full of guys willing to go to the deck for every ball at the end of the game.
scrap beats skill and finesse, at the end of close games
I remember a quote from Mark Aguirre, back when he was with the Mavericks (mid-’80s) He was asked about playing against Larry Bird and said something like “at the end of games, Larry starts grunting and doing things animal-like”)
Magic called it “winning time” and coined the phrase “no rebounds, no rings” Denver has thugs, Portland has pretty boys (Joel being the exception, Webster is getting there) Portland hadn’t allowed the Nuggets any offensive rebounds or 2nd chance points through most of the game, but all that ended in the last few minutes. Bad luck? Coincidence? I’d call it toughness and playoff (finals) experience
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I would say Joel is a scrapper-hustler, for sure
otherwise, I agree. I need to see LMA hustlin more. Or pretending to hustle more. Maybe he is just so smooth, he makes it look easy and has me fooled.
I am an oasis of Blazer fandom in a bleak desert of Laker fans.
by RenoBlazerFan on Oct 30, 2009 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions
mine as well
great minds think alike.
Senior Asian ambassador of Blazers Edge
by Philthyanimal on Oct 30, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Thats what I am talking about..
Lets cause some mismatches by bringing in Rudy and Roy to run as guards. We never lag with hot Rudy in. He runs the floor like a young Reggie Miller and causes our opponents D to lose track of their defensive sets.
Hybrid Lineup
PG-Rudy Fernandez
SG-Brandon Roy
SF-Martell Webster
PF-LaMarcus Aldridge
C-Greg Oden
I agree with Robrun. Rudy/Roy PG hybrid both can play off each other. Also, best defensive line up
yes, but let Roy run the point on offense
Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it
by The Arkitect on Oct 30, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Nate tried that, problem was that Rudy couldn't contain Billups so then two guys were open to score at will
But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart
When was that?
They only played without Miller/Blake for 30 seconds last game, and Denver did not score during that time. And Rudy pretty much spend the whole game guarding either Ty Lawson or Anthony Carter, while Blake/Miller/Roy defended Billups.
Miller, Roy, Webb/Rudy, LMA, Oden
Obviously, Roy and LMA are your primary offensive options, and Oden is just dominant on the glass and can change the game on defense. I would resist playing Roy at the point, because it forces him to work harder to get to a spot on the floor where he can threaten the defense. If Roy is dribbling the ball up the court, the opponent can pressure him and make him work to get into a danger area. Additionally, guarding point guards is not a terribly natural matchup for Brandon, and I think it tires him out and causes him to commit silly handcheck fouls.
I would play Webb or Rudy depending on the size of the opposition. Last night, it was painful to watch Carmelo just dissect Roy on every single possession. Web needed to be in to at least make him work.
Finally, I would stress that whatever Nate chooses, he should have a little faith in his reasoning. Last night, it was extremely disheartening to see him yank Blake after one mistake. If you have a good reason for playing Blake at the end of the game, it’s still a good reason after a single bonehead play. That kind of short hook prevents Blake from building confidence, and also makes it more difficult for the other players to anticipate who is going to be on the floor so they can work best together.
by atomiccafe on Oct 30, 2009 12:03 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Agree
I’m not a fan of that short lease on players that deserve better.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
"I told Pau the Lakers never win here in Portland; I think it's great." -- Rudy Fernandez
Depends on matchups but...
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, and two of these three: Miller/Webster/Rudy.
If it’s a Miller-less lineup, I want Roy at the point. I’m still not comfortable with Rudy as a ball handler. I want him off the ball.
by tripdoubsalldetime on Oct 30, 2009 12:05 PM PDT reply actions
Easy Choice Last Night
PG – Roy
SG – Rudy
SF – Webster
PF – LMA
C – Oden
Enjoy the Ride
by DigitalDaggers on Oct 30, 2009 12:05 PM PDT reply actions
My Thinking
Roy/Rudy at Guards.
Roy is clutch…Roy is Roy…he stays in during crunch time.
Rudy is solid as well, he can drive, he can stroke, and he can make some nice passes. I am more than comfortable with he or Roy moving the ball up the court.
Webster is in because MARTELL PLAYS DEFENSE and will be defending the other team 2 or 3, whoever is the biggest threat.
LMA can stroke those mid-range jumpers, affect shots on D…no need to really argue for our most recent huge contract young player to stay on the court
Oden is a beast down low and plays with great fire so far this season. He affects everything that comes close to him in the paint and is an EXCELLENT rebounder on offense and defense.
-This is the lineup I roll with
Enjoy the Ride
by DigitalDaggers on Oct 30, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I mentioned elsewhere
Guard 1 – roy
Guard 2 – Rudy
SF – Martell/Outlaw
PF – Outlaw/Aldridge
C – Aldridge/Oden
If offense was required I’d likely leave out Oden. if defense is required then I likely leave out Webster or Outlaw and I haven’t decided which yet, although I lean towards Webster. I didn’t see Outlaw play last night, but I was very impressed with his game 1 and if he kept building on that could easily see him slipping in there instead.
Miller… no. Not until he and Roy find a groove. I’m not happy with his transition into the line up yet. I wasn’t thrilled to acquire him, but recognize he has talent and he was better than 53 million on a two year player (if that).
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
"I told Pau the Lakers never win here in Portland; I think it's great." -- Rudy Fernandez
Why repeat the same mistakes of the past?
The best 5 players on this team:
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy and Miller.
PLEASE people, repeat after me: Roy is NOT a point guard! (And neither is Rudy).
Miller has not been impressive in the first two games, but I pretty strongly believe it’s because Nate is trying to make Miller into Blake, running out the same old tired sets with BRoy doing the 1:4…
Let Miller run the offense…
by Visionary2 on Oct 30, 2009 12:07 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
WHO DEFENDS MELO?
He puts up 50+ with that last night.
Enjoy the Ride
by DigitalDaggers on Oct 30, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, Roy did last night
And yeah, he got pretty much what he wanted when he wanted it. With the team currently as it is, we don’t really have any lock down perimeter defenders. Roy and Martell try hard, but Martell isn’t super quick laterally and Roy tends to save himself for offense. So the onus is on Nate to change things around and make things difficult for high quality perimeter scorers. However, Nate hasn’t proven himself to be an defensive mastermind (see our attempt to defend Yao in the 1q of game 1 of the playoffs).
Good point
Against a team with a dominant SG or SF, Batum becomes essential. (When he gets back, obviously.) You’d have to throw him on Anthony, Paul, James or Bryant.
Webster shoulda...
Webster shoulda been in w/the job of getting Mr. Anthony to fill up the Fouls spot in his box score. Getting Carmelo fouled out of the game w/around 2 mins remaining would’ve been better than having both Nene and Kenyon foul out. So…
WAFOR is the lineup most likely to take away the scoring advantage presented by Carmelo.
And of that lineup, Webster is the player most likely to get Carmelo to commit the fouls.
Double-team... or hopefully Nic later... or the best defense is a great offense...
Several things: defense is typicaly (at least should be) a team oriented concept. Why we didn’t double Melo (like we could with any of the two guys but Oden in this lineup) I’ll never know. Second, when Batum comes back I’d put him in for Rudy on the D end. (There were certainly enough foul shots near the end to do this). Third, the goal is to outscore the opposition. Now, you can do that with D or O. I think this unit would score every time down the court, and as long as the opponents weren’t hitting 3’s, we should win…
Yes, but Roy will have to learn to play off the ball
But if we are thinking about forcing Oden to play in the post, we might as well force Roy to play off the ball.
Eventually, I think this will be the lineup. – Elgin
Travis Outlaw, the Funnel Cake of the Blazers
by 22baylor on Oct 30, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm not seeing Blake on anyone's list...
I must admit, I cringed when Blake went in in the 4th quarter last night.
Experimenting is much more tolerable when we win.
Loosing a close one, it gets real annoying.
"Travis went all wang-dang diddly wubba SPROING wow-wow on everybody " Dave's recap, season opener
He has to get his shot back
But I agree — if he’s in there, spreading the floor, that lets Roy take over in a way that he couldn’t last night.
Another lineup situation
I think in the second quarter of both the first two games (definitely the first game, I don’t remember about last night) we’ve seen Nate go with Blake and Miller together. Excuse me? I don’t like that one bit. I also feel like if the Blazers are playing two small guards together, it would be a no brainer to have Bayless be one of them. Seems like the ideal fit for him.
Also would’ve liked to see a bit of the attacking Bayless last night when the Blazers were ALLERGIC to the paint.
by tripdoubsalldetime on Oct 30, 2009 12:15 PM PDT reply actions
I'm mainly talking about penetration
But you’re right, his shot definitely isn’t there yet. Blake’s shot was off last night though too (understatement).
by tripdoubsalldetime on Oct 30, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Miller/Roy/Rudy/Aldridge/Oden
"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make." -The Beatles
Why not smallball?
Miller, Roy, rudy/martell, outlaw, aldridge.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
by premthegrem on Oct 30, 2009 12:27 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
defense
With our pourous perimeter defense, we need a to have a big in there to shut down the guards who will inevitably be driving to the hole after Blake/Miller/Fernandez “ole” on defense.
defense too
With our lack of perimeter defenders, it’s important to have a dominant big to deny the little guys who will inevitably get in the lane. LMA is many things, but a guy who can intimidate and block shots by driving guards is not one of them.
Rudy (in my personal opinion) is too erratic and turnover prone for him to finish games. I’d prefer a lineup like this one eventually:
Miller, Roy, Outlaw, Aldridge, Oden
Outlaw is a much better high pressure shooter (who can create his own shot) than Rudy is. Again, just my personal opinion from watching games. But I like a larger lineup late in games. Miller can drive to the hoop. So you have to play him honest. Roy can shoot from anywhere on the floor. Outlaw has a track record of success under pressure and can shoot from anywhere too. Then you have Aldridge and Oden near the paint. Heck, depending on the matchup you can play Aldridge away from the paint even. Gives Miller even more opportunity to be aggressive.
Regarding Hedo Türkoğlu:
Look at the bright side, Blazers fans -- you dodged a bullet. He peaked statistically two years ago. He's allegedly 30 but could be closer to 32 or 33 for all we know. (Do you trust Turkish birth certificates? And isn't it weird that he played four years of pro ball in Turkey in the 1990s?)
- Bill Simmons of ESPN.com
I wish they hadn't called the foul that sent Oden to the line
because Rudy had a wide open jumper that was going to go in. – Elgin
Travis Outlaw, the Funnel Cake of the Blazers
I think the call was totally wrong
On the replay, it didn’t look like much of a foul — but if it was one, then the guy who got pushed in the back was actually Webster. It should have been Webster at the line.
(I deleted the game in disgust as soon as it ended, but this is what I remember.)
Rudy shot the ball, anyway, after the whistle
if I remember the replay correctly, the ball didn’t go in. I’ll have to remember to check it, again
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Yeah but Rudy knew it wasn't live action and he just kind of flung the shot up there
He didn’t really concentrate and the adrenaline of being clutch wasn’t coursing through his veins because he heard the whistle and he knew from just before going up for the shot that it wasn’t live action.
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)
Last night and Aldridge is not a given.
It should have been Oden, Outlaw, Webster, Rudy, and Roy finishing the game. LMA was a non-factor all game and usually a non-factor in the 4th quarter. Outlaw brought energy and rebounding to the court. He’s also a guy who can spread the court with his shooting. There is absolutely no point to inserting Blake or Miller when you have a better off the ball shooter in Rudy and Roy acting as the PG. I would have also liked to see Webster guarding Carmelo instead of Roy.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
Roy,LA, Oden and...
whoever can make their free throws, play defense and not turn the ball over.
They gave the game away last night . Peel the paint Nate !!!
"That's just how I get down"........ Andre Miller
I'm with you
Unless they Blazers are down a bit then I might put Outlaw in for Oden.
What kind of outlook do you have on life if you're sitting there going ‘nitpick, nitpick, nitpick, nitpick.'
That is the most talented lineup
However, having Miller in really only makes sense if you let him run the offense. If Roy is just going to dominate the ball like he usually does at the end of games, it makes more sense to put in a shooter like Webster instead of Miller.
Foul trouble permitting
Get at me. I'll be the one rockin' the game worn Rudy jersey baaaaybeeee!!!!!!!!
I got love!!!!!
##
by Sir-1 on Oct 30, 2009 12:38 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Depends on matchups and game situation, but in general...
If you are trying to hold onto a lead in the final 4 mins or so:
Roy
Rudy
Webster
Aldridge
Oden
If you are down and need to make a late run
Roy
Rudy
Webster/Miller (matchups and hot hand being the deciding factor)
Outlaw
Aldridge
Foul trouble permitting
I’m using Roy, Aldridge, Oden, and Rudy every night to close games. The 5th player would be either Miller or Martel depending on flow and match ups. Travis would need to be having a very hot game to be considered for the 5th spot.
If the opposition has a big 3 who can score, such as last night with Carmelo, then Martel finishes games to match up defensively. If the opposition has smaller wings then I use Miller to finish games.
Get at me. I'll be the one rockin' the game worn Rudy jersey baaaaybeeee!!!!!!!!
I got love!!!!!
##
by Sir-1 on Oct 30, 2009 12:44 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I would try and be the tallest team so you get every rebound!
Go with
Greg
Pryzbilla
Lamarcus
Travis
and then Bayless because he could hide behind all of them.
I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden
length (is not always) > strength
it’s great to be tall when the ball is up in the air, and you’re tipping it around like a volleyball
but as soon as the ball hits the floor, the scrappy players will dig it out
you’ve got to be willing to stick your nose in there, without being afraid that it won’t be bloodied
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Frustrating
Reading some of the comments and thinking about it, gets me frustrated.
- We only have one player who has to be in the game, Roy.
- Miller would have to be in the game if he was on another team, or could play off the ball.
- Fernandez is good, but with him and Roy both in we either don’t have a pg, or we have an undersize sf. I worry about both these things most on defense.
- Oden should probably be in, but it sucks when he’s getting the ball knocked out of his hands or missing free throws. To be fair I thought he was great down the stretch against Hou.
- LA needs to toughen up.
- All that said. If I had to pick. I’d go
Blake, Roy, Oden, LA, Webster / Rudy (if Roy and Rudy can defend the other teams sf / sg okay, if not put in Martell)
Blake can play off the ball better than Miller, and he can bring it up the court and save Roy from doing that.
by desperationshot on Oct 30, 2009 1:39 PM PDT reply actions
I think a related, but more important issue is...
Letting Greg play with fouls. If he fouls out by halftime, so what, you got Joel, and then Juwan. None of those guys are getting in a groove because they keep getting yanked for getting fouls.
actually, that goes for everyone
Every single player on this team has a credible back-up. There’s no reason to save it. The only reason is if the players start easing up on D for fear of fouling out.
One thing about refs...
they are reluctant to call that sixth foul.. That’s one reason I’d like to see Nate leave guys out there with 5 fouls… You’re much less likely to get called on a ticky tack foul if you have 5 already.
Honestly any lineup which includes Webster late in games requires an aweful lot of faith. He was great in 07/08, but I’m not convinced he’s “back” yet. Give him a few more weeks. Until then, Outlaw is a far better option at the 3 late in games.
My 2c.
Regarding Hedo Türkoğlu:
Look at the bright side, Blazers fans -- you dodged a bullet. He peaked statistically two years ago. He's allegedly 30 but could be closer to 32 or 33 for all we know. (Do you trust Turkish birth certificates? And isn't it weird that he played four years of pro ball in Turkey in the 1990s?)
- Bill Simmons of ESPN.com
Webster was great?
As I recall, he was not great in 07-08. He was inconsistent and often ineffective. Sometimes he had offensive outbursts. So far he looks a lot better than he did back then.
Webster is better now because he is attacking the basket and penetrating the lane frequently
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)
Webster plays smarter than Outlaw
Outlaw is fine when you give him the ball and tell him to shoot. I don’t trust him to do anything else.
I will say that he appears to be hustling more this year and might just lean to use his athleticism to do more than score. If that happens, I might agree with you, for now. Martel will be better.
outlaw is tough to figure
He has one very specific and very valuable skill: the ability to create a shot for himself whenever he want to. Other than that, he tends to be a liability, although early returns show him giving more effort rebounding and on the glass. Playing outlaw in the last five mins of a game has to be situational, although I suppose you don’t mind him as an option for a last second shot.
Gonna go with three different options
Standard:
Roy
Rudy
Martell or Travis (whoever has it that night)
LMA
Oden
Against teams with superquick point guards:
Miller (to post him up)
Rudy (to run him ragged on D)
Roy
LMA
Oden
What I would like to see one day in the future (ie. dream scenario)
Bayless (to D up quick pgs)
Rudy
Roy
LMA
Oden
This is a no-brainer.
Roy- Duh
Rudy- Great 3 pt shooter and great without the ball
Outlaw- Other than Roy, the most clutch player on the team
Aldridge- Too good to keep off the floor
Oden- Defensive, size, rebounding
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
I agree fully.
Aldridge Roy Outlaw Oden Fernandez
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)
Well...
Roy- Of course
Webster- You need a three point threat late in games
Outlaw- I struggled with this one, but he is clutch
Aldridge- Crashes the offensive boards and can definitely score
Oden- Great on defense and rebounds well
Mark my words... Dante Cunningham will be an all star
Roy Fernandez Outlaw Aldridge Oden (A ROOF)
I’d go with Brandon at PG, Rudy at SG, Outlaw at SF, LMA at PF, and Oden of course at C. Now there’s a lineup that is good at closing out close games. Defensively it would be A ROOF.
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)
Who Plays Defense on Melo?
In your lineup.
Who guards LeBron? Who guards Kobe?
Swap Martell for Outlaw and I like it. Webster seems much better on defense than Outlaw at this point.
Enjoy the Ride
by DigitalDaggers on Oct 30, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Didn't Outlaw once win a game for us?
Or maybe it was twice, my memory is a bit fuzzy. Oh that’s right, he has six game winning shots. Why doesn’t anybody here want him on the floor at the end? He’s the only guy besides Roy who has proven he can create his own shot and make it with the clock running out. Roy and LMA are obvious, so for the other two spots I’d have Rudy and then have the 5th spot depend of matchups and who’s playing well. For me the most important thing is that Outlaw is out there. Not having your second best clutch player on the court is inexcusable.
Your confusing thesis has captured my attention. Tell me more.
I was actually really annoyed when Nate brought Blake back in to rest Miller
I jsut had this viebe that he should have gone with Webster to curtail Anthony a little. Sure Anthony was scoring on Webby, but he was doing the best job of anyone on him.
I’d say in that situation closing games rudy roy greg LA and either Webster or Outlaw depending on how trout is playing.
I'm not sure who the closing line up is...
but if they started clothes lining people at the end of the game…I would pay for the expensive seats…
"No disrespect to Jeff Blake"
by Eat Politicians on Oct 30, 2009 8:43 PM PDT reply actions
its all good
the ills that ache with the Blazers are all temporary afflictions. I have every confidence that the Blazers will discover what it is that makes them complete.
Although the Denver game ended in a loss – we have a lot more to point to as room for improvement than Denver. Denver had a perfect game from Melo to win. Not only did they get the perfect game, but they also needed a horrible shooting performance to make good on their opportunity.
The Blazers will find their groove, and when they do – the separation between the Blazers and the Nuggets won’t be a couple of missed free throws with 4 seconds left. If I were the Nuggets, I would be very concerned that they barely won a game in which the Blazers shot only 34%.
In other words – my take is that the things the Blazers did good are repeatable – but the things the Nuggets did good are much more difficult (Melo’s performance). The things the Blazers did bad are not within the Nuggets control to make happen again.
oden, aldridge, webster, roy, fernandez
until this lineup proves it can’t walk the ball up the court there is no question in my mind. nate actually went to this lineup for about 30 seconds with i think a minute and a half left last night. what the heck, man? and i’m sick of watching oden finish games that we lose with five fouls. if he’s got five fouls and we’re behind with five to go – put him back in!
by heybabydrinkyourmilk on Nov 2, 2009 1:54 PM PST reply actions
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