Martell Webster - NBA MIP 2009-2010

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 12:46 PM PST Comment 44 comments

I'm saying it now.

Martell Webster for NBA's MIP in 2009-2010.

After sitting out all last season he is playing with HOT FIRE in his belly. It sucks to sit out injured, and he certainly looks happy and focused now that he's back and playing. Martell locked Kevin Durant down last night in Oklahoma and made Carmelo Anthony work hard every possession when he checked him during the Denver game.

Defense wins Championships...and I think it can win NBA MIP awards too.

Of course Webster can stroke it on offense as well, only helping his case if he keeps his pace.

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Love me some Webster.

He could be a very good cantidate for the award. But no one on the Blazers gets any national recognition. It may be well deserved, but unlikely, IMO.

Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.

by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Nov 2, 2009 1:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

One good sign...

…is that Martell has been showing up in SportsCenter’s top-10 plays recently!

Helps that National Recognition a little. :)

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 1:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure about locking Durant down...

Durant just missed a lot of shots including many wide-open ones.

It would be a great story but only time will tell. I like what I am seeing but there is a long ways to go…

"Do me a favor. Put your lip over your head... and swallow." Max Goldman

by clinchmobb on Nov 2, 2009 1:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Durant missed a lot of pretty open, easy shots

On another day when he wasn’t so absolutely ice cold, Durant could have put 50 on Webster shooting those exact same shots against the exact same defense.

That said, Webster definitely has showed a fire that I’ve never seen from him and would never have expected. He was of the few bright spots thus far in the opening games.

by matthewcc on Nov 2, 2009 1:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Durant "Off"

Maybe.

I suggest this read here: http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/11/2/1111637/charting-martell-websters-defense

Martell was awesome last night, basically. :)

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 2:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

There is no comparison between him this year and last year

He is literally infinitely better.

Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.

by pualo on Nov 2, 2009 1:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think he has a better chance to win comeback player of the year.

by jksnake99 on Nov 2, 2009 2:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Martell has been really impressive

I dont know if he has made that big of a splash nationally to win any awards tho. I would assume the casual NBA fan has noticed Frye’s improvement over Martell’s. Defense is kinda hard to quantify…and if you glance at stats (which a lot of casual fans do), it’s kind of hard to deny Frye. I’m not saying Frye is a front runner for it…I’m just saying off hand its easier to notice Frye’s improvements than it is Martell’s.

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by Philthyanimal on Nov 2, 2009 2:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

SportsCenter top 10 plays

At least Martell is getting some national love on ESPN! :)

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 3:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

well I know of a guy named Bo Outlaw

who had a bunch of top 10 plays as well.

Senior Asian ambassador of Blazers Edge

by Philthyanimal on Nov 2, 2009 4:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL @ bo outlaw

god that whole mixup is funny and not funny at the same time

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 5:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see how anyone can dog on Webster for Carmelo's points

he busted his ass against Carmelo, and made him work pretty darn hard for those points. Carmelo is an all star and Webster is still just a role player…but it’s hard to deny the fact that Webster did a pretty admirable job, and didnt really take plays off…something that can’t be said about a lot of the players on our team.

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by Philthyanimal on Nov 2, 2009 4:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Webster checks Carmelo.

Carmelo finishes with 40+ points.

Good D?

Go Blazers!

by Rip City Mike on Nov 2, 2009 3:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Were you there?

Did you even watch the game or just read the box-score?

Martell made Melo work hard on offense. Nate pulled Martell of of Melo down the stretch, and that is when Denver force-fed Melo and Melo scored most of his points. Also, Martell drew at least one offensive foul on Melo.

I put that loss on Nate pulling Webs off of Melo.

Ben should do a touch-chart for Melo vs. Webster.

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 3:36 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

This has been said many times

Most of those points were against other defenders. Especially the 19 he had in the 4th quarter when Martell was sitting on the bench. That night does illustrate that Martell is a far better defensive option than either Trav, Rudy or Roy, which is positive considering the fact that this was a major question mark with him coming back.

Don’t get me wrong, if Batum was not injured he would go against the kobe/wade/durant types just like he did last year. However, I think Martell would be the one checking the Melo/Lebron types whether Batum was here or not.

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 2, 2009 3:38 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

OK

I concede this point. After watching him lock down Durant, I’m sold on his defensive progress. How do you think he stacks up to Nic?

(Btw I watched both games on TV)

Go Blazers!

by Rip City Mike on Nov 2, 2009 5:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Batum

I put Batum just a notch below Martell on defense because Martell can body up to bigger opponents a bit better.

Batum is awesome good though and I can’t wait until he gets back on the court. He is our other best perimeter defender for sure!

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 5:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Batum vs. Webster

So then should Webster get the start over Batum when Nic returns?? Martell’s offense looks great; so does his D. But then, Nic is a great defender and has shown flashes of greatness in offense.

And what are your predictions on the Atlanta Hawks game?

Go Blazers!

by Rip City Mike on Nov 2, 2009 5:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd keep starting Martell

But I’d give Batum a good amount of minutes and cut back on Outlaw’s minutes (if i had to pick between them)

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 5:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

I think Webster is working hard but is not as good defensively as Batum.

by jksnake99 on Nov 2, 2009 5:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope they Battle it out...

…to see who the best defender is once Batum gets back!

I love them both. :)

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 5:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Martell's been a nice surprise

I wasn’t sure he would be able to help after missing all that time, but he’s done a good job.

by jksnake99 on Nov 2, 2009 5:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nic is the best perimeter defender on this team

That has not changed. Nic is more versatile as he can guard sf, sg and even some pg and will go against players like Kobe and Wade who Martell wouldn’t have the lateral quickness to guard effectively. I don’t know who will get the starting role when Nic recovers, if Martell keeps playing good D and showing an offensive skillset that exceeds what Nic is capable of then I guess its a toss up.

For the record – I would go with Nic as starter but Martell getting more minutes, maybe 20 to 25 split.

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 2, 2009 6:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nic vs. Webs

Nic can guard PG-SF

Webs can guard SG-PF

Both quite versatile. :)

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 7:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Um ok

I don’t see it that way. Martell is suited to guarding the 3 and the 3 only. Lateral quickness is required to guard most 2’s in the NBA and while there are quite a few shooting 4’s nowadays, most are 6’9" or over so would be a tough cover. As far a post D goes, I don’t see that as a strength of Martell’s and wouldn’t really want him down there fighting with the low post/banger type 4’s.

Nic meanwhile, has the quickness to do a good job on guards, with the length and athleticism to guard most 3’s (Lebron, Melo type excluded). He could probably do a better job on those shooting 4’s as well, as he is taller and has a better wingspan. So you could say he can guard 1-4, although I think that is a bit of a stretch, just not as much as it is for Martell.

In summary, Nic has better defensive tools and fundamentals and as a result is more versatile. Martell is suited to guarding one position and so far this year is doing a great job by playing intense D against opposing 3’s while also bringing his very useful offensive skillset.

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 2, 2009 8:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yepers

I agree with this

by In Walks Rudy on Nov 2, 2009 8:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

aaron brooks

do you put nic on him?

nic guards about as many PGs as martell guards PFs.

Martell is actually a SG naturally, or at least that’s what he’s played most of his life. Listed as SG: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2795

Webster can guard the other teams best 2 or 3. Nic can guard the other teams best 2 or 3.

Nic is a little quicker, Martell a little stronger. I see them both playing SG/SF, but both have the ability to swing one position over. Martell to PF based on size, and Nic to PG based on quickness.

Your Point: Nic is Quicker
My Point: Martell is Stronger

You think Nic is slightly better as a starter because he is quicker.

I think Martell is slightly better as a starter because he is stronger.

I like debating how awesome Nic and Martell are.

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 8:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I too enjoy debating the merits of our players

However you have oversimplified my argument there.

Your point: Martell is stronger
My point: Nic is quicker, longer and fundamentally better at defense

As for the question about Aaron Brooks – I would put Nic on him before I would put Martell on Dirk or Bosh or Amare. I would also prefer Nic guarding him before Blake or Miller. Brooks is one of the fastest point guards in the game – almost no one can defend him effectively so making you point based on the fact that Nic couldn’t guard him either is rather defunct.

I would say Nic could effectively guard around 50% of starting NBA point guards and a few power forwards depending on the matchup. Martell can probably guard 50% of NBA shooting guards effectively and, IMO, very few or no power forwards. I also think that the evidence we have seen from Nic last year and from Martell this year (granted its only been 4 games) backs up this assertion.

BTW Those positional classifications always have flaws and Martell being listed as a shooting guard is clearly one of them. He has been a 3 ever since Roy was drafted and before that only played 2 because the Blazers were horribly undermanned. Ask Nate or KP or even most people here what position is best for Martell – they’ll say small forward.

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 2, 2009 9:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Offense

Martell gives an added dimension of offense that the Blazers could use. He’s got crazy mad hops.

Btw, who thinks I should make a post comparing the two players?

Go Blazers!

by Rip City Mike on Nov 2, 2009 9:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Martell

…has the ability to completely take a game over…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMVXnJDBtnI

Both players can stroke a good 3 ball, but I’d give Martell the edge on offense right now.

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 9:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have seen the 24 point quarter

and know that is what the link is without even clicking it.

It has nothing to do with their defensive merits which was what we were evaluating in this little discussion.

As I said previously, Martell brings a very useful offensive skillset which is undoubtedly more advanced than Nic’s – no argument there.

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 2, 2009 9:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I figure we can agree to disagree

on who is the better defender. I definitely get your points on Batum’s length and quickness being huge assets to our team.

…and at least agree that Martell has the edge on offense right now… :p

Enjoy the Ride

by DigitalDaggers on Nov 2, 2009 9:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Though Nic’s been showing flashes of brilliance, even jamming on Gasol once, I think.

I think Wheels’ radio call was “Right in Gasol’s bearded face”

Go Blazers!

by Rip City Mike on Nov 2, 2009 9:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

refer to my previous post

Already made that point and it is the valid reason why Martell may keep the starting spot when Nic returns.

A comparison post would be pretty premature at this point as we are 4 games into the year but perhaps given some time (20 games of so) it would be worth revisiting via a fanpost.

Also, this is just a heads up but there are rules about how many fanposts people put up in a row or in a short space of time I believe. You’re doing good work but perhaps just space it out more so it doesn’t clog up the sidebar too much (this can be a real problem during the season here)

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 2, 2009 9:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough

This really is an interesting discussion; I think after a few more games I will make a fanpost and compare the merits of the two players.

Much respect for MadBlaze and DigitalDaggers. Keep up the good work, fellas.

Go Blazers!

by Rip City Mike on Nov 2, 2009 9:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice discussion

One side point.

As for the question about Aaron Brooks – I would put Nic on him before I would put Martell on Dirk or Bosh or Amare.

I would put Nic on Brooks and have him back off enough to somewhat negate the quickness — with his length, he can still put a hand in Aaron’s face if he goes up for a jumper.

I wouldn’t hesitate to put Martell on Bosh. Martell could handle Bosh in the post reasonably well, which isn’t really Chris’ game anyway. And he is quick enough to negate a lot of things Bosh likes to do.

I would only put Martell on Amare or Dirk in a crunch. It might work out, but you wouldn’t want to count on it.

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

by jscot on Nov 2, 2009 11:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough

I think Bosh gets 20 boards if Martell was his primary defender but I see what you’re saying about his quickness causing problems.

Apart from that, I agree. You managed to say pretty much what I was trying to, just far more eloquently!

"What happened to Bayless anyway? Did he turn into a pumpkin? Most teams don’t just let #11 picks rot." - Xiane

by MadBlaze on Nov 3, 2009 1:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Webster is definitely

Looking a lot more confident setting the ball on the floor this season. Two years ago he wouldnt make more than a couple dribbles before giving up the ball, havent seen him doing that as much so far this season.

by calebEOC on Nov 2, 2009 9:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

This is all a little nuts, especially as regards Martell's offense.

He’s showing a tiny bit more than 2 years ago, but it’s SO EARLY. He’s certainly not someone you’d ever give the ball to and say, “Get us a basket, okay? There’s only 18 seconds left in the game.”

Didn’t he just play 36 minutes and score 2 pts? Oh joy, he made a dunk. Let’s see him average 13 pts/gm.

ignacio

by ignacio on Nov 2, 2009 9:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs