A Tale Of Two Outlaws

by Hulk on Mar 14, 2009 2:04 PM PDT

He's a much different player this year.

To see it, compare his February/March numbers with his November/December numbers. Blocks, assists, turnovers and fouls are roughly the same. But:

Shooting percentage: .420 to .513.

Free throw attempts/game (a measure of what Nate wants): 2.15 to 3.35.

Free throw percentage: .669 to .726.

Rebounds: 3.8 to 5.0

Points: 10.5 to 15.3

Imagine if we really had gotten rid of him at the trade deadline. Ow.

Among the league's top few fifth men? At the very least, he's that, no?

Tweet Comment 20 comments | 2 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

He's shut me up for the most part about not trading him

And I was one of his most vocal critics throughout the season. He’s getting the credit he deserves and he’s earned it. Beyond those offensive statistics you’ve listed, his defense has become much less of a liability.

by robrun2 on Mar 14, 2009 2:14 PM PDT reply actions

I think that his defense has been substantially better as of late.

I am not sure what it is but he has been so much more astute on the defensive end. That was always my biggest harp on Outlaw was how he could NOT play defense but he has sure gotten that figured out in the past couple of games. Obviously he still has a few “Ugh, Travis…” moments but they have sure been cut down.

by peseme16 on Mar 14, 2009 2:30 PM PDT reply actions

There is a lot of red on Outlaw's hotspot chart

by trailblazersfan on Mar 14, 2009 2:30 PM PDT reply actions

Too bad all of his shots come from the gray areas

Let’s not overstate his shooting.

by robrun2 on Mar 14, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions

huh?

57% of shots from the red area, 39% from the gray.

by Section323 on Mar 14, 2009 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Are you counting dunks?

by Eventine on Mar 14, 2009 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions

What are you talking about?

by Nick Van Excellent on Mar 14, 2009 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I was a vocal hater when it comes to travis...

I still am. He is a bonehead who makes boneheaded plays/decisions… but he (for me at least) is the guy on the team you are ok with being on the team, you just wish he didn’t do some of the things he did. Did this make sense?

by SamGoody on Mar 14, 2009 3:20 PM PDT reply actions

Imagine if he came into the season in shape and never thought he'd be traded.

If he played the first 3/5 of the season like this, where could the Blazers be now?

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I want to put points on your face."
-Rudy to Pau Gasol

TRADE TRAVIS OUTLAW FOR A CHAIR

by rockingharder on Mar 14, 2009 3:37 PM PDT reply actions

now if he can just stay in shape...

wink

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

by faith on Mar 14, 2009 4:00 PM PDT reply actions

I am completely fine

with Trout taking the last shot in a game down by one. His clutch factor and fourth quarter productivity has been among the Blazer’s best for the past two seasons.

by two buck chuck on Mar 14, 2009 4:18 PM PDT reply actions

I would compare Travis to

an 8th inning middle relief pitcher. A little bit unsung but very important nonetheless. Brandon is the closer, but how many times has Travis hit a huge shot to make it possible for Brandon to close? Maybe 6-8+ times?

by GUnit on Mar 14, 2009 4:24 PM PDT reply actions

Travis has shut us all up

he’s grown

by oregonslee on Mar 14, 2009 5:00 PM PDT reply actions

As have so many here

When it comes to Travis’ real value. He will never be a star but he’s more than capable and willing to be the hero. Let’s see how he performs in the playoff’s shall we?

A player like Travis doesn’t just happen every draft. The day Outlaw is no longer a Blazer will be a sad, sad day. My he be part of the best of all our hopes and dreams that lay just around the corner.

The Oden Era, Day 630

by Heymoe on Mar 14, 2009 5:52 PM PDT reply actions

actually thats kinda my beef with the man

He will never be a star but he doesn’t see that yet, so I’m a little concerned about how he will react when the franchise really starts treating him like a valued rotation player.

by SamGoody on Mar 14, 2009 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions

To me it seems he HAS accepted his role as a valued rotation player… He comes off the bench, sacrifices minutes, but is always there to hit the big shot… He is going to be very important to us in the playoffs no doubt

by two buck chuck on Mar 14, 2009 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions

oh i think he sees his role -- don't forget he's brandon's best friend

i think that quick article last summer was slanted to draw attention and controversy. if we had seen video we’d have seen the downhome droll wit outlaw displays when he’s relaxed and among his friends.

ignacio

by ignacio on Mar 14, 2009 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Imagine what he would have put up last night if he was on the other team

Are you following me camera guy? That's why I don't do 360 dunks anymore.

by Dragline on Mar 14, 2009 6:29 PM PDT reply actions

It is the 4th quarter

of the season, of course he is picking it up

Frye-lock and I'm on top rock you like a cop

by pklym on Mar 14, 2009 7:29 PM PDT reply actions

This season's team's Big 3 = Brandon, LMA, and Travis

Which is not to say I’m an enthusiastic superfan or his — nor a hater. But he’s VERY IMPORTANT to the current team and that should be acknowledged at a minimum.

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Mar 15, 2009 9:24 AM PDT reply actions