Martell Webster Cleared for 5 on 5
by Ben Golliver on Sep 3, 2009 2:56 PM PDT
in News
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PrintBoth Briant T. Smith and Joe Freeman are reporting that Martell Webster, who has been slowly rehabbing from a broken foot for the better part of a year now, has been cleared for 5 on 5 drills.
Smith writes...
Martell Webster is officially back.
The Portland Trail Blazers small forward has been cleared to participate in 5-on-5 action, according to a team representative.
Webster, 22, missed nearly the entire 2008-09 season due to a left foot injury.
...
Now that Webster has been cleared to play this season, he is expected to challenge Travis Outlaw and Nicolas Batum for the Blazers' starting small forward position during the team's upcoming training camp, which begins Sept. 29.
Freeman writes...
He fell short in an attempt to return in time for the playoffs last season and he's been compelled to take things sloth-like slow this offseason, but the wait is finally over for Trail Blazers small forward Martell Webster.
The one-time Blazers starter has been cleared for all basketball-related activities, according to general manager Kevin Pritchard, and is poised for a return when training camp opens later this month.
Not much to add here. Except that it's ridiculous he's still just 22 years old.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
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agreed. good day for blazers overall though, i’d say.
by pdxblazerfan88 on Sep 3, 2009 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Wrong
Contrary to popular belief, Trout is not starting three material. He’s a skinny four who can out-quick most fours at the offensive end, with the drawback that they tend to muscle him at the defensive end and on the boards. Another myth: that Martell is a two. Neither of these players handles the ball well enough to “move down.” It’s also questionable whether they can defend smaller opponents.
So the competition for the starting three spot is between Nic & Martell. And, if Martell loses that competition, don’t look for him to get many minutes behind Roy at the two.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
but it is possible that Nic and Martell could be the 2/3 on the floor. Nic is playing the 2 in Europe, showcasing a knack for getting into the lane.
"If the Lakers are Hollywood, then we are South Central." - Clipper fan.
yep
I have no fears that the backup 2 minutes could be adequately filled if Rudy was hurt or (eventually) traded. Bayless could also play alongside Blake or Miller, especially against smaller backcourts
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Webster can ball
He may not be a wizard with the ball but he can still slash a little. His style is swinging around scrreens ala Rich Hamilton and our own Rudy Fernandez and the crazy thing is he is bigger and stronger than both. Martell has proven he can score in spurts and has great range to pull defenders out of the key. This would help Miller, LMA, Oden, etc. Don’t underestimate the man just cause he was out all of last year.
by The Natural ala Mode on Sep 3, 2009 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Disagreed
I am a fan of Trout, but he still has the talent to challenge Martell, maybe this will be the incentive he needs.
His value shouldn’t depend on injuries but his value of what he brings to the team
It was determined at the end of last year by Nate that he was going to use trout as a back-up power forward because he didn’t fair to well at the 3. anyway that is the way I remember it.
I do agree that it will cut into his playing time.
Now, if they were to sign Lee both trout and LMA would probably lose playing time and that would be a sad day for trout as a Blazer.
hg
by BBK on Sep 4, 2009 3:21 AM PDT up reply actions
I voted for Batum
I suspect Nic will look over at Martell in the Blazers locker room and think to himself “don’t even think about it, big guy” like he did with Luke Jackson, last October
but Webster will be getting plenty of PT, and as long as everyone stays healthy there will be a trade to “thin the herd” at some point between the end of October and the middle of February
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
is today “national lurker day”? people are still reading but not commenting. it’s tripping me out. is this a junk drawer prank i don’t know about lol
The JD is not the cause of your problems… it is the solution
by The Arkitect on Sep 3, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec!
The JD solves all problems. If we can cure TIH’s impotence, we can help you!
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Sep 3, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
lol...
that’s so messed up…..
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
"New Man Law: If you don't show up for the draft you don't get to come later if you're picked. If you believe in yourself, show up and sit there. If nobody else believes in you, take it and cry like a man...in front of the cameras."
-Dave
I think you’re confusing opening pages and then quickly having to do some “real” work with reading.
We can’t all be independantly wealthy, globe hopping, jet setting, millionaire playboy Trailblazer bloggers.
:-)
The cowards never started
The weak died along the way
Only the strong survived
They were the Trailblazers
Finally these days are over
http://www.uncoached.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/nba-players-with-regulars-6.jpg
And i love martell but i just love what batum has to offer more
"shaq and zach randolph have the same trainer... "
best one liner i ever heard.
I like that
So many posters tries to shoot down other players to make their hero’s look better. That is crazy. You can chop any player down, but that does not make your player better.
I also feel the same way. Martell is great, but I see more value in Batman.
But look at the bright side, with Martell and Batuum playing the 3, we are as well covered in that spot as anybody in the NBA. Plus as Nate says, the starter at any position is not as important as who you match up with. Travis did lousy as a starter but is great as the 6th man. That may be overtaken by Rudy, but that doesn’t make Travis bad.
hg
by BBK on Sep 4, 2009 3:42 AM PDT up reply actions
i wasnt trying to make him look bad hehe
"shaq and zach randolph have the same trainer... "
best one liner i ever heard.
UDOKA!!!!
"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.
Starter @ 3 depends on starter @ 1
I think they pair up Miller and Webster for the latter’s 3-point shot. Whichever unit Miller winds upon, Webster’s with him. Blake has enough of a 3 for Batum or Travis (both of whom are no slouch at open 3s) to complement him.
In a surprise move, I voted for Travis. It’s his contract year, and I have a suspicion that because of a seemingly easy-going nature his biggest problem on the court stems from trying to motivate himself. Not to say that he doesn’t! Only he’s like a 99 on a scale of 100, but needs 100 to get himself to where he deserves the starting job (and a fat contract somewhere).
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Travis should've gotten himself motivated
last October, when Martell went down
snce then, the motivated Frenchman has blown by the easy-going Mis’sipan on the depth chart at 3
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
If Pendergraph and Cunningham step-up large enough this season,
Travis’ role on the team could well be limited to the last five minutes of the second and fourth quarters.
If Martell’s defense is better than Nic’s, then Martell should start. Otherwise, it is great to see Nic working his butt off on the other team’s best backcourt player.
I get the paper, so I don't care!
So there is no way you would want Martell to start?
Honestly, I wish Nate would start those who put more work/have more success at defense.
Either way, adding Martell is only good news. As a back-up, a trade piece, or just in practice sharpening up Batum, Webster is full of win.
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
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Am I allow to agree?
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Can you clarify what this question means? It sounds like you think I would never want Martell to start.
So there is no way you would want Martell to start?
I just want the best defender to start.
I get the paper, so I don't care!
I'm just joking that it is unlikely that another wing player will out defend Nico.
But if Martell can do it, I definitely want him to start.
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
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Ah, I get it. Yeah, based on recent history Nic is the best defender.
I get the paper, so I don't care!
Well, that might be where we disagree.
Based on all history, Martell has never been the defensive presence that Batum had in his rookie season.
Therefore, after a year of sitting, I highly doubt that Martell can instantly pass Batum.
Not saying he can never do it, because Martell has the body to be a very good defender on LeCrab type players.
Just that I would be surprised if it were to happen soon.
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
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As I said above
Having both Batuum and Webster at 3 regardless of who starts has that spot well taken. Maybe not this year, but in a couple of years our two small forwards will be the best in the NBA.
hg
by BBK on Sep 4, 2009 3:49 AM PDT up reply actions
As a combo, I think they would, but not necessarily individually.
Joel can’t compare to very many centers in the NBA but Him and Oden together makes for an awesome duo. So with the same analogy it is possible in two years with both of them growing rapidly that they could conceivably be the best twosome at the three in the NBA.
Now you have to realize I am a hooked homer and I get my evaluation from other posters since I am forced to not watch and I am hard at hearing so my analogy is mostly based on reading. But from reading, I think they might be the best twosome at the 3 in the NBA.
I do agree they don’t have to be the best. I wasn’t counting Kobe or James because the play what ever position they want.
hg
Yeah
You could play Lebron for 40 mpg and Samwise the Hobbit for 8 mpg, and you’d have a better SF combo.
"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue
now wait just a minute
IIRC, Sam had a pretty good game against the spiders!
(and I’m not talking about the University or Richmond)
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
You're correct.
We should simply give our SFs magical swords to stab their opposition.
Lebron who? Oh, you mean the dead one?
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
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How many times do we have to be told it does not matter who starts???
Should we believe them? NO!
Minutes and who finishes are separate subjects. Most players WANT to start!
There is more to an athlete than how fast they can run, they also better be able to see what they are doing and know why they are doing it.
by KINGofMACct on Sep 3, 2009 5:02 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I voted for Nic on opening night.
I think Martell (if healthy) starts in the playoffs, however I think Nic Batman is a star in the making. Batum should be untouchable. I have never had such a strong hunch about a young blazer player that was not a high draftpick.
He did it! Yes he did!
Martell. When you practice dribbling you aren't suppose to look at the ball.
Keep your eyes past the defender.
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
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he's trying to be like Clyde
but there was only one #22
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
actually, there were more
http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/numbers.cgi?number=22
I wonder if Clyde had to pay Jeff Judkins for the double-deuce in training camp, back in ’83?
Clyde Mayes played 5 games with the ‘76-’77 Blazers? (Now there’s an answer to a trivia question, like who was the 5th Beatle?)
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mayescl01.html
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
all other 22s hope to measure up to me
Elgin Freaking Baylor. Even Clyde wishes he were as good as I was. And I love Clyde. – Elgin
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
Yeah, I don't mind if he looks during the game.
Much better than getting the ball stolen…
But practice?
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
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They found me I don't know how but they found me....
marty, “who!? WHO?!”…
doc brown, “who do you think!? THE LYBIANS!!!!”
“RUN FOR IT MARTY!!!”….
Martell is > Kobe/Jordan…. (math was never my thing you figure it out)
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
"New Man Law: If you don't show up for the draft you don't get to come later if you're picked. If you believe in yourself, show up and sit there. If nobody else believes in you, take it and cry like a man...in front of the cameras."
-Dave
you're not thinking fourth-dimensionally!
“yeah Doc, I have a real problem with that…”
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Sep 3, 2009 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
this is mine
“I foresee two possibilities. One, Jennifer coming face to face with her former self would put her into shock and they’d simply pass out. Or two, the encounter could create a time paradox, the results of which could cause a chain reaction that would unravel the very fabric of the space time continuum, and destroy the entire universe! Granted, that’s a worse case scenario. The destruction might in fact be very localized, limited to merely our own galaxy.”
“Well, that’s a relief”
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Anyone who who thinks Miller should start then said Batum should start is a hypocrite
I love Martell already. How perfect
Im so done w/ all you nic batum fan.boys
it’s embarrasing.
Martell Webster FTW
The Tom
yeah now you go to sarcasm because u got owned
by tominhawaii on Sep 3, 2009 5:33 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I never know when your being serious.
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
"New Man Law: If you don't show up for the draft you don't get to come later if you're picked. If you believe in yourself, show up and sit there. If nobody else believes in you, take it and cry like a man...in front of the cameras."
-Dave
I'm at about 50% on this one
I think the best player should start and I think there will be hypocrisy on this issue.
yeah now you go to sarcasm because u got owned
The 50% that was fattytalk
I’m guessing that was the not serious part.
"HA HA HA HA HA
I'm not laughing, I'm just listing the five ugliest Blazers ever."
- rockingharder
pour a little beer on the curb for fatty
He’s ballin’ up in heaven now…sniff…I’ll miss em….cough
"No disrespect to Jeff Blake"
by Eat Politicians on Sep 4, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I picked Martell
I just have this feeling that Nate is going to go all ‘loyal’ on us – at least for the first gam of the year – and start:
- Martell over Nic (because you don’t lose your job due to injury)
- Blake over Dre (Blake knows the set offense better)
- Roy and LA (big $ guys)
- and, the really interesting one, Joel over Greg. (Joel knows the set O better)
which would leave us with Dre, Rudy, Nic, Travis, and Greg as our #2…
And I tell ya, #2 beats #1 in practice at least 30% of the time… What a fast break unit that would be…
Where did I put that time machine, I want it to be Halloween already…
by Visionary2 on Sep 3, 2009 5:44 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Like it was said earlier
Martell will be in the same unit as Dre. Nic will be in the same unit as Blake.
The NBA: Where amazingly bad officiating happens, is encouraged, and rewarded.
RT: #2 beats #1 in practice at least 30% of the time
If they didn’t have Roy and LMA, the starters would never score on the bench, during practice. Except for maybe a few contested 3 pointers…
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I've said that over and over.
IMO as of right now your two line-ups is the way it should be, also I have said over and over that the second unit would be a fast-breaking high scoring mean machine.
Somebody said that may be true but could they stop any one?
hg
by BBK on Sep 4, 2009 4:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Who starts? Martell or Nic? Joel or Go? Miller or Blake?
I can’t take it anymore.
I’m honestly not going to think about who starts again until October!
That’s right, not for 4 weeks.
Not for 28 days!
I gotta worry about something else until October.
Let’s see … Who finishes? Rudy or Martell or Nic? Joel or Go? Miller or Blake?
I feel better already.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Sep 3, 2009 6:04 PM PDT reply actions
we should have an interactive tote board
and keep track of the “horse race” at the starting 1,3,5
complete with hourly updates, during training camp
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Half of them will be injured by October
So we’ll just choose the ones that aren’t broken to start…
Wow, now I’m depressed…
"No disrespect to Jeff Blake"
by Eat Politicians on Sep 3, 2009 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions
depth is good
and as the GM always says about not enough PT “these things have a way of working themselves out”
(which is why I always try to couch my Outlaw trade suggestions with a caveat, like “assuming everyone stays heathy…”)
you never know…one of these years it might actually happen!
the biggest area of concern right now is…what do they do if Greg/Joel/LMA get seriously hurt? Play Pendergraph? Ouchie
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Relax. The truth is that there is probably no bad combination
of Blazer players in the top 10 from which Nate could build a starting five and reserve five, unless you’re clowning.
Remember the worry board
It does not good to worry about anything we don’t have control over, but if I didn’t have anything to worry about, I would create something to worry about. Is that also you LOL?
hg
by BBK on Sep 4, 2009 4:08 AM PDT up reply actions
I hope he's healed up
Martell was primed for a breakout last year, I think if he’s healthy he’ll be a huge addition
Team Bayless - The takeover begins in 2009
well now there is the rub, isn't it?
IF IF IF IF he’s healthy.
Gosh I hope so. Because I agree he is a special talent and he’s ready to shine after all his hard work.
Defenseless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.
-W.H. Auden
Who Should?
is different than Who Will?
Fantastic News! Good to be able to ask any question at all about Webster’s playing time. Martell is a talented player, and yes, wow, only 22! As KP said, just like adding another free agent. A BIG add.
I’m really hoping that “starting” will be de-emphasized and the focus will be on match-ups and player combinations. And running you tail off in the minutes you are lucky to get.
but I’ll bite…
Nic will and I also think he should start. Same as Joel and Blake. Will, because Sarge said he wants to go with the same starting lineup and I expect him to do what he says, barring a totally unlikely total meltdown in pre-season. Should because I want Miller and Oden to have max time together and I like them paired with the outside shooting of Martell, Rudy, and Outlaw. Oden/Outlaw/Martell/Rudy/Miller, as a bench! That is going to be a handful for other teams.
Nic is also a good R&L match as the early offense runs through them, Nic lifts the toughest defensive burden from Roy, while Blake camps and feasts on the line. Joel is the defensive anchor with no offense required in the starting unit while Oden’s defense will be needed to back up his offensive minded guards and he will have more opportunities on offense with Miller on the second team .
I just don’t get a great feel for how the second unit meshes with moving Oden and Miller to starters. {Joel/Outlaw/Nic/Rudy/Blake? led by?} Granted, this is all imagined against generic opponents. The playoffs would probably also change that perspective, but the regular season also needs to be used to develop players. What a fortunate dilemma. The Blazers essentially have two starting lineups of talent; can’t they think of ways to take advantage of that?
BUT, hopefully none of that prima donna Who Starts stuff will happen, as time should, and I expect ,will be doled out based on situations, match-ups, and performance. I’m wishing Nate the best in juggling this, but I think his experience with USA Olympic Basketball will be a big help as they had to switch and swap and platoon positions in a line-up full of superstars. I hope he is flexible enough to try out all sorts of line-ups to see what clicks. I’ll be looking for the Greg/Outlaw/Martell/Rudy/Roy and Greg/LMA/Martell/Roy/Miller (Roy/LMA left, Oden/Miller right, Martell deep)!
I wish Nate would make it a No Starters club and rotate his players and match-ups freely. Run it like a fast paced college squad that is always rotating fresh players in, allowing the players to give their all at all times. Got 10? Use ’em. That would actually mean Less regular season minutes for Roy / LMA / Joel / Blake / Miller 30 – 32 for the big 2, but often Less due to strong victory. Greg as many as he can stay out of foul trouble. All the others about 18 – 24.
Going all out… call it a
BLAZING FIRESTORM!
(oops, sorry LA, unintended pun… but anyone can feel free to steal it for a game sign)
Thanks Ben and Dave for doing such a great job. Always, Great comments from the mob.
by Sashland on Sep 3, 2009 9:05 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Having certain players start
is very important for a basketball team. Never knowing when you’ll be playing messes with players’ minds. If they have a specific role they are more efficient. So it’s very important to stick with a consistent starting lineup. Situational rotations at the end of a game are fine, but you have to start the game off on the right foot.
"HA HA HA HA HA
I'm not laughing, I'm just listing the five ugliest Blazers ever."
- rockingharder
by jamon51 on Sep 3, 2009 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Terrific input
I like your whole scenario. I asked the question once of how could Miller play with all the players if he could make them all better,and the answer I got was the two units would very seldom be separated, much like keeping either LMA or BRoy in the game at all times, rotate the players at different intervals as you said. That way all ten players could play with all the other players.
That is also my take on what you said. Maybe you was the one that answered my question.
Anyway, your scenario sounds great.
hg
by BBK on Sep 4, 2009 4:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Nate is traditionalist oldschool
so I think he sees it jamon51’s way and will strive to keep the same starting lineup as last year as long as its working. I just happen to think he also should start Nic, Blake, and Joel because of better synergies. I also happen to seriously like the second unit mix better that way too (noting that 2 or 3 ‘bench’ players will get more minutes than the ‘starters’).
I wasn’t the one who pointed out that Nate kept either Roy or LMA on court at virtually all times last year but it was a good point and interesting if he will still play it that way this year with Miller added on. And yes, the overall mixing will be more rotation that swapping out all 5 at once but Nate does to tend use groupings of players in substitution.
I think Nate may have the best job in the NBA if his problem is too much talent. I also think the team should use their depth to its advantage, especially pushing the defensive intensity. Think UCLA, John Wooden, and the early Bill Walton. KP came through, Now I’ll just trust in Nate (and his Olympic preparation).
What has Martell been able to do up until now?
How long is it going to take to get him back into the swing of things? I mean if he took a year off, and he’s just now being allowed to play 5 on 5 wouldn’t it take him at least half the season to get back into the same form he was in at the start of last year?
Hopefully not that long
but it will take a while.
He’s been doing other things so his conditioning shouldn’t be too bad.
"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue
the 3
I expect Batum to start, but if Martell does, then hallalujah.
Because I have no doubt in my mind that Batum is going to be playing starter-caliber bball.
If Martell starts, it will be because he is playing even better than that.
And that would be great for the Blazers.
by lsjogren on Sep 4, 2009 10:09 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Well stated
"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue
Outlaw should start
He’s the best player.
Of course there are only 17 of us who voted that way, and probably half of them are funnin’.
Nic 1055
Martell 672
An ironic answer 93
Rudy 55
Outlaw 17
I’m pulling for the underdog. – Elgin
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
the best player by adjusted +/- is Batum by a mile. Outlaw is the best scorer, but his rebounding and defensive deficiencies cause him to be better coming off the bench.
Furthermore, if Travis were to start, he’d have done it last year… last year, when the previous year’s starter was injured and his only competition was a raw French rookie expected to be in the D-league.
"If the Lakers are Hollywood, then we are South Central." - Clipper fan.
Batum's adjusted +/-
is basically an illusion. The guy played 3/4’s of his minutes with BOTH of Aldridge and Roy on he floor, and something like 90% of his minutes with at least one on the floor (Martell’s percentages were something like 48% and 75%, respectively). That’s just simply too small a sample size to generate reliable controls.
You might as well say that our team was much better whenever Aldridge and Roy were on the floor together, which isn’t exactly a major revelation.
Chad Buchanan's comments re: Batum shed some light on the Blazer's SF position
For Nicolas Batum, the distinction between his role on the Trail Blazers and the French national team isn’t as distinct. He starts at small forward for both teams and should be considered one of the best defenders on either squad, but according to Buchanan, he does take on more of the scoring load when he’s playing with Les Bleus.
"Nicolas has made great strides this off-season and his role on French team is a little different than what you see from him for us," said Buchanan. "Tony Parker is obviously the focal point of the French team and he is the primary decision maker the majority of the time, but you will see the team run some plays for Nic to put him in position to go score the ball. He plays more aggressive with the ball for his French team than he does for us, but that is because we don’t need him to be looking to attack as much – we need him to help keep the floor balanced and spread. With the French team he has become the second or third option for them offensively – and he will guard literally every backcourt position at times for them."
http://trailblazerscentercourt.blogspot.com/2009/09/are-you-ready-for-some-eurobasket.html
So for some of us who can’t wait to see Nic bring his agressive/slashing style to the Blazers this fall, we may be in for a disappointment. And that’s by design
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
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- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
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