Here's a little something to help turn the page from last night. As you know, Travis Outlaw has been rehabbing from a foot injury and is set to return within the next month or so. As has been reported, Outlaw has been working under the supervision of Assistant Coach Monty Williams.
I thought I'd give you a diagram of one of the drills he was working on last week.
In the picture, the orange dots are cones that Williams set up roughly 8-10 feet from the rim to represent a screener. The Blue figure 8 represents the path that Outlaw runs. The hard blue lines is where he would run and cut at full speed, the dashed blue lines is where he would go roughly 1/2 speed, as if setting up his man for a screen. The Black spots are where Outlaw would receive a pass, as he comes curling off a screen, and take the no-dribble shot. The coach serves as the passer stands at the top of the key.
The beauty of this drill is its simplicity and versatility. All Williams needs is 2 cones, 2 basketballs and a ball shagger. No fancy equipment whatsoever. A coach might teach this to middle schoolers in less than 2 minutes.
While simple, there are a number of benefits to this drill, especially for a player coming off an injury.
First, there's the endurance factor. The coach can challenge the player to make X number of shots or continue through the drill for X number of minutes. As it is continuous movement a fatigue factor sets in, which is great for development.
Second, there's the change of pace and footwork involved in navigating the cones as well as learning to naturally find the spot on the court. As the player runs through the drill a few times, the coach might insist that the player keep eye contact on the ball handler as he weaves through the drill rather than looking down at the cones or at his feet.
Third the shots are taken in game-like situations and are taken on the move. Coming back from a foot injury can be as much mental as physical (trusting your feet in various situations). Regularly shooting on the move during practice helps build a player's comfort level mentally for game situations. Of course, the cones can be moved around the court to work (up towards the foul line or out towards the baseline) on specific areas of focus too.
The Blazers coaches usually keep counts of how a player is shooting as he works through a drill like this. Generally they just count makes. Sometimes players are instructed to keep their own counts to make sure they maintain focus or are paying attention in group drills.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
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Ben Golliver
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I dunno. Maybe it's just me, but I'm seeing something kind of
phallic, with maybe an x-ray look at some strange plumbing down there.
#52
by CatMan2 on Feb 7, 2010 1:59 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
exactly
I mainly follow this blog on google reader. The mischievous, twisted person inside of me had to come and see the comments to make sure I wasn’t the only one with their mind in the gutter.
This one is obvious.
And as a side note, I am going to run this drill in my bball practice tonight for the JV boys. Looks excellent, and exactly what we need to work on.
Gotta love our coaching staff for this kind of stuff
"Everyone knows who you are; but only your friends know why."
- Rich Amato
Outlaw's return is going to muddy the waters even more
Overlapping players currently on the roster:
Roy
Bayless
Fernandez
Batum
Webster
Outlaw
Cunningham
Blake
Balancing the Roster has a been a major discussion topic all season. The question in my mind has always been – what position do you upgrade and who do you target to accomplish that upgrade?
Most would agree that another big body with some versatility would help. But what if the Blazers could simultaneously replace 4 overlapping players with one player – a player that does most of what those four players can do (and what that one can’t, others on the roster can??)
Iguodala + Dalembert for Webster/Fernandez/Outlaw/Blake/Przbilla
Rather than treat this as rosturbation or critique the trade on whether either team would pull the trigger, consider the impacts on playing style (the trade does work under the cap, BTW):
1) The Blazers get an all-around player that is less prolific from 3-point land, but much better at attacking the rim and drawing fouls than anyone in the outgoing group. This player also knows Miller, and can play off the ball.
2) The Blazers become a better defending team
3) The Blazers become much less likely to go through long scoring droughts
4) Batum becomes a super sub that can rotate in at three positions
5) Cunningham gets a bigger role
6) Bayless plays more point guard
The last three points are minutes issues – but also would clarify roles.
Such a trade would transform the Blazers. There’s no guarantee you could make all the parts work by the time the playoffs role around – but I’m betting there would be significant improvement.
The primary point to this post, however, is that we have some very tradeable assets (good players with good contracts) that could be leveraged to fix some roster deficiencies (minutes/attackers/defenders/bigs) without needing to wait for some young players to develop into their prime….
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 7, 2010 1:22 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I'd take Rudy out of that trade. He has a small contract and I'd rather see some kind of round
pick or cash than lose Rudy. Does the trade still work if you take him out? I think the others are good enough to get the trade.
Salaries
Tried including Patty Mills instead of Rudy, but was $52K off. None of the second round contracts balance the trade (Cunningham/Pendy/Mills).
Howard works – but he is much less of a trade asset – other than he has a 1-year expiring contract. That might actually do it – but I went conservative from a talent perspective.
So can KP pay the $52K? I think they paid cash with the Sergio trade. I think Rudy
needs to stay. He can create his own shot, shoot 3pt shots, RUN, pass..and his contract is minimal. If Webster and Blake go…Batum and Rudy and Roy and probably LA can shoot 3s…also I believe Brandon can shoot the 3.
I like Rudy as much as anyone
but there are substantial issues to resolve:
1) He doesn’t look to get a lot of minutes even if Webster/Blake/Outlaw leave (he doesn’t have a lot of incentive to stay in Portland beyond his current contract)
2) He is an exciting player, but his major limitation is getting to the rim and drawing fouls
He brings positive contributions and I’m not a Rudy hater. Rather, I see Rudy as an expendable piece relative to Roy, Batum and someone like Iguodala.
If he was a little more versatile and could play more point guard, I’d find another way.
it's still a little "early" to be trading Rudy
like you, I’ve seen the potential logjams at the 2/3 positions for awhile, and only injuries have prevented the situation from coming to a head (although the first month of this season was a harbinger, even while Nic was out) There’s at least 2 reasons why KP would pass on trading Fernandez on Feb 18
1) Concern about Roy’s hamstring
2) The feeling that Rudy’s not quite all the way recovered from his back surgery, and that may drive down his trade value around the league
“The art of the deal” is knowing when to pounce, right now there’s no incentive for NBA GMs to “overpay” for Rudy, and there are good reasons for KP to hang onto him (he’s cheap and Roy’s gimpy) Things could change between now and this summer, but right now Blake and Outlaw have to be more on KP’s mind (as well as the other GMs) because of their expiring contracts. If KP can somehow flip one or both of them for a big man, he’ll kill 2 birds with one stone re: his roster balance
I still prefer Outlaw + Mills for Turiaf. I have no idea if Golden State likes Travis or Patty, but if nothing else the Warriors would get some salary relief in July
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
You just traded away
virtually ALL of the three-point shooting, which is critical to opening up the court for guys like Miller, Iguodala and Roy. As much as I hate living and dying by jump shots, good teams always have at least one dedicated sharpshooter to keep defenses honest. It would be different it either Iguodala or Dalembert were a perennial All-Star, or a guy that can really carry a team, but I think it gives up too much. Heck, when healthy, I’d say Joel > Dalembert, and 4 starters/rotation players for Iguodala isn’t worth it.
How to value trade pieces is a major issue
but I knew that going in – my point was more how to optimize the Blazers rather than find a perfectly balanced trade.
Dalembert gets a lot of negative press for someone that is a 16.9 PER player who blocks shots (#2 in the league) and rebounds (13th).
Trading the bulk of our 3-point shooters takes away some options. However, that crop of bombers is wildly inconsistent and other issues are involved such as playing time, contract length, defense, etc.
Consider this point about 3-point shooters for the Blazers: with Rudy/Webster/Blake/Outlaw gone, the bulk of 3-point shooting will fall to Roy, Batum and Bayless. You would see far fewer 3-point shots attempted until another sharpshooter is brought in to camp in the corner.
Also, consider that while never mistaken for a sharpshooter, Iguodala currently shoots the 3 better than Stephen Jackson, Dwayne Wade and Vince Carter.
This trade is awesome for the Blazer, unfortunatelythe 76'ers are not nearly that stupid.
They already turned down Amare and Barbosa for Iggy and Dalembert. That’s an all-star and sixth man of the year, which is much better than anything the Blazers can offer unless they throw Aldridge or Batum into the mix.
I used to be called Nick Van Excellent, but I wasn't really all that excellent.
by The Running Man on Feb 7, 2010 3:41 PM PST up reply actions
not to mention
According to storyteller’s site, the Sixers currently have 14 players under contract. They’d have to waive 2 of them after making this hypothetical 5-for-2 deal
And like I said earlier, I don’t think KP acquires Dalembert because of the Haitian connection, and the fact that PDX is as far away from there as Sammy can travel as an NBA player
putting Rudy in a trade for Iggy barely qualifies as “getting enough value” for Fernandez’ potential + affordable contract. I want to see what Nic can do with the starting SF position, rather than bring in someone who “has to be” a starter at the 3
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
They have the candidates to waive
Including two expiring contracts in Blake and Outlaw or their own expiring contracts like Brezac, or Ivey.
The Haiti situation complicates any real trade notion – but from a basketball and financial perspective, the trade is more than viable for both sides.
As I said above, however, the point to the post was to speculate on how to use existing roster assets to improve the team.
The real speculation is what effect players like Iguodala and Dalembert would have on the Blazers.
The real speculation is what effect players like Iguodala and Dalembert would have on the Blazers
I usually save that for after a deal is done, when it’s known which players will remain in Blazer uniforms
A starting lineup including Miller-Roy-Iggy could be special, but there would be an adjustment period, similar to what Brandon went through with Andre. Again, I like Batum getting the lionshare of the PT at the SF, and not being cast as a supersub
Dalembert would help the Blazers immediately if he was acquired, and his expiring contract would be valuable next year at this time. What’s less clear is how well he and Greg would split minutes at center next fall, because obviously the two of them can’t be on out the floor at the same time…which is why I’d prefer adding a player like Turiaf, or even Haywood more than Sammy
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I wouldn't worry about Batum's role if we got Iggy.
Iguodala is currently the most Pippin-esque player in the NBA. (IMHO) Batum could only hope to achieve that sort of impact, although he’s certainly on his way.
I used to be called Nick Van Excellent, but I wasn't really all that excellent.
by The Running Man on Feb 7, 2010 9:36 PM PST up reply actions
Batum is still incredibly young
and Iguodala has a completely different, and complimentary, skill set (slasher)
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 7, 2010 10:09 PM PST up reply actions
He has almost the same skill set.
He’s a point forward (Better assist% than Roy), good spot up shooter, and one of the best perimiter defenders in the league. I would argue he’s a much better defender than Batum at this point, although it’s getting closer.
According to 82games.com, opposing small forwards averaged 16.5 points per 48 minutes and a .492 effective field goal percentage against the 76ers when Iguodala was playing the position this season, as compared to 20.2 points per 48 minutes and a .495 eFG for all small forwards in the NBA this season. Basketball Prospectus’ defensive statistics also show Iguodala holding opponents 4.7 percent below their normal production, virtually identical to Battier’s performance.-Kevin Pelton
I used to be called Nick Van Excellent, but I wasn't really all that excellent.
by The Running Man on Feb 7, 2010 11:25 PM PST up reply actions
I'm not concerned about matching skillsets
I’m very concerned that Nic keeps getting enough PT. In another fanpost, I speculated about a tall lineup where Roy-Batum-Iggy could play the 1-2-3 positions (pick your “PG” out of that group, no choice is incorrect…) Batum wouldn’t get enough minutes (to satisfy me) just backing up just Roy and Iggy, and I don’t want him playing much 4 (LMA/Cunningham are better suited for that role) So the “tall backcourt” would be a necessity if Iggy was brought over in a deal, and I think it could be an effective unit because Nic could defend the opposing PG
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
What does it matter?
Batum is not better than Iguodala and he might not ever be. Iggy is already a perfect fit and better than any SF we could ever dream, besides the notable exception of LBJ.
That’s like not wanting Dwight Howard because he will slow Oden’s development. Sure, I think Oden has a chance to be better than Howard, just like I think Batum has a chance to be better than Iggy, but I’ll take the guy who’s perfect right now, rather than the guy who might be a little more perfect a few years down the road.
I used to be called Nick Van Excellent, but I wasn't really all that excellent.
by The Running Man on Feb 8, 2010 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
if Iggy is all that
then why hasn’t Philly gotten out of the 1st round in the weaker EC playoffs?
I’m all for improving the team, I just don’t see Portland needing another starting SF for the next 10 years. I’d rather KP focus his assets on acquiring a big man on the 18th, even if that means Webster and Outlaw are in the deal and Batum-Roy-Dante have to split the “SF minutes” for the remainder of the season
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Roy has only made the playoffs once and he didn't make it past the first round with a much better supporting cast.,
The SIxer’s gave the mighty Pistons fits a couple years ago and made a convincing run against the Magic last season. Roy has a weaker resume than Iggy pretty much any way you look at it. There are a bunch of SIxer fans who have made the convincing case that Iggy is better than Roy because he changes the game on both ends. I wouldn’t go quite that far, but I think it is very very very close.
He has a hard time creating off the dribble, he’s more of a spot up shooter and a slasher, so he needs a pure PG running things. Batum rarely if ever created shots for himself last season. We’ve seen it a little more this season, but I would imagine he would have the same problems as Iggy if he were a first option.
I would bet money that Batum never becomes as good as Iguodala is right now. I mean really, what other player puts up 20 points a night with great passing skills and has statistically the same impact on defense as Shane Battier? Lebron? Who else? I think that might be it.
I used to be called Nick Van Excellent, but I wasn't really all that excellent.
by The Running Man on Feb 8, 2010 2:06 PM PST up reply actions
Depends what kind of SF you want between Roy and LMA
another scorer, or a glue guy who plays great defense and can knock down an open jumper out to 3 point range?
Throw the difference of Batum and Iggy’s salaries into the equation and the answer is an easy one, for me
If KP makes a deal for Iggy will I be unhappy? No. Do I expect it to happen? Nope
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Iggy is a better defender, worse 3 point shooter, better passer.
I don’t expect KP to make a deal either. The Sixer’s are already talking about just keeping him. Not sure they could do better and he’s still young enough to build around.
John Wall would solve all their problems.
I used to be called Nick Van Excellent, but I wasn't really all that excellent.
by The Running Man on Feb 8, 2010 5:58 PM PST up reply actions
You judge before you buy....
this roster needs adjusting, and consolidating multiple overlapping players into single, highly skilled player would be a bonus.
I wouldn’t worry about Dalembert/Oden sharing time any more than I would worry about Oden/Prz sharing time. Dalembert is currently averaging 26 mpg, and Oden was at 24. There isn’t a huge minutes crush, here.
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 7, 2010 10:14 PM PST up reply actions
I agree with that.
I think it would be a great deal for Portland, I just don’t see why the Sixer’s do it.
I used to be called Nick Van Excellent, but I wasn't really all that excellent.
by The Running Man on Feb 7, 2010 11:29 PM PST up reply actions
what we don't know
is how Sammy would respond to a drop in his minutes, especially during a walk year. We already know will play hard regardless of his PT, and once Greg is healthy he should play as long as the refs let him stay out on the court
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
typo
We already know that Joel will play hard regardless of his PT,
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
yes, but
how hard will that be coming off a major injury? Ruptured patellar tendons can end careers.
see the fanshots
Przy told Barrett he’s 90 days ahead of sched on his rehab
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Arguably, the Portland Package would be better
4-5 rotation players is a haul.
However, we only have speculation that Amare wouldn’t opt out of his contract if he is traded, and he made that declaration to scare the Sixers off. Further, the Suns were likely stipulating that Richardson go back to the Sixers – which would be a deal killer.
The reason the Portland Package would be better is the Sixers would only be getting back expiring contracts or commitments for only one or two more years. Their savings on the Portland deal would be immense, plus they would be getting real talent in return. They don’t get to save money and scoop players in their prime by trading Iguodala and Dalembert.
The Portland deal is worse.
A healthy Barbosa is better than Rudy, Travis, or Martel. If Amare opts out then they get the best player and a giant expiring contract. If Amare opts in then they still save a little and get two players who are better than anyone in Portland’s deal.
I used to be called Nick Van Excellent, but I wasn't really all that excellent.
by The Running Man on Feb 7, 2010 8:55 PM PST up reply actions
You highly overrate Barbosa
He has been on a downward spiral going on 3 years straight, now. Rudy, Webster and Outlaw are all better – right now (and better than Barbosa’s last two seasons) – and Webster and Rudy are sill on an upward development curve.
Plus, the Sixers would still get the financial relief without the major talent void that would occur if Barbosa was the only asset to stick (at $6.6M!!!!). As far as Amare goes – how do he and Brand cohabitate????
There is a lot for the Sixers not to like about the Phoenix idea.
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 7, 2010 10:23 PM PST up reply actions
It's all in the eye of the beholder.
I just don’t think Rudy, Webster, or Outlaw are that good. Last season Barbosa had a PER of 19.44, which is of course better than any of the players you listed, so he hasn’t slipped all that much.
He has been hurt, which of course doesn’t help.
I used to be called Nick Van Excellent, but I wasn't really all that excellent.
by The Running Man on Feb 7, 2010 11:28 PM PST up reply actions
Over value
Your thinking too big. Those are two big contracts for small contract players. Yes, Philly wants to cut, but any trade involving those two players would have to include a potential all star (Aldridge) to replace what Philly would be giving up in Iguodala.
by Billy Beanstock on Feb 8, 2010 2:00 AM PST up reply actions
It really comes down to...
Martell or Rudy. One of them has to go.
If Rudy,easier contract to move,player most likely to be upset at decreased playing time who has option of returning to Europe,then Bayless,Webster,Blake9if re-signed),even Miller can all play the 2 as back-ups.
If Martell,more salary committed over next few yrs,could prob be traded for Kurt Thomas now,Roy,Outlaw,Cunningham could all back up Batum.
Unless Roy shows incredible healing over next week,I’d think Blazers don’t make a move this season,but trade one during the upcoming Off-season.
You can't trade Blake or Outlaw during the off-season.
That make it almost impossible to move Rudy since you can no longer make salaries match with expiring contracts. There’s no one worth bringing back who has a salary as small as Rudy’s, so another player will have to be included in the deal.
I used to be called Nick Van Excellent, but I wasn't really all that excellent.
by The Running Man on Feb 7, 2010 4:13 PM PST up reply actions
that's why it might make sense
for KP to acquire a player who has a sizable expiring contract in 2011, just in case he wanted to make a blockbuster deal and “attach” a small contract (like Rudy’s) to it, next February
If not, I suppose KP could look to deal Miller+Fernandez at the deadline next year, depending on need and how things work out in the backcourt with Bayless, and if Blake is resigned, etc
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Don't forget TPEs
There are a number of teams w/TPE’s that are enough for Rudy’s contract.
For example,Houston has a TPE of @ $1.4mil which could be used in a theoretical trade of Rudy for the TPE,the rights to Sergio Llull(a very promising 6’3" PG in Spain) and the Rockets 2010 First(esp if there was a PF there that KP wanted). Not saying that is going to happen-altho Hou would say yes if it was offered-just an example of what could happen.
I doubt Rudy gets traded because of value for salary unless he goes to KP after season and says trade me or I’m going back to Europe,which I really doubt happens.
unless he goes to KP after season and says trade me or I’m going back to Europe
FIBA honors NBA contracts, Rudy has nowhere to play but in Portland…however if he and his agent make a stink (re: his playing time and/or role) they could “force” a trade. This is the nuclear scenario that must be avoided at all costs, even if it means a preemptive deal
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
superfly05 is right
Dump all that three point shooting and you’re also right. All you will see is Roy, Batum, and Bayless shooting from outside because their opponents are going to pack the paint big time. This is getting rid of one kind of imbalance for another. Plus there’s very little fire power for the second unit.
Batum and Bayless represent very little firepower?
Portland has an opportunity for a paradigm shift. Free throws are better than 3-point shots (plus, Batum might be the best 3-point shooter on the team).
Looking around the league, its hard to identify available players worth young talent. The best candidates are young players in the first year of their first extension, but who are too expensive for their current team.
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 7, 2010 10:30 PM PST up reply actions
Ben, this is really nice .. I'd love to read more of this kind of analysis.
This write up reminds me a little of John McPhee writing about Bill Bradley in “Levels of the Game.” And thanks for the time you took to do this and the diagram and all.
-jayfisher
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