Smith: Martell Webster Interview
Brian T. Smith interviews Martell Webster and they discuss starting, pride and Nicolas Batum's recent play...
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"In my head — no, seriously — in my head, I always think of myself as an NBA starter."
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Good thing or bad thing?
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
almost 2 years ago
Ben Golliver
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Good in the fact that hes keeping his head up about it
Bad in the fact he will probably never start again unless knock on wood someone goes down.
Lover of everything Batum.
#88
or he gets traded to the timberwolves
Awesomeness (ô'səm-nes)
1. n. Something that inspires awe
2. n. Nicolas Batum
by thomasikehara on Mar 10, 2010 3:16 PM PST up reply actions
Martell did play well last game. Good for him. Maybe if when he was starting he left it all on the floor
instead of
There’s no need on trying to reserve yourself
He would be playing more..or starting. Maybe
McMillan gave Martell more chances than most coaches would and he managed to reserve himself....
particularly on defense. He would check out.
All of our players should go to the papers if they want more playing time
Oh wait…
If we win a title, I promise not to hate on anyone associated with the Blazers for 1 full season - jksnake99
You know that's worked recently
a.k.a. Rudy reports
Blazers win!
"(Andre Miller) got a steal of a Brandon Rush pass in the backcourt and with a clear path to the hoop looked like he was actually going to dunk it with those 64-year-old legs. I believe that in true Darryl Dawkins fashion he was going to dub it the Miller-Time Pop-Top Rammin' Jammin' That's-For-TiH-and-his-Spammin' Thunderdawg Special. Unfortunately it got blocked. He did get to go to the line off the play at least. So he settled for calling the free throws "TiH Cheap Shots"." - Dave after a 102-79 beatdown of the Indiana Pacers
Saying he thinks he's an NBA starter is one thing.
Saying he should be one now, is another.
This is fine. But at the same time, he’s not staying here past his contract, which is too bad.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
his contract goes for three more seasons past this one
so that is hardly a concern. That is an eternity in the NBA
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
Good thing
because he is a good person and I’m glad he’s staying positive. I happily sacrifice wins to be able to cheer for a decent human being who can also shoot in spurts. In my mind, his contributions equal that whiny cretin Detlef Schrempf who I had to cheer for once upon a time. I’ll take Marty any day
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
and he was a jerk
locker room cancer
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Mar 10, 2010 7:58 PM PST up reply actions
And he hated the US so much! So much that he stayed in the NW, continues to do charity work with his foundation, and youth camps for Adidas.
That cad!
We need to deport him immediately. Detlef..that’s a Mexican name, correct?
"I think he’s been doing some good things. I think he’s been doing some good things. He’s had to play a lot of minutes lately with Blake being out. I think he’s been doing some good things." -Nate McMillan
thrice?
c’mon its way too early to say that!
I learned all the sneaky tricks from the master himself. Maurice (Lucas) helped me control my emotions, always told me to never get even right away, let it go, never react in the heat of the moment and get even later when the refs aren’t looking. Believe me, I got my revenge on many nights thanks to his advice. "-Xavier Mcdaniel
I love Martell but really
Detlef was a tremendous talent; far better than Martell. Until Novitzki came along Detlef was on of the best players ever out of Europe. He “still” ranks among the best.
Stats don't lie...Detlef > Martell...
Look at Detlef’s 5th season averages and splits with Dallas and Indy here
Look at Martell’s 5th season here
Detlef actually went to Centralia High School in Washington his senior year and then UW so his European experience is limited to his younger days growing up and also playing for the German National team in two Olympics (1984 and 1992) and two European championships (1983 and 1985). I grew up in SW Washington and followed him. He is hardly a locker room cancer…
We'll miss you #2 & #25!
I would very happy for Martell and the Blazers if he turned into a 6th man nominee...
much like Schrempf was throughout his career…
We'll miss you #2 & #25!
I Blame Nate
yea I said it!!! you cant succeed when as soon as you miss a shot you have to look over your shoulder to see if you are gonna be benched? He misses his first couple shots after having a career night only to be benched indefinitely I dont agree with that, I do love Nic’s play however and am just glad that we have this problem with who should start as that surely beats not having a strong bench. Martell has earned a starting spot without his scoring…. but I am sure all you that love everything Nic and only Nic will never agree with that! He will be a star in this league… keep in mind only Peja has made more 3 pointers this year at the small forward postition and Martell has had limited playing time over the course of the season.
I learned all the sneaky tricks from the master himself. Maurice (Lucas) helped me control my emotions, always told me to never get even right away, let it go, never react in the heat of the moment and get even later when the refs aren’t looking. Believe me, I got my revenge on many nights thanks to his advice. "-Xavier Mcdaniel
At the forward position...
Marty is tied for 5th with Lebron and Granger and trailing Harrington, Peja, Lewis, and Gallinari. In the West, he is indeed 2nd among forwards!
We'll miss you #2 & #25!
Martell on Batum
(Nicolas Batum) has been balling … he’s doing a great job. I always support my players and my teammates; we’ve been doing a good job.
It’s true — Martel was Batum’s biggest fan on the bench last year, and I feel like he’s trying to be Batum-like this year. He’s played a lot of hard defense and just taken the shots that come to him. You might call him a little inconsistent, but so are a lot of people, and I feel Martell has worked hard and been a good contributor.
Agreed
I’m still a fan of Marty. Batum is the better player, but Martell has improved this year.
"My shoulder is OK. And away we go." -- Nic Batum
"wang-dang diddly wubba SPROING wow-wow" -- Dave
Martell probably is an NBA starter
Given 35 minutes a game consistently, he is certainly starter quality in this league. probably the lower rung of starters for his position, but still a starter.
He’s definitely a guy who struggles with consistency, and who needs to play his way through a game to be effective. Can he turn himself into an effective small-spurt bench player? For the Blazers’ sake, let’s hope so.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
He’s definitely a guy who struggles with consistency, and who needs to play his way through a game to be effective. Can he turn himself into an effective small-spurt bench player?
This is what the coaching staff/front office needs to find out. Based on his salary and contributions, there should be “no rush” to deal Martell. But what the team needs at the backup wing is a 6th man who can come off the bench and shoot the 3 with consistency (Horry, Bowen, etc) and Webster needs to embrace this role and find a way to have his jumper fine-tuned on a nightly basis—without needing extended minutes to find the range. It’s a very difficult job, similar to pinch-hitter in baseball, not even superstar-caliber players can do it
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
yes to 6th man but not a starter here in Portland...
He’s got the tools, he just needs to embrace the role like you say. I do think it is hard for him to truly ‘be’ the 6th man when he’s competing for the role with the likes of Rudy and Bayless whom both are similarly capable (in scoring) but with different skill sets. He could be a defensive 6th man if it didn’t look like he was ‘reserving himself’…Martell could attempt to play a little like Ruben Patterson did but with a much better shot. He’s similarly built and just as athletic…I know it’s a weird comparison but we don’t really have a guy filling that kind of role. I like a guy who can sometimes intimidate and scraps like h*ll. Dante has a little of it but is not yet an intimidator. It’s probably a long shot to say that it is in Martell’s personality to fill such a role…
We'll miss you #2 & #25!
I do think it is hard for him to truly ‘be’ the 6th man when he’s competing for the role with the likes of Rudy and Bayless whom both are similarly capable (in scoring) but with different skill sets. He could be a defensive 6th man if it didn’t look like he was ‘reserving himself’
Bowen and Horry weren’t true “6th men”, either (Ginobli was “that” guy for the Spurs) but they were both 3-pt snipers who were also strong defenders (Bruce) or playoff savvy assassins (Robert). To develop one of these guys and have him under contract at a reasonable rate would be golden, because if you try to acquire someone who is “proven” at this role he’s either going to be unavailable or bloody expensive in terms of $ and/or prospects
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The thing is, he's always been better as a starter.
I think Martell is one of those guys that will always be better with big minutes than off the bench roles. Perhaps it is his mindset or the type of skill he has makes him a better fit as a third or fourth scorer on the starting unit as opposed to second option off the bench, but I’m just not sure he would ever make a transition into an effective bench player, a la Outlaw.
It might be best for him to be a starter somewhere rather than be a bench guy for us, for both Martell and the Blazers.
"I think he’s been doing some good things. I think he’s been doing some good things. He’s had to play a lot of minutes lately with Blake being out. I think he’s been doing some good things." -Nate McMillan
Like I said the "off the bench role" is not easy
I also have my doubts about Webster developing into an “instant offense” contributer (like Travis) but the fact that Marty can play defense and rebound well makes him a guy you keep around long enough to “make sure” he that he absolutely cannot make the adjustment to the bench role. Add to the fact that #23 is a class act and doesn’t complain about his minutes (much) is another reason to keep him around. And if Batum gets hurt again (G-d forbid) Webster will provide insurance and size at the 3
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The Spurs would love Martell
The Hornets, Wolves, Bulls, Heat, and Raptors, would probably all give him minutes at the 2 or 3.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
I was always a Martell supporter last year
and I still am but not to the same degree. I never expected this level of inconsistency. I still think he has it in him, I really do. I just think he needs to see a sports psychologist, similar to Greg’s. His responses in the interview seemed hastily put together, with no real direction. I don’t think he’s being completely honest and is more worried about trying to say the right thing. He seems distraught.
Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.
I'm surprised this "just needs to see a sports psychologist" meme exists
Martell was very open about talking to a sports psychologist a few years ago (she’s still “behind the bench,” by the way), and he seems pretty grounded. The kid impresses me with his maturity and ability to see the big picture.
I read no hast whatsoever in Martell
And his direction is crystal clear.. Class, dignity, and “Team FIRST” 100%
He is a great benefit to the Blazers and this city.
by Rick_D on Mar 10, 2010 8:49 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I find him very likeable.
I don’t see anything more to the comments than the thoughts of a bright, well adjusted, team oriented young man. I like where he’s at and hope he find a niche to excell in here before going on to a bigger role and paycheck elsewhere.
Bedge or go home.
Martell is a good player. He just doesn't bring it every night. Yes, NBA starter, great mentallity. Too bad
he just doesn’t bring his game every night.
I've said it before and I'll say it again
Webster is Travis Outlaw 2 in my mind. An athletic SF drafted out of high school, a streaky shooter that shows flashes of brilliance, but that never truly lives up to the immense potential that people see in him.
Martell
He would playing for the Huskies today as a senior(medical redshirt in his 4th year) if he had gone to college. There is still a lot of upside there. I hope Nate and company don’t give up on him.
He's a winner
I hope we can keep him for what he is not what some think he should be. Same for Bayless and Cunningham but I’m not sure what to think about Rudy. A previous point I made about Rudy was he would like to be in New York, not because of the “D’antoni System,” but because it’s a non-stop flight to Barcelona. That’s a very different agenda from the other young guys on this team who just wanna get lots of minutes. Rudy wants the Euro lifestyle to which he is accustomed along with his minutes. Dante will just have the fries with his. Bayless says yes to the fries but super-size me. Nico says “I’m the only real starter in the bunch”.
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