Mark Warkentein's take on small PGs
The Nug's GM was on with Wheels and Vance this afternoon. (If you missed the show, I highly recommend the podcast, Mark was with the Blazers during the Whitsitt era and shared the story about Portland's decision to trade Jermaine O'Neal, as well as some other tidibts) But the point he made later about small PGs caught my attention.
(A caller had asked him about Nash's decision to draft Telfair instead of Al Jefferson, already knowing that Wark had been opposed to the selection of Bassy) Here's a paraphrase of Mark's response:
"I'm a believer in collecting big guys, and if you have too many of them you can trade them for something. I'm a big quantitative guy. The "quants" (that's what KP calls them) feel the numbers show a real prejudice against smaller PGs but that is reversing to some degree because of the way the game is officiated now, you can't touch those little guys out front. We (Denver) went for Ty Lawson who's a little guy, It wasn't with a lottery pick, but there were some other circumstances. George (Karl) is tough on rookies...but TL was a Carolina kid and George has the blue tatoo and he talked to the Carolina people so it was kind of an exception to the rule that we went with the little guy...KP and I are on the rules committee and the NBA officials are very happy with the "freedom of movement" rules that allow you to barely touch the little guys out front...and so while my own natural inclination is against the little guy, I'm moving on that. Most of us are, because it's changed."
During the interview Wark spoke well of KP, so the reports of animosity between the two GMs (because KP got the Blazer's job and Mark didn't, etc) appear to be unfounded.
about 2 years ago
two4larue
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Glad to see you are coming around
Just kidding ; >
But, quickness is playing an increased role in the game now. I am not sure how that goes in the playoffs though with the officials allowing an increased level of physical play?
21 + 52=
Little PGs are like navels, everybody's got one
During the regular season, yeah, I can see the need for a waterbug as a change of pace. But you’re right, they tend to get exploited in the post season when the game slows down. As far as Portland is concerned, they’ve got Bayless to be the “change of pace” PG, and Jerryd is solid enough to hold his own against taller guards. So I don’t see the need for Mills on Portland’s 15 man roster, and we’ll see if Patty gets an invite to next fall camp as time goes by
The first point MW made about “too many” big men was also relevant to Portland’s situation. While many would argue that “KP can’t keep Camby, Oden and Przy” I’d rather have a logjam at the 4-5 than at the 1-3 positions. Injuries, foul trouble and frontcourt depth in the playoffs are the main reasons, but like Wark said, if you’ve got an “extra” big there will always be another GM willing to take him off your hands. And if the other team is desperate you might be able to get them to overpay.
At the end of the interview, they asked Mark about the rest of the league being hacked-off at KP, and Wark talked about how Portland (NY and Dallas) always have their “ATM” ready to add cash to deals, and how this has caused resentment amongst some of the other GMs who don’t have the same $ advantage. Like I said at the top, if you haven’t heard the podcast yet, it’s definitely worth 30 minutes of your time to review.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Aaron Brooks did well in the playoffs,
I thing getting into the lane, with whoever, is typically a good thing. I like the Miller/Bayless rotation because I think it gives us a good change-up like you said. I just wish they could shoot better.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
Brooks did well, for awhile
but he wasn’t enough to get the Rockets past L*A
(the same could be said re: Nash vs San Antonio, in post- season’s past)
besides Tony Parker (who isn’t as small as Brooks, etc) and Avery Johnson, every finals PG going back 20 years (to Isiah) has been taller than 6’1 and weighed more than 185 lbs. Like Wark said during the interview, the quantifiable numbers are “prejudiced” against smaller players, especially in the playoffs
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
LA was a way better team
it wasn’t Brooks that cost them
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
losing Yao really cost them
but Adelman’s crew gave L*A all they wanted, more than any other team the L*kers faced, as it turned out
but Houston is finding out how much Artest meant to them, this year…not that I blame Morey for letting Ron-Ron walk
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
but I agree, all else being equal, bigger is better
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
Yes
but height is down the list from a number of other more important variables such as quickness, jumping ability, speed, court vision, strength, ball handling ability, coordination, etc… There is good reason why Chris Paul is one of the top ten players in the NBA.
21 + 52=
Chris is strong like bull
I’m more concerned about the little guys who weigh 170 pounds dripping wet
Bayless and Paul can hold their own against taller guards, because they’re solid
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Certainly, strength is a big component
Ron Artest is short for where he plays, but he too is a bull.
21 + 52=
Right, Wark isn't the GM who was bad-mouthing KP
I’ve learned that when a GM talks gushingly about another GM, in reality he wouldn’t urinate on the guy if he were on fire. There’s a lot of jealousy in general and between those two in particular.
There’s no doubt in my mind Wark is the guy who was talking to AWoj last year.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Mar 6, 2010 10:11 PM PST reply actions
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