2011-12 Season Preview: The Guards
by Dave on Dec 20, 2011 10:00 PM PST
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PrintIn less than a week the 2011-12 NBA season will be upon us. It's high time for a look at the Blazers, their strengths and weaknesses, and their prospects for the upcoming year. We start today with a peek at the revamped Portland backcourt, featuring brand new players in two of the top three guard slots.
Raymond Felton, Jamal Crawford, and Wesley Matthews will eat up the lion's share of the guard minutes for Portland this year. It's an interesting mix.
Crawford is an offensive dynamo. Felton also likes to score but has 2-3 times more assists in his arsenal than does Crawford. Both are similar in that they like the ball in their hands and aren't bashful about shooting it. Neither one has a bankable long jumper but either will shoot it, occasionally getting red hot. They're best off the dribble, creating for himself in Crawford's case or looking for the pass then pulling up if necessary in Felton's. Neither has enough defense to compensate if they're not producing. Each is used to playing big minutes and each took a step backwards in that department last year. Their per-minute production suffered significantly as a result. Neither plays well when denied minutes or possessions. Both are angling for a new contract this year. This amounts to a high fireworks potential. The only question will be whether these guys will explode all over Portland's opponents, leaving the enemy licking multiple burn wounds, or whether they'll end up frustrated, leaving a trail of gunpowder all over Portland's court just waiting for a match.
One thing's for sure. Remember that Portland backcourt with Andre Miller reluctantly scoring and Wesley Matthews semi-reluctantly taking the ball, both deferring to Brandon Roy whenever he was in the vicinity? That's done. These guys are going to give lip service to LaMarcus Aldridge as the head of the team but when the chips are down they're going to value their own impact. They'll give up the ball to the forwards but they'll take it themselves too. "Reluctance" is not going to be in the vocabulary.
One of the big questions for 2011-12 will be where all this leaves Matthews. He showed he could score 20 last year. Heck, he showed he could score 30 from time to time. But he needs to be set up. Unlike Crawford and Felton he's not good off the dribble and lacks the flair (maybe bull-headedness) to demand and convert his own possessions. At the same time he's probably the best hope for the future in Portland's backcourt. He can play two ways. He can hit from deep. If you could cross those two attributes plus Matthews' youth with Crawford's savoir faire you'd have a perpetual All-Star. One wonders, however, if Matthews will become the shrinking violet next to the blazing twin suns of his backcourt teammates. The Blazers need a Jedi in the making, not a perpetual moisture farmer no matter how diligent and earnest the lad may be. Felton's and Crawford's contributions costing Matthews the chance to grow would be counterproductive for the Blazers. Nothing will stop that except Matthews himself expanding his game and confidence, meriting the ball so obviously that his teammates can't help but find him. That'd be a change in both demeanor and visible result. This will be a test for the young shooting guard.
Behind these three players Portland fields a hodgepodge of youngsters. Elliot Williams is reportedly a dazzling athlete but hasn't seen a minute of court time since Portland drafted him due to injury. Armon Johnson is also incredibly athletic for a point guard but his floor time has shown that he may not actually be a point guard. New draftee Nolan Smith rounds out the group. He's the only guy with a definitive position, as he's a bona fide point. But his promise lies in brains and steadiness more than physical skill...the inverse of the other two. It's unlikely that any of these players will evidence a complete enough game this season to make a difference or earn more than spot backup minutes. They'll be more curiosity than contributor. But there's room for any of them to make an impact as they jostle for position on the taxiway.
Going beyond the characteristics of the players themselves, do we even know what kind of system the Blazers will run this year? In past years the aim has been clear: get the ball down the court and into the hands of Brandon Roy and/or LaMarcus Aldridge. Place-keepers and defenders around those two stars were satisfactory, if not desirable. Felton and Crawford are neither place-keepers nor defenders. The Blazers probably don't want Matthews to keep his place as much as expand his territory. Putting these new guards into the old box is a recipe for frustration all the way around. But how much do you change your M.O. based on guys you're not sure will be around or be able to carry the burden? Every guard on the roster has something to prove this season. The system has to allow for that while at the same time compensating for it, not letting the team's fate depend on anyone but its best players...both of whom happen to be forwards at this time. This, too, will be a fascinating riddle to watch unfold as the season progresses.
Combined Portland's guards make a reasonably deep but also mercurial group. The steadiest among them, Matthews, is also the player most apt to get shoved aside. The most proven among them, Felton and Crawford, are also the biggest unknowns in terms of fit and contribution. They have talent but they'll also have to develop chemistry and rhythm fairly quickly to survive this shortened season. Talent not maximized doesn't count as talent. The Blazers need all three playing near their peak on a consistent basis to succeed. If the ascension of one means another recedes the Blazers will be in trouble.
Any synchronization woes should be camouflaged early as almost every opponent will play in ragged fashion while finding their sea legs after this unusual start. The amount of powder in your keg may well tell the difference in these early games. But in the long run you still wonder whether Portland is fielding three guys in the backcourt you feel confident will take shots but zero guys you'd trust to carry your team to victory with the game on the line. There's no true superstar here...probably not even a star. It's a good backcourt but not a steady one, packed with players who could make a difference but won't always, each of them lacking critical facets to their game. They'll generate plenty of excitement. How many wins will follow on its heels though?
Share your thoughts on Portland's guard corps below. How do you see them fitting together and affecting the game? Do the Blazers need to change their operating procedure to accommodate this new crew or is it still Aldridge first and everybody else playing off of him? If it's the latter, can these guards succeed in that system? Weigh in below.
--Dave (blazersub@gmail.com)
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He'll be an All-Star one day.
Porter, Drexler, Kersey, Williams, Duckworth. The greatest starting 5 ever.
by Bib Fortuna on Dec 20, 2011 10:29 PM PST up reply actions
Dont sleep on
Armon johnson or luke babbit* corrected it for you jontwin
Formally known as: My_name_a_rudy
by Blaze_that_trail on Dec 21, 2011 7:08 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Elliot is my new man crush.
we can still win........
by RastaMonsta on Dec 21, 2011 8:21 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Neither Crawford nor Felton has a bankable long jumper?
Not sure about that comment, but everything else is pretty spot on.
I think he means statistically
Both are streaky shooters and I believe they average below 40 percent on 3s for their careers.
by JMLakaShotCaller on Dec 20, 2011 10:29 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Felton's had one great year...
which was last season and a bunch of mediocre-to-awful deep shooting seasons. He’s money from mid-range but then every Blazer is going to shoot from mid-range which means those shots shouldn’t be easily available. Crawford has a better career average but he’s mostly never been above mediocre from distance.
Those shots are going to be open for Matthews, Batum, Crawford, and Felton…open all night long. I am praying that at least a couple of them can hit and spread defenses. Having two of those guys average near .400 from the arc would make the Blazers look a lot better. Knock on wood.
—Dave
Crawford has only one good year shooting as well
and that was 2009/2010.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Dec 21, 2011 12:23 AM PST up reply actions
Can we all agree...
Crawford is an upgrade over Rudy? I mean isn’t Crawford what we were hoping Rudy to eventually be?
#7
by clinchmobb on Dec 21, 2011 9:12 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Both of them over the last two years combined have averaged about 36%.
That’s where I would estimate them to be this year.
Crawford is top 25 ALL TIME in 3pt makes to say he is a mediocre 3pt shooter is is not accurate
Crawford will not be left open that is why he he was so respected in Atlanta. because when you put him on the floor next to Joe Johnson teams could not double off of him .
Just from watching the first preseason game you could see that . When Crawford uses the pick the defender always go over the top of the screen and they basically force him to give up the ball .
They dont switch because no big can stay with him one on one
The guard doesnt just go under because he can and will pull up and make that three
You cant lump him in with Wes,Felton or Nik because Crawfords established himself over 10 years as being able to do it . Hes 8 years straight with over a 100 made threes .
Crawford is not the greatest of all time but hes a well established well respected 3 pt shooter .
by Willie Beamon on Dec 21, 2011 7:52 AM PST up reply actions
Crawford isn't a poor 3-pt shooter because he is left open
He shoots a relatively low percentage because he shoots too quick or when he isn’t open…
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Dec 21, 2011 9:31 AM PST up reply actions
everyone but wes matthews
and ok, usually batum, especially when we’re all yelling at him to shoot it.
by avalancheman on Dec 21, 2011 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
Should add that 35% career from 3pt isn't bad
Especially in volume. We love 40% shooters but 35% is enough to keep the defense scared. Especially when talking about a streak shooter. No-one wants to be the team that gets lit up when a streak shooter actually finds their shot.
Undersestimating Crawford would be a big mistake
And Wesley will hit his shots this year :)
Go Blazers!
Can't wait to see We$ drop 6 or 7 3s in a row on some hapless team
It never gets old lol
Watching same hapless team try to double him while trying to compensate for LMA is almost priceless. Watching LMA hand the ball off to Nico in the post while acting as a screen at the same time is just plain fun.
by poorwebguy on Dec 21, 2011 3:04 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I would also say
Elliot is no doubt a 2. And also Elliot=Nolan at this point. Though I think Elliot has a much higher ceiling.
Way too early to know anything
But, over the course of a career, I’d go with a smart and scrappy point guard over a two-guard whose abilities rely on exceptional athleticism. (Then again, these days not too many players stick round on one team long enough to make the duration-of-a-career argument relevant.)
I like what I see from Elliot, but I have hopes that Nolan will stay with us and provide solid floor leadership for years and years to come.
"Tom Lawson McCall, Governor or Oregon, invites you to visit . . . Washington, Idaho, Nevada, or Afghanistan." --Pair of bumper stickers on our baby blue 1966 Plymouth Fury III when I was growing up in Portland, pre-Championship.
I think Felton is a better defender than you're giving him credit for
I’m reading the new Basketball Prospectus right now and they’re calling him a “strong defender.” Hollinger rates his defense as “quite good.”
Why don’t you think he’s a defender? He’s at least as good as Matthews.
Felton certainly looked good against Utah
He was very active and for the most part, shut down Devin Harris.
by JMLakaShotCaller on Dec 20, 2011 10:26 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
a couple years ago I would have loved Devin Harris
glad we never got him
"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."
by thankyouforblaze on Dec 21, 2011 5:19 AM PST up reply actions
especially in light of his horrendous facial hair decision
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 10:59 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
His facial hair during the game the other night made me think of Starburns from Community
"What began as a credible protest against bank bailouts, crony capitalism and the like has, in large measure, been hijacked by crazies and criminals,"
by 92wastheyear on Dec 21, 2011 11:49 AM PST up reply actions
at least Starburns rocks it with conviction
Harris just had amoebic pseudopods of scruff pretending to be mutton chops
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 11:51 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah ....he looks like he has lollypops that he picked up off the carpet glued to his face
"What began as a credible protest against bank bailouts, crony capitalism and the like has, in large measure, been hijacked by crazies and criminals,"
by 92wastheyear on Dec 21, 2011 11:57 AM PST up reply actions
Weight, motivation, history
He’s ranged from decent to poor his whole career. His success depends in large part on the players around him who help cover, or not. The good news is that he’s got some good defensive teammates here and should hopefully look good. I worry about him in two situations: 1. As the season progresses and he tires. 2. Against really quick guards. I think Matthews, by comparison, is immune to those situations. Felton probably won’t be.
—Dave
Hollinger doesn't think so.
Andre Miller (-3.50), Deron Williams (1.18) and Raymond Felton (2.07) continue to warrant mention as tough, no-nonsense guards who keep their man in front and follow the game plan… As for Felton, his numbers would be better if he didn’t moonlight periodically at the 2, where he gives up too many inches. As the starting point guard for the league’s No. 1 defense, he’s been as steady as they come.-Hollinger, 2010
by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 20, 2011 10:43 PM PST up reply actions
Maybe
but I want to see it. I never feared for Portland’s guards when running up against Felton. Also that Felton may not be exactly the same as this one.
As a side note, not pertaining to your particular comment but in general…it’s funny how quick people are to call Hollinger a know-nothing idiot a couple posts down when he said the Blazers are a low-level, one-and-done playoff team but his observations which favor the Blazers are accepted as truth. I’m not saying you’re doing that. I am saying that defense will be the area most naturally prone to statistical confusion…in other words if he’s going to be a shade wrong, it’ll be here. I don’t like Felton as much as he does and never have. We’ll see how it goes. As I said, if Felton is going to dazzle defensively anywhere it should be right here and right now.
—Dave
not pertaining to your particular comment but in general…
I’ve always liked Hollinger. I thnk he’s one of the best and probably my favorite writer working for ESPN. Defense is hard to pin down though, so he could be wrong here. I’m not saying he’s right, just that he doesn’t agree with you.
Also that Felton may not be exactly the same as this one.
No joke. Larry Brown might have had a little something to do with that team’s defensive success along with Gerald Wallace, Raja Bell, Tyson Chandler, and Tyrus Thomas.
Felton looked much worse in New York, but as a whole he’s looked good to my eyes throughout his career. Devin Harris was a stud with the Mavs and then fell apart defensively when he was handed a bigger role. Maybe the same thing happened with Felton.
by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 20, 2011 11:05 PM PST up reply actions
I like JH too
Actually I really hope he’s right and I’m not! That would make for a far more interesting group of guards!
—Dave
by Dave on Dec 20, 2011 11:29 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I think the key here is that Felton plays good system and position defense
He keeps his man in front of him and trusts his bigs to backstop him. He doesn’t go for the steal or the quick double.
In Nate’s system, I think this works. In NY, this type of guy is lost.
I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt (I’m generous like that).
Crawford and Wes are going to get torched a few times, but they’ll come up with the big steal sometimes, too.
It’s all a trade-off, with wins as the final metric of success.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 20, 2011 11:41 PM PST up reply actions
There is such a broad range of opinions on Felton. I think he is the biggest key to predicting team success this season.
There is a lot that is predictable assuming decent health. Wes and Jamal should be more than adequate at the 2. Same for Mic and GW at the 3. Aldridge should continue to improve . We don’t have a healthy “franchise” center, but even with Oden out we go 3 deep with guys I’m comfortable getting minutes.
PG is a different story. Felton is the story. No clear-cut backup. If he struggles, this team disappoints. I have really high hopes while others are understandably skeptical. It should be fun to watch it play out.
by 52therim on Dec 21, 2011 3:51 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Nolan Smith will surprise you.
He is clearly, to my eyes, already a better backup 1 than most of the league offers.. Sure, if Ray goes down and we need Nolan to start with AJ backing him up, we’d have some issues.
I hope you're right.
Doesn’t seem all that clear to me. Are we even sure Smith is the backup? Isn’t Crawford going to get some time there? I have warmed to the Smith pick. I think he’ll easily beat out AJ and have a role, but if the consensus is that Felton is a question mark, then I’m not sure we can say what Nolan Smith is or isn’t yet.
by 52therim on Dec 21, 2011 9:52 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Im pretty sure that none of those guys are gonna play there is 96 minutes to divide up Those will go to Felton,Wes,and Crawford barring injuries blow outs or one of those three flatout sucking those young guys will not get consistent minutes
by Willie Beamon on Dec 21, 2011 3:51 PM PST up reply actions
I think the problem that some would have with your piece
and with Hollinger’s predictions is that they both could be a little premature. Sure, there could be those issues in the backcourt, the Blazers could flame out again in the first round, quite easily, but I don’t think we have enough evidence yet of what is going to happen, especially because if this team plays defense like they’ve shown in preseason then I think the results will be very different from the past for all players involved. It’s all just conjecture though at the moment, and because the Blazers have so many new pieces and the projected change in tempo, I don’t think anyone truly will know until all these guys have time to gel, and the blazers find their identity as a team.
by simoninaustralia on Dec 21, 2011 4:24 AM PST up reply actions
The thing is
the season starts in less than a week. Even if it feels premature, you have to write a season preview at some point, and that window is closing rapidly. I don’t think one more preseason game and a few more practices is going to have a large impact on Dave’s opinion either way (nor should it), so now’s as good a time as any to write the piece.
Yup.
Sadly, waiting until a few weeks or months into a season doesn’t make for much of a preview, even if your predictions are more likely to be spot on.
Yep too,
but predicting problems without there being any is almost moving into Canzano territory. A preview could still be a bit ambivalent, because the truth is we don’t know what to expect from this team.
by simoninaustralia on Dec 21, 2011 3:57 PM PST up reply actions
"I don’t like Felton as much as he does and never have."
Here’s hoping he grows on you! I’m pretty excited to have him here.
"Tom Lawson McCall, Governor or Oregon, invites you to visit . . . Washington, Idaho, Nevada, or Afghanistan." --Pair of bumper stickers on our baby blue 1966 Plymouth Fury III when I was growing up in Portland, pre-Championship.
I have not watched many Felton's games.
But it is interesting what a journalist from New York thinks about him.His name is Mitch Lawrence from the New York Daily News.He defines Felton as a third guard in a strong team:“if you have a really good team he will be ideal third guard”.
http://www.750thegame.com/pages/landing_doing?To-amnesty-or-not-to-amnesty-Brandon-Roy=1&blockID=569966&feedID=10154
I agree, Felton's defense is better than you would think
Anyone else remember he was one of the leaders on the Bobcats squad that had that years best defense? I don’t think he is a weaker link in our perimeter defense. I think he will be a big difference maker compared to ’Dre in this department.
by frozenroses on Dec 20, 2011 10:42 PM PST up reply actions
I agree
Youth and desire can make a big difference, and Andre had neither at times last year on defense.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 20, 2011 11:42 PM PST up reply actions
The sum is greater than its parts
If I took one thing away from the Utah game it’s team chemistry. This new group moved the ball well, took care of business, and was having fun doing it.
by Nucclear on Dec 20, 2011 10:39 PM PST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
That latter part
could be an intangible saving grace. I hope the team has a foundation of tangibles upon which to hang those great intangible things.
At the same time I’d also say that we have no guarantee that those good feelings will last among the guards. I think that there are enough shots and minutes for all three, especially since the center position will take basically zero intentional shot attempts. But if in the flow of things you see any two of the main three guards stand out while one gets pushed to the side that one will either be unhappy (Felton or Crawford) or the Blazers will suffer for it long term (Matthews). I’ll be more comfortable when I see all three of them picking up players off the court at the end of the season too.
—Dave
I don't know Felton, as far as personality
But he’s in a contract year, and I’m sure he wants Portland to pony up, so I trust that at worst he’ll get along to get along.
Wes is going to blend, and I’m sure he’ll get his shots and minutes.
Crawford on any other team, or this team at any other time, I would worry about, but he has the (still alive and texting) ghost of Brandon looking over his shoulder. The last, absolute LAST, thing I would expect from him is any kind of drama. This is in some ways the prodigal returning to the NW, and I don’t think he’ll blow the chance to step into Brandon’s shoes.
Bottom line- these guys are all pros who want to be looked on fondly. I don’t see them raising a stink this year. Fingers crossed.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 20, 2011 11:46 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs
Yeah, I don't worry about Wesley getting his shots. I'd worry about Batum disappearing
if Nate sticks mostly to the 3-guard rotation (Felton, Wesley, JC) and LMA plays 37-38 minutes a game. There’s only one ball out there and I don’t see a lot of touches for Batum except when LMA is resting on the bench.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 21, 2011 12:09 AM PST up reply actions
Nic is looking to make touch passes on the break
he’s the kind of kid that everyone wants to play with, unselfish
I’m not worried about Batum, at all. He’s going to play because of his defensive versatility, and he’s showing a desire to mix it up on the boards as well
Nic also wants to resign with Portland, and he’ll receive the opportunity
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Those pesky hyphens ;)
Nic also wants to resign with Portland
Resign – to give up; leave a job
Re-sign – to renew or extend a contract
Until now, I never noticed the opposite meanings.
Matthews
i feel like you’re over estimating Matthews as al potential star. i think he’ll get better but i have always viewed him as a borderline starter/great backup. in that case would’nt our guard combo not make perfect sense?
by skott75 on Dec 21, 2011 12:08 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I hear ya...
There has been big time support for Matthews since day one (with some complaining that his contract was too big). He’s shown that he deserves it and is talented enough to start, but not by a huge margin. His ability to defend smaller guards seems generally accepted, but I don’t recall him frustrating Jason Terry in our playoff matchup (Terry either hit or exceeded his season averages). Also, I didn’t like the stretches he played at SF; he gives up too much size. McMillan’s three-guard lineups were some of the most painful stints of basketball I watched all season.
On the offensive end, Matthews lacks the ball handling skills to effective off the dribble. He’s got a good touch, but often it looks like he just charges in, gets ahead of himself, and gets forced into tossing up a prayer off his heels. I don’t expect that to improve. I think his upside is in his shooting. That polished touch of his will keep getting softer for another couple years.
In my opinion, Matthews is a solid SG with a great talent for defending his position. Any claims of versatility ring hollow to me. I think he has room to grow, but I don’t consider him to be a franchise centerpiece. The only players I would give that title are Aldridge, Batum, and Oden (health pending). I’m happy with every minute Matthews plays in a Blazers uniform, but I’m also not worried about his development being stifled by a couple wily vets.
Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers
by Adam Randall on Dec 21, 2011 10:50 AM PST up reply actions
he was injured in the playoffs
couldn’t even feel his foot, according to him. I don’t expect him to be a world-beater, but I hope he gets to the point where a third banana role for him on a title contender fits like a glove. Thats the real problem I see with this team… Lamarcus is fine as 1A as long as 1B is right there next to him. Wallace is a third banana, Felton is a second banana tops, and Batum and Matthews both could grow to third status. Crawford fits that third role as well… so who is Robin, who is Superman, who is Green Lantern? We’re stuck with the fantastic four here, minus the invisible woman.
by avalancheman on Dec 21, 2011 11:32 AM PST up reply actions
good point
i don’ t think that the team should be basing their strategy on giving 2nd to 3rd tier talents room to progress. those are the guys who should be hungry to prove themselves and if they don’t, you look for another guy.
Interesting to see if we manage to keep the pace up
More shots to spread around. If we slow things down again this year we might have issues with guards not feeling they’re getting their shots.
This new group moved the ball well, took care of business, and was having fun doing it.
This^
I think the Blazer front office has chosen their additions well. We’re seeing hungry players who have good attitudes and are willing to share the ball, and communicate on defense.
This season shapes up similar to 2008-2009 where (when it started) we weren’t quite sure what we had, but by the time it was over the chemstry was something special
hopefully there won’t be a Houston at the end of the trail, this spring
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I think the Blazer front office has chosen their additions well. We’re seeing hungry players who have good attitudes and are willing to share the ball, and communicate on defense.
It’s definitely possible the front office knows what they’re doing. I like this part about hungry players with good attitudes. It’s those types of intangibles that don’t show up in the stat line or prospectus. At this point we have to hope that translates into wins.
This post seems to be more for stimulating discussion than really saying anything - Dave be trollin'
The conjecture that Matthews will be lost because he’s not selfish with the ball doesn’t really make sense. The whole point of a ball hog is to draw attention and either shoot or dish. Brandon as a ball hog and the three point shooters (even Travis) got paid.
Also the “reported” dazzling athleticism comment seems way off base. It’s been on display with the announcers talking about it ad nauseum. That doesn’t make him good, but it seems established – the guy can run and leap – seems self-evident.
Seems crazy to pigeon hole Nolan Smith as one of those smart game manager types before he has even played enough NBA minutes to equal a game. In college he was not that type of player – why would he be that type in the NBA? He lived on guts in college – just watch a few games. He is well rounded – so maybe that is what you are getting at.
Nolan is solid
I don’t think anyone would dispute that. But he’s not a (NBA) great athlete. He does not have that one skill that is transcendent, which is the mark of an NBA starter. He is solid. He will be solid. That is the mark of a great backup, which is what I’m hoping for him.
The “Potential” label has burned us in the past, and we have EWill to fill that gap now. I’m perfectly happy with a solid, low-ceiling guy like Nolan leading the bench.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 20, 2011 11:51 PM PST up reply actions
"That is the mark of a great backup, which is what I’m hoping for him."
Yep, I’m hoping Nolan Smith can give Portland what George Hill gave San Antonio these past few years.
I expect it right out of the gate, too.
"I Am Mine"
I don't think Wes gets enough respect
3rd year in the nba, 16 ppg last year on a bum ankle, 40% 3pt…solid, intense, aggressive. I’m the opposite of worried about Wes Matthews, he’ll be just fine this season. We shouldn’t be sleeping on him, he gets lost so often in conversations about this team.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 12:29 AM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Crash is like that a little too.
I never think either one is as pretty to watch as Batum can be or Roy was, but they gedderdone.
Wes doesnt get enough respect
because he couldnt get to the bucket any better than Alec Burks could. He is a shooter and hustler. But doesnt have the handles to get to the him and finish on his own.
In other words… he cant create his own shot.
"Tommy: Did you hear I finally graduated?
Richard Hayden: Yeah, and just a shade under a decade too. All right. "
He is a 2 guard
He plays a role on the team.
by heybabydrinkyourmilk on Dec 21, 2011 9:59 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
that's not what i've been seeing at all
He’s not a shake and bake jamal crawford type, but unable to get to the basket and finish? Wes? Not imo, that’s people trying to put him into a neat little box. He averaged under 2 3 pt fgs per game last year, where did the rest of his points come from then?
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 10:00 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
this
We$ may not be crossing people up but I’ve been a little surprised out how good he’s been finishing in traffic. The charging call he got in the last exhibition game…that little floater he has actually went in.
He takes contact and still finishes. He isn’t getting any rewards for ball handler of the year but if there is a lane We$ is there.
by poorwebguy on Dec 21, 2011 10:22 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
rec
Not great handles, but he’s actually a really good finisher at the rim. I remember when he was first signed, Broy in practice said the thing that surprised him most about wes was his ability to finish.
His layups are unconventional and he isn’t overwhelmingly athletic so he gets blocked sometimes, but a large percentage of his layups go in.
He is known as a one man fast break
but has no handles and can’t get to the rim. I feel like thats a bit of an oxymoron.
And by the way
The reason Alec Burks couldn’t get to the bucket was because Wesley Matthews was in front of him.
by heybabydrinkyourmilk on Dec 21, 2011 10:24 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Yes, but...
he did get his own shot better in college, and got to the basket A LOT more. He has specifically said that over the summer, he lost some body fat, to get lighter, to get the rim easier. I think Fan Fest and the first preseason game clearly showed a healthy Wesley who in penetrating much better. This is his 4th season, and he’s still all upside :)
Go Blazers!
3rd season
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
YES!
I’m thinking of telling him to read this article, just to get him fired up :) No “flash” required
Go Blazers!
"Moisture farmer," ha-ha
Seriously, I wonder if the big question this year (besides blow it up-vs.-keep trying) might be Nate and not the squad. There’s talent here, but aside from LMA it’s . . . well, to keep with the “Star Wars” theme it’s more Lando and Chewbacca than Luke and Han. Nate’s proven himself to be a skilled player’s coach, a motivator, a guy capable of keeping egos in check and defusing potential tensions. No small talents. But with no superstar on the horizon, a skilled (but not brilliant) roster can only win with amazing team defense and disciplined offense. In other words, Xs and Os, which haven’t seemed to be Nate’s best attributes. Granted, most other coaches aren’t much better in that department, either.
Steve Goodman lives.
Email is a Skywalker
Nolan is a Lars
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Larry Greer is Admiral Ackbar.
“IT’S A TRAP!!!”
Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers
by Adam Randall on Dec 21, 2011 10:55 AM PST up reply actions
And
Portland should use that kind of defense more often with this lineup.
—Dave
by Dave on Dec 21, 2011 10:59 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
what, move their cruisers closer to the battleships
so the fully-operational death star takes out both friend and foe with each blast?
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
which is why the Jazz had trouble with it haha
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
Please.
I would offer up Batum, Williams and our 2012 first round pick for Chewbacca.
Big, athletic, and huge mits to swallow up rebounds. He’d play great along side LA.
by Mike Burchett on Dec 21, 2011 7:43 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
We already have Chewbacca on the roster
He wears #52.
by unblindloyalty on Dec 21, 2011 9:22 AM PST up reply actions
#52 is Chewbacca's worst nightmare
When Oden takes the court this season (fingers crossed) the entire league will stop for 5 minutes to deal with paralyzing fear.
I so wish this were true.
Unfortunately Greg does not have much NBA experience or even college ball experience. Almost a rookie and hasn’t played in a few years. I’m not looking for total team transformation if he gets back.
by JeffePortland on Dec 21, 2011 11:40 AM PST up reply actions
Greg was already more than fine as a rookie
He’ll have to shake the rust off and get his legs back but he’ll be plenty scary all the same.
We already have him...
Chewbacca = total beast, and shooting threat.
Who does that remind you of?
Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers
by Adam Randall on Dec 21, 2011 11:00 AM PST up reply actions
Too many guards of the same ability level
I am concerned that we have too many guards that can all be serviceable and role players on our team but no super stars. Why not take a few of these guys and combine them for a potential super star if not a bonafide superstar… As much as I hate to admit it, we will never win a championship without another superstar. Also, a running team will not win a championship (look at Miami last year).
by Love_me_some_blazers on Dec 20, 2011 11:03 PM PST via mobile reply actions
If you're gonna run, this is the season to do it
And combining pupu platters to get superstars is easier said than done. Let’s see what happens before we pre-emptively sell our souls for a Big 2 and filler team.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 20, 2011 11:54 PM PST up reply actions
you might say the same thing
about Hollins, Twardzik, Davis, Steele and Gilliam
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Yes. I'm unwilling to give up on theconcept of the "team"
and I think the Blazers have a number of talented players who can excel without giving much thought as to whether they scored 13 or 23 that particular night if it was a W.
Gerald Wallace, Nicholas Batum, Wesley Mathews — none of these are StatBoyz. And coached by Nate, friends with Lamarcus, playing in the closest thing he has left to a home town, the odds are fairly good that Jamal Crawford will only resort to gunning when it thoroughly appropriate and necessary.
ignacio
by ignacio on Dec 21, 2011 1:27 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
So all we need is for LaMarcus and Camby
to turn into Lucas and Walton? Sounds pretty reasonable to me.
Craig smith
is more of a lucas that camby can be imo.
So we are just a tall redhead away from a championship?
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 21, 2011 11:26 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
See, we just need Scalabrine...
Totally kidding.
by avalancheman on Dec 21, 2011 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah
Todd MacCulloch is obviously the piece that will put us over the edge.
Need Schenscher (sp?) back
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 11:50 AM PST up reply actions
The 2004 draft did have a collection
of weird back to back picks. 2 UConn guys at 2-3, two doppelganger SFs at 6-7, the two greatest picks in their respective franchises’ history at 12-13, 2 high school Smiths at 17-18, and 40% of CSKA Moscow’s starting lineup at 22-23.
Perhaps Greg needs to visit the salon for hair-coloring?
A lot has changed since the mid 70s. If we could stick Jack Ramsay and that roster in a time machine a transport them to 2011, they probably wouldn’t have the size or athleticism necessary to win an NBA title today
But while systems change and NBA players have grown larger and more athletic, the concept of teamwork is still a goal worth pusuing. 5 men playing as one is more entertaining (to me) than a clear out with one star dominating the ball during cruch time
Even a pick and roll requires more teamwork than a 1-4 iso
Perhaps I’m nore of a “purist” than the average fan today, but I don’t think Portland’s goal should be to trade for a superstar because “we can’t win” without one. The goal should be to play well as a team, advance hopefully in the post season, and then suddenly we’ll see the rest of the league proclaiming Portland’s players to be rising stars and potential superstars
if the players can do all this and still stay humble, then we’ll see something special come together again
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Dec 21, 2011 12:25 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Hard to say. Unfortunately I never got the Mr. Fusion upgrade and I'm out of plutonium.
in a time machine a transport them to 2011, they probably wouldn’t have the size or athleticism necessary to win an NBA title today
The 76’s had Dr. J who could hold his own against the athleticism of anyone today, and they had beef in Dawkins, and height in Caldwell Jones. I think Walton’s Blazers would have done pretty well against Dallas last year.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 21, 2011 12:53 PM PST up reply actions
Bill weighed 210, Luke was only 220
they’d look scrawny next to today’s players
but they were as cerebral as any NBA team before or since, so they could’ve held their own until the playoff games started to get called loose and ugly
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
This isn't the post to compare modernity to yesteryear.
But seriously guys; those teams were great for their eras, but they would be destroyed now.
dinasour type of guys choir boys
Because if it were that easy we would have done so already
Why not take a few of these guys and combine them for a potential super star if not a bonafide superstar
"What began as a credible protest against bank bailouts, crony capitalism and the like has, in large measure, been hijacked by crazies and criminals,"
by 92wastheyear on Dec 21, 2011 8:42 AM PST up reply actions
Nate will have this group organized.
Felton will be setting guys up mostly in a unit where he is the only guy who can remotely “get his own”. The starters really need Camby to get touch on his passing back to be a dangerous group.
Nate will be fine with Crawford free-wheeling a bit, where will sometimes eat up second units with his drives and occasional bombs. He and Nic need chemistry for both to be effective.
I don’t think Matthews loses here. He gets more run-outs with this lineup and will continue to spend time on the 3 point line in Nate’s half court sets.
It’s possible, in fact, that these guards will thrive together.
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 20, 2011 11:04 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Quite possible . . . or it could also be a complete cluster fart
Which is why this is going to be interesting to watch. Normally, I’d say a team needs until Xmas or so for major new additions to show they can click together or not. How long will it take this year? At what point do we switch from “when they get it, things’ll be great” to “this group fits together like Andre Miller and BRoy”? No way to say. And imagine if a hodgepodge, get-yer-own-shot offense works like gangbusters at first then falls off as opponents get their own teams in better sync?
Gonna be a bizarre season.
Steve Goodman lives.
by twinsbrewer on Dec 20, 2011 11:11 PM PST up reply actions
I think Nate and Felton is a great mix.
Felton is bulldog. He can hurt the other team from the spots on the court (mid-range jumper, post) that play right into distributing the ball to LMA with screen-and-roll offense. He can also ‘push’ the tempo and take advantage of deflections caused by Matthews and Wallace. He’s NOT a good 3 point shooter, but at least there is a threat there. Teams won’t be guarding him a foot from the paint like they did with Miller.
To me, Felton is gold, especially at the price, and the Blazers simply need to add an excellent “2” to this team. I’ve never really bought into the “max” level PG for a championship team though. After Wallace moves on, we’ll have Nic and Wes as wings, and have a nice spot, as well as cap space, for a great guard to go alongside Felton, who I hope we resign, as I like his mentality and overall balance. We’re never going to get high enough in the lottery to snag a prime PG, and a stud PG isn’t coming to Portland as a UFA ever. Great 2s are easier to find late in the first round, so I think, realistically speaking, we have to be reserved to the fact that Chris Paul aint walking through that door.
Let’s see how Felton and LMA work together before drawing conclusions though. That’s the bottom line.
Wesley is terrific, and I said, he will ideally be a bench guy, playing the 2 and 3 behind Nic (who can also play off guard, theoretically).
So what we really need is Crawford’s replacement: a guy who can make plays but hopefully has more balanced all-around game OR we simply need Crawford and Nate to develop good chemistry.
I’m actually pretty ‘high’ on these guards in terms of building a team for the future. They’re not a bad group, we’re just one “A-Level” off guard short of having a pretty nasty team.
Wow. I sound like a homer…
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 21, 2011 8:56 AM PST up reply actions
"OR we simply need Crawford and Nate to develop good chemistry."
I’ve been taking that for granted. I think Nate was part of the draw for Jamal to come here. Love Jamal’s comments about Nate giving him grief for his shot back in the Sonics facility.
I don’t know Jamal or Raymond well at all, but I’ve been very impressed with their remarks during interviews so far. These seem like two pretty mature guys who understand the solid opportunity they have here.
"Tom Lawson McCall, Governor or Oregon, invites you to visit . . . Washington, Idaho, Nevada, or Afghanistan." --Pair of bumper stickers on our baby blue 1966 Plymouth Fury III when I was growing up in Portland, pre-Championship.
I mostly agree...
I don’t see much of a problem since only two of them will be on the floor at one time. Felton will always be at the 1, Wes will always be at the 2. Jamal ‘BUCKETS’ Crawford will be either at the 1 or 2 depending on who he’s with (1 if he’s w/ Wes or EW, 2 if he’s w/ Felton or Nolan). Those are pretty specific roles. I don’t see a need for a 3 guard lineup ever with Batum and Wallace holding down the 3 (why wouldn’t you want one of those guys on the floor?).
Felton can ‘get his own’ but so can Wallace amongst the starters. LMA is pretty good at getting his when iso’d too!
I think they’ll thrive.
#7
The second unit needs a guy who is going to squeeze the trigger.
Crawford fits that description, and how. Other teams have to respect him. That’s the key here.
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 21, 2011 8:57 AM PST up reply actions
Exactly...
Crawford should be everything we were hoping Rudy to be. And Batum will be that glue guy off the bench along with Thomas. Those are all capable starters on many teams and they are coming off our bench!
#7
Am I offbase
or are you being way too critical of this team in your last 2 posts? Portland played very well on Monday considering it was there 1st game together as a group. Sure, they had some turnovers and weren’t hitting their 3’s but that will come together as the season progresses. I know you’re trying not to be a homer, but lets be a little more realistic in your analysis and throw this team a few positives every so often.
I agree with you. Dave seems to be going out of his way to be Captain Buzzkill.
Come on, Dave. How about showing us some optimism. I am not digging the Eeyore act.
LET THE LAMONSTER ERA BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by LaMarvelous on Dec 20, 2011 11:30 PM PST up reply actions
Dave's on the record, already
he believes that for the Blazers to take a step forward, they have to strip the roster back and rebuild
since it’s clear that’s not the owner’s plan, I expect the current roster will have to sell itself to Mr. Decker
and I look forward to it
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
That is incorrect actually
I have highlighted multiple possibilities. That is one, the one I judge most likely given current economic realities, but still only one.
—Dave
And if you're going to use my last name
at least get it right. Better yet, why not just call me “Dave” like everyone else does?
—Dave
Sheesh
The combination of negativity and snark from you Mr. Dave, is not really like you, and not the reason that I have perused your articles on your blog for the past several years. Hopefully, all is well for you, Dave.
by smoothbeans on Dec 21, 2011 12:50 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
It's not called BlazersEDGE without a little snark.
Or he’s practicing his negging for the ladies ;)
by Nucclear on Dec 21, 2011 1:01 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
rec for RECognizing the reference
Neg has gone mainstream but I specifically had The League in mind. Great show, I’d love an NBA version, based out of Portland of course.
Gotta crank up the intensity!
"I Am Mine"
by AK1984 on Dec 21, 2011 1:30 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Someone probably gave him socks for Christmas
Man I hate it when that happens. Someone gave me a gift card and my wife wanted me to buy a shirt with it. I was like “No way! I’m going to buy some burritos!”.
by poorwebguy on Dec 21, 2011 1:21 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Man, I COUNT on getting good socks for Christmas!
Thor-Lo, if you please.
"Tom Lawson McCall, Governor or Oregon, invites you to visit . . . Washington, Idaho, Nevada, or Afghanistan." --Pair of bumper stickers on our baby blue 1966 Plymouth Fury III when I was growing up in Portland, pre-Championship.
Why do so many people want to be fed stale, tasteless grub like unbridled optimism?
"I Am Mine"
by AK1984 on Dec 21, 2011 1:50 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I am not expecting Homerism from Dave
But how about writing things like “Hey, E-Will has to be an improvement over Rudy, right?”
Just asking for a little more of a positive outlook.
LET THE LAMONSTER ERA BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dave probably thinks we're going to win the title this season
Hence the (extremely) careful optimism (pessimism) (reverse jinx) (etc). If Dave thinks we’re going to win it all then we’re doing better than I thought! Time to break out the unbridled optimism!
optimism isn't tasteless, it's sweet... admittedly it can be sickeningly so if overdone
Pessimism is bitter. It is the absence of emotive content that I find bland.
formerly known as Matthews vs. Roy... fight!
by Respect_these_years on Dec 22, 2011 12:09 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Future Blazer historians will note...
…that the change in tone began back in the days when Paul Allen beginning firing his General Managers as the mood struck him. It’s hard to get wholly behind a team that belongs to a nefarious puppet-master following the advice of a clueless frat brother.
Easier to remain an ignorant but enthusiastic homer, which is the path I’ve chosen.
"Tom Lawson McCall, Governor or Oregon, invites you to visit . . . Washington, Idaho, Nevada, or Afghanistan." --Pair of bumper stickers on our baby blue 1966 Plymouth Fury III when I was growing up in Portland, pre-Championship.
Deckard? My bad
I know it’s conventional NBA wisdom to claim it takes a superstar (or several) to win a title, and It’s farfetched to expect this current Blazer roster will reach the finals
however
the allure of this season will be to see how the players come together, share the ball and develop team chemistry. If all goes well and they receive a few decent breaks along the way, perhaps Nate and the boys will advance farther this spring than Roy (as talented as Brandon was) was able to take them, in 2008-2010
Whether you see the glass as half full or half empty in December doesn’t really matter. Here’s hoping Blazer fans in general and BE will be won over by the team’s play out on the floor, and we’ll have newfound optimism for the franchise’s future, short and long term
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
and BE *specifically
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
And regardless,
why shouldn’t the roster have to sell itself to us? Outside of LaMarcus and GW, the rest of our rotation is either ancient (Camby/Thomas), largely unproven guys (Wes, Nic, EWill, Nolan, Babbitt), or proven mediocre guys (Felton/Crawford). If that roster doesn’t merit some degree of skepticism, I’m not sure what does.
Sure, if everyone plays at a similar level or better than even a skeptical Dave’s expectations we should be able to make some noise, but history says that’s almost assuredly not going to happen, and we’ll see a couple guys fall off while others progress. I’m not sure why it’s a terrible thing to acknowledge that fact.
by Royster on Dec 21, 2011 6:32 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
no McFly has ever amounted to anything in the history of Hill Valley
oh yeah, well history is about to change
There’s nothing “terrible” about playing things right down the middle re: predictions and expectations. OTOH, there’s always a fine line between “realism” and pessimism and a “we’ll be about as good as we were last year” take is not very compelling
The attraction of sports (to most people who aren’t gamblers) is that there are dark horses and Cinderella stories, every season. When a team comes together (like the Mavs did last year, like the Broncos are doing now) the momentum can be infectious, and the whole can become exponentially greater than the sum of it’s parts
I’m not saying that’s going to happen with this year’s edition of the Blazers. But the elements for the uprise are all there, and we’ll all find out together how high this team can soar
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Dec 21, 2011 11:17 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
This thread could use a little more Tebow
I’m surprised it lasted this long, actually.
Which of the two has been more overvalued by it’s fans?
1. Roy’s fourth quarter performance in a non-deciding first round playoff game where his team went on to lose the series.
2. Tebow’s fourth quarter performances in regular season games in a season where his team (may very well) go on to lose a first-round playoff game?
by unblindloyalty on Dec 21, 2011 3:58 PM PST up reply actions
Sure, history can change
but it usually doesn’t. People are welcome to think that “this time is different” but that doesn’t make it any more likely, especially if the only argument is that it makes for a more compelling story.
Romance is all well and good, and but I’d prefer to traffic in fact-based analysis and be surprised if things turn out better than expected rather than go in with high hopes and be almost inevitably disappointed.
"[...] rather than go in with high hopes and be almost inevitably disappointed."
With numerous optimists, the one thing that stuns me is how many of them are never disappointed. Sometimes, the whole ignorance is bliss thing clouds people’s minds.
Many of them also don’t cop to their past optimism being misplaced, unfounded, and just plain wrong. Since a lot of people who are optimistic about this year’s team were also foolishly optimistic about rosters in the recent past, it’s clear they haven’t learned their lesson. Maybe someday, but not yet.
"I Am Mine"
Sounds like someone needs to start a 'cop up to your past failed optimism' post...
Tell us how wrong you were in the past Blazer Nation!
In reality, there just isn’t much opportunity to say such things in this forum and its not in our nature to cop up to our past transgressions no matter how misplaced, unfounded, or just plain wrong they are.
#7
Trick is knowing how to handle disappointment
Life is full of disappointment but if you waste too much time on it you’re taking less time to enjoy the good stuff. Life is full of adventure and greatness too.
There really is no such thing as foolish optimism when it comes to sports. What the worst thing that can happen? You end up wrong and people think you’re a joke? Most people won’t care and those that do don’t matter. An exception would be if sports is your career.
there is a certain power in optimism that influences the manifestation of reality
It may not always be a strong enough influence to capitulate sometimes, but there are times when the dogged determination and vision of a few have won over enough hearts and minds to will a better outcome into existence. Those who knew it could never happen based on experience were right the previous ninety-nine times, but were pleasantly surprised when observing the statistical outlier.
To deny the reality of the benefit of positive intention is to deny the effectiveness of advertising. There is a certain programming of expectation and framing that takes place internally and we get to control it somewhat based on oir attitude. That should not mean ignoring data that does not conform to the optimistic vision is helpful. It simply means that with the proper mindset and some creativity, weaknesses can become strengths, and paradigm shifts are possible. Likewise, pre-season outlooks can be optimistic and still realistic.
formerly known as Matthews vs. Roy... fight!
by Respect_these_years on Dec 22, 2011 12:30 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
That said, “optimism” and “having to yell at, impugn, or deride anyone who says differently than you in the name of ‘faith’ in your team” are two quite different things. The first is sweet and opens up the experience. The second is quite bitter and shuts it down. Sports fans often confuse the two.
—Dave
Indeed
A quote I coined that sums up my philosophy on optimism and faith is: “Faith applied reasonably is practical magic.”
I don’t expect someone to blow sunshine up my wazoo if they see that my left shoe is on fire. I expect them to clearly inform me of the less-than-rosy situation. I’m not about to give a preview of my year involving walking through snow while downplaying the severity of my shoe fire, either. A rosy preview might be a fine defense mechanism for internal struggles, but when analyzing reality out in the open, optimism should be used with calculation.
That said, this time of year is all about exposing shadow and exploring the darker aspects of self and the world. In that context, a preview that exposes the weaknesses of our guard squad is quite appropriate. Those who attempt to dictate the tone of your writing without considering context are likely to be disappointed, but they are probably used to that outcome by now.
formerly known as Matthews vs. Roy... fight!
by Respect_these_years on Dec 23, 2011 12:02 AM PST up reply actions
there are times when the dogged determination and vision of a few have won over enough hearts and minds to will a better outcome into existence
The Finns refer to this as sisu. And yes, I do have some Finnish blood in my fam tree
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Very cool! Thanks for telling me about this word.
formerly known as Matthews vs. Roy... fight!
by Respect_these_years on Dec 23, 2011 12:03 AM PST up reply actions
Well I disagree with Dave as well ... I think the team this year is gonna' be better than advertised.
But I’m also getting pretty tired of this “if it’s not rose colored I don’t wanna’ hear about it” mentality … this is the crowd that gets Dave to skip writing about the worst part of the jail blazers era in (what’s supposed to be) a comprehensive series on the history of the our team.
I was interested in hearing what he had to say about that period … but instead all I get is some abridged #%$^&%&& with some bullet points and a paragraph explaining how that period was too painful to talk about. I’m thinking maybe it’s because there’s too many Portland fans who just want to hear about PA making nothing but spot on moves 100% of the time and basketball players doubling as choir boys …
Some of them cats are felonious, man.
by Rasheed's Lament on Dec 21, 2011 2:16 AM PST up reply actions
I agree. Optimism has an appropriate place and scope. See my above responses to AK and Dave for more.
formerly known as Matthews vs. Roy... fight!
by Respect_these_years on Dec 23, 2011 12:04 AM PST up reply actions
picking up on this also
i don’t expect dave to be a homer, but i miss the cheery, whimsical writing style.
this article definitely focuses much more on negatives of these guards and spends little time on the possibility of this group being an upgrade from last year’s reality, for which i think there is a strong case.
maybe it’s a bit jarring because preseason articles are typically very fluffy and optimistic and this is very much not so…
It's nice to here a different perspective every once in a while..
So for that I commend you. Most people on this site are quite optimistic (which they have every reason to be) but what I like about this site most is the diversity of opinion. So it was nice to here some one voice some legitimate concerns.
With that said, I don’t think the fact that both Felton and Crawford being in contract years is necessarily a recipe for friction. I think instead that at least Felton knows that getting a contract extension with the Blazers depends entirely on the success of the team this season. If he isn’t working out, the Blazers probably won’t hesitate to let him go or sign him only short term. Crawford, may not care so much about re-signing here in Portland, but Felton has made it clear he would prefer to stay, and i believe deep down Crawford would like to, too.
Also, McMillan has raved about both guards’ play so far. However, it remains to be seen how long that lasts, especially when Aldridge returns.
Crawford, may not care so much about re-signing here in Portland
Jamal said today that no one should read the opt-out clause as his desire to play elsewhere in 2012-2013. If the team comes together and does well in the post season (which should be every Bedger’s desire, with the possible exception of AK1984…) then why wouldn’t Portland take the capspace they gained from Roy’s amnesty and spend it on players like Felton and Crawford?
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
A lot of pokes at AK lately
did someone get under your skin?
AK posts frequently, sometimes intentionally as a contrarian,
sometimes with the veneer of a know-it-all — I daresay he is well-pleased to get under the skin of other posters as often as he can. That said, he’s one of the most knowledgeable, best posters here… even when wrong.
One knows where he’s coming from if one has been around here for a while. His strategic philosophy of basketball is defensible and worthy of debate.
ignacio
Yeah, I don't mind it.
Yet, I’m not always a harsh, albeit realistic downer. Believe it or not, I’m high on Nolan Smith. Not quite as high on him as some were for Jerryd Bayless a few years back, but I’ve got ample-sized expectations for the Dukie nonetheless.
"I Am Mine"
differing analyses and opinions are the lifeblood of this site.
there are several people I very much respect on this website and often times they’re the comments or posts that I’ll give a closer reading to because either in agreement or in contrast with their opinions, I really gain a greater knowledge of basketball. I definitely consider you one of those ’cats.
In much the same vein, my post “Say No to Przy” above could use a comment or ten :)
"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."
by thankyouforblaze on Dec 21, 2011 5:56 AM PST up reply actions
AK is an integral role-player on this BEdge team.
It seems that we are somewhat overpopulated with optimists (myself included), and AK keeps us in line. I really appreciate the different perspective he brings on things too, and he keeps it friendly. He’s really what every fan community team needs- a towel waving, bench guy, team player, first off the bench to cheer his team mates… yep. AK, you are the Patty Mills of BEdge. Congratulations.
by simoninaustralia on Dec 21, 2011 4:29 AM PST up reply actions
Patty Mills ??!!??
LOL
The cheer leading eternally optimistic, glue guy ?? Everyone’s buddy ?
Fast, a bit reckless, carefree ?
Failed effort at a gut shot (knowing AK affection for Patty).
The Blazers are back !
I could be wrong
but my impression is that AK is more of a NBA commentator than a Blazer fan. The Sonics left Seattle and he has latched onto BE to continue his NBA fandom, and to share his knowledge of the game with the rest of us.
There’s nothing wrong with this, it just helps to know where he’s coming from. He’s not a troll, but he does have some strong opinions re: how best to assemble an NBA roster and what kind of style should be played for optimal results
We can agree to disagree. There’s always been a place for counterpoint on BE, as long as it’s kept civil.
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
That about sums it up.
Though, keeping it “civil” can be hard for me. I’m not the diplomatic type, for better or worse.
As a fan, however, I’ll back the Blazers and root for them to do the unthinkable if they can at least make some noise come playoff time. Heck, get to the WCF and I’ll actively cheer the team on the rest of the way.
"I Am Mine"
you would not believe
how many fairweather fans jump on the bandwagon in this town when Portland wins a playoff series, in May
it’s been over 10 years since that happened, the whole region comes alive. I really hope we’ll get to see that buzz again soon
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Well, um, I wouldn't be your traditional bangwagon fan.
Just a no-good vagabond giving y’all some moral support.
Remember, if I was told that the only way I could see a Seahawks Super Bowl victory or a Mariners World Series win in my lifetime was if the Portland Trail Blazers had to relocate elsewhere — let’s say Kansas City, for argument’s sake — then I’d gladly usher them out of the Pacific Northwest and off to the Missouri River Valley.
It’d be kind of like the Oregon Trail, except backwards.
"I Am Mine"
But yeah, I'm not too shocked that Portland has got its fair share of fairweather fans.
Seattle is that way with the Mariners, which has had an even worse time this past decade than Portland’s very own Blazers. Generally speaking, the Pacific Northwest is home to a hoard of casual fans. Soccer is the lone exception, as fans of the Sounders and Timbers are insane.
"I Am Mine"
I agree with Dave's assessment
The good thing is that Felton and Crawford are not signed long term. If the expiriement fails then the Blazers can cut their losses.
Crawford can provide some scoring punch, but is not consistent enough to be a bankable player night in and night out.
Felton could be much better if he was better conditioned. He is a good defender, but an average shooter.
Matthews would be an all star if he could create his own shot, but as of now he gets his buckets primarily by the distribution of others.
The jury is still out out on Elliot Williams and Nolan Smith.
I do still feel as though Dave may have hurt feelings from Roy retirin though. He did not really talk about the positives that the guards possess. The Blazers depth at guard is important season as well as Crawford ability to collapse defense’s to take pressure off of Aldridge. With Felton the offense will be spaced better than it was with with Miller. In reality the guards look way better this year than last year. Last year Roy was injured and the depth behind Wesley and Miller was non existent (Rudy and Roy). While Dave is right that there is no bankable star in the guard rotation, it still is a good rotation, at least as good as Dallas’s was last year – and they won the championship.
by tyeforshee on Dec 20, 2011 11:51 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
it still is a good rotation, at least as good as Dallas’s was last year – and they won the championship.
rec
When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Dec 21, 2011 12:39 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
The experience and willpower of Jason Kidd had effects not always visible in the boxscore, however.
It remains to be seen if Felton Mathews and Crawford possess anything close
ignacio
With Jason Kidd, what's impressed me the most in his later years was his ability to alter his game.
Nowadays, Kidd can play off the ball, is an efficient spot-up shooter, has lowered his usage accordingly, and is a premier defender against opposing shooting guards.
"I Am Mine"
I can't believe he's kept his defense up for so long
his improved shooting is really what impressed me the most. I think he gained a lot via Dirk.
"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."
by thankyouforblaze on Dec 21, 2011 5:59 AM PST up reply actions
I remember Kidd attributing his improved shooting
to some tips from Dirk about how to hold and release the ball.
As for his d, I was blown away by his ability to credibly cover Dwayne freaking Wade in the finals last year. Not bad for an old fart.
Several points after reading that.
Matthews was the leading scorer in our first preseason game. Just one game, but I don’t think he will want for touches.
Williams seemed more than just an athlete, showing at least some promise on his shot. Absolutely no lack of confidence either. You put those three things together, and you have a future player.
Nolan Smith is not a pure point guard. He played off guard quite often in college, and could probably play both positions in the NBA.
by Sir.Ludo on Dec 21, 2011 12:20 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
I agree.
And I know that going off one game is very limited evidence, but at the moment it’s all the evidence we’ve got about how these guys will play together. The more mature approach from Nate to allow the players to call some of their plays on offense also seems to apply to the defense, Wallace and Wes especially being allowed to use their defensive abilities to really pressure the ball, and Batum, Felton and Camby seem to fit that style too. It was reminiscent of the Celts defense under Rivers and Tom Thibodeau (sic). But just one game. I look forward to seeing a much larger sample size and what the Blazers can accomplish.
by simoninaustralia on Dec 21, 2011 4:39 AM PST up reply actions
Get rid of them
I was never sold on the Felton Trade. So is this the best we could get by trading Miller and Rudy? Sorry, I am still pissed off.
If I were the the coach and GM, I would play the veterens, and slowly work WIlliams and Smith in as the starters half way into the season. Hopefully, the Blazers are in the lottery, and get a very good center high in the draft. Until that happens we are just average at best.
Your approach makes sense if you're done with Oden
Management seems to be giving it at least one more year and staying competitive gives the appearance that we’re one piece away from greatness. If I’m Oden, that makes Portland a more attractive place to sign.
Did you miss mondays game?
Sure its pre season, but things aren’t looking too bad.
"So is this the best we could get by trading Miller and Rudy?"
This is the best we could get for a skilled, but somewhat limited and ill-fitting aging PG. Rudy was trade fodder with no value and no roster spot.
I think Felton is the unknown in this guard rotation. Can he play defense? Opinions differ. Can he shoot like he did last season from distance? I think so, but opinions differ. I really think he fits better than Miller and is going to make this team better than last year, but he’s got to step up.
by 52therim on Dec 21, 2011 3:34 AM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
agreed
I think he’ll be beyond most people expectations, but short of our dreams.
He’ll hit the three ball at a much higher clip, but he may not distribute or show up in the clutch in much the same way Dre did.
"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."
by thankyouforblaze on Dec 21, 2011 6:00 AM PST up reply actions
Felton is solid.
There really aren’t THAT many NBA PGs who are better suited for this team, and the ones that are out there are generally locked up in substantial deals.
Yes, Chris Paul would be nice, but even Rondo has his shortcomings.
Can you list a dozen PGs better for this team than Felton?
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 21, 2011 8:41 AM PST up reply actions
Sure
I’ll even divide them into categories.
So much better to the point that fit is irrelevant: CP3, Deron, Westbrook, Parker, Rose, Rondo, Curry, Wall, Kidd
Definitely better but maybe you worry some about fit: Hinrich, Harris, Nash
Roughly equivalent guys with more youth/upside than Felton: Conley, Holliday, Lowry, Lawson, Jennings, Collison, Augustin
While I wouldn’t quibble if someone pulled a couple guys off that list, that’s still 18 names, so you’d have to remove the entire last section to get below a dozen, and honestly I consider most of that section straight up better than Felton anyways, in addition to being younger. Although to be fair, there are far more fit issues with guys like Jennings and Augustin than Felton may present, but I’d still much rather have Lowry, Collison, or Holliday at the very least.
It’s not that all or even more than a couple of those guys are available, just that Felton really isn’t anything special relative to the current PG renaissance going on in the NBA right now.
Wait a second now:
CP3, Deron, Westbrook, Rose, Rondo, and Wall, and even Parker, SURE. No argument.
Curry (defense? durability?), Kidd (playing alongside Wesley? Who guards the other team’s PG?), Hinrich (come on! so overrated), Harris (watch tonight. He’s not very good!), and Nash (contract and age, no thanks!).
In listing a bunch of younger guards who are basically close to their respective ceilings, I see a solid argument for them to replace Miller, who was and is a short term fix for a team. Felton is in his prime though. He’s experienced and seasoned. He’s also much, much cheaper than the headlining PGs of the league. I’d rather spend the money on the wing and the big, myself.
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 21, 2011 11:45 AM PST up reply actions
I think you're overrating a bunch of guys in there
and underrating Felton… but thats me. This is how I would put that list:
SMBTTPTFII: Cp3, Deron, Westbrook, Rose
DBBMYWSOAF: Parker, Rondo, Curry, Wall, Kidd, Nash
REGWMYUTF: Holliday, Lowry, Lawson, Collison
And then I’d add one more category: Roughly equivalent with less upside: Hinrich, Harris, Conley, Jennings, Augustin
Look, age really matters with Kidd/Nash/Hinrich. Yes, all will be aging along with Miller here any day now. Hinrich is already showing it due to the drinking problems, although I realize hes nowhere near as old.
Parker is who he is and he needs floor spreading around him, period. Theres a reason hes so good with Ginobli next to him. Curry is young, and doesn’t bring the defense Felton does, but I could be talked into moving him up. Holliday is not on Felton’s level yet.
Don’t like Harris, who is just a poor man’s Tony Parker, Conley is undersized so will always be a defensive liability, same with Jennings and Augustin is just no good. Honestly, while there may be a bunch of guys right around his level, and a few clearly above him, hes clearly in the region where fit becomes of a huge importance… so lets see how well he does with LMA, Wes, and Nic. And heck, throw in Ewill there. Thats how we need to see him measured, not by some eye-test or even advanced metrics across the league… unless its only with these guys.
by avalancheman on Dec 21, 2011 11:55 AM PST up reply actions
Hinrich would be totally ineffective as this team's PG.
He doesn’t attack like Felton does. You must respect Felton’s ball handling and ability to get to the dish. That’s something we havn’t seen from a Blazer point guard in years, not when J Bay was so predictable. I too, think Felton is getting totally underrated here. Hinrich would have made sense with B Roy, but that’s a moot horse.
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 21, 2011 12:35 PM PST up reply actions
yeah
I hate Hinrich for this team as constructed. If you swapped him in for Felton I think that makes us significantly worse
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 12:39 PM PST up reply actions
You could say that about any player as far as "only with these guys"
I’m not even sure what the appeal of Felton is, that he doesn’t have any huge glaring weaknesses like our last few PGs. He’s a subpar long-range shooter, an okay ball handler, and a decent but not great playmaker. He’s an okay but not special athlete. The one time he’s been singled out for any kind of recognition around the league was for his defense, in a year where he was playing for Larry Brown and in front of Tyson Chandler. Given that Chandler just made JJ Barea and Jason Terry look like passable NBA defenders, I’ll take that with a grain of salt.
He has a total of 9 games of playoff experience and has played on winning teams exactly two seasons in his career.
Really, couldn’t that describe essentially any player in the “roughly equivalent” category at a minimum, other than the fact that each of them is at least 2 years younger than him? And yet for some reason, Ray is considered an ideal fit here while none of those guys are. I’m obviously not going to convince anyone at this point, but I get the feeling that we’d talk ourselves into whichever one of them happened to be a Blazer and pay Felton no attention if the tables were turned.
he's not a subpar long range shooter
maybe for career, but not the guy that we got
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
Even if we give him the benefit of the doubt and ignore his first 5 years
35% for last year isn’t anything to write home about and still puts him smack in the middle of the rest of the guys cited above. Does changing my prior post to “mediocre long-range shooter” really change the underlying point that much?
I wanted Felton as soon as I realized Dre wasn't the answer we hoped for
I actually told all my friends we should get in on the Melo trade to get him, and maybe pick up someone like Mozgov as well, just as a possible future big man type… That said, you’re right, hes not that special, except that hes really smart on the break. He won’t dazzle, but he, as you point out, has no glaring weakness. I’d give him up without fanfare, as hes a good starter but nothing to write home about… I totally have no faith in the slurry that is the second-tier point guard, and frankly I think we should be spending our time looking into a legit center, as thats a lot more rare. A hall of fame PG in his prime is one thing, trying to find that out of the million candidates out there is another. Give me solid at a reasonable price every time when it comes to guards, outside of adding an all-star talent. Anything else is just spendy.
by avalancheman on Dec 22, 2011 3:23 PM PST up reply actions
I'm still higher on AJ than most - especially McMillan
Dave’s assessment of Felton/Crawford/Mathews is spot on – but there are still players on the squad that could represent a brighter future than that trifecta.
Johnson unequivocally has the physical talent to play guard – has shot the ball fine (or better than fine in a small sample size) – and ostensibly lacks the “instincts” or skill set of a point guard. Maybe. Good point guards can take years to develop. If AJ was given the latitude to develop that was given Steve Nash – we might see something blossom out of the physical talent. He has the work ethic, he has the physical tools – now he needs development.
Eric Williams, on the other hand, has an “it” factor along with prototypical size for a shooting guard coupled with outstanding athleticism. He has already added something unexpected to his game – something he called first and then went out and did it – Email can shoot to go along with good handles and grace. It’s the grace even more than the shooting that impressed me on Monday. Email was smooth taking it inside (recall the pull up layup?), quick with his hands on the dribble, and fearless and focused shooting the J.
None of this means he will be an All NBA guard – but the potential is undeniable. He will be fun to watch.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
*I think he meant Elliot
however, Eric Williams got some baby mama drama goin on. lol
"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."
by thankyouforblaze on Dec 21, 2011 6:03 AM PST up reply actions
See the time of my post?
‘Nuff said….(but thanks for the catch – dunno why – but I’ve been calling Mathews “Webster” over and over again, lately – but the 3AM posts probably have something to do with it…)
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Dec 21, 2011 9:34 AM PST up reply actions
I understand about Matthews and Webster.
Matthews is basically Webster 2.0—same good shooting, better defense, and less injuries.
Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers
by Adam Randall on Dec 21, 2011 11:11 AM PST up reply actions
I can kind of understand the Matthews and Webster
brain storage areas kind of mushing toghther – however weakly
similar size/look ? similar almost but not quite ? similar good guy image ? similar hopeful support ?
But, awake, quite different (presumably).
The Blazers are back !
Inspired by the Niner's
The Blazers should be inspired by what the 49er’s have done, and translate that into basketball. Last summer, no one in the media thought the Niner’s could do anything which is loaded with castoffs, and a QB that is questionable. Any yet they are rocking the NFL world. The media is absent in mentioning the Blazers, except to yawn. Portland should be and needs to be inspired by the Niner’s! If the teams gels and has fun, Portland can Rock the NBA, Portland Can Do It.
The Niners are anything but cast offs, especially on defense...
They have something like 12 top 15 picks on the team. Sure, one of those is Alex Smith but he is showing some promise under his seventh offensive coordinator in seven years. They suffered from having too much attention paid to them with each new coach that showed promise and then didn’t deliver. Most writers probably thought the same would happen with Harbaugh.
PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04
And will proceed to go back off the reader on Saturday
66-0 baby
by thomasikehara on Dec 21, 2011 10:25 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah, the Seattle Seahawks will take them out.
Yet, I’m not fond of having to rely on Norv Turner and Philip Rivers to beat the Detroit Lions.
"I Am Mine"
Over the last 4 games
Seahawks have had the second best point differential and lynch has been the best running back in the league during the second half
66-0 baby
by thomasikehara on Dec 21, 2011 5:07 PM PST up reply actions
And the Niners still have the number one rush defense (by a long ways), number five overall defense
and haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown all season…I’m a Lynch fan so we’ll see how things go.
#7
Lynch has scored a touchdown in 10 strait games, something's got to give
Seahawks run d is no slouch either. I expect a low scoring game
66-0 baby
by thomasikehara on Dec 22, 2011 2:10 PM PST up reply actions
I remember being really skeptical of the Pete carrol hiring
I freakin love it now, my favorite coach of any of my favorite teams ever
66-0 baby
by thomasikehara on Dec 21, 2011 5:06 PM PST up reply actions
The guy can coach defense.
For that, he’s earned my respect.
The team still needs another pass rusher, though, with Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw looking like a nice possibility in the mid-first.
"I Am Mine"
I really like how he knows exactly what kind of players fit into his system
I remember being very critical of the deryl tapp and josh Wilson trades, but Clemens has been great, and the new corners have been tearing it up
66-0 baby
by thomasikehara on Dec 21, 2011 9:36 PM PST up reply actions
Seems to me that having these three interchangeable pieces is a good thing.
Where our offence last season was often one dimensional it now has the potential to strike from any position save for the 5. I think our opponents will have a harder time defending this squad. Any of our three guards can break down the defense and dish or strike. Yes, there is the potential for someone to outshine another but if they focus on the main goal, winning, that should help alleviate the issue. Winning solves a lot of problems. I really like this group.
While they may average 36% from 3
I like the odds of any one of them hitting 45-50 on a given night. I don’t think we had that with Dre in the mix. There should be more nights where we draw guard defenders out of passing and cutting lanes.
That being said, everyone pointing to the Utah game…. Our three shooting was pretty poor. it’s either one game or an indicator. Can’t pick and choose. Personally, I look at as a nice start and reason for optimism.
Trust and look for each other
by Hermistonmelons on Dec 21, 2011 6:53 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
6-23 from 3pt and still won by 20
I think you’re right about opening up the inside with at least one hot shooter on a given night. Have LMA back won’t hurt either. It’s nice if someone gets hot, but wasn’t necessary on Monday.
Luke Babbitt is really to blame for that though
not that the rest of the team was stellar, but he was pulling up 3 feet from the line a few times.
by avalancheman on Dec 21, 2011 11:58 AM PST up reply actions
i think the odd thing
is that dave essentially takes the fact that we have much better scorers on the perimeter as a negative.
perimeter scoring was such a weakness last year with roy in and out of the lineup and defenses sagging off of miller – looks to be a strength this year. good news.
Being better doesn't make it a strength
Unfortunately….
Felton and Crawford are not Novak and Jimmer. These guys make the Blazers better from distance, but they do not transform Portland into a perimeter threat (in particular from distance).
Off the pick and roll however, they do transform the Blazers into a pull up J threat that we haven’t had out of the PG position. Roy did have that – but he didn’t use it to set up the roll.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Dec 21, 2011 9:39 AM PST up reply actions
Sure...
I’m not saying it’s an elite backcourt – maybe “strength” is too strong, but I think it’s a large improvement in overall backcourt offensive talent.
If you compare to a healthy Roy, it’s still a downgrade – unfortunately that ship has sailed.
I’m in “move on” mode, but like Paul Allen I’m not ready to watch a 20 win team – let’s see what they can do this season. It’s going to be a weird year so let’s just have fun and roll with it!
Next summer is a great time to reassess.
I was never a big Miller fan
but the best we can classify Felton for Miller is a lateral move to improve perimeter scoring from the PG position. In terms of overall contribution, Miller was at least Felton’s equal, last season. In terms of fit for this team, I think Felton is a significant improvement.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Dec 21, 2011 10:06 AM PST up reply actions
It could be the big upgrade of Felton over Miller
is coach confidence and support, less play calls, less overcontrolling. Regular coach play calling is the formula for plodding play.
The Blazers are back !
Matthews is hands down the best guard on the team.
He is both the most efficient scorer on the team, and the best defender. I am hoping the new guys Felton, and Crawford will adopt Matthews’ tough minded, team oriented attitude, and not just play for their next contract.
by heybabydrinkyourmilk on Dec 21, 2011 9:35 AM PST via mobile reply actions
One thing about Mathews is that I don't consider a high assisted rate to be a negative
The fact that he functions best off the ball is a good thing. He isn’t Roy in the ability to attack from deep, attack the rim, or generate assists off penetrations and double teams, but he can do some of those things + does finish well off set ups from others.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Dec 21, 2011 9:42 AM PST up reply actions
What evidence is there to assume that they are not team orientated or tough minded or just playing for there contracts .
by Willie Beamon on Dec 21, 2011 9:52 AM PST up reply actions
There is no evidence
I feel good about both of those guys. I’m just saying that if there is one person in the league to use as a model for attitude, it is Wesley Matthews.
by heybabydrinkyourmilk on Dec 21, 2011 10:06 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I don't see Wes being a shrinking violet.
This is also to me, the defining moment(year) for Nate as coach of the Trailblazers. I have been a Nate supporter although before they hired him I was in favor of pursuing Lionel Hollins. This year to me is do or die for Nate. I have given him high marks for holding the team together despite the devastating injuries but the time is now. Good luck Nate. Go Blazers!
Somebody step up! - Mike Rice
Good Review...
We need a Jedi in the making not a perpetual moisture farmer? I’m giving points to this piece just for having the confidence to use that analaogy.
I say it like a broken record, but it’s because it’s always true. You can do all the evaluation, all the speculation you want, any pre-season and the regular season as it unfolds will always surprise you. Matthews, Crawford, Smith, Williams, Johnson…it is likely that the surprises might come out of this bunch this season.
But all I’m going to say, is that I like that talent assembly. I like that potential, and I like what we know we have…if we can get a solid rotation and embraceable roles, if everyone buys in..that’s a pretty good combination of guards and skills.
To me? The Jedi is going to have to be McMillan. He’s going to have to sense inwhich who the force is strong…on any given night. And he’s going to have to keep any or all of them from turning to the dark side. If he can do that? We will be okay.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
So after the Blazers fail to get out of the first round again
And McMillan leaves for the Lakers coaching job, we will all cry out:
“You were the chosen one! It was said that you would destroy the Lakers, not join them. You were to bring balance to the Blazers lineup, not leave it in darkness!”
Or maybe we’re going to say that to Oden when he leaves.
by unblindloyalty on Dec 21, 2011 4:08 PM PST up reply actions
Let me fix this for you.
“And McMillan leaves for the Lakers Bobcats coaching job […]”
There, that’s more like it.
"I Am Mine"
it's easy
PG/SG: – Miller, – Mills, + Felton, + Crawford, + Smith, + Williams
= upgrade
SF: + Wallace (full season), – Wallace (half season)
= upgrade
PF/C: + Thomas, + Smith, + slightly bulkier and more experienced Chris Johnson, + full season of Lamonster
= Upgrade
Obviously there are other factors, both positive and negative, but our team is better than last year and no one knows exactly what it will look like. It’s going to be a fun season. Know one knows what our ceiling is. Perceptions change. I’m done getting caught up in these preseason predictions and previews. The bold prediction is to believe in these Blazers, but you’re not seeing that. Oh well. Time to change the perception.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 10:47 AM PST via mobile reply actions 4 recs
Correction
PF/C: – Marks, – Przybilla (2010 edition), – Collins, – Oberto, – Barron, – Cunningham + Thomas, + Smith = upgrade
A healthy Prz might have change that equation a bit. Cunningham had his uses as a stretch 4.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Dec 21, 2011 11:25 AM PST up reply actions
word
thanks…sorry Dante, I do like you and didn’t mean to leave you out like that. Marks, 2010 Przybilla, Collins, Oberto, and Barron are all negligible. We still might get 2011 Przybilla which could only be an upgrade or a wash. Chris Johnson does deserve mention imo.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
although a direct correlation between Gerald Wallace and Dante should be drawn
and that is = upgrade all day long
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 11:47 AM PST up reply actions
and of course I forgot about Rudy
but he had become negligible or even a negative by the time the season rolled to a close
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 12:08 PM PST up reply actions
you forgot the unspeakable 'upgrade'
-Roy, -Nate/Roy = upgrade
why, because Brandon was not physically able to fill the role that he, his coach, and even his team mates wanted him to, fighting the reality of the, now acknowledged, terminal knee disability (from a pro player standpoint). This was a weight on the team and prevented the total change to the new style open to the Blazers now. This is not Roy ‘hate’ or disrespect, just another factor, logically speaking. I have great respect for Roy making the tough decision for the team to go on without him, even though he would love to still be on the court. Just sayin’, ‘upgrade’.
The Blazers are back !
in that same vein
is the Nate/Dre relationship (Push Push Push!! Nate yells as Dre walks it up the court) versus the Nate/Ray relationship. Also, Nate/Jamal vs. Nate/Patty? Upgrade city.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 11:48 AM PST up reply actions
Always find it interesting
that BIG fans of Dre All-Day, who are totally missing him right now (talking about specific people on Twitter if you are wondering), are AT THE SAME EXACT TIME, BIG critics of Coach Nate’s slow isolation style of coaching…..????, right? I get much humor from seeing this contradiction so clearly when they cannot. Dre was never going to run, never, ever, ever. And who the heck cannot SEE Nate on the sidelines waving his arms and yelling at the to GO!?!?!?!?!
Go Blazers!
by EowynAmarie on Dec 21, 2011 3:24 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
What about the center
We did not add a center, so… A 36 yr old Camby vs. a 37 yr old Camby= downgrade; a season w/o Oden vs. a season w/o Oden = same… So we had better make some splashes in getting one in the next year or we’re toast.
Also, I understand that we want to make a good team and we like the guys we have…but you have to be honest with yourself… Can you see this team as it is winning a championship? If so, then great, keep it as is. If not (which I think is obvious) then you need to rework… Call me crazy, but isnt the goal to win it all? This is a second round team at best…
by Love_me_some_blazers on Dec 21, 2011 11:39 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Aldridge, Thomas, Johnson are all options aside from Camby
I agree that it’s the weakest position on the team. As for the second part, we just reworked this team and so far they are 1-0 with a +20 point differential. Contracts expire next summer. See what this version of the Blazers can accomplish this year.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 11:46 AM PST up reply actions
additionally
for all we know Camby gets packaged for a younger center option this season. That being said, as far as 37+ year old centers go we have two of the better ones.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 11:49 AM PST up reply actions
allow me to rephrase...
if you’re gonna have two geezerly centers, Kurt and Marcys are not bad options to have at all (and not just relative to other geezerly centers)
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Dec 21, 2011 12:13 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Did you call Marcus, "Marcys" on purpose?
"What began as a credible protest against bank bailouts, crony capitalism and the like has, in large measure, been hijacked by crazies and criminals,"
by 92wastheyear on Dec 21, 2011 1:05 PM PST up reply actions
no, not on purpose
but it would be an out of the box way to spell “Mar-kiss”
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
In a normal grind it out
82 game season. We would make the playoffs and not win. In a crazy 66 back to back to back games season. This team has a very good chance to make some noise. Miami is also another team who should excel this season.
Worth noting that this is the guard preview...
… there are definitely separate previews coming for the forwards and center.
Man, pretty tough evaluation of rookie point guard who has played 12 minutes in one pre-season game.
Top notch scouting folks.
Let’s see what Nolan Smith looks like after half an NBA season, he could be Armon Johnson 2.0, or better than the “solid, but unathletic” tag. We’ll see.
I think we all miss the Summer League and the normality of knowing more about our young players by this point in the pre-season.
Dave
I find your estimation of Wesley Matthews very interesting. I don’t believe for one hot second that Wes will “defer” to anyone on this current team not named Lamarcus Aldridge. He is a respectful guy, but his determination to improve and expand his game will far outweigh any tendencies to shy away from competing with either Jamal or Felton, in my honest opinion. But, I AM a dedicated Wesley cheerleader, so perhaps my perspective is a tad biased :)
I also believe that Nate’s reticence to play rookies will leave plenty of minutes for the three of these guys. I also highly doubt ANYONE, including Crawford (whom Nate is likely going to put at the 1 A LOT), is going to seriously challenge Wesley. Nate loves him, knows him, and he plays better defense than the other two put together. That almost guarantees him ample time on the floor. Additionally, I see Jamal as consistently coming off the bench, while the other two start, so the opportunity for direct competition will likely be limited.
As for the aforementioned rookies, I believe Nolan will get limited time behind Felton and Crawford and that Elliot is more likely to get both minutes and make a significant splash with the time he’s afforded. Nolan is solid, but not splashy at all. Elliot on the hand, came to play. Lamarcus was not lying when he said he has Michael Jordan swagger. Seriously.
Love your write-ups, as always, but did note far less optimism than is typical of your thoughts. That’s a shame, but is perhaps to be expected with the closing of a such an excruciatingly hopeful era.
Go Blazers!
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