Martell

by Dave on Oct 2, 2006 1:50 AM PDT in News

As we enter training camp, I find myself wondering more and more about young Mr. Webster and his role on our team. The kid says all the right things, he's apparently smart, and he's a really hard worker. Between those things and his natural charisma, he's become something of a standard-bearer for this team. I would be overjoyed if both his opportunities and his performance this year justified those impressions, but part of me also worries.

One obvious concern is his age. The timeline on most fresh-out-of-high-school guys is three years, not two, especially if they didn't play a full first season, which--despite the late-season flurry--Martell didn't. In fact it's easy to forget that at one point last year the team considered him NBDL-worthy. I'm not questioning his talent or drive. I'm just saying that there's a long distance between that and team leader...maybe more than can be covered in a handful of months. Also right now he's a man without a position. Is he a 2 or a 3? At shooting guard he's sandwiched between a veteran and a rookie sensation, both of whom probably have more well-rounded games than he at this point. He loses size advantage at small forward, has to learn a new (though not shockingly so) role, and is stuck behind one of the top two players on the squad. That's a fair amount of murkiness surrounding a potential "star" player, which makes me wonder if the epithet is a tad premature yet.

I love Martell. I love his game, I love his attitude...I think he very easily could be my favorite player on the whole team. But if I had to guess I'd say that despite the high hopes, this year will hold for him a fair amount of soul-searching, some bench time, and perhaps a full-blown identity crisis or two. Obviously that's not what he's expecting, and it could prove quite a test. If he responds to those like he did to the NBDL thing he'll likely earn the spot and role he covets by next season. If he doesn't respond well there's a chance he could end up in the "Outlaw Zone", which would be a shame.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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This year, Martell makes good 6th man

I see Martell's role as 6th man this year. Martell can get close to starter minutes as the 2nd SG and 2nd SF.

I think it's only going to take a couple of weeks for Brandon Roy to establish himself as the starting SG.

by rb1 on Oct 2, 2006 8:25 AM PDT reply actions

Well put.

A good sound evaluation Dave. I'm thinking on the same lines as you.

But to your last couple of statements, I almost know that he WILL respond positively ... to bench time or whatever and will not end up in the Outlaw zone. I think he's just that kind of kid.

by TwoDeep on Oct 2, 2006 8:26 AM PDT reply actions

Martell should be alright...

The problems are few, the main one being the expectations that have been thrust upon him. I expect Martell to never be better than the fourth best man on the team. I really see him as a fifth or sixth man. A sharpshooter off the bench or a good swingmanjust short of all-star. The expectations, though, are that he will become a perinneal all-star.

If Martell falls into the trap of thinking this is what he must be, he may get crushed to the point that he doesn't become all he can be. This is my fear for Martell.

by ken @ Blazer's Edge on Oct 2, 2006 10:29 AM PDT reply actions

To Me

Darius is the wild card in Webster's development. With Roy most likely making a strong case for starting SG, Webster will have to turn to SF- which should be dominated by Darius. If Roy is as good as advertised and if Darius truly has turned over a new leaf, then Webster could be the odd man out for a while. And that may not be a bad idea for this season, but by the 07/08 season, they need to make Webster a prominant member of the team.

by blazerprophet on Oct 2, 2006 2:11 PM PDT reply actions

Play him now

Or end up with Jermaine O'Neal syndrome. If he'll be a prominant part of our team in a year or two, get him playing time and make him better now. Roy may be a better overall player but no one on the team shoots as well as he does and giving him a chance to expand his game now and get some confidence will only make him better for when we need him in a few years. Martell and Jack may make us happy we passed on the poor shooting (but great player) Chris Paul in a year or two.

I am the master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. - Charles Wesley

by Earl on Oct 2, 2006 9:41 PM PDT reply actions