Martellius Grow-Upicus

by Dave on Jul 18, 2007 11:40 PM PDT in News

My wife and I went to see the new Harry Potter movie tonight. We've been following this whole thing pretty much from the beginning. I have a soft spot in my heart for reasonably well told stories and I've been a huge fan of C.S. Lewis' Narnia series ever since I was a kid. Potter is basically Narnia for a new generation with a little less depth and grace in writing, but it's close enough in spirit to be enjoyable.

Anyway, this movie wasn't the best in the world. In fact it wasn't even the best in the series. But it did strike me that while earlier movies had been carried by the adult actors, special effects, and Emma Watson as Hermione, this movie was very much carried by the child actors and actresses (now nearly grown up). Daniel Radcliffe in particular turned in a masterful performance. His scenes to this point have ranged from the non-descript to the nearly painful. But for whatever reason--him growing up or the script doing a better job of featuring him--he just nailed it here. He was with every actor in every scene line for line and expression for expression.

This observation made me think two things:

It really IS possible for youngsters to grow into their craft. Obviously with the right chain of events it's even possible for them to register exponential growth within the space of a year. This gives me some hope for Martell. Maybe at some point it will just click for him. We may not ever know why, but maybe one day he'll just nail it and be on his way.
I'm a really sick puppy if I can't even go to a Harry Potter movie without relating it to the Blazers somehow.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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I'm just like you Dave

I tend to turn everything into the Blazers as well. Some people consider it a sickness, I consider it a blessing.

Formerly known as Junit3123

by Jason3123 on Jul 18, 2007 11:50 PM PDT reply actions

Be sure to check out these

Harry Potter themed Blazers' books;

-----------------------------------------------

Kevin Pritchard and the Magical Trade Exception

Brandon Roy and the Chamber of Sillystring

Paul Allen and the Prisoner of DKV Joventut (Rudy Fernandez)

Jarrett Jack and the Goblet of Point Guards

Steve Patterson and the Order of the Incompetent Executives

Darius Miles and the Half Pint Prince

Greg Oden and the Deathly Tonsils

by jayseyfield on Jul 19, 2007 12:12 AM PDT reply actions

I wish I had

extra t-shirts because you'd get one for this. Brilliance on wheels.

--Dave

by Dave on Jul 19, 2007 12:19 AM PDT up reply actions

classic!

by jksnake99 on Jul 19, 2007 12:43 AM PDT up reply actions

"Paul Allen and the Prisoner of DKV"

That was my favorite title. The best part is when Paul switched places with a homeless man who looked exactly like him so he could get away from the Vulcans for day. Lo, The Adventures he had!

I haven't read the whole series yet... Greg Oden doesn't die in the end, does he?!?!?!

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 19, 2007 1:26 AM PDT up reply actions

No

He regains his youth. An evil wizard made him look like he's 47.

by jamon51 on Jul 19, 2007 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

This sums up my view also

Since we all started worrying about Martell, my view has always been that he'll grow into it. We might not even see a gradual improvement... one day, one game, one season, it'll just CLICK.

There might be an in-between season that shows the promise, but he'll probably just finally have his "AWAKENING" (as I call it) and be good from then on.

That's how it happened to me during my glorious sports day. I sucked, changed my mentality, then was good. It was nearly overnight. Nothing changed physically aside from normal young boy-man growth (not that kind)... it was all mental.

We've all assumed from afar that Martell had some sort of mental blockage... depression, low confidence, whatever it is recent articles and interviews have shown that we were all correct in our assumption. That sort of thing can disappear suddenly, an epiphony of sorts... and then the game clicks. He'll suddenly "get it".

I know I'm not explaining it very well, but that's how it went for me. How you view the game and your role and how to approach it suddenly changes, and it's nearly entirely mental. It's pretty much rooted in the youth problems Martell has, I would guess.

Can anyone point out a player who has the physical and natural gifts a guy like Martell has, who also works VERY HARD, but never makes it in the NBA? Obviously, not considering injuries and the like... and remember, even though Martell has been considered sorta uncoachable, he is still a very hard worker.

He isn't a Miles who relies on his natural ability and doesn't try to improve. He works hard. Who doesn't make it who works hard and has all the right physical tools?

As I look at our team, I think he could very easily have a good place with it. I don't know if he'll be given that chance, and I agree with others who think he'll become a good player-- but for another team. I could live with that, as long as he proves me right for believing in him.

I don't know if this is the year for Marty, but I am confident he'll have his awakening one of these years. Maybe in time for his 3rd contract cycle! That's where the BIG bucks are, after all.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 19, 2007 1:40 AM PDT reply actions

I was more gradual

At 6'-4" my coach thought I had potential since I wasn't really clumsy or anything, but in high school the problem was that I had a mental block anytime I got the ball. I'd just pass off or attempt some wild shot, or worse yet freeze before the pass got to me and drop it. I even dropped a pass where I was wide open and would have tied the game with a lay in. Now, at 25 I see the progress as I've played open gym ball the whole time. I am way more confident and know what to do with the ball and my limitations. But it wasn't any kind of epiphany, but rather a gradual process of learning one thing at a time and becoming more confident.

Can the Blazers wait until Martell hits 24 or 25? He won't require a huge contract until then because of his low production. I'd be fine with sticking it out. Remember, basketball players' most productive years are 24 to 29.

Don't get impatient. He's a long way from being a go-to player, but that doesn't mean he won't get there. And it may be as Mortimer said all at once or more gradual. Time will martell. I mean tell. (Dave may require me to send HIM a t-shirt for that one.) :-D

by jamon51 on Jul 19, 2007 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions

So what I hear you saying...

is that if Martell goes to Florida and plays naked basketball all summer, he'll be a better, more mature player for it come fall?

That's just wrong.

by ken @ Blazer's Edge on Jul 19, 2007 6:44 AM PDT reply actions

To answer your question

yes it is possible for someone whose primary issues are mental and also maturity related to grow into their job, particularly if they get that mental click.

If Martell gets consistent minutes and doesn't feel he has to keep looking over to the bench, afraid of getting pulled, then I do think he can grow into his potential. But his ability to get those minutes is going to be mostly up to him. He's going to have to show improvement in the areas the coaches stress they want. If he can do that, I think it sends the message to Nate and his staff that Martell is finally growing up and once they start getting that message, Martell will find he gets more freedom. Really no different than your normal parent/teenager relationship. (Which might explain Martell's problem - as he hasn't had any sort of normal parent/child relationships.)

by timg56 on Jul 19, 2007 8:01 AM PDT reply actions