Webster has said that he wouldn't object to coming off the bench (which is very good news as far as I'm concerned): http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=122713490714343400 We currently run a 10-man rotation, we certainly won't run an 11-man rotation. Who doesn't play? I think Frye will be the odd man out, and Batum will continue to start! Webster has shown that he can really run the court. Rudy had a lot of great passes to him in the preseason.
I see the rotations as this: SF: Webster/Batum PF: Aldridge/Outlaw Frye will be the odd man out, IMO.
I don't know what to do with Webster. I think he's the worst small forward on the team, but I'm not sure I want to waste him entirely. I don't really like the idea of playing Outlaw at the 4 a lot, since he gives up too much size. PG: Blake/Rodriguez/Bayless SG: Roy/Rudy/Webster SF: Batum/Outlaw/Webster PF: Aldridge/Frye That's basically going with the players who have demonstrated themselves to be the best. However, I would like Webster to see time occasionally, in case he has a breakout left in him. So McMillan is going to have to do quite a bit of experimenting with lineups.
His lower than the team average career outside shooting? Portland is 2nd in the NBA right now in 3 point shooting. That seems like a strength to me. Perhaps Martell was shooting too much in past seasons?
With Fernandez and Outlaw, I'm not sure the team can afford to give many minutes to someone who's only (demostrated so far) ability is to shoot from the perimeter. And as Bayless gets burn in the future, outside shooting will continue to wane as a need. All those players can also do things other than shoot.
With the rapid, and surprising, development of Batum, and the progress of Travis Outlaw, I think that opens the door to consolidate this roster. Maybe Webster could be one of the players dealt by the deadline. Webster/Blake for Conley, anybody?
Unfortunately, I think Frye will sit. I think they are really high on Batum and what he brings to the team.
Yeah, but the difference is how many threes he takes. Last year Webster took 4.2 three point attempts per game. Shooting a respectable 38.8%. Batum is taking 2 attempts per game. Don't get me wrong, I think Batum is the future at the three. Right now, Webster is a good fit with the starting unit with his shooting.
I think he is talking about a quality volume 3 point shooter. Batum is hitting it from downtown, but I think teams will live with him shooting from out there. Martell on the other hand would definitely stretch out the opposing teams defense. Martell's reputation will force the other team to get up on him, thus opening up the middle of the floor for our bigs.
Webster coming back in a few weeks just keeps underscoring for me how important it's going to be for KP to make a consolidation trade sooner rather than later. I don't "hate" anyone on this team, but I'd hate for chemistry to start breaking down because guys are getting frozen out of the rotation. All in all I think Frye's minutes suffers the most out of Batum, Martell, Travis and he.
So, Batum is taking half of the 3s in half the minutes. Don't see much of an argument there. The thing about Batum is that he's not forcing it, so his shots are more open. Webster compensates by being a better shooter. Shrug. I'll stick to my main point: Webster can run the break with Rudy very well.
Webster will definitely get back in. But whether it will be as the starter or off the bench remains to be seen. As for where his minutes come from, they will come from a combination of all the listed options. I.E. less time for Frye at PF, and less time for both Travis and Nico at SF as long as Martell can do his job of consistently hitting the long 3 to open up the middle, play good solid defense, run the break and finish, and grab some boards and loose balls. I don't think it will make much difference whether he starts or comes off the bench. If he is a starter, I think he would work well with Oden. And I know Nico would/could play well with Sergio and Rudy. If Nico continues to start and Webster comes off the bench, then I think a running 2nd unit of Sergio, Rudy, Martell, Travis and Joel would be a problem for most teams to contend with. Can't wait for Martell to get back to 100% and rejoin the team. GO BLAZERS 波特兰篮球队好棒 很利害 JAFO
Maybe I'm oldschool, but he was the starter before the injury and should be allowed to keep being a starter. Besides, I believe Martell is better than he was a season ago. The league needs to see that for his value to increase. I love Batum, but he's under contract for a few years and is a rookie. He can buddy up with Bayless for the next couple of months.
As of right now, it is Frye. He has not been good this season so far - to put it kindly. Worst offensive stats on the team. And, as a player who makes his bacon on the offensive end, this is not a good situation for him. He will have to fight to keep his rotation spot as Webster comes back. Here is a suggestion for Channing: Put the ball in the hole!
We all know he's better than this, and actually, with what he's been given, he's meeting my expectations. This team is so deep that I think Frye is having trouble getting comfortable out there. He's looked better of late though, which leads me to think he's adapting faster to his role. Plus, when he's asked to be the decoy and pull the a big man out, there's not much for him to do but take the jumper if he's open.
