Our centers are commanding more attention. Our spacing is much improved. Players are moving a bit better without the ball. We're getting substantially more open jump shots. And we're winning as a result. We are developing so much depth that even though we can't keep it all, we seem to be very well stocked for the next 3-4 years. Pritchard is the GM of the decade.
I was looking at ESPN's NBA stats page, and in so many categories relating to rebounding, scoring, efficiency, whatever ... Portland is in the top 10 in a lot of categories (not pace, but whatever). They're just a solid, solid team this season. They're legit. Early on, after maybe the first five or so games, you might have said, "Portland got lucky with those San Antonio, Houston and Minnesota wins." Not anymore. Portland is finally winning, instead of playing not to lose. In the past few seasons, there have been plenty of games where you say, "Portland got lucky. The other team messed up badly, and Portland just happened to mess up less." Not this year. This year, you're like, "Oh, we just beat the Hornets. Duh." This team is so much fun to watch. Oden is already a solid passer. Outlaw's doing okay (his defense is much improved). Aldridge is, slump aside, improved in the post. Sergio has come alive. Rudy's the Man. B-Roy is B-Roy. Batum is so active and energetic. Really, the top 10 players on this team have all done exceptionally well. It's surprised me in a big way. And Nate has done a great job coaching against Paul, Rose and Wade -- all three of those guys have had subpar games in PDX.
It's interesting to think the team basically has been playing 10 deep lately (Batum, Aldridge, Oden, Roy and Blake as starters, and Outlaw, Frye, Joel, Sergio and Rudy as the backups), and they still have Martel coming in. That's 11 players who could get rotation minutes.
There's no way we can play an 11-man rotation. We have one guy who will be guaranteed 30-plus minutes and that's Brandon. Not even LaMarcus is guaranteed that every game with the way Channing has played lately, and Travis capable of playing PF. I just hope it doesn't become a distraction for this team, and who gets what PT. And hopefully winning will keep everyone happy. But so far, I can't complain much about how this team is playing and how Nate has gotten the guys to play so well early this year.
IDK man, this decade (since 2000) who has done a better job rebuilding an entire team in 3 years when he took over. He took over the off-season we drafted Roy and Aldridge in the same draft and didn't look back.... bought picks like Sergio, Rudy, Batum.. drafted Oden, traded for rights to Bayless, Aldridge, Roy, etc.. You just gotta look at our lineup in 2005 and see where we are today, its unreal... Monia, Khryapa, Randollph, Telfair, Dixon, Ha, etc...
Aside from Zach (who would have trouble starting ahead of LMA, and would be 1st big off the bench), there isn't anyone on that team that makes our roster, is there?
I don't think Zach would get any PT on our team, because his game doesn't fit with our team, not because he isn't a good player, because he IS, just for a certain system and is better as a 2nd option and more of a garbage man. So out of the people I listed, no, i don't think any of them would make our roster. But I don't remember everyone on that team a couple years ago. That is at least my opinion.
Zach would get backup PF minutes at the very least. You just don't sit good players for no reason. (Unless you're the New York Knicks.)
Zach may be a black-hole, but he's still a very, very talented scorer and rebounder and would dominate 90% of the backup power forwards in this league at the offensive end. Zach's real problem is that he's overpaid for what he gives you and there is no way to justify him being a backup on the kind of salary he makes.
Zach would definitely be in front of Frye as the backup PF next to Joel - but you would want to limit his minutes. He is basically a glorified version of President Ike.
Well I thought twice before getting into a Zach arguement, lol. But I don't think Zach would make our roster, and it isn't because he isn't good enough of an NBA player. I just don't think his style fits with our young, unselfish team who doesn't play through the post with our 2nd unit. But he would def. make a nice garbage man with our 2nd unit, so you have a point. And he is def. better than Channing on offense and rebounding. So I guess my post was more answering the question "there isn't anyone on that team that makes our roster, is there". And also, Darius Miles, Charles Smith and Brian Skinner should be added to that list up there!
