I'm down with OPP! [video=youtube;qmuFlaFYdgE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmuFlaFYdgE&playnext_from=PL&feature=PlayList&p=E52E00E46C9D3366&playnext=1&index=18[/video]
He's not the 3rd best player on the team, or the 3rd reason why we've won so many games this year. His scoring is actually counterproductive to this teams success in some ways. He was the 3rd highest scorer on last years 41-41 team, and all of his per game/per minute numbers are down this year when compared to last. Travis's "part" of this team is getting smaller and we're getting better! It was the same thing last year in terms of wins and losses, when Travis played significantly fewer minutes and shot/scored much less when the team won.
he's averaging 1.1 turnovers per game. If he's really cool with coming off the bench and can be retained with a contract with similar #s to what he's garnering now, I think he's a solid asset/fit for the club. But I'm also for trading anyone for the right deal. STOMP
Im kinda torn on this. If would have asked me 2 month ago I wouldve told you anti easily but I have seen some growth in Travis the last few months. His shot selection seems to be a bit better (or maybe he is just making more lately?) and he is taking to the hole more. He has shown he has the ability to rebound well at times. I agree that if he has the mindset to do it he could be a great bench player in our plans down the road.
Yeah I know he doesn't get called for it very often. But it still makes me nervous when he starts his move. (Not that half the NBA doesn't do the same thing)
I love Outlaw - I think he is a fantastic option off the bench and his impact on the cap space is minimal. It is all a question of return on investment - and in this regard - Outlaw is a plus. If he was a headcase, a cancer in the locker-room or had a huge salary that removed flexibility from the team - I would not. Since he is not - I love his contributions to the team - even when I can acknowledge that he makes some mistakes there and he is limited in what makes him effective. Nothing wrong with that.
I like Trav's value, both as a player who is unafraid to take big shots, and a player who is still developing and has some potential to improve further. His contract is very fair, which is super rare in the NBA. Is there an option for Pro-Outlaw on Offense, Anti-Outlaw on Defense? His D is painful to watch at times. Overall, he is a solid player, but absolutely nowhere near untouchable. If we can package him with some other asset to get a player like G Wallace this offseason, KP better DO IT.
When Travis is on the floor he has to shoot, otherwise you don't get anything else out of him. Unfortunately, the unit he is out on the floor with a lot and your primary scorers being jump shooters really isn't very good, and that ends up reflecting on him a lot. What they really need is to get some guys out on the floor that attack the rim in order to balance out that unit. The reason Travis often does better in the 4th, is because he is out on the floor with a better unit of players during crunch time.
I agree with this, and to add to the Offense/Defense distinction, I'd say I'm also pro Outlaw at backup PF, anti Outlaw at SF.
I voted B. Not because I think he sucks, but because I think he sucks more than he rules. He is a bad defensive player and a bad rebounder. He doesn't get to the free throw line. He takes more difficult shots than anyone in the NBA this side of Kobe, and that he makes a fair number of them doesn't give me confidence that it's a good gameplan. I'm happy he's on the team as a backup, but I would love for us to get someone more consistent and/or with a more well-rounded game. He might be able to explode on a team where he can get all the shots that he wants, but I don't think (nor want) that team to be the Blazers. Ed O.
