Sean Meagher (AKA the man who killed the Blazers O-Live Forum).. is running a poll asking if Oden should be the starting Center the rest of the year and into the playoffs. Is this a joke? Joel > Oden. and it's not close.
Well, I think Nate was recently quoted saying that at some point he envisions Oden starting (in playoffs?)
I think Joel should start for the rest of the year . . . both for the team and for Oden's development.
Oden is definitely a better offensive threat than Joel, but that isn't the whole story. Oden needs an education on playing and if he can get that education by playing against "tier 2" players (i.e., the second team), that does him well as I would like to think that he might not gather fouls quite as quickly, will perform better (boosting confidence) and makes our second team a much better team (some inside scoring potential - not virtually 100% jump shooting). Greg should stay as the backup for now and through the playoffs. Greg may sometimes play more or less minutes but I think Joel has earned the starting position and overall finishing the year with this rotation will be better for Greg. Gramps...
Joel > Oden? Um no. Joel has played great this year, but you can tell the team is a notch up when Oden is on the court. I believe that Oden should come off the bench just because right now he seems comfortable, and it's near the end of the season. Not some bullshit like Joel being better.
Przybilla has done yeoman's work, but Oden is the better player, IMO. Oden simply isn't currently good for "starter minutes." Oden is a tremendous defensive presence (outside the fouls) and is a much bigger offensive presence than Przybilla. I really think who "starts" is pretty irrelevant, though. Number of minutes is what matters, no matter who starts. Oden should get as many minutes as he can play, because he makes a big difference to the team when he's in. Przybilla should get all the rest of the minutes. Beyond that, who's on the court for the opening tip hardly matters.
Gotta stay with what's working. Bring the big fella off the bench. No question. Let's reevaluate Oden starting next season.
it wasn't like the club was struggling with Greg as a starter. Without delving through the stats, it seems to me the club is better when both are available regardless who is starting. Let's watch the club do whatever Nate decides is best and then start threads mulling over the decision. STOMP
If it were December, I'd be all for starting Oden. With 9 games left in the season, though, the team should be fine tuning the engine, not switching cars. Keep Przybilla as the starter for now. The interesting thing about the playoffs is the adjustments that happen between games. Oden may well wind up starting some games in the playoffs. Swapping Oden for Przybilla (or vice versa) as a starter is the easiest way for Nate to give the team a new look for the opposing coach to adjust for.
Greg simply can't avoid foul trouble as a starter. ESPECIALLY when he's matched up against a big man with offensive skills. It's 2 fouls within 3 minutes and right to the bench just about every time. He has a much better chance of avoiding foul trouble coming off the bench playing against somebody else's b/u. This isn't the long term answer - everybody knows that. But for now it's the only way to go.
Keep him off the bench is best. It puts less pressure on him if he gets a few early fouls. It keeps Roy and Aldridge as the focal point of the starting unit. And I love the way Sergio is always looking to drive and dish to Oden. Can't really think of one reason why he needs to start.
