SI: NBA's Potential Secret Weapons - Webster

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/09/17/secret.weapons/index.html

Sorry if it's been posted. If he's truly healthy and fit by the time the season rolls around, we're going to be really happy that he's back. That lone pre-season game against Sacramento last year gave us some really perspective as to how good he can be. Mind you, he'll likely never reach All-Star status, he could end up being just what we needed last year to get over the hump.

 

"the 22 year old"

I keep forgetting how young Webster is. I love that. I still have high hopes for him.

 

If Webster develops ... nice! If Oden develops ... nice! If Oden AND Webster develop ... the league is in trouble.

 

I had that exact thought. It just stood out and stunned me as I read that. B-Roy was 22 when he was starting his rookie year. Webster is a pretty bright young kid. I look forward to him having a solid, if not exceptional, career (as a Blazer, of course).

Another reason it stood out is that it reminded me how quickly we turned from bottom of the league to a competitor.

 

I've been smackin this all off season. I feel Martell is primed for a break out season this year. If he and Andre are inserted into the starting lineup and are given significant minutes, I think this team will compete for most points per game average by an nba team. Martell is an offensive juggernaut.

 

good grief... the term putting the cart before the horse springs to mind. All his seasonal results reveal him to be a below average offensive player who is improving at a snail's pace. Here's hoping for the best for him this season and all but I wouldn't be that surprised to see him end up earning Bayless type minutes.

No handle + little D = small role

STOMP

 

Yes, I do feel he has the potential to be an offensive beast.

 

I tell you what. Go back to the Utah matchup two years ago where he reeled of 26 points in one quarter I believe. If that isn't a juggernaut, I don't know what it is.

 

I gave an example two posts above. He has proven he has it in him. And while I think he can become a potent scorer. His impact will be closer to a Detlef Schrempf type in his prime rather than a Hakeem, Jordan, Magic Bird etc.

 

The legend of Martell Webster is a fine story. It starts with him being drafted, continues with his great NBA triumph as the slayer of the Utah Jazz for one quarter and then probably ends with him retiring, having nothing left to prove or accomplish in the NBA. What else can a player do after having a great single quarter of play?

I think we'll all tell our children of the quarter in which Martell Webster scored 24 points in one quarter. Later, if we have time, we may mention Michael Jordan.

 

Detlef could dribble and pass the ball without getting stripped. He had great size for a 3 allowing him to board and post up... so far I see Martell more as a homeless man's Dennis Scott

STOMP

 

Martell is 22. Martell is more athletic than Scott. Think some of you are quick to close the book on him.

 

If you read my posts you'll see I'm not closing the book on him. Unlike you I'm not ignoring the chapters that have been written to pretend he's been decent. I want him to succeed, but thus far his play has been very underwhelming.

btw... Scott was also a former lotto pick/one trick pony outside shooter who merely started for a team that made the finals. His career accomplishments far exceed Martell's so far.

STOMP

 

Let me offer some assistance.

82 games x 4 quarters = 328 quarters in a season. Getting hot for 1/328th of the season? Is there such a word as "feeblenaut"?

 

It's possible. Then again, some people thought we were making a mistake by trading Telfair too quickly.

 

We did. Give him just one more chance, and you'll see. You'll be upset we trade Theo Ratliff and our pick for Raef Lafrentz and Boston's pick. Just wait.

 

When was the last time you saw him play? You are stating these things as facts, when they are not. Yes he hasn't been more than decent, but the Webster optimists here feel he has the potential to be a very solid player for us. I won't repeat arguments but we, at least I, feel this optimistic because of what I've seen, not was is in the box score. Call it irrational or whatever you want, but we will see. Deal?

 

It's hard to be in Webster's camp. I'm planted firmly in it, but it's difficult to convey exactly why. I don't have much more than a glimpse of Webster in last years pre season and a gut feeling, I guess. I really felt there was something different about Webster going in to last season. He seemed to carry himself with much more confidence, he looked more athletic, and really - he just didn't seem like a boy any more. He was growing up. It's really hard to explain. I just felt he was going to have a breakout year, and I think he'll have a very good 09-10 season. I think he has the talent. And now I think he has the mind and confidence.

I'll look forward to coming back to this thread to see if I was way off. I will admit it if I am/was, but I fully expect Webster to earn the starting SF spot.

 

Well put.

I hope Webster does well, but there is a lot of homerism going on in this thread.