Could this team have some turmoil in the locker room???

Ya know the more I heard from Media Day... the more I began to think that there could be some major rifts between players and the Blazers management. Lets take a look.

1. PG spot. Ya know Miller wants to start. So does Blake but he will never press it. You have Roy quietly supporting Blake and prob more players we dont know about. I mean afterall he was the starter last year and made some friends on the team. Miller will quietly be annoyed if he isnt starting. Either way wether you like it or not, there will be sides. Go with Miller.

2. SF spot. This wont ruffle to many feathers because I think all the guys like Martell and Batum. However, im sure there will be some guys who want webster over batum and batum over webster. And if one isnt producing... Nate will have to be the bad guy but will it lead to guys making comments? Put me down for Webster to start.

3. Center. Joel didnt seemed to thrilled today about Oden grabbing the job from him. Oden seems like he would be heartbroken if he doesnt start. Oden starts tills he is hurt in 2nd qtr vs houston.

I know these guys did get along great last year but egos could start coming into play here. I dont know... i just didnt get a great "team" vibe today from Miller, Pryz, Aldridge today at all. Roy sounds like he wants Blake. Pryz wants to start. Rudy wants a bigger role. Miller or Blake are gonna be pissed. Bayless had a very awkward interview and is becoming sergio part deux. I mean, when you really think about it.... there could be "lots of issues" behind the locker room walls. It could turn a season of promise into a season of disaster.

 

you want turmoil then check out the Warriors.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/warriors/index?

plus team captain Jackson reiterated he wants to be traded to a team that wants to win.

STOMP

 

Whatever 'turmoil' there is I don't think it will prevent the team from winning.

 

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Welcome back. Personally I like competition and am looking forward to training camp

STOMP

 

Deep down, all these guys are competitors and athletes. They will want to win at the end of the day. Competition in the locker room or not. Have you ever been on a team that wants to lose? One that yeah, shit happens, but bottom line is everyone wants to win.

 

good points barfo.... and yes the warriors are ugly lol.

But I just am getting a sense that there's gonna be lots of friction this year and sides taken on who should be playing. This is gonna be a tough job for nate. I mean, god help us if we were to get off to a slow start.


And id LA doesnt get his contract... hes gonna be pissed all year. Adding more possible friction.

 

Man you must be LOVING this

 

not as much as you love roy apparently lol (see avatar)

 

It's certainly not outside the realm of possibility and I'm sure there are some guys on the team who are starting to feel the squeeze, asking themselves, "where do I fit in?"

At this point I'd rank it at mildly concerning, but not something I'd lose any sleep over ... hopefully KP relieves some of that pressure with a solid consolidation move between now and February -- prime candidates that could be packaged seem to be Jerryd, Outlaw, Blake(y), Martell, and possibly even Rudy (depending on how he handles things this season).

ps. I don't think you're being negative at all to bring this up, it is a legitimate concern.

 

well breaking down players

Rudy - A sixth man type for us... dont see him being traded... at least not till next summer

Outlaw - very very very likely to be dealt. Not that he wants too but i dont think he fits.

Bayless - I think he will be traded with outlaw for a SF or young PG

Blake - will be very surprised if he's traded. you need a good backup PG in todays NBA.

Pryz - Depends on Oden. If Oden domiantes... and is healthy. pryz wont play much unless Oden gets in foul trouble. This could be a major issue. Pryz looks like he has a temper.

Webster - he will call his shrink if he doesnt play. I really think he will be quiet but could also be traded.

In closing... i agree with nic (above) that Outlaw and Bayless could be packaged together for a young PG on the rise or a starting SF and we throw in webster. But there will be some issues with playing time and who is starting. Also issues with teh coach depending on who Roy and LA side with. And outlaw is roys boy.... so if he gets dealt... will roy bitch even more?

 

The player no one has mentioned is Batum. Sure if he improves as most expect, there will be no problems.

But what if he takes a step back or if Webster starts taking minutes away from him. Batum has been quick to mention a desire to play for other organizations . . . if he doesn't get the increased minutes he is expecting, I could see him grumbling.

 

Really? When did this happen?

 

Aldridge's issues are contractual or non contractual related. Once you resolve that, he will be fine. But the front office has had plenty of time to resolve the Aldridge problem before the start of training camp. They haven't now they have a un needed less than happy camper going into it

 

Last year he mentioned how he would like to play for SA (I'm sure because of Parker), this year he throws out how it would be nice to play for the Lakers, Boston or SA.

Again, if he continues to improve, starts and gets more minutes than last year, I think it's all good with him. If he starts losing minutes, I wonder how he will react . . .

 

Well fortunately for Nic, it's all up to him. The starting spot is his to lose not his to gain.

 

How do you know Roy is supporting Blake especially if its "quietly"? I think Miller is an OBVIOUS starter. While Blake did well last year it was also a career year. Miller is more proven. Blake needs to take away the starting spot from Miller with his play during the year if he wants it back. I doubt that will happen (minus injury). If he was friends with teammates before I dont see how that would change, its not his teammates putting him on 2nd string, its Nate. ALL players complain about minutes, not a big deal.

Decisions have to be made...on every team...you are talking about a hypothetical mutiny against Nate over SF minutes. Players arent (that) stupid, they are aware that the other SF have value. EARN the playing time so it becomes an obvious choice that nobody can argue against except the bitter.

God forbid two guys have the desire to be the starter. I would be more concerned if they didnt! Either way this is a coaching decision and shouldnt have an affect among the two towards each other.




Crisis avoided

 

I personally think it's a situation of what Brandon Roy wants, Brandon Roy gets. Andre Miller can be twice the point guard Blake is. But if Brandon doesn't want him or if Andre doesn't fit into Brandons inner circle, more than likely it ain't happening. Just like Outlaw, we can talk about moving him all we want but if Brandon doesn't want him gone. It ain't happening.

 

You make it sound like a high-school clique. I think it's pretty clear Brandon wants to win, if Miller gives this team a better chance to do so he'll want him on the court, if not then Brandon is dumber than a box of rocks ... and I've never seen anything to suggest this is the case.