via Joe Freeman http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/09/lost_season_gives_trail_blazer.html STOMP
Good read, thanks for posting. Webster is a class act, cant help but wish the guy nothing but the best.
Watching the Martell interview it's striking how much he's matured. When he first came to Portland, he was a teenager trying to act mature. Now he is mature. In games, he was thinking and pressing and missing shots, and he was labeled as a head case. Last summer, and even moreso this year, it really looks like his head is together, he knows what he's doing, and he can get out and play. I think Martell has a lot of ability and tools. His maturity and experience are going to push him over the top.
I think this is it for Webster, he breaks out this year into a reliable role player or the bust moniker will stick (it already has for some people). I still feel he and Nic are a great combo at the 3. Outlaw really is the odd man out. We'll see though, he's shockingly still here...
Given that he was a #6 pick, "reliable role player" is kind of a bust, isn't it? When you draft that high, you hope to get at least a solid starter, if not a guy who could contend for an All Star game or two. Anyway, I'm not his biggest fan, but I'd put him in the "reliable role player" category already. When healthy he's a passable backup SF/SG who can hit some threes, and has the athleticism to play a little defense. It's pretty clear to me he'll be in the NBA for several years to come. What's less clear is if he'll ever be a starter on a good team.
In my opinion Webster is a much better fit with the starting unit because of his ability to hit the outside shot. In the playoffs it was really exposed that Roy and Aldridge were the only offense in our starting unit... and once they were handled no one else stepped up. Batum just isn't a threat... he passed the ball like a hot potato... our centers are no offensive threat and Blake while efficient... just can create his own shot. We did amazingly well with that combo, but I think Webster (if he can bring the same D) will add even more. The only Blazer jersey I bought this decade was a Webster jersey... and I rank him just ahead of Roy as my favorite player. Our whole team is packed with likeable players though... it could be a very fun year.
Not really. As much as you and some other posters contest he's a trainwreck, Travis has actually been pretty effective at both forward spots. The offseason, training camp, and in interviews are where Martell traditionally shines... the regular season games are where he's had trouble. I've got him penciled in 4th in line for SF minutes and don't see him getting run at any other position. STOMP
I've read a lot of people saying this, but the stats disagree. As a rookie Nicolas Batum equaled or bested Webster's career averages in FG% 3pt% FT% TS% and eFG%. Martell has been more of a gunner then Nic, he's just not been a very good one. Fans seem to have forgotten how mediocre one trick pony Martell has been at performing his one trick STOMP
Batum shoots less because he knows he can't score. He should get more shots if his percentages are so good, but he doesn't, because if he did, his percentages would drop like a rock.
Well, based on their similar stats, it could be said that Webster shoots too much for someone who can't score, couldn't it?
huh? How does he shoot the same % from 3's as Martell then? Maybe he shot less because he realizes he plays with even better scorers and helps facilitate whats best for the team? Besides scoring and slightly less FT attempts (which both he and Martell are pathetic at), across the board Batum's stats are just a bit better then Martell's have ever been. He scored at a more proficient rate, and per minute got more steals blocks rebounds & assists then Martell ever has... oh and less turnovers too. According to most everyone who chimes in here at S2 his D was markedly better then Webster's. The team did improve by 13 games last year which is a lot... the difference between these two players factored in that improvement. STOMP
He shoots the same percentage because he only shoots when the entire defense parts the like red sea and it would be otherise embarrassing for him not to shoot.
The year prior Martell had those same wide open looks, he just did less with them and the other shots he jacked up. Batum makes shots at just a bit higher rate then Martell ever has from all over the court. Portland has plenty of equal and better shooters & scorers then both of these guys... these better teammates that Nic deferred to went on to enjoy career years. STOMP
If Batum was so efficient on offense, then why did he not play more than 20 minutes per game? I mean, the SF position was wide open for him. And with such good efficiency, he should have easily taken some of the load off of Roy and Aldridge, right? We saw how dependent we got on our two scorers in the playoffs. Oh wait, I know the answer, it's because he was "facilitating what's best for the team." Give me a freaking break. The only shots Batum took were WIDE open threes and open dunks, because he could hardly make anything else. The guy was tragic on offense.
Good description of Webster, too. He certainly wasn't creating any offense against actual defense. He shot when open, nothing more. Except, remember that one quarter against Utah? How come no one ever mentions that quarter? Webster scored, like, 50 points in one quarter. People should really point that out more, about Webster.
In my opinion, Webster, as limited as he is, is still better at creating offense than Batum. I can barely remember a time where Batum generated offense on his own.
In his best year (his 3rd) - Webster's AST% of 7.0 is below Batum's rookie mark of 7.8% - and if what we saw at Euroball is indicative - Batum was really limited by his experience/coaching team with what he was allowed to do vs. what he can do...
Eye test says Batum can't dribble or create. Until it is proven otherwise I will maintain that stance.
