And some guys play better as starters. Some players are able to come off the bench and get right into their groove, others can not.
Give me a break. Are you actually suggesting that the players are going to pick the starting 5, and that Nate is just going to go along with whatever they say?? It's pretty clear that Nate meant the players would "tell" him who starts by the way they were playing. In other words, their play on the court would reveal who was the best, and who deserved to start.
What kind of logic is that? If your #1 pick turns out to be a bust, do you still start him over a better player just because of where he was taken in the draft?? I'm not saying Oden is a bust, but if and when he starts, it will be because of his play, and not the fact that he was once a #1 pick (two years ago).
I second this logic. It took a whole lot of luck for Portland to come back 18 times to win last year. Why rely on luck when you have players who can keep you from falling behind so much in the first place? Nate will no doubt have reasons for his starting line-up that are based on things I will never know anything about. But if he continues to trot out a lineup that falls behind in the first quarter of every single game he will be out of a job at the end of year.
I am not buying this. Most of the time we got into deep trouble (dd deficit) was because our backup unit came in a stunk up after the starters had a good/acceptable first quarter. Sure, there were some issues with some games where we started slow - but the starting unit very rarely got us into ddd territory.
For anyone that actually thinks a head coach doesn't listen to their "star" on who they think should start is drastically underestimating "STAR POWER"
I think Nate would be stupid if he did not listen to what his players tell him, especially his star player. Roy was asked a question - he answered it without trying to be coy. I appreciate it about Roy - especially when what he said was not a knock on Joel.
At the same time you have nothing to back up that Miller and Oden cannot start and produce. Oden has been carrying the team the first 2 games, and that included one hell of a start yesterday that would have been disasterous had Oden not been roaming the court. Miller has been a starter his whole career and produced. Meanwhile, Steve Blake has been Steve Blake his whole career even if he is in great shape. He is still Steve Blake and can't do anything but space the floor. Joel Pryzbilla will never be a scorer. He never will be. Fast starts and burying teams from the start are one of the best ways to win on the road. Shut the crowd up fast, and carry the intensity through the game.
lol at Roy acting like the coach. To me, it's just been more Nate double talk similar to Durant vs. Oden. Oden was a no brainer. Starting Miller over Blake is a no brainer. Starting someone we're debating becoming a "once in a generation" center over someone who plays very little offense is also a nobrainer. Nate is just soothing Blake's and Joel's egos.
That and some other points for wins on the road. 1.) Ability to score inside (low post scoring) and 2.) Defensive quickness. You gotta be able to take the other team out of their rhythm.
And I have no doubt Roy respects that as well. So a "public comment" like that is only his opinion. One he probably already told McMillian about. If Nate decides to bring Oden or Miller off the bench, I doubt we see Roy throwing a public tantrum either.
Nope, not even close. We basically plucked Joel off the scrap heap. We signed him as a free agent (that nobody else wanted) for $1.5 million a year for two years. Prior to coming to Portland he was considered injury prone (he was) and a wasted lottery pick. Due to injuries, he played a total of 49 games (32 in 2002-03 and 17 on 2003-04) the two previous seasons. Theo had played great the year before, leading the league in blocks (307) and games played (85 - between ATL and POR). As a result, John Nash signed Theo to a HUGE extension (even though he had another season left on his current contract). Joel was brougt in to compete with Ha for back-up center minutes. He actually ended up outplaying Theo and starting 50 games. BNM
That just sounds hilarious. HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa It's good to see Greg's teammates feel confident with him on the floor. Last year? Not so much.
"The Ironing is delicious!" as Bart Simpson would say. As far as this discussion goes, Roy can say what he wants and Nate can choose to listen or not. Starting 5: PG: Miller SG: Roy SF: this ones tough, I'm going with Martell for his supposed better shooting. PF: Cunningham just kidding LMA C: Oden, and this shouldn't be in doubt for much longer if it even is.
Flashback to right after Oden was drafted, I remember people thinking I was completely crazy for having the idea that it made no sense to pencil Greg as starter until he'd earned the spot in camp. Obviously, a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, but expectations are a lot more realistic now. I'd love to see Oden start, but only because he's earned it (while camp is still early, I think he's headed that way.) From an expectations standpoint, it might not be an altogether bad thing to begin the season with him on the bench and wow people when he comes in the game. If he starts right away, expectations will likely be higher (which could be a good thing, but it could also be a really bad thing.)
I wasn't talking about Miller or Oden specifically. I'm just saying that historically, some guys play better as starters, and some guys have no trouble coming off the bench.
I think you guys are misreading Roy's meaning when he says "It's going to be hard to keep Greg out of the starting lineup." Roy loves a challenge, and he's going to find a way to keep Greg out of the starting lineup, you can bet on it!
