I am very happy with Camby. He wasn't expected to score, he was expected to block shots and rebound, and he has done that. Hell in the last game he got a hold of a few of Zbo's attempts, and that wouldn't have happened without him. Camby is a guy who is helping the team through some bad times. He didn't ask to be here.
I've been happy enough. It takes time for a new teammate to assimilate. Particularly on the offensive end. I would think having played with Miller before would help the process, although the style in Portland is so different from when they played together in Denver that I guess it isn't much of a help. The bottom line is that I think we needed rebounding help the most, and if there's one thing he does well, it's rebound. Therefore, unless he stops doing the one thing he's always done well, I'll remain happy.
I don't think he's played very well compared to what he can do, and I still love him. Could be his sprain is still being a nuisance.
He's averaging 2.5 blocks in 28 minutes a game so I'm not sure how his blocking ability was greatly exaggerated - but that's some people for you.
In his 6 games here, his Drtg has been 99, as compared to Howard's 108, so we are certainly better defensively when he's on the floor. However, his PER is 11.8 and his Ortg is an abysmal 87, so it's arguable that we're worse overall with Camby than with Howard. Now, to be fair his first two games with us were losses to Boston and Utah, in which he went a combined 2-12, and he's certainly been better since. I think it's a bit early to evaluate him, since (as others have mentioned) it takes a while to gel with new teammates. If his advanced stats haven't improved appreciably by the end of March, then I think we'll have ample reason to be concerned/disappointed.
You know how it is. Because they are on the Blazers, they are somehow supposed to start playing better than they are.
Seriously? We play a great amount better with Camby on the floor instead of Howard. Howard is terrible at defense, terrible at rebounding. The only thing he has is that mid range jumper, which Camby has also been known for.
Defensively, yes. Offensively, we've been terrible so far with Camby on the floor. Howard is not as good as Camby in those areas, but to call him terrible is a gross overstatement. Has been known for it in the past, but certainly not yet in the time since he's been here. Howard also does a better job of facilitating offense than Camby has (so far). In general, most of what you've said here seems based on what Camby's done elsewhere, and we expected to see from him here, not what he's actually done as a Blazer.
Before Camby played his first game for us, a Clipper fan told me that Camby is a great rebounder, but overrated on defense. That seems accurate so far.
Too small of a sample size. We've seen that it takes older players some time to get with the program. Andre, Howard, so I'm not suprised he hasn't had a huge impact. I'm more excited about his game than Howard. Juwan is solid and playing his role well. But by playoff time Camby should be much more the impact player. It's strange seeing him in a Blazer uniform though. I can't picture Camby not wearing a bright blue Nuggets jersey. Hard to see him as one of us.
I simply disagree. Our offense has looked just as good if not better with Camby on the floor. Howard is one of the worst defenders/rebounders for a PF/C that I have seen play in the NBA this season. While I will concede that Camby hasn't hit his jumper, I do have to say that I think Camby is doing just as well at facilitating the offense as Howard does. Especially when you consider he hasn't been running the offense for very long. The only thing I said that was based on what Camby has done elsewhere is that he has the ability to hit a jumper.
Yes, I agree with that. I actualy thought he should play behind Howard when I first heard of the trade, but I don't think so anymore (even though I still REALLY like Howard's game) partly because Camby looks better with every game and partly because he's much better in winning the tip-off.
Before Camby got here I got some fair amount of grief (not necessarily in here) for suggesting that his career has shown him to gamble for blocks and focus on rebounds to the detriment of good defense (and that he's spent much of his career injured). I don't want to be misunderstood -- I think Camby was a valuable and necessary pick up. Just not worthy of the hype. And we all know how the fans can turn on a player who doesn't live up to unrealistic hype.
My comment on this thread is that if Camby has been a disappointment to you, you had unrealistic expectations of him.
It was unrealistic to expect that he might hit a few 15-footers? It was unrealistic to expect him to score at a clip similar to what Juwan Howard has provided? It was unrealistic to expect a PER higher than Martell's? I could see how someone could have had realistic expectations and still be disappointed thus far.
For the season, Camby's averaging 7.3 ppg, 11.6 reb, and 2 blocks. Throwing out the Nets and Raptors games that he had the sprained ankle, he's averaged 4.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg, and 3 blocks in five games for the Blazers. Given the small sample size and the fact that he's still settling in, I just can't see getting too disappointed over minor offensive downturns from a guy that's just not going to be expected to do much but rebound and be a defensive presence. But, I guess each is entitled to their own evaluation of disappointment.
I'd like to see him get some more minutes. He's only hit the 30 minute mark twice so far, and hasn't been in foul trouble. C'mon Nate - keep your best players on the court!
I've been fine with Camby. But I think he is one of those guys that will get better over time. As soon as he learns the system, what is being asked of him out there. He will improve over time.
