Who starts (or maybe more importantly, who finishes) games at center? To me it seems like a no brainer that the team functions on defense like a well-oiled machine with him in the lineup, LMA seems to have blossomed playing alongside of him, and he makes this just a smarter team, with his ability to recognize opposing teams' plays, direct traffic and cover multiple positions. I know some of you are going to say Oden wasn't drafted first overall to be a bench player, but considering the sub 30 minute average Oden has averaged when healthy and the likelihood of needing time to get comfortable playing after another 9 month layoff (or thereabouts) I think I want to see Oden earn his spot back. part of this is moot because Camby can probably play alongside of Greg as a power forward when LMA is on the bench.
There are 96 minutes per game in the C/PF positions. Between the 3 of them, this averages to 32 MPG - changing based on mismatches/health. Unfortunately, this means that Joel has to be traded - but we knew this was going to happen when he re-injured himself.
Oden/LMA/Camby is an OMFG Perfect 3-man rotation, even if Camby-man will only be with us for a year or two more (he's already 36). Also, if we can't offload Joel, and he's not a Raef LaFrentz (i.e., too injured to even play), I'd be willing to play him 12 minute a game to reduce Camby's minute a bit to extend his career.
Nothing would surprise me from a Coach who starts Blake over Miller. But, for 29 other teams, Camby starts over Oden or Pryzbilla, and there's no questions about it. Camby will be such a better player than both of them if you're going to look at the 2010-2011 season only. And, don't forget the odds of Oden/Pryzbilla missing a combined 50 games is pretty good for next year. They are who they are. It also wouldn't be bad to limit Oden to 20 minutes per game so his multiple "major" injuries can strengthen themselves at a quality pace, without risking further injury. It's likely that the Blazers play 100+ games next year when you count Pre-season and the first two rounds. Limiting Joel to 12 minutes per game would also be best for him and for the TrailBlazers.
Easy, Camby starts. No question. I know Oden has a 23+ PER, but statistics mean little to me. Plus, McDillon's first instinct is incorrect, but by the 5th move he's back to his first move, which seems to be the proper initial move. I like chocolate.
Probably a moot point. I find it hard to believe that either Joel or Oden will be 100% to start the season. Easing them in slowly is just common sense. It may become an issue later in the season, but I will let Nate burn that bridge when he comes to it.
I'm loving the Camby/LMA combo and would love to see Camby start. Moreover, I'd like to see Oden earn his starting spot and deserve it However, in order to get Oden the needed experience against other centers he should probably start.
Easy, the best player starts. No question. I don't care where they were drafted or how long they've been in the league. We'll find out who that is next season.
Oden earned his spot with his play before he went down. You also have to know what you have in Greg Oden. He's coming up on a contract year and you simply just have to know what he is. Potentially limiting his minutes isn't smart. Plus, like I said, he was playing great before he went down. Camby is 36 and won't be around much longer. Oden is still potentially your future starter for the next 5-10 years. Easy decision imo.
And being that Oden is still potentially your starter for the next decade, he needs to gel with the starting 5. It's taken a huge hit already. They need to play together. Again, Oden should start imo, unless he's physically not able to or something.
If Oden is healthy, he should start. Before he went down, he had more offensive presence than Camby, was a tougher man defender and was up there with Camby as a help defender and rebounder. Camby's only advantage was committing fewer fouls...of course, if Oden continues to be foul prone, then Camby would get plenty of minutes anyway, so it solves itself.
2nd... and projections are (and always have been) for Greg to be good to go for training camp. By the start of the season he should be back to where he was. I also agree with andalusian's 96 minute point... hell I've made it a few times myself. That would be a ridiculous Bigs rotation. Joel either is a nice chip as an expiring deal at the midseason trade deadline or even more then that if he's feeling his oats and ready for PT. Starting quality 5's have real value. STOMP
Seems like most people who are voting for Camby to start are forgetting how Oden played before he went down. When he was in the game teams were AFRAID to go into the paint, with Camby they still attack it all the time. Oden was not only a huge defensive presence he was able to make his presence felt on the Offence most plays too. The question isn't really weather Camby is better then Oden or vice versa its about if Oden is healthy enough to start and average 30+ minutes a game. If he is he starts, its as simple as that.
Wait.. what reason do you have to believe Oden will not be 100% (healthy, presumably) to start the season?
My thoughts on trading Joel: Looking at the history of all three of our centers, one of em is bound to be injured at some point of the season. I say keep em all just to be safe, especially if they all decide on helping the team and taking a pay cut on contracts.
After missing all that time, it is going to take months to knock all the rust off his game...and that assumes he stays healthy.
The medical projections are for him to resume working out in the very near future... training camp is many months away. Yes we're assuming he stays healthy in this hypothetical. No one plays at all if they're not healthy. STOMP
