When you're not In Shape you miss easy shots you normally make. When you miss shots you normally make you sit on the bench. When you sit on the bench you get DNP-CDs. Don't get DNP-CDs, Get In Shape. I think he'll get in shape and be an above average bench player.
You noticed that too? I saw a significant drop in his production after the first quarter in game one. He was everywhere, he had energy, and then it seemed like he was winded and his production dropped like a rock. Dude is out of shape and he needs to get his conditioning up.
Well, here's my take, since nobody asked. Remember, I was and am very stoked that we got him. I just watched the Lakers game. I think he needs to stop trying to play like a Small Forward. He spends too much time trying to handle the ball, drive the ball, and shoot outside shots. He needs to camp his ass out in the key and do work. When he does, and he does, he's pretty effective. He needs to stick to being what many Portland fans consider to be the ideal PF: i.e. Buck Williams or Brian Grant. Several times I saw him run as fast as he could away from the basket, and call for the ball from 18 feet out. Some people complain endlessly about LaMarcus' face up game and all the jump shots he takes. Well, he's good at it. TRob isn't. He's probably not horrible, but with all the shooters on this team TRob shooting 16-to-18-foot shots is the last thing we need. What's worse, TRob keeps catching the ball 18 feet from the basket, and dribbling/slashing to the basket, and plowing into people, and losing the ball or missing shots, because he isn't a SF. I think many of us wish Batum would drive to the basket as often as TRob does. Batum would be better at it, I'm certain of that. The camera showed one of the coaches working with him on the sideline for a very long time during some free throws. It looked like the coach was being pretty tough with him and neither looked too happy, LOL. I would love to have heard that conversation. Actually, that gave me hope. When we get into the real season, he needs to learn his place in the offense and in the pecking order. And hopefully we have some coaches who will get him on the right track. I remain optimistic.
I just think the dude needs guidance. He needs someone to help him develop his inside game. Sadly, Terry Stotts is probably the absolute worst coach for this
Thomas Robinson talking about how he'll be playing differently in training camp/season: http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/thomas-robinson-playing-quicker-attacking
I alluded to this in another thread last night. The guy played in two games after only being with the team for 2 days. He doesn't look out of shape, so I assume he is just out of basketball shape while he was stuck out in limbo with no team. I think he will look better come fall. Regardless he still needs to work on his mid range jumper even if we want him under the basket. He has to keep the defense honest.
That's what I'm talking, basketball shape. Dude looks ripped. I'm just saying he looks tired after a quarter or so.
Summer league is the time to work on weaknesses, sure. Like Barton working on his playmaking skills. I have to say I feel bad for the guy having to deal with the media gauntlet and all the questions and scrutiny. I would seriously hate that.
After watching the first quarter of the Lakers game, I think the guy just needs some guidance. He's floating a lot out there, and there's really no plays called for him. He's just roaming, trying to grab boards and be a part of the offense. Hell, I think he learned that he wasn't getting the ball unless he's on the perimeter. If the guards would actually feed him in the post, we might see what he can actually do. The guy has a quick first step, and reminds of a bit of Zach Randolph in that regard. Like I said before, I think he needs some polishing, but the talent is there and he has a serious nose for the ball.
I wish reporters would stop asking him, "How's your confidence doing? How's it feel to be on your 3rd team in a year?" Then they have no other questions about yesterday"s SL game. He always answers, "It's a business."
My advice would to be to grow a giant afro and a long beard. That way, if he flames out, at least he's still marketable.
More advice. Start taking the ball up court yourself because when you have your man sealed, Barton never even looks your way
Well he is averaging 9/rpg in 28 minutes and he is out of cardio shape at this point and after being thrown into a new situation and hounded by reporters constantly. So I am fairly happy with where he has started knowing that at his "worst" he is pulling down a good amount of boards and there is still a lot of room for improvement. Also it isnt likely he will be starting so he will really really be a valuable bench player and only get more valuable as he improves. Practicing against and playing alongside LMA could do wonders for his game as well. Im also curious to see what kind of role LMA takes with TRob. Will he mentor and teach a little? Could say a lot if he did.
There just was not enough time to teach all these new players an adequate offense. Especially without a PG on the roster who actually played PG last year. None of this is surprises me. It is frustrating to watch. Think about our best players in the past during summer league. Their points all came from going one-on-one. (Woods, Bonzi, Bayless, Damian) What worries me is they may not run an adequate offense during the regular season either. Can't say I was overly impressed with our plays last year.
This is bull shit to me Barton Claver Freeland Leonard All know the offense. It should not have been an issue
I really don't get the reason you are picking at so many of my posts lately, but oh well? Lots of teams have new PG's that aren't having our issue. Most teams don't have as many players that played as many NBA minutes as we do either
