Mods, merge this if you must. BUT if you're a real fan, you let this thread stand alone. Tonight, bear wtiness!! Dude deserves it. Doesn't matter if he doesn't become a star. He's shown he's still going to be a key player for this team. The kid has arrived!! Who the fuck is Martell Webster?? You don't just come out of nowhere and throw down big multiple times! Where the fuck you been all my life??
This guy is doing it at both ends. Making big plays. Making smart, veteran moves. I haven't seen a Blazers player make some of these smart, quick plays in years. I'm fucking impressed.
No shit. But how many players are drafter high for an array of reasons and don't pan out? And how many people have said what a bad pick he was? One game doesn't make a career. BUT... last preaseason...this preaseason...and two games into this season he has shown a maturity beyond his years. He has brought flare and excitement to the game. He can shoot the ball. He tries hard on the defensive end. Fuck. I love it.
I'm stoked to hear/read he's doing well, but he needs to do it over more than a couple games before I get my hopes up. If I give Outlaw that treatment, I should give it to Martell too.
I like Outlaw, so I understand where you're coming from. But from day one, Webster had something many guys coming into the NBA don't have (Hint: something you find between your ears). You listen to him speak, and from day one, I felt like he got it, and he was intelligent, and I understood everything he said. Can't say that for 95% of the guys in the NBA. Or even 95% of the people I work with.
Nothing would please me more than to see him take that jump. So far, so good, this year. Good for him, good for us.
I don't see why he didn't play more tonight. He was playing smart on both ends of the floor. Melo was making incredible shots on whoever was guarding him.
I've been rougher on Webster than almost anyone, but I have to admit I'm impressed with his first two games. The kid is really coming on. He's stopped relying on his jump shot, and is trying to play a complete game. I love what I'm seeing so far.
Martell is as advertised so far. Not as good an on-the-ball defender as Batum, but Webster can rebound, block shots, and score if he is asked to. I love Nic, but Martell's showing serious savvy out there.
I've been really happy with Martell. He sure seems to buy into his role and fit in where ever he can. I agree with the poster who said his individual defense still could use work, but I've seen improvement. I'm glad we didn't throw him out with the bath water like some wanted. I think he'll contribute for us plenty more times down the road.
Some of it was foul trouble. He played good aggressive defense against Anthony, but picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter, I think. I'm surprised he didn't get more minutes in the fourth quarter, though.
It's tough; who do you take out for Webster -- Miller? LMA? Rudy? All are potentially better in crunch time, and all are more proven commodities.
Uh, Anthony absolutely abused Webster on offense. Martell looked OK on offense, but I missed Batum on defense tonight. Roy had to try and guard Anthony since Webster couldn't do it.
