Re: Roy endorses Batum A starting job among those four is the most protected he'd ever be... he won't be asked to score; he can play defense and run without the ball, so all he needs to do is keep his eye on the ball and his man in front of him, and he should be fine. Small fish in a big pond and all that.
Re: Roy endorses Batum More evidence that the team is moving away from Outlaw. As an Outlaw fan, but one who has heard some things, I can't disagree.
Re: Roy endorses Batum I don't see it being a great fit. I think I'd rather see the Blazers play Roy and Rudy together in the starting lineup- more offense with better shooting. Our big three will have someone to kick the ball out to. Also, Rudy's passing will make our first unit more effective. Basically, if possible, we should start our 5 best players and I think Rudy looks like the 4th best player- so we need to get him out there. Batum can play the 3 in the 2nd unit- giving them a wing defender to go with Pyrzbillas' post defense.
Re: Roy endorses Batum But now, the Sergio and Rudy show is driving the second unit. I can see where Travis would be the odd man out at this point. If he can't perform as a starter (he can't do much without dominating the ball), then he might not have a seat on the bus.
Re: Roy endorses Batum Rudy's the only true scorer out of that group unless Bayless cracks the rotation. There should be plenty of touches for Travis, but he might have to learn to move without the ball.
Re: Roy endorses Batum I agree, I accept that, and I am happy that Travis can provide instant offense. He's not a starter, however, at least on a team with Roy, LMA, and Oden wanting and deserving touches. Travis has a half-season to find his niche, and there is a possibility that Rudy and he can be explosive together off of the bench.
Re: Roy endorses Batum I don't see it necessarily being a problem though since neither Sergio or Rudy are what we'd call 'selfish'. Outlaw could do pretty well with those two setting him up. He'll still probably get the most shot attempts off the bench. When Webster gets back, I can see him being the odd man out, because if Batum continues to improve it would make him expendable.
Re: Roy endorses Batum In a few games. Considering Oden can hit free throws, I imagine Oden will likely be the closer in the future. Or closer-by-committee...Oden and Roy.
Re: Roy endorses Batum Or they realize that he's more suited coming off the bench. He's always been more effective in that role and he doesn't have a problem with it.
Re: Roy endorses Batum But Outlaw needs the ball in his hands to score... and for several seconds. He's a bit of nice, genial, skinny Z-Bo in this regard. If he could perform well just running the court and dunking lob passes, he'd be starting. Webster and Batum have already shown they can do that; when he comes back I think Outlaw would still be the odd man out.
Re: Roy endorses Batum Not so. Roy was our Closer. Since he was tripled last season when the game got tight, Travis was the guy the other team LET be the Closer - if that makes much sense. Last season opposing teams ran the ABR defense. Anybody But Roy. Now that Oden is on board, and Rudy looks to be studly and fearless, and Aldridge may grow further into his game, the ABR defense will have to be scrapped - replaced by the "OH SHIT, What do we do now?" defense. At least that is what the fan in me is hoping for.
Re: Roy endorses Batum ...and Fernandez. Rudy hits free throws better than either guy, and has proven he wants the ball in big moments. I'm not sure even the 2000 WCF team had four clutch guys on the team. Pippen, Smith, Stoudamire, maybe Sabonis?
Re: Roy endorses Batum I think by the middle to end of the season that will be true, but in the early going Roy (and LaMarcus) are probably going to be asked to carry a heavy load -- so many damn rookies, and so little time having a chance to play together
Re: Roy endorses Batum Yes, it will have to evolve over time and experience. But having Oden in there makes doubling and tripling Roy significantly riskier for the opposing teams. With Roy's passing, if they sag off Oden, even a bit, Roy could find him for a power dunk. So now what do they do? Sag off Rudy? Try it and see what happens. Leave a shooter like LaMarcus open? Bad idea. No, we are again left with the double coming off Blake or Travis or whoever is the 5th guy. But, we won't have 3 players constantly shadowing Roy anymore. Funny thing is, Blake and Travis, for example, have knocked down many open shots - so for us - even a well run defense against us won't always end up with a "bad" shot taken. Sure the burden will be on Roy, but he will find he has more room to work and more viable options when trying to make plays. The ABR defense will not be the no-brainer it was, even early in the season.
