SB Nation User Blog: blackandwite323

Webster the starter?

blackandwite323 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:49:32 -0000

I was reading the Jason Quick article that Dave linked about Travis outlaw, after saying that travis hopes to be an all star quick mentioned that mccmillan is still envisioning travis of the bench and webster starting, also saying webster is the best three point shooter on the team.

"McMillan said he still envisions using Outlaw off the bench this season because he fits better with the second unit, where he won't have to compete for shot attempts with Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden. Also, McMillan figures Martell Webster, the team's other small forward, is better suited for the starting unit because he is the team's best three-point shooter, which will be needed when opponents double-team Aldridge and Oden inside. "

Although alot of people around BE think Outlaw should be the starter and that his stats say he is as good of a three point shooter, i think two things should be looked at.

1. Martell Made 123 3pointers, and Travis Made 40, the pure volume lowered websters percentage but he is obviously comfortable taking threes and made most of them

2. It also mentions that travis needs alot of work handling himself on the perimeter

leave your ideas

Blake, Jack, Bayless, Westbrook, Harris college stat comparisons

blackandwite323 — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 05:22:28 -0000

	Steve Blake		Jerryd Bayless		Jarrett Jack		Russel Westbrook		Devin Harris
Bio
Height	6-3		6-3		6-3		6-3		6-3
Weight	160.0		199.0		202.0		189.0		185.0
Position	Guard		Guard		Guard		Guard		Guard
Home State	Florida		Arizona		Maryland		California		Wisconsin
Current Age	27		19		24		19		25
Playing Time
Team Games	31		34		32		39		32
Games Played	31		30		32		39		32
Games Started	31		30		31		34		32
Minutes	1009	(198)	1072	(213)	1091	(86)	1318	(4)	1162	(17)
Minutes Per Game	32.5	(330)	35.7	(60)	34.1	(174)	33.8	(178)	36.3	(37)
Scoring
Points	360	(530)	592	(66)	497	(134)	497	(189)	624	(22)
Points Per Game	11.6	(609)	19.7	(39)	15.5	(183)	12.7	(459)	19.5	(31)
High Game Points	27	(390)	39	(23)	26	(444)	22	(890)	38	(25)
Shooting
Field Goals Made	114	(694)	173	(188)	164	(182)	182	(149)	189	(67)
Field Goals Attempted	275	(549)	378	(198)	319	(308)	391	(160)	412	(71)
Field Goal Percentage	41.5	(548)	45.8	(508)	51.4	(111)	46.5	(453)	45.9	(264)
Free Throws Made	68	(616)	187	(16)	123	(102)	107	(222)	171	(15)
Free Throws Attempted	83	(804)	223	(36)	142	(205)	150	(206)	216	(27)
Free Throw Percentage	81.9		83.9	(89)	86.6	(9)	71.3	(519)	79.2	(66)
3pt Field Goals Made	64	(165)	59	(311)	46	(426)	26	(953)	75	(88)
3pt Field Goals Attempted	154	(248)	145	(386)	104	(626)	77	(963)	201	(80)
3pt Field Goal Percentage	41.6	(79)	40.7		44.2		33.8		37.3	(211)
Rebounds
Rebounds	114	(960)	82		155	(452)	153	(596)	139	(604)
Rebounds Per Game	3.7		2.7		4.8	(597)	3.9	(937)	4.3	(777)
Offensive Rebounds	22		13		9		61	(393)	20
Offensive Rebounds Per Game	0.7		0.4		0.3		1.6	(615)	0.6
Defensive Rebounds	92	(655)	69		146	(122)	92	(799)	119	(291)
Defensive Rebounds Per Game	3.0	(735)	2.3		4.6	(166)	2.4		3.7	(394)
Assists, Steals, & Blocks
Assists	221	(6)	121	(155)	145	(64)	167	(48)	141	(74)
Assists Per Game	7.1	(7)	4.0	(133)	4.5	(79)	4.3	(100)	4.4	(100)
Steals	50	(157)	29	(824)	58	(83)	63	(46)	56	(92)
Steals Per Game	1.6	(181)	1.0	(669)	1.8	(105)	1.6	(162)	1.8	(110)
Blocks	5		3		3		7	(991)	4
Blocks Per Game	0.2		0.1		0.1		0.2		0.1
Turnovers & Fouls
Turnovers	99	(74)	89	(187)	110	(28)	96	(126)	66	(545)
Turnovers Per Game	3.2	(109)	3.0	(133)	3.4	(56)	2.5	(337)	2.1	(667)
Fouls	54		66		54		93	(238)	62
Fouls Per Game	1.7		2.2	(972)	1.7		2.4	(746)	1.9

I dont know exactly what to make of these stats. They are all from the players last year in college, i thought i would bring them here for someone to analyze, but as far as i can see bayless holds up pretty well, he also was the only freshman, and had to play without his coach, the great lute olson, so he didn't develop as much as possible and probably was allowed to create for himself alot, rather than work in the established system.

Poll

Who compares the most favorably?

Next Year Minute Breakdown

blackandwite323 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:16:08 -0000

-starting: Bayless 22 minutes

-backup: Blake 20 minutes

-situational Roy- 6 minutes

-starting: Roy 28 minutes

-backup: Rudy 18 minutes

-situational: Bayless 2 minutes

-starting: Webster 24 minutes

-backup: Outlaw 20 minutes

-situational: Rudy 4 minutes

-starting: Aldridge 28 minutes

-backup: Frye 10 minutes

-situational: Diogu/Outlaw 10 minutes

-starting: Oden 28 minutes

-backup: Pryzbilla 16 minutes

-situational: Aldridge/Frye 4 minutes

This leaves the players with the following amount of minutes

Bayless-23

Blake-20

Roy-34

Rudy-22

Webster-24

Outlaw-24

Aldridge-30

Frye-12

Diogu-6

Oden-28

Pryzbilla-16

I think this would give everyone reasonable time, sergio and koponen would get very limmited time, but they would end up taking blake or bayless' minutes if they prove themselves, the biggest problem I see is that we have to many power forwards. I think channing frye should be traded for something minimal, or a young developing player just because he has the same game as lamarcus aldridge and diogu brings another type of game, this would also open up a few more minutes at PF for travis, this lineup only has roy playing more than 30 minutes, which means that the playing time would be pretty even, and everyone should be rested well enough for some late runs.

Barbosa Trade Analysis

blackandwite323 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:23:01 -0000

with the rumors coming from the arizona republic about trading barbosa for webster the #13 and someone else, is this the right deal for the blazers. Barbosa helps the PG situation but this trade would hurt the SF situation.

Questions

1. Would it be worth giving up a starter for a sixth man?

2. Is the need at PG greater than that at SF?

3. Is a Barbosa-Outlaw combo better than Blake-Webster?

4.Can Outlaw start with his asthma?

5.Will we resign James Jones?

6. Will Barbosa be the starter?

7. Is there another combination of players that would get this deal done?

please help anser these questions, i think they shed light on wether or not this would be a good trade.

Poll

What would you give up for Leandro Barbosa?

Memphis

blackandwite323 — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:47:04 -0000

If Memphis is interested in getting the number 13 pick from us which of their players outside of Rudy Gay would you most likely be interested in? Kyle Lowry and Mike Conley are both young point guards who have potential but haven't proved much. To make this trade work who would we have to give up? It would most likely be Travis. Who would you be willing to give up to get Conley or Lowry?

Poll

Which of the following trades with Memphis would you choose

SF Future, in portland?

blackandwite323 — Mon, 05 May 2008 02:33:05 -0000

As I see it portland has four avenues on which to pursue a SF, Martell, Travis, JJ, or Bring someone in

1. Martell Webster

Drafted for his smooth jump shot, Martell is still developing in the NBA, he is younger than Travis and has better mechanics on his jumper, their defense is about equal but Nate has said that he is looking for Martell to become a lock down defender. In my opinion he is the second best dunker on the team behind Travis and works better as a part of the offense, as he develops his dribbling and spot up ability he could have a triple- threat potential.

2. Travis Outlaw

Travis Outlaw is an athletic freak, this creates mismatch problems for the other team, he also has a solid jumper that he can get off no matter what. He also provides the fans with some monster dunks. He has developed a reputation as a clutch player. But, he doesn't play great defense (I see him having the potential to block a lot more shots than he does with his amazing leaping ability), and he also has a tendency to take a lot of wild shots, it works great when hes on but he is very inconsistent.

3. James Jones

James Jones is a good shooter from beyond the three point line but is an average defender and has already hit his ceiling as a player, he struggled at times through the season and doesn't have much potential, he seems to be a good character guy and may be a back up/ roll player if Travis or Martell get traded.

4. Elsewhere

Some players that have been recently discussed are Josh Childress of the Hawks and Josh Howard of the Mavericks

a. Josh Childress

His stats look about the same as Webster's in more minutes, both teams have a strong PF and SG (Joe Johnson, Al Horford) although he is better defensively, unless he is available for a straight up trade for Outlaw /Webster or even jack we shouldn't trade for him

b. Josh Howard

He is a worse three point shooter than either Travis or Martell, although he has higher scoring averages, he also plays more than either of them and is a key part of the Dallas offense. He fairly good defensively but his character issues, or at least speculation of issues almost negate the advantages he would have over the combination of Outlaw/Webster.

Conclusion

Personally I think Webster has the potential to be the best of any of these players and is already a solid contributer, as he develops he will fit in better with the team and will improve statistically, between he and outlaw I think small forward is not a weakness for this team although many seem to think so. Pursuing Howard or Childress seems like a fruitless effort in my opinion because what we would have to give up would not warrant the slight improvements unless we get rid of players KP thinks don't fit well and make a steal of a trade.

Why get older?

blackandwite323 — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:23:46 -0000

As I have read through several posts about the blazers needing some veteran leadership, I always ask myself the same question. Why get older? Raef is the oldest player on the team at 31, and he will most likely be gone next year. Przybilla and Blake are each 28, and will most likely be coming off the bench in the future. James Jones at 27 does not necessarily have a future with the blazers. Other than these four players everyone on the roster is under 24. That means a good six years before age becomes an issue for this team. Why bring in a player who is any older than 25 when it just limits the window for the blazers in the stacked western conference.

What We've Got

The core of players Roy (23) LMA (22) and Oden (20), given they stay in Portland for their careers will give us all the star power we need. Roy is already an All-Star and LMA is up for most improved. Not to mention that last years number one pick GO hasnt played a minute yet and is already the front runner for rookie of the year in 2008. On top of these three is the developing Webster (21), who can already shoot and has shown signs of being able to get into the lane and finish. He has made great strides this year and between Martell and Travis (23) SF has potential and depth. This leaves one position on the floor.

PG Situation

Right now at the point we have Steve Blake (28), Jarret Jack (24), and Sergio (21). To make room for another guard one of these guys would have to leave. Most people agree that Steve Blake is a solid backup but not the guard who will lead the blazers to a championship. Sergio will likely stay until Rudy comes and gets comfortable, this leaves Jarret Jack. Jarret is a good free throw shooter and can get into the lane but is also turnover prone. He would be my choice for the one out the door. As far as a starter is concerned, we do not need to add age.

Don't

Talk of bringing Jason Kidd to Portland scared me, we do not need a thirty some year old point guard. even Calderon is 27 the Blazers have no reason to add "veteran leadership". Brandon Roy is the unquestioned leader and bringing in veterans only limits the future. By veterans I mean any player who is over the age of about 25 or 26.

The Talent is Young

Guards around the league who fit the profile are limited. Guys like: Derron Williams, CP3, Raymond Felton, and Devin Harris.There are a few more out there but these are the young guys who come to the top of my mind. No question getting any of these guys would be great, but, getting them is the hard part, we don't want to give up any of the big three. We could try to work a deal with Raef's contract, picks, and a few role players but we also don't want to let great talent get away. Our best shot at picking any of these guys up barring an unforeseen trade would be in next years free agency trying to pick up D. Williams or CP3. For this reason it is not worth breaking up the team's core to go after someone this off season.

Draft

Instead of rushing to a decision and making a rash move this off season we can look to the draft for a prospective guard of the future. I know we already have Jarret and Sergio developing but we could move up a few spots by combining our pick with a second rounder and some of our bench, including Jarret Jack. In the case we wind up in the 6-14 zone we could end up striking gold like we did with Roy or, we could have a year to figure out that whoever we draft doesn't fit. If we don't hit the lottery and pick up Rose or Bayless( I don't think we should take either Mayo or Gordon because they aren't true points with good pass first mentality, I know Bayless fits in this category as well but i think that had a little to do with his coaching this last season) The guards in the 6-14 range will include; Augustine,Lawson, Collison, and Westbrook.

Why Westbrook

Outside of a top pick, which Rose is the obvious option, and then Bayless in the the top 5 I think Westbrook is by far the best of these options. When comparing him to the others he has better size, defense, athletic ability, and finishing ability. Other than his outside shot his game has very few weaknesses. He also has a huge upside, he is a lock down defender. He played as good of defense on Rose as anyone in the country and took Mayo out of their game. He also was the only guard (who doesn't play for Kansas) with success against the bigger defenders where all of the other options had trouble.(Memphis/Kansas D)