Travis Outlaw should never be traded!

easybig73 — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:56:16 -0000

So everybody here thinks that Travis's value is high enough for a trade that would bring back someone that would help the Trailblazers make a title run? But i do not concur. Just looking at the stats, yes his value is high, but I do not believe that if we trade him, we will get a player that will help our team more in the long run.

First, lets take a look at the stats:

im not counting 2003-2004 since he only played in 8 games and played only 19 minutes. Looking at his first season in which he received decent playing time, here we go:

2004-2005: 59 Games, 2 Starts, 13.4 MPG, 5.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, .6 APG, .5 SPG, .7 BPG, .66 TPG

2005-2006: 69 Games, 11 Starts, 16.7 MPG, 5.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG, .5 SPG, .4 SPG, .7 BPG, .54 TPG

2006-2007: 67 Games, 1 Start, 22.9 MPG, 9.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, .8 APG, .9 SPG, 1.1 BPG, .99 TPG

2007-2008: 82 Games, 6 Starts, 26.7 MPG, 13.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, .7 SPG, .8 BPG, 1.3 TPG

Now what do these numbers show you ask? To me, they show drastic improvement over a 4 year period. What else can you ask from a guy who was the 23rd pick out of high school in 2003?

What the numbers don't show, is the two game winners he hit this year. I'm sure every Trailblazer fan has seen, at least the highlights of, the Memphis game. Plus I hope that every Trailblazer fan has seen, at least the highlights of, the Atlanta game. He also delivered the block at the end of the Denver game. It kind of ruffles my feathers that Travis's block overshadows Brandon's block of Carmelo, but I will get over it, hopefully one day. So that is at least three games in which he won the game or helped secure the win.

I truthfully don't understand why I keep hearing all the talk of trading Travis and keeping Martell. Sure Martell can hit the three ball, but so can Travis if he needs to. Once again, let's look at the comparisons:

I'm only going to do the 2007-2008 season because it was the most meaningful for these discussions. Here we go:

Travis: 82 Games, 6 Starts, 26.7 MPG, 13.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, .7 SPG, .8 BPG, .433 FG%, .741 FT%, .396 3FG%

Martell: 75 Games, 70 Starts, 28.4 MPG, 10.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.2 APG, .6 SPG, .4 BPG, .422 FG%, .735 FT%, .388 3FG%

Now when I look at those, i see that Travis is better, maybe not very much but still better, in every category with the exception of starts and minutes. Sure Travis was in his fourth full year and Martell was only in his third. But is it reasonable to say that Martell will get that much better? And Travis won't? I dont believe that Martell will be much better than a spot-up shooter in the NBA.

Plus, how many game-winning shots did Martell have? 0. How many game-clinching defensive stops did Martell have? 0.

Now don't get me wrong. I love Martell Webster. I was going nuts when he had that 24 point quarter. If I'm not mistaken, He was like 9 for 9 during. I'm pretty sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

I hope and pray that KP will NOT trade Travis Outlaw. If he goes, who comes off the bench and provides the game-changing facials, yes I'm talking about his dunks over Rodney Carney, Pau Gasol, and the guy from Miami, I forgot his name because it's not Wade or Marion.

Travis Outlaw is the Trailblazers version of Manu Ginobili. Bench player that comes in to provide energy and game-changing results. I believe that one day he will be better than Manu.

So there you have it. My thinking with regards to Travis Outlaw. In my mind, he is untouchable. Unless New Orleans suddenly becomes a stupid franchise and offers CP3 for him.

Thanks to Dave for keeping up this great site. I love it!

SB Nation User Blog: easybig73

Travis Outlaw should never be traded!