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Who Starts At Small Forward?
Written by wendell maxey   
Friday, 31 July 2009 02:00

large_travmartell

Just a quick programming note before we get started here…..

For those of you in the Portland metro-area, I will be an in-studio guest on KPTV Fox 12’s “Oregon Sports Final” hosted by Matt Smith. Show airs at 11pm on Sunday night, where Matt and I will discuss the latest happenings with the Blazers.

But why wait?

Some random thoughts to take you into the weekend:

More than once this last week I heard various memebers of the media quip about newest Blazers point guard Andre Miller’s age. He’s 33 by the way. What’s the hang-up here? Yes, Portland was the second youngest team in the league last season and certainly got younger via June’s NBA Draft. But this is what Portland expected in free agency – to get older. Questions persist about Miller’s defense and suspect perimeter shooting, which is fine – and accurate in some senses. Look, guards like Gary Payton and Darrell Armstrong both retired at the age of 39 and Kevin Willis was running the floor (in limited time) at 44-years-old. So can we pump the breaks on Miller’s age already.

Besides, Nate McMillan confessed Portland’s going to run next season and much of that will be initiated by Miller.

Now I know what you are thinking – what is McMillan talking about? Running? Portland? Last season it was understood the Blazers had the guys to run the break, but Nate often threw up stop signs. Nate’s coaching philosophy is simple enough: you can run if you get stops on defense and if the opportunity is there. Getting stops is the kicker here folks. Now, no one is going to mistake McMillan for Mike D’Antoni, but with Miller in the Blazers backcourt, McMillan’s trust is solidified more so than if Sergio Rodriguez was running the break. McMillan can trust Miller to make the right move in the open floor.

And another thing – I’m not buying McMillan’s stance on starting his same five that won 54 games for the Blazers last season. I applaud Nate for the attempt, but no sell. If Greg Oden earns a starting spot in training camp, you give it to him. If Miller earns a starting spot, you give it to him. If Martell Webster earns a starting spot, you give it to him. Declarations in July shouldn’t keep you from changing your mind in October when it matters.

Much is being made of the upcoming point guard battle heading into training camp, but Miller versus Steve Blake isn’t the marquee match-up: leave that to small forwards Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw and Nicolas Batum. With Webster back and if he’s healthy, is Batum still a starter? Or will Webster win the position, allowing Outlaw and Batum to benefit the Blazers - especially if they run - best within the second unit with Batum at the three and Outlaw at the four? That’s the real discussion. Have at it.

Let me touch on Jerryd Bayless real quick by the way. I know Bayless said in the press that he won’t be a distraction if – excuse me, when – his playing time is limited next season, but he didn’t say anything about his agent Jeff Schwarz, of Excel Sports Management. I’m sure it will only be a matter of time (January or early February) before Bayless’ representation pulls a Sergio and attempts to strongarm management either in the media or in personal conversations with the front office into playing or moving his client.

Portland is blessed with dedicated assistant coaches, this we know. Joe Prunty led the team at summer league in Las Vegas. Monty Williams and Martell Webster have put in work on the regular. We’ve heard stories about Bill Bayno hitting and shadowing Greg Oden in Ohio. John Townsend has worked with Bayless in Phoenix and Blake back in Maryland the past couple months. And then there is Kaleb Canales. He has to be the hardest working guy on the coaching staff. Not only did he make the trek overseas to Spain last month to work with Rudy Fernandez, but earlier in the summer he too was down with Bayless in Phoenix. After running in to Canales this week, he already has a trip to Texas planned to see LaMarcus Aldridge, as well as with Brandon Roy once Kaleb returns.

Talk about frequent flier miles.

Goes to show there is no offseason in the league for anyone.

pic via: the notorius E-L-Y

Ballhype: hype it up!

Comments (4)Add Comment
...
written by oregon duck, July 31, 2009
I like the idea of Martell starting at the 3 if he can prove that hes healthy. With the shooting deficiencies of Miller, we need a guy like Martell out there to spread the defense out. His shooting ability would be sorely needed to keep defenses from clogging the middle for Brandon and Andre's drives to the basket
...
written by Graham, July 31, 2009
Wenell, If we take Nate at his word and I think we can, that Miller was his guy all along. Why Hedo? Why Millsap? Why not go get the guy your coach wants? I mean who's calling the shots?
...
written by wmaxey, July 31, 2009
so i take you it you prefer miller to start then.....

heading into last season, martell was poised to start at small forward until that foot injury in the preseason did him it. he's been logging a lot of gym time of late, surely he has extra motivation heading into camp this time around.

again, if he's healthy i'd like to see what he can do as a starter - assuming he earns the spot.
...
written by wmaxey, July 31, 2009
well graham, when you have ownership, the front office and the coachings staff all weighing in on the moves made during this time of year, everyone isn't always going to be on the same page - at least not at the start.

they'll stand firm in front of the media. then the message will be, "we got out guy". but each have "the player they like" in free agency. the owner likes one guy, a gm prefers another, while the head coach has a player he knows will fit his style.

as for who is calling the shots....it depends on the situation.

thanks for reading and writing.

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