Martell Webster’s return is highly anticipated by the Blazers organization as well as its’ fan base. The team is looking at his return as a “Kind of like adding a free agent”, according to Kevin Pritchard.
But what exactly does his return mean?
The team is already crowded at the Small Forward position with Travis Outlaw, Nicolas Batum and even Rudy Fernandez all having played and started the position last year.
The young Frenchman Batum started 76 games there and averaged over 18 minutes per game. He did not provide much of a scoring threat at just over 5 points per game, but he was known as a defensive specialist who’s length and athletic prowess wreaked havoc in the passing lanes.
Travis, though not a traditional starter, averaged over 27 minutes per game at 12.8 points per game. Travis hit big shot after big shot earning him the nickname “Big Shot Trav”. Travis is a polarizing figure amongst
Travis and Nic’s poor playoff performances were well documented. Both players took shots from the media and fans for “choking under pressure” which led to Rudy getting the nod as a starter at the 3.
Rudy’s start in the playoffs was less than memorable and the combined efforts of the 3 was the likely the reason the Blazers went head first after Hedo Turkoglu. But after a swing and a miss with him and his wife, the Blazers realized they already have too much talent at Small Forward.
Martell is pretty much Travis, Nic, and Rudy rolled into one and watered down.
Martell’s 3 point shot is nice, but not Rudy nice.
Martell’s perimeter defense is supposed to be solid, but not to the level of Nic.
Martel can create his own shot, but not like Travis, who has been quoted as saying he has never had a contested jumper because he jumps to high.
I’ll admit I would like to see an upgrade at Small Forward, but I’m not sure that the addition of Martell is an overall net gain when you think about who loses minutes when Martel is on the floor.
Martell averaged over 28.1 minutes per game in the 07/08 and only scored 10.7 per game. He shot an impressive 38.8% on his 317 3 point attempts but Rudy was better at 39.9% while setting an NBA Rookie record for made 3’s at 159. Even Outlaw found his stroke and was 37.7 percent from down town last year.
Rudy by virtue of his size and finesse playing style is a Shooting Guard but his talent level rises through the roof of the Rose Garden, so you have to make sure you find him 25 minutes a game.
Outlaw’s production last year has to have earned him at least another 25 minutes per game or more. His best season is better than Martell’s best season. And Big Shot Trav’s best season was coincided with 54 wins while Martell’s best was during a 41 win season where he scored 3 points less in 82 more minutes.
And still one can’t forget the fact that Nic is only 20. Perhaps the worst thing that could happen by bringing Martell back could be hampering the development of a player that is often projected to be in the same mold as Scottie Pippen.
Martell’s return is in fact like adding a free agent, but it’s more like when John Nash added free agents in the late 90’s. Throwing talent on the floor without regard for chemistry ends badly.
Have we already forgotten game 7 of the 99 Western Conference Finals?
-Kurt Valentine
Comments