Good day and welcome to the PMS (Portland Men on Sports) blog.
If you haven't tuned in, our half hour TV show by the same name can been seen on your local Comcast public access stations.
This is my first post so let's make it a doozy. During our last episode, we informed you we would be posting our extended list of Blazer grades. My grades are based on a production to potential ratio unless otherwise noted. So without further ado...
Brandon Roy: solid A
Reigning rookie of the year, all-star, and team leader all by the end of his second tour of the league. Don't get your knickers in a bunch, people, the injury concerns are overblown. He hasn't had protection in the form of a legitimate inside presence and teams have been muscling him. Next year he'll have some protection and, hopefully, a team that uses its weapons to create more space for him. Sheesh, you'd think with all the fuss that we've been burned by injuries to a high draft pick before...
-- Homework: Be the guy. Aldridge isn't now, and probably won't ever consistently be, the guy. This means it falls to you. You have the skills and leadership, now let that killer instinct come through. Be the player other teams fear. The one they know is going to put the nail in their coffin. Also, free throws. Yeah, work on those pretty please.
LaMarcus Aldridge: B+
LA has added several offensive moves to his repertoire. While consistently hitting the 10-15 foot jumper, he's also been deadly with that sweet mini-hook we've seen. It's too bad we can't pry Kareem from the Lakers organization to work with Aldridge; the thought alone turns me into a drooling Homer Simpson caricature. Rebounding has improved
-- Homework: The Blazers and Aldridge need to make a decision; finesse or power? Yeah, he could be both, but that's much harder to mold. I'd like to see Aldridge back his opponent down and bully him but maybe that's just not his game. If we can get reliable minutes and contribution from Oden then we don't have any worries, finesse away. But if Oden doesn't come back (I just threw up in my mouth) then Aldridge is going to have to fill the toughness gap. He could be Tim Duncan with an attitude, or he could be Chris Webber. I'll take either one, but which one would you prefer? Me, too.
Travis Outlaw: B
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your outlook, Travis has developed the mentality I'm looking for Roy to exhibit. Travis wants the shot for the win, he wants the run-stopper, the run-starter, the "let's blow the roof of the Rose Garden" dagger. And for the most part he's delivered. Travis' best weapon is his athleticism, which he can use to recover from his mistakes (See steals: Kobe Bryant).
-- Homework: Travis' worst crutch is his athleticism, which he has used instead of developing ball handling skills, really solid defense, and a more varied offensive arsenal. For now he can just elevate over defenders and get his shot off. One knee injury or 5 years in the league will see that ability diminish or disappear. If he wants longevity and the chance to be a special player, now is the time to learn proper footwork (offense and defense), ball handling, and offensive moves.
Steve Blake: A -
One of those guys that makes the most of what they've got. A solid teammate, low mistake, good character guy, Blake is a great substitution player. Give him 20 to 25 minutes a night off the bench and you're going to get average to slightly above average defense, high intensity, low turnover play at the point. Also, the ability to consistently hit an open 3 keeps defenses honest.
-- Homework: No summer school for Blake. The homework here belongs to the Blazers who need that starting PG. Blake isn't the long term solution, but this is his second stint with us and he belongs with the Blazers.
Martell Webster: B -
Probably the toughest to grade due to inconsistency. But I give Martell a bit of a pass on this because the 2 and 3 positions have had little consistency from a PT standpoint. I get the feeling Martell is one of those guys who needs to know his role before he can settle into it and we certainly haven't given him that this year. However, he hasn't taken the opportunity to step in and let his play demand attention either. But the biggest consideration here should be this: HE'S ONLY 21! He came straight out of high school and he's had a lot of expectations put on him. There is absolutely no reason to give up on this kid, especially considering the way he was playing just before the diagnosis of the heart condition.
-- Homework: Take care of the ticker. Once that's under control, and there's no reason to believe it will be an ongoing issue, work on defensive consistency and offensive Xs and Os. Everything else is maturation and staying in shape.
Joel Przybilla: B -
You might make the argument that he's making the most of what he's got, too. I ain't buyin' it. Joel is a defensive presence but an offensive liability. I can't count the number of easy feeds he's received that have bounced off his hands or he's thrown off the backboard at 90 m.p.h. I get it, he has no touch. The solution is to develop 2 power moves that get you in a position to dunk the ball rather than trying to lay it up. Przy has the size and the lenght to do this so you have to wonder why it hasn't been more of a focus. I might have been willing to raise his grade a little if we weren't paying so much for a one dimensional player, even though it's not his fault he took the money offered him.
-- Homework: We know what the future holds for Joel; a highly paid defensive specialist in the court of King Oden. Joel's job will be enforcer and I hope he takes to it with relish. Give him 15 minutes a game and the following instructions, "See how (insert name here) has been abusing us? You've got 6 fouls, make 'em count."
Channing Frye: revised to B+ based on extra credit
Double double in 3 of last 4 and shooting 64%; that's how you entice a team to keep you around after an inconsistent year. Frye is a glue guy, so much so that I formally suggest a nickname like Bond-O. Good character, basketball smarts, into the community, great teammate...oh, and not too shabby on the floor when given consistent direction. But you want him on your team because of the things he does the box score doesn't reflect.
-- Homework: Tone up a little so you can bang a bit coming off the bench for Aldridge next year. Keep up the conditioning and study defenses.
Jarrett Jack: D+
Hey, I'm not down on Jack. I don't personally dislike the guy. This is just business. So let's let the numbers do the talking. 1.69 assist to turnover ratio. 16th in the league in turnovers per 48 minutes. 9.7 PPG. Is Jack a PG? If so, he's obviously not taking care of the ball enough. The turnover ratio isn't even top 50 league wide for PGs. Is he an undersized SG? 9.7 PPG is 112th in the NBA, not exactly what you're looking for even from a bench player. Yes, he can be a sparkplug sometimes. But he just as often disappears or has a turnover at a crucial moment. He just doesn't fit our system, doesn't fit the team, and doesn't contribute anything we can't get elsewhere.
-- Homework: Make sure you don't just wrap the glasses in newspaper, you have to crumple newspaper and stuff it inside, too. That's how you keep it from breaking. And I can recommend a good real estate agent if you need one.
James Jones: Incomplete
Jones is intriguing for a number of reasons. His obvious calling card is 3 point shooting but with a little work he could be a sneaky defender. He's already got the long reach and surprising size, now he just needs someone to mentor him with all the little tricks. I've already seen him use some, like setting screens with the leg hitched out just a little bit to create an inch more space, or using a hip to box an offensive player out of bounds on the baseline so there's a better chance for an advantage on the break. Injuries sidelined him too much to grade his contribution, but he was a key component of the Blazer 17 out of 18 streak in December/January.
-- Homework: Keep learning those sneaky defensive moves (Maurice Lucas anyone?) and don't lose the conditioning so there's no added stress to the knee.
Sergio Rodriguez: Incomplete
Everyone seems to like Sergio's passion and personality. But he certainly hasn't played his way into more PT and it's hard to argue against that decision. Talk amongst us has revolved around whether or not we're going to keep him to help Rudy Fernandez adjust a little easier. Either way, unless he gets consistent minutes, and more of them, he's not going to be a Blazer much longer. My question to you, package him now before Rudy bonds with him or keep him to help Rudy adjust?
-- Homework: Study defense and pray.
Raef LaFrentz : No grade
We all know why we have Raef. Now, I like him and always have; watched him play in Denver from '98 to '02 when he was averaging 13 and 8, 2 to 3 blocks, and hitting about 40% from 3. He was good, which is why he got the contract that's costing us 12 mil a year. He's either giving us a ton of cap room next summer or he's gettting traded for his expiring contract. Either way, time and injuries have caught up with Raef and he's all but done. I know he's been the butt of a joke for the past 6 years but *sniff* I'm gonna miss the guy.
-- Homework: Help Jack pack and get us a damn PG!
Josh McRoberts: No grade
McBob's job description: Don't hurt anyone and stay best friends with Oden.
-- Homework: Don't hurt anyone and stay best friends with Oden.
Von Wafer: No grade
Coolest name in the NBA, by far. He sounds like a secret agent for the Keebler elves. This guy could develop into a dead shooter and I hope he gets the chance. But I don't think it will be with this team. Godspeed, Von Wafer.
-- Homework: Watch out for Vesper Lynd, she'll betray you.
Greg Oden: No grade
You know what, Greg? Be a kid for as long as you can. People will try to rip that away from you soon enough, but just keep on being Greg as long as it fits you. Eventually you'll have the desire to turn into Gregzilla, the unstoppable force. Until then, know that this town loves you and can't wait to see you on the floor next year.
-- Homework: Stay away from DDR and pickup games at Bally's.
Darius Miles: F
Goodbye.
Congratulations if you made it through all that. Frankly, I wouldn't have read all my drivel. Feel free to comment. Who knows, I might single you out on the next show...
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