| 31 July 2009
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
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