tlongII
10-03-2009, 11:30 AM
http://www.columbian.com/article/20091002/SPORTS01/710039971/1001/SPORTS01
TUALATIN, Ore. — They are six players any team in the NBA would want. And all but one would likely crack the starting lineup for any squad in the league.
The Portland Trail Blazers' guard rotation of Brandon Roy, Andre Miller, Steve Blake, Rudy Fernandez, Martell Webster and Jerryd Bayless proves that, sometimes, too much can never be enough. Especially for a team with hopes of becoming a perennial contender for the Western Conference title.
When Blazers forward Juwan Howard was asked Friday about the depth his new team has at the guard position, the 15-year NBA veteran reached for a dictionary and pulled out the biggest, most descriptive word he could find.
"It's a smorgasbord," Howard said, following a morning workout session at the team's practice facility.
According to Howard, some would look at Portland's six-guard rotation as a "coach's nightmare." However, Howard said Blazers coach Nate McMillan is blessed to basically have a fantasy lineup at his fingertips.
"It's a coach's dream," Howard said. "You have so many different guys, you can throw so many different lineups out there."
Which is exactly what McMillan said he plans to do this season.
Portland's coach began experimenting with different rotations Thursday for the first time since the team's 2009-10 training camp began. The motivation: Determine which guards could — and would — push the tempo.
McMillan said the Blazers' ability to successfully run the fast break will primarily depend on players such as Miller, Blake, Fernandez and Webster. According to McMillan, Portland's guards must dig in and fight to rebound the ball following a missed shot. Then, they have to either sprint and dribble down the court, or use outlet passes to dictate the action.
"We do that, and then we should have some numbers to score some easy baskets," McMillan said.
He added: "We don't have those young guards, the young players that weren't comfortable handling the ball."
What the Blazers do have, though, is a guard-heavy roster that is increasingly becoming defined by its talent and experience, rather than its youth and potential.
Moreover, Portland's backcourt is no longer filled with small, lightweight ballhandlers. Webster and Roy have toned their bodies and added muscle, while Miller is known throughout the league for his ability to back down, grind against and punish other guards.
As a result, McMillan said the Blazers should be able to exploit size and strength advantages at the guard position this season, particularly as the year unfolds and teams begin to wear down.
"Andre knows how to play down there. Rudy has length. Brandon is a big guard. Blake is smart," McMillan said. "We should be able to defend the post up or the mismatches."
Meanwhile, Miller said Portland's deep guard rotation points toward a bigger picture.
"You got guys at every position that bring something different to the table — a different style," Miller said. "And that's what makes up a team."
Notes
— The Blazers will hold their annual Fan Fest starting at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Rose Garden. An intrasquad scrimmage will headline the event, and fans will have a chance to meet players.
— The Blazers released training-camp invites forward Quinton Hosley and guard Donell Taylor on Friday.
— Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge said Webster has been the most impressive player on the team through the first week of camp. McMillan referred to Webster, who missed nearly the entire 2008-09 season due to injury, as a sniper. "You gotta guard Martell," McMillan said. "You can't play him soft … you can't sleep on him, or he'll burn you from the 3."
TUALATIN, Ore. — They are six players any team in the NBA would want. And all but one would likely crack the starting lineup for any squad in the league.
The Portland Trail Blazers' guard rotation of Brandon Roy, Andre Miller, Steve Blake, Rudy Fernandez, Martell Webster and Jerryd Bayless proves that, sometimes, too much can never be enough. Especially for a team with hopes of becoming a perennial contender for the Western Conference title.
When Blazers forward Juwan Howard was asked Friday about the depth his new team has at the guard position, the 15-year NBA veteran reached for a dictionary and pulled out the biggest, most descriptive word he could find.
"It's a smorgasbord," Howard said, following a morning workout session at the team's practice facility.
According to Howard, some would look at Portland's six-guard rotation as a "coach's nightmare." However, Howard said Blazers coach Nate McMillan is blessed to basically have a fantasy lineup at his fingertips.
"It's a coach's dream," Howard said. "You have so many different guys, you can throw so many different lineups out there."
Which is exactly what McMillan said he plans to do this season.
Portland's coach began experimenting with different rotations Thursday for the first time since the team's 2009-10 training camp began. The motivation: Determine which guards could — and would — push the tempo.
McMillan said the Blazers' ability to successfully run the fast break will primarily depend on players such as Miller, Blake, Fernandez and Webster. According to McMillan, Portland's guards must dig in and fight to rebound the ball following a missed shot. Then, they have to either sprint and dribble down the court, or use outlet passes to dictate the action.
"We do that, and then we should have some numbers to score some easy baskets," McMillan said.
He added: "We don't have those young guards, the young players that weren't comfortable handling the ball."
What the Blazers do have, though, is a guard-heavy roster that is increasingly becoming defined by its talent and experience, rather than its youth and potential.
Moreover, Portland's backcourt is no longer filled with small, lightweight ballhandlers. Webster and Roy have toned their bodies and added muscle, while Miller is known throughout the league for his ability to back down, grind against and punish other guards.
As a result, McMillan said the Blazers should be able to exploit size and strength advantages at the guard position this season, particularly as the year unfolds and teams begin to wear down.
"Andre knows how to play down there. Rudy has length. Brandon is a big guard. Blake is smart," McMillan said. "We should be able to defend the post up or the mismatches."
Meanwhile, Miller said Portland's deep guard rotation points toward a bigger picture.
"You got guys at every position that bring something different to the table — a different style," Miller said. "And that's what makes up a team."
Notes
— The Blazers will hold their annual Fan Fest starting at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Rose Garden. An intrasquad scrimmage will headline the event, and fans will have a chance to meet players.
— The Blazers released training-camp invites forward Quinton Hosley and guard Donell Taylor on Friday.
— Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge said Webster has been the most impressive player on the team through the first week of camp. McMillan referred to Webster, who missed nearly the entire 2008-09 season due to injury, as a sniper. "You gotta guard Martell," McMillan said. "You can't play him soft … you can't sleep on him, or he'll burn you from the 3."