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Travis Outlaw is already complaining about losing even more playing time and feels like he's the "last man on the totem pole". He's obviously unhappy about being the 6th man...especially with even more talent coming in Bayless and Fernandez.
what are you talking about? they're bringing in bayless and fernandez this year. i thnk they're pretty secure at the point
Travis Outlaw is already complaining about losing even more playing time and feels like he's the "last man on the totem pole". He's obviously unhappy about being the 6th man...especially with even more talent coming in Bayless and Fernandez.
What are you talking about?????????? I posted an article, not my opinion.
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It's a losing situation for outlaw at this point. last year he was like the 3rd best player on the blazers. now that oden, bayless, and fernandez are playing this year, outlaw will have to compete for minutes. i really think pritchard needs to trade one of his players for a vet. i wouldnt mind having outlaw cause we need a SF who's not below 6'7.
If Outlaw is good enough he will start. Just gotta pl,ay good ball.
You can only play 5 guys at one time. You can't play everyone. Developing a formula for winning is much more than throwing out talent on the floor. Rarely are there shortcuts - if ever. Sure the Celtics captured the magic this past season and took advantage of it - but that team was the exception. That Celtics team was a veteran-laden team that had great players (Garnett, Allen, and Pierce), who had suffered through many years of losing seasons as individuals. They paid their dues. Because of that, they were more than willing to make the necessary personal sacrifices needed to win.
McMillian will soon find he has a logjam of talent that all will require court time to develop the cohesion and chemistry needed to win. Almost all of these guys have been "the man" wherever they've been. These young players have not been in the league long enough to understand what being a role player is all about. What sacrifice and winning are all about. Evenutually, they're going to want PT and $$$. They're not going to be happy simply being strictly bit players, when they've not yet reached the prime of their careers. It's human nature.
Want an example? See the young, talented Clippers team of the early 2000's. That team featured the likes of Michael Olawakandi, Elton Brand, Lamar Odom, Corey Maggette, Darius Miles, Quentin Richardson, Brian Skinner, and Jeff McInnis, among others. They were young, talented, high-flying and ambitious. They deemed themselves the "team of the future" and that was before they had ever won a single playoff game! What happened? They broke apart because they became a selfish bunch who were more interested in playing for stats than for each other. Rather than focusing on winning as a collective, they were more interested in their minutes, stats and positioning themselves for their next contract.
You can laugh and poo-poo my comments all you want. Mark my words: Unless the FO balances out the roster by adding some veterans, who can teach this cast HOW TO WIN, this too WILL become an issue for your Blazers over the next couple of years. Outlaw's public comments are merely the first sign.
Last edited by SenorSpur; 09-03-2008 at 09:39 AM.
The thing you're ignoring is the personalities of our Big 3. Namely, Oden, Roy, and Aldridge. They are all team players. Brandon Roy gets as much joy setting up a teammate as he does scoring himself. They are all humble, hard-working, good guys. When you have leaders like these team chemistry will not be a problem. The rest of the team will gladly accept being role players in the short term. Some may chafe and want to be stars themselves eventually, but thats a ways away. Regarding Outlaw, you need to read the entire article. Then you will grasp the fact that he is NOT complaining at this time.
I understand the personalities of your key players are different and they're not that of your typical incoming rookie or 2nd year player. That's refreshing and should work in the team's favor.
I DID read the entire article and no one said Outlaw is complaining. The point being made is that his comments are indicative to what may lie ahead. It will be difficult to keep all these talented players under one roof. The point you're missing is that. championship teams are borne out of will, overcoming adversity, and developing a mature mindset along the way. In this microwave society, that doesn't usually happen instantly or automatically.
There's no doubt this Portland team has a very enviable and bright future. As a basketball fan, I will be quietly rooting for them win a le because they seem to be good guys. The coaches and FO have developed a quality roster and created, what looks to be, an environment that breeds winning success.
All I'm saying is that the expectation of an NBA le within a 2-year timetable could be very premature. For historical perspective, think of the last young team to ever win the NBA championship on a team devoid of veterans. If you can come up with that answer, then you'll understand my point.
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