Martell Webster appreciation thread?

[john2jer]

Guys wearing cement shoes don't normally dunk the shiz out of the basketball.

[yojimbo]

it's been awhile, but when i see Webster play, the guy he reminds me of is Dale Ellis, at least on the offensive end.

The trade was a good one - maybe we could have done better, but on balance it helps. I hate to judge based on a couple of interviews, but Babbitt just seemed like an idiot to me. Gomes' contract situation didn't turn out to be as positive as was thought, and he was only rarely a difference maker on the court.

[horaceworthy]

And I remember watching Webster play since he was in HS starting at the usual HS all-star circuit and the first thing I remember thinking about him was (and this was after he'd had gotten all this hype about being this great all around physical specimen...and he was considered that) was...wow this guy plays like he's wearing cement shoes. And this was Webster at 18.

You're right in that he was, and is considered a physical specimen, which is absolutely accurate. What he isn't, and wasn't considered is an athletic marvel when discussing his NBA potential. The book on him has always included questions about his lateral quickness.

He's a good athlete in that he's strong, fairly explosive around the rim, and a long strider with good straight-line speed if he can build up a head of steam. He's not good from a lateral quickness/first step, change direction on a dime standpoint.

I'm with you in thinking he's not the athlete some here are making him out to be, but I think you're swinging the pendulum too far in the other direction.

As for his defense, I don't think he's a shutdown guy, not quick enough laterally. He's got the strength and length to handle most match-ups as long as he doesn't take too many false steps. He can come up with some ridiculous blocks around the basket, but is also prone to getting caught up in the moment and committing a boneheaded foul, particularly when trying to atone for a mistake.

[Krapinsky]

In other words, he's got high hips.