[Game thread] Chicago @ Portland

[Billy]

-= original quote snipped =-



Whos better, Jack or Webster??

Good question. I suppose it entirely matters on what Portland needs at the moment in the game.

I suppose you're probably alluding to Webster moving to the bench for Jack? Aside from the fact that McMillan came out and said it was merely temporary until Jones got back I'll say this: it worked.

Roy @ SF: 28 points
Jack @ SG: 17 points
Martell off bench: 8 points

Not saying that I think that's a move that will work for long. But really I don't see how this has much to do with Rudy. Portland's bench has stunk since Jones went out, and at least Webster requires the other teams to think about guarding the perimeter rather than collapsing and just guarding Outlaw.

McMillan ain't perfect--not by a long stretch. Some of his moves are questionable to say the least (Jack for Martell for starters), but the fact is he's going to do the "wrong thing" no matter what he does. If he doesn't change something to help out the bench he's an idiot because he doesn't know how to make an adjustment. If he makes the adjustment he's an idiot because it doesn't make sense. To McMillan's credit, the two starting lineup changes he's made this year has provided a temporary boost. At this point if Portland can get a 3 win shot in the arm that's all they need until they get Jones back.

Jack isn't perfect either. But looking at the options I'm not sure what would be a whole lot better. You could start Outlaw, but he's shown time and again that he disappears when starting and he's also one of the few good shooters on the bench at the moment. You could maybe start Frye, but that sounds just as crazy as starting 3 guards. You could leave the starting 5 alone, but if that bench continues to stink then it goes back to McMillan being an idiot who can't adjust.

[Mr Odd]

Billy - I agree with pretty much everything you said.

I also knew that Webster is filling Jones role to add
some shooting off the bench. But the reason why
I asked if Webster is better then Jack is because
you hinted that Nate would play the better player
over the lesser. I feel Webster is a better player
then Jack but Jack is played almost as much and
is used when the score is close at the end of games.
Was just trying to point out Nate doesnt always
play the better player and I think Rudy will
fall victim to that if Jack is still a Blazer.

Unless you hinted at nothing & I read into
nothing, if so then ignore my dumbass, lol.

[mojomarc]

Do we really want Rudy playing over Jack if Jack is the better player?

Honestly, I don't think we'll ever have a case where Rudy isn't the better player. If he isn't, Uncle Paul has wasted $3m because Jack really isn't that good. He's streaky, but he's not good.