Ariza reminds me a lot of Outlaw in the whole wasted potential as an offensive player department. Two players that are elite athletes and absolutely tailor-made to be slashers yet both inexplicably settle for step backs, fadeaways and other low percentage jumpers. It's very annoying how you'll see both beat their man on the first step or two and STILL pull up rather than going hard to the basket.
Ariza slashes a lot more than Outlaw, who is totally in love with his jumpshot. Outlaw is a very poor dribbler. Ariza has enough handles to actually beat people off the dribble sometimes. Even with weak handles, Outlaw is a gifted offensive player who is already very good at closing out games. He is an assassin in clutch situations. Ariza is not a gifted offensive player and never will be. I said this right after the Rockets signed him.
I agree that Ariza drives more but he's not a good finisher that seems to have a tendency to fall back on his hideously ineffective jumper (34% on the year from 15+ ft) whenever he's either blowing layups, not getting calls or both. I'll also agree that, gulp, Ariza actually has a better handle than somebody else in this league (although, not saying much). All the same, Outlaw definitely has the explosive first step needed to get by his man -- this, i'm sure you know. If I had a dime for every time i've seen Outlaw explode well enough to beat his man, one or two dribbles then pull up -- i'd be a millionaire. Totally in love with his jump shot. Ariza is better in this regard but not by much. No comparison is perfect as there are obvious differences (Outlaw being the superior offensive/clutch player, Ariza being the better all-around and two-way player), just saying I see some similarities.
Well, Carl, now I understand why you keep trying to get rid of Mac at any cost but this is just beyond a stupid trade.
He's not saying tmac for Miller, he's saying we can get Miller if we trade Tmac and Brooks/Lowry. He even stressed its not a PG.
Hopefully this means more playing time for Patty Mills...although, i guess that would mean it's more unlikely that we get him via trade.
Regardless of Andre Miller's issues, there is zero chance the Blazers trade Patty Mills to anyone. You can't get any more unlikely than zero.
Yesterday morning, Nate McMillan apologized to the team for the shouting match with Miller. He also privately apologized to Miller. After beating the Lakers, he even jokingly said "my main man Miller played great basketball", which had everyone laughing. Whatever you think of him as a coach, props to McMillan. It takes humility and swallowing of pride to do that. The way Miller played last night, maybe the blowup was a good thing after all. Time will tell.
No sarcasm at all and I don't "bs". http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/01/mcmillan_to_team_regarding_mil.html http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/01/trail_blazers_107_lakers_98_na.html
Dude, you're a newbie to this board. Learn the ropes before you start hurling insults. Clearly your negative rep shows you haven't grasped this. A_3PO is one of the most knowledgeable posters on the NBA Dish.
I've always had the impression he was a stand up guy who didn't say much when he played in Denver. Kind of surprising the way he's acting now at this point of his career. People are supposed to get more mature with age.
