A better Batum Comparison?

[Nikolokolus]

A lot of talk has been thrown around about Nicolas' potential (compared to names like Pippen, Prince, etc.), but potential aside I started to think about what has his actual production and style of play reminded me of the most and it dawned on me that he's a lot like Josh Childress when he played for the Hawks: decent wing defender, uber efficient, kind of low usage, utility player -- a glue guy.

Both players through their first two seasons:

http://www.basketball-reference.com...m=1&p1=childjo01&y1=2006&p2=batumni01&y2=2010

I still think Nic has more potential, mostly because he's had a more sizable jump in performance from year one to year two than Childress did (at a younger age) and Nic is clearly a better shooter from distance with a greater percentage of his shots coming from behind the arc. But all things considered, I'll take the French version of J-Chill any day of the week -- especially since I thought the Blazers should have gone after Childress before he bolted for Greece.

 

[Minstrel]

Childress is a good comparison, I agree. I don't think, though, that Childress represents a lower tier than Prince. I think both in their NBA primes were similarly good players, and I see that as Batum's "expected value."

His ceiling is even higher, though I'm not sure who to compare him to. Pippen is sortof the highest version of that type of player, but I don't see Batum's ceiling extending that high. Maybe a peak Eddie Jones or something.

 

[Pinwheel1]

One thing about Batum....how many Blazer players would you rather have in the last 10 years on the receiving end of a fast break? Not many. Yeah I know we don't run much, and every time we do you hold your breath. Unless Nic is involved. With those long arms, he "guides" the ball into the basket with ease. I love his game.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I still think the best comparison is Bobby Jones.

 

[BGrantFan]

I still think the best comparison is Bobby Jones.

They're games are fairly similar, and Jones was a very good defender as well in a much more up-tempo era.

If Batum becomes a Bobby Jones clone, I will be happy, but I think Nic has a higher ceiling than Jones because Nic can actually shoot from the outside, while Jones was fairly atrocious outside of 15'. Jones didn't make a single 3-point basket in his entire career. Incredible considering his high PER and smooth game on the break.