Babbitt Being canned

[Nate Dogg]

I watched the Portland vs Sacramento game.
What's up with Babbitt being put in at 2:15 mark in the 4th when the Blazers have a 15+ pt lead?
Sounds like old Nate McMillan crap all over again.

Yeah I know his defense still needs help but he can still hit the 3 pointer. And he has improved since his rookie season.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

You got me excited - I thought he was being waived.

 

[julius]

You got me excited - I thought he was being waived.

Me too

 

[Eastoff]

Luke is donezo

 

[HailBlazers]

Me too

+1 = 3

Agree with OP though, give the scrubs some burn, lets see what we/they really got.

 

[TripTango]

+1 = 3

Agree with OP though, give the scrubs some burn, lets see what we/they really got.

At this point, is anyone really still wondering what Luke Babbitt's got?

 

[magnifier661]

False fucking advertising! I pre-ejaculated with the great news. Oh well; maybe him and stash will play hopscotch during the practices.

 

[Ed O]

I think a second coaching staff's opinion (ie, he's not worth playing) is a lot more damning than a first's.

I have had moderately high hopes for Babbitt, but if he can't get regular minutes off the bench for this team, he's going to have to get a lot better to stick in the NBA.

Ed O.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Misleading title is misleading.

 

[jlprk]

What's up with Babbitt being put in at 2:15 mark in the 4th when the Blazers have a 15+ pt lead? Sounds like old Nate McMillan crap all over again

Stotts waited long after it was a blowout to finally insert players who need experience--Claver, etc. McMillan actually played Babbitt a lot less often than this year. Babbitt has improved per minute, but only by fouling a lot.

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketbal...-trail-blazers/team/playerstats/13/25/1-3-eff

 

[Sinobas]

I think the Blazers may need to ditch their plan of trying to add another max level player and just go out and get a bench. Jack, Landry, Hayward, Budinger....

 

[jlprk]

Compared to last year per minute, Babbitt is way up in fouls, assists, steals, 3FGA, and points, and a little down in FTA, 2FGA, and offensive rebounds. His key marker 3FG% is down from .430 to .375. Freed from McMillan, he is less conservative on staying outside, shooting 3s but missing, and fouling to get steals.

 

[Nate Dogg]

With a Hickson struggling in the fourth Babbitt was picked against the Bobcats.
With 12+ min of playing time I have been a believer of Babbitt for his 3 pt threat when he gets those minutes.

 

[KingSpeed]

Babbitt took Hickson's minutes at the end of regulation vs Cleveland too.

 

[Further]

Hickson in a great hustle player, but sometimes he doesn't hustle, and then he's pretty piss poor

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think it is safe to say Babbitt plays better surrounded by starters. His skill serves a purpose. He helps spread the floor, and when he makes quick decisive decisions with the ball (Either shooting or passing) he helps the team. He gets in to trouble when he holds on to the ball.

I hope they can find a role for him because he does have a sweet stroke. Not sure why people said he couldn't shoot in the clutch. How many opportunities has he had to shoot "in the clutch"?

 

[BrianFromWA]

He's 4-6 on Chalupa-winning 3's.

 

[TripTango]

He's 4-6 on Chalupa-winning 3's.

Is it time to change his nickname from "White Flag" to "El Cheesy Chalupa Time Grande"?

 

[PapaG]

I've said it all along. Babbitt has an elite NBA skill in his 3-pt shooting, given the opportunity. That is all it takes to stick in the NBA, plus Luke can rebound a bit.

Whether or not he fits in with the Blazers future is a different story, but I still don't like passing on his option this summer. Thought it was a dumb move at the time by Olshey. Maybe it won't matter, depending one what the $2.9 extra in cap space brings.

 

[jlprk]

Most players, if given the green light to be 1-dimensional volume shooters, can improve their percentages.

He's a better rebounder than shooter.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I love that Stotts sits Hickson's ass on the bench because his defense is so crappy

 

[magnifier661]

I love that Stotts sits Hickson's ass on the bench because his defense is so crappy

Yeah our coach needs to be assertive. Send an example for any player on this team that doesn't work hard. You play like shit, then you sit on the pine.

Also, I like that he rewards those that really work hard. Babbitt was busting his ass and was rewarded with much playing time. That is another "positive example" to the other bench players. If they bust their ass, they get more time.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

There might not be a harder worker on this team than Hickson. He hasn't played well lately for sure and it is time to look at other guys but this has nothing to do with him not working hard enough.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Yeah our coach needs to be assertive. Send an example for any player on this team that doesn't work hard. You play like shit, then you sit on the pine.

Also, I like that he rewards those that really work hard. Babbitt was busting his ass and was rewarded with much playing time. That is another "positive example" to the other bench players. If they bust their ass, they get more time.

Damn right. It was nice to see Babbitt trying to anticipate on defense to make up for the slow feet. Guys like Mullin and Bird weren't the fastest on their feet but were good help defenders mainly by using their brains. I was watching Babbitt when shots were in the air and he really makes an effort to position and block out. Great to see him have some success.

 

[PapaG]

There might not be a harder worker on this team than Hickson. He hasn't played well lately for sure and it is time to look at other guys but this has nothing to do with him not working hard enough.

Hickson barely looked like he even knew he was in a game Monday night. He's a space cadet who has worn out his welcome at two previous teams, and he's already Tweeting vague threats and checking out of games 18 games into a season where he is on a one-year contract.

He also may be the worst front-line defensive player (not rebounding, defense) that Portland has had in recent memory.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Hickson barely looked like he even knew he was in a game Monday night. He's a space cadet who has worn out his welcome at two previous teams, and he's already Tweeting vague threats and checking out of games 18 games into a season where he is on a one-year contract.

He also may be the worst front-line defensive player (not rebounding, defense) that Portland has had in recent memory.

Hickson's play has certaintly dropped off. He has never been great at Defense and now he seems to be getting out of position and making it worse.

As far as working hard in a game though that is basically what has gotten him this far. You could call him a garbage-man. Out hustle other players to get offensive rebounders and put-back baskets.

I think we need to look at other lineups as I said. I wouldn't be surprised if Hickson's role is lessened. I was commenting on the fact that someone said he was not a hard worker. Quite the opposite imo as that is basically what he has hung his hat on to get this far in his career.

 

[PapaG]

Hickson's play has certaintly dropped off. He has never been great at Defense and now he seems to be getting out of position and making it worse.

As far as working hard in a game though that is basically what has gotten him this far. You could call him a garbage-man. Out hustle other players to get offensive rebounders and put-back baskets.

I think we need to look at other lineups as I said. I wouldn't be surprised if Hickson's role is lessened. I was commenting on the fact that someone said he was not a hard worker. Quite the opposite imo as that is basically what he has hung his hat on to get this far in his career.

I agree with you that he is a 'hard worker/high motor' guy. The problem seems to be that the computer running his engine goes haywire at times, making him useless and unpredictable in terms of focus.

I suppose my biggest problem with him has nothing to do with him personally, but just that I don't see him as a legitimate starting front-court player for a decent team. Great first big to have off of the bench, though, if he can keep his focus.

At least, that's how I see him. I like what he does rebounding and hustling when he is mentally in the game. He seems to have disappeared a bit late in this road trip, though.

 

[BBert]

From what I've seen, Hickson works hard at tracking down the ball and moving full speed toward the backboard. I don't know that he does much else. Of course, I'd have to be able to see the fucking game to be able to take a better look at that. I hope there is a special place in hell for Comcast execs.

 

[jlprk]

I'll take Hickson's bad games over Babbitt's good games. What is a great game for Babbitt is a subpar game for Hickson.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I'll take Hickson's bad games over Babbitt's good games. What is a great game for Babbitt is a subpar game for Hickson.

What you are not taking into account is that When Babbitt has a good game, Aldridge has a monster game because thet two fit better than LA and JJ. I will take Babbitt's good games over Hickson's so-so games any day