Batman

[Boob-No-More]

[video=youtube;R6tZNPKsK5g]

Thanks for posting that. I missed the game last night and the first thing I thought when I saw the box score was why the fuck did Batum play less than 23 minutes. He was clearly very effective at both ends of the court and had a much better game than Gerald. Did he get injured, or was this just a case of Nate being a dumb ass and not properly using the talent he's been given?

BNM

 

[illmatic99]

What do you think?

 

[HailBlazers]

He was clearly very effective at both ends of the court and had a much better game than Gerald. Did he get injured, or was this just a case of Nate being a dumb ass and not properly using the talent he's been given?

Yup, Nate was clearly picking Gerald's defense over Batum's offense. Which IS dumb, because Batum's D is solid.

 

[BBert]

Thanks for posting that. I missed the game last night and the first thing I thought when I saw the box score was why the fuck did Batum play less than 23 minutes. He was clearly very effective at both ends of the court and had a much better game than Gerald. Did he get injured, or was this just a case of Nate being a dumb ass and not properly using the talent he's been given?

BNM

Nico was crashing all over the place, pardon the expression. Those hightlights are incomplete. I don't know when I've seen him more aggressive.

 

[illmatic99]

I think Nic has usurped Lebron's role as chasedown king.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Nico was crashing all over the place, pardon the expression. Those hightlights are incomplete. I don't know when I've seen him more aggressive.

So, why'd he get less than 23 minutes of PT? It wasn't just the video, when I first looked at the box score, I though Nic had another good game. He shot the ball better than anyone else, got to the line more than anyone else and had a couple of blocks - then I noticed he only played 22:39. WFT???? Nate seems to always have this annoying habit of pulling the guy with the hot hand (wth the possible exceotion of Brandon Roy). Most other teams will ride a hot player until he either drops or the other team figures out how to stop him. Nate seems bound and determined to stick with his planned substituion pattern no matter who'se hot and who's not.

BNM

 

[Nikolokolus]

So, why'd he get less than 23 minutes of PT? It wasn't just the video, when I first looked at the box score, I though Nic had another good game. He shot the ball better than anyone else, got to the line more than anyone else and had a couple of blocks - then I noticed he only played 22:39. WFT???? Nate seems to always have this annoying habit of pulling the guy with the hot hand (wth the possible exceotion of Brandon Roy). Most other teams will ride a hot player until he either drops or the other team figures out how to stop him. Nate seems bound and determined to stick with his planned substituion pattern no matter who'se hot and who's not.

BNM

There was a stretch of time in the fourth quarter from about 8 minutes to go until a minute where he wasn't on the floor and it really showed. Guys looked dog ass tired, heavy legged and the only guy all night who didn't seem affected was Nicolas. When he finally came in it was far too late.

 

[Boob-No-More]

There was a stretch of time in the fourth quarter from about 8 minutes to go until a minute where he wasn't on the floor and it really showed. Guys looked dog ass tired, heavy legged and the only guy all night who didn't seem affected was Nicolas. When he finally came in it was far too late.

That makes no sense to me. Nic averaged less than 20 MPG over the back-to-back-to-back stretch. Wallace averaaged over 33 MPG - not that that's alot under most regular circumstances, but 3 games in 3 nights is not regular circumstances. Wallace's game is entirely dependent on how much energy he has. When he's rested, he's great, when he's not, he's not. Just looking at his numbers last night, it was his worst of the three games, and Nic's best. In fact Wallace steadily got worse with each game and Batum steadily got better. That's the difference between 29 and 23, and their styles of play. That just seems so logical and so obvious. How can Nate not see that?

BNM

 

[BBert]

If the Blazers don't screw it up, they could actually get better by next season. Trade everyone not named Lamarcus or Nicolas for someone of at least near all star caliber. Use cap space to sign another out of the free agent pool this summer. Sign Nico. Fire Nate. Easy-peasy.

 

[Nikolokolus]

That makes no sense to me. Nic averaged less than 20 MPG over the back-to-back-to-back stretch. Wallace averaaged over 33 MPG - not that that's alot under most regular circumstances, but 3 games in 3 nights is not regular circumstances. Wallace's game is entirely dependent on how much energy he has. When he's rested, he's great, when he's not, he's not. Just looking at his numbers last night, it was his worst of the three games, and Nic's best. In fact Wallace steadily got worse with each game and Batum steadily got better. That's the difference between 29 and 23, and their styles of play. That just seems so logical and so obvious. How can Nate not see that?

BNM

 

[Boise Blazer]

That makes no sense to me. Nic averaged less than 20 MPG over the back-to-back-to-back stretch. Wallace averaaged over 33 MPG - not that that's alot under most regular circumstances, but 3 games in 3 nights is not regular circumstances. Wallace's game is entirely dependent on how much energy he has. When he's rested, he's great, when he's not, he's not. Just looking at his numbers last night, it was his worst of the three games, and Nic's best. In fact Wallace steadily got worse with each game and Batum steadily got better. That's the difference between 29 and 23, and their styles of play. That just seems so logical and so obvious. How can Nate not see that?

BNM

I though the same thing. Of all the players on the team that i wouldnt mind plaing heavy minutes Nic is at the top of that list. He is still so young and has a non stop motor. And out of all the times to play him heavy minutes doesnt a b2b2b makes the most sense?

 

[jlprk]

Because of the schedule, McMillan has indeed decreased minutes for some guys, including Batum. He has given Wallace's decreased minutes to Rhino, not Batum, who is one of the reduced minutes guys McMillan is trying to save for later. Rhino has responded well.

 

[illmatic99]

[video=youtube;Qod05KuCdSg]

That play starting @ 2:31 was sick!

 

[Boob-No-More]

[video=youtube;Qod05KuCdSg]

That play starting @ 2:31 was sick!

Thanks for posting that. I really like the way Nic is putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket. In addition to the play at 2:31, there was also the drive and dunk at 0:50 and the drive and foul at 1:38. He's no longer just "stand-in-the-corner-and-shoot-the-3-guy". Of course, they still don't seem to run many (any?) set plays for him, but he's taking it upon himself to be more aggressive on offense. He's getting to the rim more and also getting to the line more. At 5.1 his FTA/36 are WAY, WAY up. His previous best was 2.3 FTA/36. Now, if only Nate would actually play him 36 MPG, or at least 30...

BNM

 

[illmatic99]

[video=youtube;p0YwG2fsu90]

 

[BBert]

Crawford is SO much better at point guard than Felton -- when he doesn't go one-on-five and throw up circus shots every time he touches the ball. I don't know if he reads the board or not, but it was great to see him looking to pass to Nico. Crawford has talent and ability. It just depends on how he uses it. It seems Nate and I don't see eye-to-eye on many things. I'm still incredulous Nate doesn't see how much better the team is when they don't run the Iso-Crawful offense and instead move the ball around for good shots.

 

[illmatic99]

seriously. Nate yelling at Jamal to shoot it when 1 pass to Nic led to a wide open 3? Confirms my preconceived notions about Nate being an idiot.

 

[B-Roy]

Is that the knee that is injured? It looks awful.

 

[BlazerBeav]

I agree with Nic, they really should start bringing the Rose Garden crowd with them on the road. Half the arenas we've played in could use another 5-8000 people to fill them anyway.

 

[illmatic99]

Is that the knee that is injured? It looks awful.

Nope. He hurt his left knee. He's just bony as fuck.

 

[illmatic99]

[video=youtube;k7_vjLFDvPY]

 

[illmatic99]

BTW, Nic has been the model of consistency. Check out his last 9 games.

I so badly wish he'd get over 30mins every night.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Good to see Nic FINALLY get some big minutes last night. And screw the 30MPG, this kid should be getting a solid 36MPG. He's clearly become the second best player on the team. He's second to only Aldridge in both PER and WS/48, and no one else is even close.

Oh well, on the bright side, Nate's continued under usage of Batum just adds more momentum to the fire Nate movement. Maybe then we will finally get a coach who knows how to run an offense that features more than one player at a time and is smart enough to actually play his second best player significant minutes and run some plays for him.

BNM

 

[illmatic99]

How is it that this is so obvious to everyone BUT Nate? He's freaking slow as molasses when it comes to making changes, and he has always held some double standards about his players. Annoying as hell.

 

[Boob-No-More]

How is it that this is so obvious to everyone BUT Nate? He's freaking slow as molasses when it comes to making changes, and he has always held some double standards about his players. Annoying as hell.

Now, now, let's not be too harsh on Mr. Sonic. Give him the rest of this season, another first round playoff exit (if we even make the playoffs), a full off season, training camp and preseason and he MIGHT finally realize it's time to start playing his second best player another 8 - 10 MPG.

Or, maybe not. It's not like Nic is an unknown quantity. Nate has been coaching him for four years now. Nic has gotten better, and the team has gotten worse, but Nate is playing Nic 5 MPG LESS this season that last! Sorry to be politically incorrect (and mods feel free to delete this comment if it offends anyone), but that's just fucking retarded.

BNM

 

[BlayZa]

no, you're right - that is fuckin retarded.

 

[MickZagger]

Now, now, let's not be too harsh on Mr. Sonic. Give him the rest of this season, another first round playoff exit (if we even make the playoffs), a full off season, training camp and preseason and he MIGHT finally realize it's time to start playing his second best player another 8 - 10 MPG.

Or, maybe not. It's not like Nic is an unknown quantity. Nate has been coaching him for four years now. Nic has gotten better, and the team has gotten worse, but Nate is playing Nic 5 MPG LESS this season that last! Sorry to be politically incorrect (and mods feel free to delete this comment if it offends anyone), but that's just fucking retarded.

BNM

Basically.

I'd rep you if I could.

 

[Boise Blazer]

We are getting ready to pay this guy some serious bucks so doesnt it make sense to take a look at him as the solid second option in the offense before we do that? And to do that you have to play him more. Force him to be engaged by making running plays for him. Once he understands that role better and trusts Nate to trust him then he will get more comfortable and do it himself. But you have to put him in that position.

 

[jlprk]

The chances he stays here are at best 50-50.

 

[Boise Blazer]

The chances he stays here are at best 50-50.

That could very well be but wouldnt you like know more about who he can be for this team before we decide how much we want to keep him? It would make how we handle that situation so much easier to deal with it.