Batum: "I Will Play Monday"

[ABM]

I guess we'll see, though.

From: The Blazers Beat

By Joe Freeman, The Oregonian
January 24, 2010, 8:51AM

Nicolas Batum remains on pace to make his season debut Monday night when the Trail Blazers host the New Orleans Hornets.

“I will play Monday,” Batum said, smiling, before the Blazers defeated the Detroit Pistons Saturday in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Batum said he has received the OK to play from two key figures: the Los Angeles-based doctor who surgically repaired his right shoulder in October and Blazers trainer Jay Jensen. Now, it seems, Batum needs clearance from just one more person:

Coach Nate McMillan.

McMillan, who last week watched All-Star Brandon Roy return too soon from a strained right hamstring and has seen his players rack up 205 missed games because of injuries, is understandably gun shy. Before Saturday night’s game, McMillan called Batum’s return “doubtful," but said he planned to meet with Batum, Jensen and general manager Kevin Pritchard sometime Sunday to make a decision.

Batum has participated in just one full practice — Thursday in Boston — and he halted a two-on-two workout because his right shoulder became too sore after repeated contact. But Batum went through a rigorous full-contact workout with assistant coach Monty Williams during pregame shootaround in Auburn Hills and said he experienced no pain.

“He posted me up pretty hard, (banging) with my right shoulder,” Batum said. “And I don’t feel sore. I feel great.”

Batum, who started 76 games for the Blazers last season, finished the last month of the 2008-09 season and played all summer on the French National Team with shoulder pain. After aggravating the injury in training camp, he had surgery on Oct. 30 to repair a torn labrum. He has missed the entire season.

After seeing the doctor who performed his surgery in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, Batum targeted Monday as a return date and traveled with the team last week on its four-game trip in preparation. Now he just has to convince McMillan he’s ready.

“If he wants to let me to play, I’m ready to go,” Batum said, smirking. “If he doesn’t, he wants the best for me so I won’t be angry. But I’m ready.”

 

[oldguy]

That would be some welcome news.

Go Nic!

Go Blazers

 

[ABM]

Perfect time for Nic to return. Martell is playing his career best, but it's clear he needs a little break.

 

[RoyToy]

Batum has participated in just one full practice — Thursday in Boston — and he halted a two-on-two workout because his right shoulder became too sore after repeated contact. But Batum went through a rigorous full-contact workout with assistant coach Monty Williams during pregame shootaround in Auburn Hills and said he experienced no pain.

A little scary.

 

[MIXUM]

well i dont think nate has a choice. i mean, we need all the forwards we can get.

we need a bayless update. never thought i woud type hose words this season lol. slowly though (assuming roy comes back soon) this team is getting healthy. however when outlaw returns... i dont know if tahts good or bad. i think kpee has to consolidate this roster.

 

[handiman]

A little scary.

I mentioned that in the previous thread and no one picked up on it... Why was Batum encouraged or even allowed to go through such heavy contact in his first full day back in the fold? The team keeps talking about being cautious and then turns right around with a sink or swim approach.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I mentioned that in the previous thread and no one picked up on it... Why was Batum encouraged or even allowed to go through such heavy contact in his first full day back in the fold? The team keeps talking about being cautious and then turns right around with a sink or swim approach.

Nate has this bizarre fascination of playing guys out of position (like his 3-guard line-up earlier in the year that forced Roy to play SF, Miller to guard SGs and Blake to play SG on offense). Supposedly he's considering playing Nic at power forward and that's why he was banging with Pendergraph in the 2-on-2 game. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Nic is NOT a power forward. There is NOTHING about his game that says power forward. He had good size and great length for the small forward position, which is his ideal natural position. With an improved handle and outside shot, he could play spot minutes as a back-up 2 with Roy and Bayless out. He can even occasionally guard PGs. But power forward? That's just stupid.

If Nate does insist on going ultra small, Martell, who is stronger and healthier than Nic makes more sense (but still not a lot) at the 4.

BNM

 

[MIXUM]

can wait to see batum and webby out there at the same time playing defense.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

If his shot is as good as MB and Rice say it is he will be such a nice addition to what we're already doing.

If he can be James Jones with Shane Battier defense, we have our SF for the next 10+ years.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Nate has this bizarre fascination of playing guys out of position (like his 3-guard line-up earlier in the year that forced Roy to play SF, Miller to guard SGs and Blake to play SG on offense). Supposedly he's considering playing Nic at power forward and that's why he was banging with Pendergraph in the 2-on-2 game. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Nic is NOT a power forward. There is NOTHING about his game that says power forward. He had good size and great length for the small forward position, which is his ideal natural position. With an improved handle and outside shot, he could play spot minutes as a back-up 2 with Roy and Bayless out. He can even occasionally guard PGs. But power forward? That's just stupid.

If Nate does insist on going ultra small, Martell, who is stronger and healthier than Nic makes more sense (but still not a lot) at the 4.

BNM

It's not as stupid as you think. Nic as a small ball 4 could be very effective ... depending on matchups. he'd be lousy against the bruisers in the NBA, but covering a Rashard Lewis, or Charlie V. type of guy wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility. I'm actually anxious to see what he can do covering the 4 spot ... hell, Scottie Pippen in his heyday could cover 4 and sometimes 5 spots defensively and that's a fantastic asset to have on your team -- if Nic even scratches the surface of Pippen's ability I'll be thrilled.

 

[Nikolokolus]

can wait to see batum and webby out there at the same time playing defense.

Yeah, that's not bad. Both understand space and the team game on the defensive side of the court and both have good length to contest shots and do a decent job of keeping their man in front of them. I'm not sure what kind of lineups there will be when we'll see both guys on the court at the same time, but my guess would be end of game and end of quarter situations on strictly defensive possessions ... at least for now.

 

[Boob-No-More]

It's not as stupid as you think. Nic as a small ball 4 could be very effective ... depending on matchups. he'd be lousy against the bruisers in the NBA, but covering a Rashard Lewis, or Charlie V. type of guy wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility. I'm actually anxious to see what he can do covering the 4 spot ... hell, Scottie Pippen in his heyday could cover 4 and sometimes 5 spots defensively and that's a fantastic asset to have on your team -- if Nic even scratches the surface of Pippen's ability I'll be thrilled.

And having him bang against Jeff Pendergraph in a 2-on-2 game his first full practice at returning from shoulder surgery is the best way to assess this?

Jeff Pendergraph's game is about as far from Rashard Lewis' as you can get. If Nate wants to see how Nic can guard stretch 4s he should match him up with LaMarcus Aldridge, NOT Jeff Pendergraph.

BNM

 

[handiman]

And having him bang against Jeff Pendergraph in a 2-on-2 game his first full practice at returning from shoulder surgery is the best way to assess this?

Amen. Have Batum guard LMA if that's what they want to work on... Or at the very least, don't have him banging in the post in his first full contact practice after shoulder surgery. Wait till next week to see how he handles that sort of matchup ... once they've had time to determine he's sufficiently healed for it.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I think Batum is going to have to play out of his mind to get his starting spot back if Marty continues to play like he is.

 

[azsun67]

Is there a differnece between TO and Batum playng the 4 spot. TO did it last year and our record was just fine. If TO can do it, Batum should do just fine depending on match-ups. Anyways, we don;t care where Batum plays, we just want to see him dunk on Gasol one more time!!!

 

[BenDavis503]

“If he wants to let me to play, I’m ready to go,” Batum said, smirking. “If he doesn’t, he wants the best for me so I won’t be angry. But I’m ready.”

What a great, positive attitude!

 

[Sug]

The "French Revolution" has returned!!!!!!!!!

 

[STOMP]

Is there a differnece between TO and Batum playng the 4 spot.

Travis is undersized at the 4 but has height length and weight over Nic.

NB's best skill is guarding wings and he's the best on the team at it... thats where I want him on D.

STOMP

 

[Minstrel]

If Batum is played out of position, I'd want him covering the opposing point guard, not power forward.

 

[STOMP]

If Batum is played out of position, I'd want him covering the opposing point guard, not power forward.

exactly, quickness over power for Nic

STOMP

 

[BBert]

“I will play Monday,” Batum said, smiling, before the Blazers defeated the Detroit Pistons Saturday in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Batum has participated in just one full practice — Thursday in Boston — and he halted a two-on-two workout because his right shoulder became too sore after repeated contact. But Batum went through a rigorous full-contact workout with assistant coach Monty Williams during pregame shootaround in Auburn Hills and said he experienced no pain.

“He posted me up pretty hard, (banging) with my right shoulder,” Batum said. “And I don’t feel sore. I feel great.”

After seeing the doctor who performed his surgery in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, Batum targeted Monday as a return date and traveled with the team last week on its four-game trip in preparation. Now he just has to convince McMillan he’s ready.

“If he wants to let me to play, I’m ready to go,” Batum said, smirking. “If he doesn’t, he wants the best for me so I won’t be angry. But I’m ready."

Don't trust him. He's competitive. He's young. He's still 'immortal.' He wasn't completely forthright with the extent of his injury in the first place. I can't believe they'd put him in a game with so little practice time to see how he recovers. One 'full workout' since the one practice where he was sore? Please. I'm as anxious to see him return as the next guy, but I'm also apprehensive. Can you blame me? I agree having him bang with Pendergraph right out of the shoot was idiotic. He's had months of recovery from shoulder surgery, so let's play him at PF without even the benefit of a real practice? Yikes.

 

[fumanchu]

Banging with Pendegraph is a good way to test his strength. I understand being cautious but these are pro athletes not delicate flowers.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Banging with Pendegraph is a good way to test his strength.

In his first full practice after returning from shoulder surgery?

I understand being cautious but these are pro athletes not delicate flowers.

Risking re-injury by overdoing it the first time he tests the shoulder in a competitive environment seems foolish to me. What's to be gained if he re-injures the shoulder as a result? Seems like it would make more sense to built up the level of contact more gradually.

BNM

 

[BenDavis503]

I bet Nate plays him 2 minutes.

 

[fumanchu]

In his first full practice after returning from shoulder surgery?



Risking re-injury by overdoing it the first time he tests the shoulder in a competitive environment seems foolish to me. What's to be gained if he re-injures the shoulder as a result? Seems like it would make more sense to built up the level of contact more gradually.

BNM

If a doctor says he's healthy, then yeah, test it out. Work the shoulder, see if he's strong enough. They can't be so fearful of injuries that they start treating them like children.

They're getting paid millions, so get their arses out there and make them earn it.

 

[noknobs]

If he had to halt a 2-on-2 scrimmage within the last weak because his shoulder was sore, he's not ready and I don't want him to play yet. Just wait one more week.

 

[Nikolokolus]

And having him bang against Jeff Pendergraph in a 2-on-2 game his first full practice at returning from shoulder surgery is the best way to assess this?

Jeff Pendergraph's game is about as far from Rashard Lewis' as you can get. If Nate wants to see how Nic can guard stretch 4s he should match him up with LaMarcus Aldridge, NOT Jeff Pendergraph.

BNM

What better way to test the shoulder though? He probably needed a real contact test to see if he's truly ready for the kind of contact he'll see in a game.

 

[Boob-No-More]

What better way to test the shoulder though? He probably needed a real contact test to see if he's truly ready for the kind of contact he'll see in a game.

I would think gradually building up the level of contact until he started to experience pain would have been better than having a bigger, stronger player hammer on him and immediately cause pain (the 2-on-2 was stopped after two minutes due to pain in the shoulder). A gradually increasing level of contact would be less likely to re-injure the shoulder than a binary step function from no conact to extreme contact.

BNM

 

[STOMP]

What better way to test the shoulder though? He probably needed a real contact test to see if he's truly ready for the kind of contact he'll see in a game.

no doubt... defensive switches often happen multiple times in one possession. Opposing teams are going to test him when he's fresh off the IR so Nate is right in making him match up on a bigger more physical player in practice to judge where he's at.

STOMP

 

[Boob-No-More]

no doubt... defensive switches often happen multiple times in one possession. Opposing teams are going to test him when he's fresh off the IR so Nate is right in making him match up on a bigger more physical player in practice to judge where he's at.

STOMP

I'm not saying Batum shouldn't be tested before he's allowed to play in games. I just think the process should be a little more gradual than something that inflicts enough pain he has to stop within two minutes of playing 2-on-2 in his first full practice coming off shoulder surgery.

BNM