Batum: I'm the number 2 option now and have to play like it

[Mediocre Man]

It may, just may, have something to do with the coaching. He can't really do much about the timing of that. But, it's nice to have something new to complain about.

It has some to do with the coaching, but the team has come out and said they were imploring him to take a larger role for most of the season. I realize I shouldn't complain. Status quo it is. Go Blazers. Sneak into that 8th spot so we can feel all warm and fuzzy when OKC says we were their toughest out in the playoffs

 

[blazerboy30]

It has some to do with the coaching, but the team has come out and said they were imploring him to take a larger role for most of the season.

You mean the same team that said they were imploring the team to run more the last 3 years?

I realize I shouldn't complain. Status quo it is. Go Blazers. Sneak into that 8th spot so we can feel all warm and fuzzy when OKC says we were their toughest out in the playoffs

Excellent use of the victim card shtick.

 

[Mediocre Man]

You mean the same team that said they were imploring the team to run more the last 3 years?



Excellent use of the victim card shtick.

I am just happy I have been able to entertain you for the day. Not many people would hang on every word an internet poster says. Kudos

 

[Eastoff]

Aww for a second I thought you two were going to agree on something and leave it at that.

 

[RoyToy]

I predicted the Blazers would not be good this year. I whined that Nate was a shitty coach and Brandon was making him look better than he really was. I think it's great Batum steps into a bigger role, but right now, that's not what we need to be a better basketball team

Lol.

 

[RoyToy]

You've struggled making the final leap in your career Batum to being a borderline all-star. We really need you to make that step to become a better team.

Don't do it yet, though. Cease working on your game and trying to get better and wait until next year. Don't worry about it now.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Players know when a caoch or organization isn't trying to win. Playing Batum and Aldridge with a bunch of unproven youngsters will hurt the Blazers chances of resigning Batum and keeping Aldrdige happy.

There is plenty of time to see what the Blazers have with Babbit, Flynn, Nolan and the likes. (Really what are we hoping for there?)

But to create a team atmosphere that we really aren't trying to win, goes a long way to the mentality of the players and sets the tone for players considering coming here next year.

The better we look, the bettter chance a quailty player will want to sign here and the more players Blazers want to keep will be content here.

 

[magnifier661]

Batum needs to be Allstar caliber. As much as roytoy dogs Batum, I would bet he would be surprisingly happy if he actually became a true second option player.

If his development causes wins instead of losses then so be it

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Batum's comments would mean more if he was saying them AFTER a performance like tonight's at LA. He would hold himself accountable, and say, "Yeah, I'm the #2 guys some nights. But for the team to grow, I need to be the #2 guy EVERY night. And I'm going to work on developing my game into that."

 

[magnifier661]

Batum's comments would mean more if he was saying them AFTER a performance like tonight's at LA. He would hold himself accountable, and say, "Yeah, I'm the #2 guys some nights. But for the team to grow, I need to be the #2 guy EVERY night. And I'm going to work on developing my game into that."

I hear that. Although I thought he played decent d tonight.

 

[HailBlazers]

I hear that. Although I thought he played decent d tonight.

Batum's D is the only thing that keeps from going insance about not having picked KD in 2007. Batum is one of very few players in the entire league that can single handily stop him.

That said, he better put in some serious ball-handling work in the off season if he wants to get anywhere near All-Star Caliber.

 

[RoyToy]

The disappearing act once again

 

[OdenHoF]

The disappearing act once again

He still has the same ball hog guards on his team. It's like Felton and Crawford heard Batum say "I'll be the number 2" and they were like "Wah! What about ME??!".

 

[Sinobas]

Batum is just in love with the #9 this month. He's scored 9 points exactly 6 times, and has failed to even reach double digits in 7 of the last 14 games....not what you want from your #2.

 

[Boob-No-More]

It has some to do with the coaching, but the team has come out and said they were imploring him to take a larger role for most of the season.

I'm not sure who was supposedly saying that, but actions speak louder than words. When did Nate EVER run any set plays for Batum? When was he ever more than a better defending James Jones parked in the corner waiting for the kick out guy? Canales is actually running set plays in the half court offense for Batum. He actually has teammates setting screens to free up Batum for open looks - something we NEVER saw under Nate.

Yeah, Nic is still inconsistent on offense, but hopefully consistency will come with an expanded role and some set plays designed to get him open looks. Nic's development was held back by two things: his own unaggressive nature and Nate's stifling ISO heavy offense that discouraged ball movement and player movement. Now that Nate is gone, it's up to Batum to accept an expanded role and become more aggressive to take advantage of the new opportunities.

BNM

 

[KingSpeed]

I'm not sure who was supposedly saying that, but actions speak louder than words. When did Nate EVER run any set plays for Batum? When was he ever more than a better defending James Jones parked in the corner waiting for the kick out guy? Canales is actually running set plays in the half court offense for Batum. He actually has teammates setting screens to free up Batum for open looks - something we NEVER saw under Nate.

BNM

NEVER isn't true. Remember when Batum hit 7 threes in a game? Some of those were off screens.