Batum Might Start Against Utah!!

[Crimson the Cat]

Watch out Celtics and Lakers, this is the move that puts the Blazers over the top!

Glad you're coming around PapaG.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Pippen nearly always guarded the oppositions best perimeter player. If it was a smaller guard, so be it. I'm really hoping that Batum can have that same affect on the court. We'll see soon. I'm guessing Nate will only try Batum on Williams situationally, but I'm thinking he can hang for long periods of time on Williams.

Nice part is Williams will likely miss tonights game. I agree I think defensively Batum can be similar to Pippen and in some respects has the potential of Pippen. It all comes down to desire and the will to be the best. He has the ability now he just needs to put in the work to get there.

 

[BalancedMan]

That would be Kirilenko he would be guarding.

Wrong. AK47 hasn't started a game this year as Jerry Sloan has elected to take him off the bench. The wing starters are Brewer and C.J. Miles, neither of which are extremely good offensively. Realize that if you bring Travis off the bench then he will be matched against Kirilinko, who is a good defender.

But yeah, I'm all for Batum starting. He's a good compliment to the starters in that he doesn't need shots. Every team needs a player like that.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Wrong. AK47 hasn't started a game this year as Jerry Sloan has elected to take him off the bench. The wing starters are Brewer and C.J. Miles, neither of which are extremely good offensively. Realize that if you bring Travis off the bench then he will be matched against Kirilinko, who is a good defender.

But yeah, I'm all for Batum starting. He's a good compliment to the starters in that he doesn't need shots. Every team needs a player like that.

I guarantee at some point of the game Batum and Kirilenko will mix it up. Just because Kiri isn't starting doesn't mean they won't meet each other.

 

[PapaG]

Glad you're coming around PapaG.

I have no problem with Batum starting as it keeps a very good second unit mostly intact, but Webster will be the starter once he returns, and Batum's role will be uncertain at that point.

 

[Webster's Dictionary]

Headline on blazers.com confirms.

Batum To Start Against Utah Jazz
First Nicolas Batum was the projected starting small forward, then Nate McMillan decided to go with Travis Outlaw at the last minute in Los Angeles. And now the rotation has come full circle. According to McMillan, Batum will get the start against the Utah Jazz Wednesday night.


For a guy that I was hoping may contribute at some point a few years from now, and was thinking maybe should be made to play a bit in Europe before coming over, especially after seeing him in Summer League, I can't believe what a natural player he is. It's so flipping exciting to have a young guy with this much hustle, talent, and instinctiveness.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I guarantee at some point of the game Batum and Kirilenko will mix it up. Just because Kiri isn't starting doesn't mean they won't meet each other.

Yes, I suspect you're right. Kirilenko didn't start in the preseason game in Portland, but Batum spent quite a bit of time matched up with him in that game. It was fun to watch those two go head-to-head.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

Wrong. AK47 hasn't started a game this year as Jerry Sloan has elected to take him off the bench. The wing starters are Brewer and C.J. Miles, neither of which are extremely good offensively.

That's true, but even though he doesn't start, Kirilenko plays more minutes per game than either Brewer or Miles. In fact, he plays over twice as many MPG as Miles (32.7 vs. 14.7). Miles is really just a token starter. Utah's most frequently used line-up has Brewer at SG and Kirilenko at SF.

So, no matter who starts and who comes off the bench, both Batum and Outlaw are likely to see sginificant minutes matched up against Kirilenko.

BNM

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

Nice part is Williams will likely miss tonights game.

Too bad we're not playing them tonight.

I've heard there is a chance he'll be playing in our game tomorrow.

Gramps...

 

[tlongII]

I predict that Nate will change his mind tomorrow.

 

[number 10]

What's really annoying is the play-by-play crew on NBA 2K9. I've had Batum in my starting line-up so far the entire season, and I cringe every time I hear BATE-um's name called out. It was beginning to bug me so much that I almost pulled him from the starting line-up, but I didn't. I haven't lost a game yet too.

what kills me is that they even pronounce it correctly at times.

Anyway, I'd say he's really arrived when nobody pronounces the "s" at the end of his name.

 

[Nate4Prez]

I have no problem with Batum starting as it keeps a very good second unit mostly intact, but Webster will be the starter once he returns, and Outlaw's role will be uncertain at that point.

Fixed.

 

[DynastYWarrioR6]

Just a quick update (not much of one, but still), it is doubtful that Deron plays tonight, so you guys will be going against the Brevin Knight led Jazz. You guys have to capitalize on him not being there.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I have no problem with Batum starting as it keeps a very good second unit mostly intact, but Batum will still be the starter once he returns, and Outlaw's role will be uncertain at that point.

Fixed.

Really Fixed!

 

[Nate Dogg]

Nicolas Batum has already moved up to #12 for the 2008-09 rookie class.

Hoopsworld has posted the top 5 reasons why Batum should be in the starting rotation.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10470

Nate wants Batum to focus on his defensive abilities so that the blazers will get rebounds, steals, and blocks. He wants this energy so the offense mind skeme will be put on LA and others.

Oregonlive talks about Batum today (10-5-08).
http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/2008/11/gameday_burn.html