BATUM!!! My new favorite Blazer

[Minstrel]

based on how much you guys love him after one game, imagine how much youll hate him after one game.

"BATUM!!! Get out of PDX NOW!"

just pointing out the band-wagoning vibe im getting right now

It's not "band-wagoning," it's pleasant surprise that a 19 year old who was "supposed to be" a non-contributing project is already contributing and playing well.

 

[alex42083]

I love this guy too. I don't think he'll have these types of games every time out, but he and Rudy just bring instant energy off the bench. Wow... just a HUGE surprise. How in the world are we going to play Martell, Travis, Nicolas and Rudy, and give them enough minutes.

 

[Reep]

based on how much you guys love him after one game, imagine how much youll hate him after one game.

"BATUM!!! Get out of PDX NOW!"

just pointing out the band-wagoning vibe im getting right now

Batum's contributions are somewhat like Rudy's. He keeps moving and finds some way to contribute, even when he doesn't score a lot. I don't see him being a non-factor in too many games.

 

[ABM]

I'd like for Batum to eventually become our, say, Michael Cooper. Remember, Coop was a HUGE part of those Laker runs during the 80's. Both, defensively and timely offensively, as well.

 

[azsun67]

That's not a positive.

To me that means that even though his shot wasn't dropping tonite, he helped his team get the win in other ways.

 

[hasoos]

Actually tonight one of the most effective lineups was when he and Travis were out on the floor at the same time with Frye playing center. Frye takes his guy outside, which makes it easier for Travis to operate. Then all Batum has to do is play hard, and put that length to use.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

Batum seems more like the complimentary scorer that would fit nicely with the starters. I'd start him and let Outlaw come off the bench.

Batum got 12 off the bench, Outlaw got 11 as a starter. Essentially, I think Batum could essentially score the saem 10-12 as a starter, while Outlaw could score more as the go-to guy off the bench.

Agreed. Batum also adds a nice defensive presence on the wings. He doesn't command a lot of attention and will probably develop a nice shot.

I realize it's early, so I'm not going to start saying that he's the definitive answer at SF, but I do like what I've seen from him thus far. After all, I really liked the way Sergei Monia played in his first few games.

 

[andalusian]

With the way Nate trusts Travis to take a lot of shots, Batum's emergence and Webster's extension - while Frye did not get an extension - I wonder if the Blazers might think of moving Travis to the backup PF position he excelled in last year and have Webster/Batum fill the SF position - leaving Frye as trade bait. A shame - since he seems to integrate so well with the city and community - but one has to wonder...

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

With the way Nate trusts Travis to take a lot of shots, Batum's emergence and Webster's extension - while Frye did not get an extension - I wonder if the Blazers might think of moving Travis to the backup PF position he excelled in last year and have Webster/Batum fill the SF position - leaving Frye as trade bait. A shame - since he seems to integrate so well with the city and community - but one has to wonder...

I was thinking along the same lines as you

 

[Crimson the Cat]

With the way Nate trusts Travis to take a lot of shots, Batum's emergence and Webster's extension - while Frye did not get an extension - I wonder if the Blazers might think of moving Travis to the backup PF position he excelled in last year and have Webster/Batum fill the SF position - leaving Frye as trade bait. A shame - since he seems to integrate so well with the city and community - but one has to wonder...

Exactly my thinking.

 

[Sug]

I would love to see LMA, Martell, Batum, and TO on the floor at the same time with Sergio. We could call the lineup, "The Jam Session".