Batum, The Boss

[HailBlazers]

Get's it from his father:

"I've talked a lot with his former teammates about him and they always say he was crazy on the court. He was a big man who played forward and center. If there was a fight, he was the first player to go into the fight," Batum said, laughing.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/11/trail_blazers_forward_nicolas_1.html

"When the ball is in my hands I know I can make plays happen and just not stand in the corner and wait. When the game is on the line and the ball is in my hands I want them to trust me and know that everything is going to be okay," asserted Batum....."The coach told me I am the boss of the team."

Love the new attitude, can't wait to see him put on the Blazers jersey with this new found fire. As long as Nate doesn't put it out...

"We decided as soon as he signed to put him these situations: running the pick-and-roll and posting up. This way he can read the game and he has talents of scoring in different ways. They don't do that in Portland because they don't ask him to. That is limiting his potential."

I think his recent Euroleague experience has finally prepared him to be a go-to guy, and we can finally start asking him to be one. Only Time will Tell, along with an NBA Season as well.

"I don't forget," Batum said with a smile.

"I don't forget Portland."

Amen Boss, were here for you.

 

[BBert]

Love the new attitude, can't wait to see him put on the Blazers jersey with this new found fire. As long as Nate doesn't put it out...

Of course Nate will put it out. You know it. I know it. Nico knows it. Sad, really.

 

[jlprk]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/11/trail_blazers_forward_nicolas_1.html

Batum put on 15 pounds this summer, all muscle!

 

[HailBlazers]

Of course Nate will put it out. You know it. I know it. Nico knows it. Sad, really.

Kinda like your life!

The power is in Batum's hands really. Yes we can look at the past to see how Nate will act, but if there is a new variable, a more assertive Nic, I'm not convinced the past will predict the future.

In fact, I'd bet that through the long longout, and after numerous first round exits, Nate has grown. I'm looking for him to have a fresh plan that will take advantage of his now veteran players. One thing that I do know about Nate is that he study's hard, I gotta believe he's poured over what didn't work about our offense the last two years, and has analyzed how the Mavs (a similarly structured team) created a scoring machine.

Cheers to actually getting a Season! Batum (the new fan favorite) coming into his own, and the Blazers finally having a complete healthy Team to make a run!

 

[Nikolokolus]

Of course Nate will put it out. You know it. I know it. Nico knows it. Sad, really.

Sadly, yes we do.

 

[Nikolokolus]

The power is in Batum's hands really. Yes we can look at the past to see how Nate will act, but if there is a new variable, a more assertive Nic, I'm not convinced the past will predict the future.

No it really isn't

In fact, I'd bet that through the long longout, and after numerous first round exits, Nate has grown. I'm looking for him to have a fresh plan that will take advantage of his now veteran players. One thing that I do know about Nate is that he study's hard, I gotta believe he's poured over what didn't work about our offense the last two years, and has analyzed how the Mavs (a similarly structured team) created a scoring machine.

I'm sad for you ... really.

Cheers to actually getting a Season! Batum (the new fan favorite) coming into his own, and the Blazers finally having a complete healthy Team to make a run!

Those are all great "goals" and hopes to have as a fan, but ... we'll see.

 

[RoyToy]

Of course Nate will put it out. You know it. I know it. Nico knows it. Sad, really.

No, not really.

It's up to Batum to be aggressive once the season starts. He can't be afraid to dribble and be aggressive like he has been in the past. It's on him.

Let's hope his game has grown and translates to the NBA. I have some doubts as he did it against sub-NBA talent. That means almost nothing to me.

 

[jlprk]

It's easier for a skinny guy to be forceful on the court in Europe than in the NBA. Just ask Rudy.

Batum won't be able to take charge here as much because of his frame, and because of McMillan's frame of mind.