Batum: worth the money or.......

[illmatic99]

The Prince comparisons are antiquated. Nic is better now than Tayshaun ever was.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Prince turned into a very reliable post scorer in Detroit. They're already similar offensively .

I like this.

That is exactly who I was thinking about. Not a large frame by any means, but long. Now he just needs that baby hook....

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Big Nic fan (obviously) but I cringe when I think of Nic getting aggressive on offense looking for his shot, that is when he looks his worst, IMO. He is a ball movement, cutting and passing kind of player to me and the longer the ball just sits in his hands as he looks for a shot is where I anticipate an ugly forced shot.

I think Nic would fit in perfectly in SA . . . or with the Blazers I would like to see him as a 4th option but with an offensive scheme where he gets lots of touches and the offense flows through him.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The Prince comparisons are antiquated. Nic is better now than Tayshaun ever was.

Nah, I think they're pretty comparable. http://bkref.com/tiny/0itZx

 

[blue9]

Nah, I think they're pretty comparable. http://bkref.com/tiny/0itZx

Nic is SIGNIFICANTLY better at running an offense and setting up his teammates with open shots.

 

[illmatic99]

Nah, I think they're pretty comparable. http://bkref.com/tiny/0itZx

Stats are surprisingly close.

Couple differences, Nic averaged 7.5 rpg (!) this year. Prince's career high was 5.8. Nic averaged 5.1apg this year, and Prince's career high was 3.3. Scoring wise, Prince's career high was 14.7 ppg, Nic was at 13 last season (and 14.3 year before). Just looking at raw stats obviously... but I'm nitpicking. You've got a point.

In terms of eye test though, I never saw Tay create as much for his teammates as Nic did last season for his. And I'm surprised at how much of a better rebounder he has become.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Stats are surprisingly close.

Couple differences, Nic averaged 7.5 rpg (!) this year. Prince's career high was 5.8. Nic averaged 5.1apg this year, and Prince's career high was 3.3. Scoring wise, Prince's career high was 14.7 ppg, Nic was at 13 last season (and 14.3 year before). Just looking at raw stats obviously... but I'm nitpicking. You've got a point.

In terms of eye test though, I never saw Tay create as much for his teammates as Nic did last season for his. And I'm surprised at how much of a better rebounder he has become.

Sure, all true. Prince was also the 4th option on those much-lower-scoring Pistons teams, and a significantly better defender than Batum (all defense 2nd team 5 straight years). It's about a wash.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Also as an aside, I recall that Prince was a pretty hot commodity for a while, and highly desired by many in the Blazer community. I also recall that his contract was (inflation adjusted) almost identical to Nic's. If Prince was worth the money then, Nic probably is now.

 

[HailBlazers]

Big Nic fan (obviously) but I cringe when I think of Nic getting aggressive on offense looking for his shot, that is when he looks his worst, IMO. He is a ball movement, cutting and passing kind of player to me and the longer the ball just sits in his hands as he looks for a shot is where I anticipate an ugly forced shot.

Exactly why a post up game would suite him well IMO. He doesn't have to dribble but simply get into position. His ability to hit a shot with a hand in the face is notable, and we've seen glimpses of his fadaway being money as well.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Trade coming..........

 

[BlazerWookee]

Trade coming..........

You misspelled "train." Just sayin'.

 

[RoyToy]

Nic is SIGNIFICANTLY better at running an offense and setting up his teammates with open shots.

I doubt you ever saw Prince play in his prime years if you actually believe that

 

[RoyToy]

Prince turned into a very reliable post scorer in Detroit. They're already similar offensively .

I like this.

[video=youtube;bMHA4gQobFE]

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Reading my prior post, I think it came across wrong. I don't think Batum should be 4th option as in never really looking for his shot. I think his shots should come from being involved in ball movement and either getting free for the outside shot or cutting and moving to the basket for a shot. When the ball sits in his hand for a bit while he surveys the defense, that is not his specialty, IMO.

If he can develop a post game, that would be great. But his value is being an all around player who can defend, shoot, pass, rebound and score when the opportunity arises.

 

[Strenuus]

[video=youtube;bMHA4gQobFE]

A seventeen second clip? Really? One play? Come on, troll better.

 

[blue9]

I doubt you ever saw Prince play in his prime years if you actually believe that

Yeah, you're right, I never watched those Larry Brown Pistons teams.

 

[RoyToy]

A seventeen second clip? Really? One play? Come on, troll better.

Are you retarded?

 

[Strenuus]

Are you retarded?

I'll let them handle this.