Batum

[Rastapopoulos]

I'm a little worried that Batum won't flourish like I think he could. If it's because Gerald Wallace is just better (as several posters have said) then that's okay, and he can ease into Wallace's spot as Gerald breaks down. But my main worry is that he's being paired up with Crawford in the second unit, and Crawford is a major ballhog. I think a second unit were Batum is the initiator (as he was with Nancy and even to some extent the French team) would be better. Anyone playing with Crawford is liable to be a little ignored. There's less incentive to fill the lanes or streak downcourt if you know your "PG" is just going to take a thirty-foot pull up jumper, or drive into traffic and throw up a wild shot most times.

 

[Brock]

i think its likely wallace is dealt by deadline

 

[BBert]

I and apparently some others assumed, before the Blazers signed Chuckford, that Nico would be a featured offensive player off the bench. I agree that, after one game, it appears Chuckford may stymie Nico's ascent into that role. I think we should give the team 10 games or so to develop an identity before coming to any concrete conclusions, but this result seems at least probable.

I think Wallace is our second best player. I love the kind of hustle plays and 'garbage' points he gives us. Curious that he would be on the block, but if it improves the team now and in the future, you do it. Management has to continuously look two or three moves into the future, and balance that with how to remain successful today.

 

[jlprk]

McMillan inhibits shot selection, which will be good for once in Crawford's case. Crawford may lose his reputation soon.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I and apparently some others assumed, before the Blazers signed Chuckford, that Nico would be a featured offensive player off the bench. I agree that, after one game, it appears Chuckford may stymie Nico's ascent into that role. I think we should give the team 10 games or so to develop an identity before coming to any concrete conclusions, but this result seems at least probable.

I would disagree. Crawford took 10 shots in 22 minutes. ( to go alongs with his 4 assists 4 steals and 4 rebounds)

Nic got 10 shots in 21 minutes. Nic got shots from the arch and at the basket. All in all I do not see Crawford hurting Nic's offense. As a matter of fact with JC a better SG than PG it actually should give Nic more opportunity to handle the ball when they are in together.

 

[magnifier661]

I think everyone is over analyzing this scenario. I think from game to game, you will notice that we will ride the hot hand. Sometimes it maybe Nic or Crawford.

 

[illmatic99]

Wesley does not need 41mins, especially when he's shooting 4-14. Nic can replace his defense, so really, there is no reason to keep Matthews in there if he is not on fire. But it's alright. Just the first game.

However some time this season, I want to see Nic @ 2 alongside Gerald.

 

[Pinwheel1]

McMillan inhibits shot selection, which will be good for once in Crawford's case. Crawford may lose his reputation soon.

Sounds like you are complimenting Nate, as i can't think of a player that we have had that should have taken more "ill advised shots" as oppossed to less.

 

[HailBlazers]

i think its likely wallace is dealt by deadline

I think it's likely your smoking crack.

This squad is playing to Win, and he's the X factor. It's a long season and were gonna need him come playoff time. No way he goes anywhere.

 

[magnifier661]

I think it's likely your smoking crack.

This squad is playing to Win, and he's the X factor. It's a long season and were gonna need him come playoff time. No way he goes anywhere.

I agree with you Hail. I may think that Batum would be dealt before Wallace; if there was even a choice in the first place. But again, just my opinion.

 

[BBert]

I would disagree. Crawford took 10 shots in 22 minutes. ( to go alongs with his 4 assists 4 steals and 4 rebounds)

Nic got 10 shots in 21 minutes. Nic got shots from the arch and at the basket. All in all I do not see Crawford hurting Nic's offense. As a matter of fact with JC a better SG than PG it actually should give Nic more opportunity to handle the ball when they are in together.

I like your optimism. Like mm, I'm not a fan of Crawford's style, which may color my outlook. I'll try to keep an open mind. What I want to see is how they play off each other, and whether Nico is getting the ball in the right place at the right time to be successful when Crawford is handling the ball.

 

[magnifier661]

I like your optimism. Like mm, I'm not a fan of Crawford's style, which may color my outlook. I'll try to keep an open mind. What I want to see is how they play off each other, and whether Nico is getting the ball in the right place at the right time to be successful when Crawford is handling the ball.

I agree about not being a fan of his style either, but I think we really need him. He will always demand the respect of D. They will not leave him open, even if he is 0-9. No defense wants him to get going.

 

[BBert]

I agree about not being a fan of his style either, but I think we really need him. He will always demand the respect of D. They will not leave him open, even if he is 0-9. No defense wants him to get going.

I think you've posted this idea before, and I have to agree. He can get off his own shot, and make it, which is really valuable when used judiciously. Even if he's missing, he's streaky so he is likely to go on a tear at some point. Between the two, he does force the defense to play honest. Like any married guy will tell you, sometimes you have to take the bad with the good.

 

[BlazerBeav]

I think it's likely your smoking crack.

This squad is playing to Win, and he's the X factor. It's a long season and were gonna need him come playoff time. No way he goes anywhere.

Agreed, I can't imagine a scenario where Crash is dealt. The man is simply too valuable - and too entertaining - to let go.

 

[magnifier661]

I think you've posted this idea before, and I have to agree. He can get off his own shot, and make it, which is really valuable when used judiciously. Even if he's missing, he's streaky so he is likely to go on a tear at some point. Between the two, he does force the defense to play honest. Like any married guy will tell you, sometimes you have to take the bad with the good.

Yeah... There were a few times I saw him take a contested shot, with LMA or Batum cutting were open. I almost pulled my hair out, but said... Okay, okay, this is crawford's game... Relax Mags before you need to go to the hospital.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I like your optimism. Like mm, I'm not a fan of Crawford's style, which may color my outlook. I'll try to keep an open mind. What I want to see is how they play off each other, and whether Nico is getting the ball in the right place at the right time to be successful when Crawford is handling the ball.

I was not a fan of him playing the PG position and preferred him at SG unless there was an injury. But the post I responded to was based on last night, and IMO last night I did not see a problem. Plus Nic is not only going to be on the floor with Crawford. I bet at least half the time Felton will be out there too.

I also agree that Batum will get 10 more of Wes' minutes. They need to be about 30/30.

 

[illmatic99]

I read someone else write it, but having multiple guys with Crawford's game will kill a team, but having one (especially off the bench in a lineup that desperately needs scoring/creating) is not that bad.

 

[BBert]

I read someone else write it, but having multiple guys with Crawford's game will kill a team, but having one (especially off the bench in a lineup that desperately needs scoring/creating) is not that bad.

I'll take that point. Every team needs a scorer who can get hot off the bench.

 

[Wheels]

maybe I am just an idiot, or its been so long since I've been able to enjoy a few games (both due to Lockout and Frak you Comcast!) but I saw some decent passing from Craword last night, and not much of being a black hole. And Batum had some nice up close chances that just didnt fall.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think it's likely your smoking crack.

This squad is playing to Win, and he's the X factor. It's a long season and were gonna need him come playoff time. No way he goes anywhere.

I agree with you Hail. I may think that Batum would be dealt before Wallace; if there was even a choice in the first place. But again, just my opinion.

I think it depends on what you're trading for and with whom. Batum would be more attractive to a team looking to rebuild or go cheap and looking to unload contracts ... and the Blazers would have to think they are on the cusp of competing for a title with the aquisition of whomever they are trading Nicolas for.

If the Blazers founder going into the trade deadline and it looks like they're not all that close, then it might be more attractive to deal Wallace's more expensive contract to a contender who wants Gerald as the final piece for their run (or in a multi-team trade) for either a big man prospect or a high draft pick.

And really there's no reason to get all emotional about this (Hailblazers, not you mags). The team should look at all options when it comes to improving and balancing the roster; as good as Wallace is and has been, guys that play the style he does usually decline pretty rapidly once they get past 30.

 

[HailBlazers]

maybe I am just an idiot, or its been so long since I've been able to enjoy a few games (both due to Lockout and Frak you Comcast!) but I saw some decent passing from Craword last night, and not much of being a black hole. And Batum had some nice up close chances that just didnt fall.

No your spot on, Every game Crawford has been dishing out dimes. If he keeps that up the much needed second unit will be solid. And for Batum, he just needs to be more aggressive, take it to the rack, get pumped up, then the deep shots will fall with confidence.

 

[HailBlazers]

If the Blazers founder going into the trade deadline and it looks like they're not all that close, then it might be more attractive to deal Wallace's more expensive contract to a contender who wants Gerald as the final piece for their run (or in a multi-team trade) for either a big man prospect or a high draft pick.

I guess if your looking for the Blazers to founder then I guess a trade could make sense. But in comparison to the Squad's we've had the majority of this century, this is the best and most well rounded team yet. I can't in-vision Paul making any trades for a chance to get slightly better.

 

[craigehlo]

However some time this season, I want to see Nic @ 2 alongside Gerald.

Me too. Wes looks exactly the same as last year (admittedly from a really small sample size) and Wallace is simply too good to have on the bench for large stretches.

 

[Draco]

Batum hasn't improved since his rookie year. He's chocked more then Cliff Robinson in the playoffs. The expectations for Batums "potential" are unreal and fans are setting themselves up for disappointment.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I guess if your looking for the Blazers to founder then I guess a trade could make sense. But in comparison to the Squad's we've had the majority of this century, this is the best and most well rounded team yet. I can't in-vision Paul making any trades for a chance to get slightly better.

I never said I thought the Blazers would founder, but that would be the scenario where Wallace could (and should?) be moved. In response to the bit in bold: If he's not willing to make trades to get better then he'd be an idiot. EVERY team that makes moves should ONLY be doing it for the chance to get better -- there are zero guarantees.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Fewer than 20 minutes last night and missed all his shots. I really hope he's not getting discouraged. You can't really argue with the result, as both Wallace and Matthews were playing well, but the Crawford/Batum pairing really neutralizes Batum.

 

[LameR]

Batum hasn't improved since his rookie year. He's chocked more then Cliff Robinson in the playoffs. The expectations for Batums "potential" are unreal and fans are setting themselves up for disappointment.

I agree with this to some degree. I don't think he will ever live up to some of the expectations that were there after the first couple of years, but I do feel he can still improve some. He just will never be a dominant player. Even when he's gotten big minutes in the past, he's never really been a huge scorer. Obviously he does other things well, but those remain pretty consistent regardless of his minutes. Check the logz!

 

[Boise Blazer]

I dont know why maybe just the way i think this season is going to go for all the teams but Batum will get his shot and flourish at some point. Whether it be schedule or injury his time will come and he will hit his stride. But you're right Rast, can he hang on till then?

 

[craigehlo]

Batum's agent is going to try to negotiate a contract before the Jan 25 deadline. I'm not sure if Batum knows that because he's playing timid and not looking like a key piece to this team's success. If they look for a penny over 6 mil a year, I'd look unload him for a legit backup center. I'd rather save the cap room for resigning Felton and Crawford.

 

[LameR]

People talk about our "depth". I'm not sure where that comes from. It's Crawford, Thomas, and Batum, and that's pretty much it. If Batum doesn't do well, we have to count on a big day from at least two of Crawford, Wes, Wallace, and Felton. It's worked so far!

EDIT: With that said, I do feel there's a place for Batum here at this point. I just hope he can fill the role we need him in, and be available to step up in case of injury (as Boise Blazer stated).