Batum

[The_Lillard_King]

Batum's body language was not good last night. The disappointment in his face when he saw Wallace coming back in for him was clear.

At his age, hope he is mature enough to deal with the situation and be patient. I expect he will get big minutes (relative) tonight.

 

[tlongII]

I don't understand this thread. I've seen nothing that makes me believe that Nic is unhappy. I believe a lot of posters are imagining things.

 

[HailBlazers]

I don't understand this thread. I've seen nothing that makes me believe that Nic is unhappy. I believe a lot of posters are imagining things.

Agreed. This team from top to bottom is not selfish, and generally when your about the Team all the matters is winning.

How could you not be happy on this team, and his role is extremely important. Having his D coming off the bench is amazing, or as Steve Kerr put it last night " A Luxury "

 

[illmatic99]

It would behoove the Blazers to pursue Nic harder than they do Gerald. Gerald is older, plays more recklessly, and has had a downward trend in his career over the past few years. Nic's discouragement this year is understandable as Gerald has had a surprisingly amazing start this season, but he is still a huge part of our future, while Gerald is not. And I think the team realizes that as well.

I still say giving him 30-35 mil for 4 years is a reasonable deal.

 

[illmatic99]

I don't understand this thread. I've seen nothing that makes me believe that Nic is unhappy. I believe a lot of posters are imagining things.

Following Nic on twitter, I agree. He still jokes around with his teammates (was ragging on Wes and LA last night for tweeting rather than talking while on the team bus).

 

[ucatchtrout]

i think its likely wallace is dealt by deadline

I was thinking that before the season started, but with as well as the team is playing now and the recent announcement the team has begun extension talks with Gerald I don't think so. I think if there is a shot at winning the division or even the conference with the team as is PA will go for it. Unless a team makes an offer we can't refuse I don't see Wallace getting traded.

 

[craigehlo]

I still say giving him 30-35 mil for 4 years is a reasonable deal.

I think 6 mil is the ceiling. After that you get into Travis Outlaw contract territory.

 

[illmatic99]

Strongly disagree.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think 6 mil is the ceiling. After that you get into Travis Outlaw contract territory.

I don't even know where to go with that. Nic may be inconsistent, but given his age and what's been asked of him here I still think there's considerable untapped production that he has in front of him. Travis was a one-dimensional "athlete" with the basketball IQ of a dung beetle. Nic will probably never be an all-star, but to suggest he'd turn into the kind of albatross contract Catfish represents is just wrong IMO.

 

[magnifier661]

Nothing wrong with offering the same type of money you gave to Wes Matthews. I think they are both at the same caliber. If Batum improves, then we got a hell of a deal. If he stays the same, then it's still well worth it.

 

[craigehlo]

I don't even know where to go with that. Nic may be inconsistent, but given his age and what's been asked of him here I still think there's considerable untapped production that he has in front of him. Travis was a one-dimensional "athlete" with the basketball IQ of a dung beetle. Nic will probably never be an all-star, but to suggest he'd turn into the kind of albatross contract Catfish represents is just wrong IMO.

Just talking about paying up far more than the MLE for players with the "potential" tag. Batum is a defensive specialist with a streaky 3-point shot. Is that really worth tying up huge money with? I think it's time to cash him in for another veteran player that will help us with a legit shot of winning the West.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Just talking about paying up far more than the MLE for players with the "potential" tag. Batum is a defensive specialist with a streaky 3-point shot. Is that really worth tying up huge money with? I think it's time to cash him in for another veteran player that will help us with a legit shot of winning the West.

We might be able to win the West with one significant move, but I don't think we're anywhere near being able to take the Heat or Bulls in a 7 game series. This team is periously close to being over-the-hill without having ever reached the top.

 

[Draco]

I'd offer Batum a 4 year MLE level of contract, but nothing more. He hasn't proven that he's worth more then Crawford, Chuck Hayes, or Rip Hamilton. He will be a RFA so there is no rush to over pay him. We may need the cap flexability to make a run at signing Deron Williams or to resign our own free agents. If Batum wants the security of a guaranteed deal now he needs to give us a slight discount. If he wants more money he needs to prove it on the court first and then we will gladly pay up.

 

[LameR]

I don't even know where to go with that. Nic may be inconsistent, but given his age and what's been asked of him here I still think there's considerable untapped production that he has in front of him. Travis was a one-dimensional "athlete" with the basketball IQ of a dung beetle. Nic will probably never be an all-star, but to suggest he'd turn into the kind of albatross contract Catfish represents is just wrong IMO.

What is his maximum level if all of that untapped production came to fruition? Stat-wise and play wise? Just curious.

 

[KingSpeed]

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).

Quality not quantity when referring to depth. Batum/Thomas/Crawford is the best bench we've had in a long, long time. Not to mention Chris Johnson and Craig Smith. Just getting rid of Rudy has improved our bench. Crawford is two years removed from winning Sixth Man of the Year. Quality, not quantity.

 

[MickZagger]

Batum is key to our future. Aldridge, Wes, Batum and Felton all are going to be going through the primes of their career, hopefully as Blazers. Wallace is just 29, I'd say 4 or 5 good years left.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

We might be able to win the West with one significant move, but I don't think we're anywhere near being able to take the Heat or Bulls in a 7 game series. This team is periously close to being over-the-hill without having ever reached the top.

Outside of Thomas and Camby, where are we "perilously close to being over the hill"? If the age of our center position is the concern, then don't you think a Batum/Camby trade package could address that?

 

[jlprk]

This thread is much ado about nothing. Batum is learning from Wallace to play more fiercely. If he looks weak, well, anyone looks weak alongside Wallace. Just keep both.

 

[Draco]

Outside of Thomas and Camby, where are we "perilously close to being over the hill"? If the age of our center position is the concern, then don't you think a Batum/Camby trade package could address that?

Yeah and considering we only have two players, or three if you count Oden, who've been here more then one full season why should we care terribly much about the ultra long term future? There are just too many vaiables to precisely plan an NBA roster more then a couple years into the future. We don't know what the big holes of the 2014-15 Blazer roster will be, it could be SF or PF just as easily as Center.