Batum's Inconsistency

[magnifier661]

So you don't plan on having any positive posts?

Not. Surprised.

Yeah I noticed that too. Some people are only happy when they can bitch about something

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Yeah I noticed that too. Some people are only happy when they can bitch about something

[video=youtube;esEdC0c3YI4]

 

[Strenuus]

Yeah I noticed that too. Some people are only happy when they can bitch about something

Unfortunately, you may be using the word "happy" very loosely.

 

[B-Roy]

Speaking only for myself, I'm not defending him vs. people who don't think he's one of the best SF in the league, I'm defending him against people who think he's garbage and we should dump him and play...who exactly in his place??? (Also, I'm not furious. )

Who is saying that though?

 

[cmeese47]

No, you clearly don't understand what I'm getting at.

Kawhi Leonard is the prototypical scoring small forward. He's a Paul George type guy. I'm sure he'll have numerous All-Star games, and in that regard he is better than Batum. I won't argue that.

Batum is a utility player. He's arguably the best utility player in the league. He scores, he passes, he rebounds, and he defends. The only name you could come up with is Tayshaun Prince, and Batum is better than Prince. He's a better passer, a better rebounder, and if you compare their numbers at 25 years old, he's a better shooter.

Utility guys like Batum are rare. Much rarer than scoring wings like George or Leonard. You don't appreciate that aspect of the game, and that's fine. That's your prerogative.

I will also point out that averages are a statistical fact of what actually happened. Rebound percentages and per 36 are projections of what could happen. There are other variables that could affect those numbers. The only fact that matters is that Batum averaged more rebounds than Leonard, so based on that fact, he is a better rebounder.

No the only fact in those numbers is Batum played more minutes. PER 36 minutes Leonard averaged 7.7 REB Batum 7.4.

 

[cmeese47]

The fact that you can't come up with someone else besides Prince as the base line, or Pippen as the extreme, proves how difficult it is to find players like Batum.

How many scoring wings are there in the league? How many have there been in the last ten years? There are a bunch of guys like Kawhi Leonard. He's not a unique snowflake, no matter how much you want him to be.

There are a few players that are similar to Batum, T. Evans, A. Iguodala, and C. Parsons. Batum has more range and is a better defender than Evans, he is a better scorer than Iguodala but he is well behind defensively, I would say the closest comparison is actually Parsons.

 

[B-Roy]

The same was said about Aldridge... Just sayin'

What? Aldridge was already a star before last season. 2x all star games, extension talks, trade talks with the 1st overall pick coming back.....

He wasn't a superstar (still probably isn't), but he was definitely held in higher regard than Batum. Last season probably wasn't even his best season.

 

[magnifier661]

What? Aldridge was already a star before last season. 2x all star games, extension talks, trade talks with the 1st overall pick coming back.....

He wasn't a superstar (still probably isn't), but he was definitely held in higher regard than Batum. Last season probably wasn't even his best season.

Psst... Last summer many talked about Aldridge hitting his peak remember? The topic is, we seen all we could see with Aldridge. I don't care if he could punch through walls. The argument was "Aldridge hit his peak"

 

[B-Roy]

Psst... Last summer many talked about Aldridge hitting his peak remember? The topic is, we seen all we could see with Aldridge. I don't care if he could punch through walls. The argument was "Aldridge hit his peak"

Like I said, it could be argued last season wasn't even his best. He's the same old Aldridge he's been for a few years now. It's just more people recognize him now cause we're winning.

 

[NewsSource]

...and, the posts actually about basketball are now down the memory hole because it's Fight Night again.

RoyToy, thank you for giving the effort of being reasonable enough to hold a consistent opinion. I agree with parts of it, and this was the most fun thread I've had on here in years.