Can we sit Batum now?

[Rastapopoulos]

So now we can't make the playoffs, can we sit Batum? He's been pretty much shit since he supposedly hurt his wrist (although he keeps shooting threes) so let's just go full-on tank. Free Babbitt!

 

[Nikolokolus]

Fuck it, why not.

 

[RoyToy]

What an uninspiring year after signing a big contract

 

[PapaG]

Grumble grumble grumble...

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

What an uninspiring year after signing a big contract

Lol. When he was tearing it up, you were nowhere to be found. He gets injured and plays through it (and thus his game has been disappointing) and here you come.

 

[RoyToy]

Lol. When he was tearing it up, you were nowhere to be found. He gets injured and plays through it (and thus his game has been disappointing) and here you come.

Is this some kind of joke from you?

He "tore it up" for like 3 weeks. The rest has been more uninspiring Nic Batum basketball. After signing a big contract I would've like to see him take a big step up with his game.

Disappointing season for Batum. That's starting to be a theme for him.

 

[craigehlo]

We are tanking with him in the lineup just fine. Removing him might only result in more consistent production from another SF and wins. We wouldn't want that.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Is this some kind of joke from you?

He "tore it up" for like 3 weeks. The rest has been more uninspiring Nic Batum basketball. After signing a big contract I would've like to see him take a big step up with his game.

Disappointing season for Batum. That's starting to be a theme for him.

I pretty much agree. He hasn't been anything special except for a small spurt.

He's been worse this year at everything except passing.

His PER went down from last season 17.3 to 15.5

I don't get the adulation.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I'd like to see Claver play some big minutes over 2wetbabz

 

[magnifier661]

Is this some kind of joke from you?

He "tore it up" for like 3 weeks. The rest has been more uninspiring Nic Batum basketball. After signing a big contract I would've like to see him take a big step up with his game.

Disappointing season for Batum. That's starting to be a theme for him.

I will admit. He's been a huge disappointment this season. I think he's become even more passive; if that was even possible.

 

[BlazerBeav]

No thanks, already paid for my tickets to the last 6 games.

 

[Natebishop3]

I will admit. He's been a huge disappointment this season. I think he's become even more passive; if that was even possible.

Batum hater.

 

[KingSpeed]

Batum was incredible the first few weeks, had the rare 5x5, decided to pass more to get two triple doubles, and then flat out QUIT. Remember when he was scoring 30+ at times early in the season? Where was that this last month when we needed it. We were 20-15. We are 13-26 since then. Stotts said the goal was for the team get better by the end of the year. That didn't happen. We fell apart.

 

[BrianFromWA]

So he was incredible until Jan. 19, when he injured his wrist. He had just posted a 22/7/7 game, while the team dropped to a 20-18 record. Then he started sucking. Hm...

 

[VanillaGorilla]

So he was incredible until Jan. 19, when he injured his wrist. He had just posted a 22/7/7 game, while the team dropped to a 20-18 record. Then he started sucking. Hm...

Incredible? I think not.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Sorry, should've put it in quotes--I was using KS's words.

 

[THE HCP]

His wrist is still killing him. I think if you are hurt you shouldn't be playing. He has chose to keep playing and his numbers and play have suffered. That said, in the ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE FUCKING NBA..... HE HAS DONE SOMETHING THAT ONLY LEBRON AND PIPPEN HAVE DONE! Only players in history with 100 3s, 350 assists & 80 blocks in a season. Go ahead, hate all you want!


Sent from HCPs Baller-Ass iPhone 5.......FAMS!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Okay, so now he's done it, he can sit!

 

[magnifier661]

Batum hater.

If being very disappointed with him playing well below the value of his contract is hating; then I guess I am.

I want nothing but success for him though. I don't want to be disappointed. I don't want to trade him for role players and draft picks either.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Batum's performance is a fact, but anyone's reaction to it is merely their own value judgment of that fact. That anyone thinks this is bad or good is a reflection on them, nobody else. Certainly not on Batum.

My personal opinion? He became a generalist to keep pressure off Lillard and LaMarcus. He was the consummate glue guy, doing a bunch of everything. I am not disappointed with his play, and would be fine with more of it in the future.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Batum's performance is a fact, but anyone's reaction to it is merely their own value judgment of that fact. That anyone thinks this is bad or good is a reflection on them, nobody else. Certainly not on Batum.

My personal opinion? He became a generalist to keep pressure off Lillard and LaMarcus. He was the consummate glue guy, doing a bunch of everything. I am not disappointed with his play, and would be fine with more of it in the future.

You can have a great player who has Batum's stats. The trouble is, I think his defense has been very blah as well. Half the time I'm watching the game and I don't even realize he's in there. That should never happen.

 

[maxiep]

I was against signing Nico to that contract. His play before the wrist injury changed my mind. He'll be fine next year. As for this year, if he's at all hurt, sit him.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think his defense has been very blah as well.

Except for the 80 blocks?

And yes, we have an abysmal defensive strategy, implemented without enthusiasm. Batum's not the only one who disappears a bit on defense.

 

[magnifier661]

Except for the 80 blocks?

And yes, we have an abysmal defensive strategy, implemented without enthusiasm. Batum's not the only one who disappears a bit on defense.

This is true. All our players are accountable on the defensive end. I wish stotts used batum as the roaming, trapping and disruptive defender. The man up defenders should be Aldridge and Matthews. And we need a defensive anchor like a hibbert type that is a help help defender and protects the paint. Lillard just needs to know where to direct his man into the help.

 

[maxiep]

This is true. All our players are accountable on the defensive end. I wish stotts used batum as the roaming, trapping and disruptive defender. The man up defenders should be Aldridge and Matthews. And we need a defensive anchor like a hibbert type that is a help help defender and protects the paint. Lillard just needs to know where to direct his man into the help.

Repped. You hit the nail on the head as to our primary weakness--someone to control the middle. It's where I think Leonard can improve the most. He has the length, strength and athleticism to be a very good defender; he just needs to learn how.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Batum raised his game this year, but I guess not enough for Blazer fans. Fair enough, as with the big salary comes big expectations.

Personally, I didn't see the problem this year being Batum. I thought it was the bench and the defense. Stotts seems to be getting a free pass for the team defense this year. Some of the worst defense I have seen in a Blazer team for a long time.

 

[WillG]

Whilst Batum has been pushing to facilitate more often, I feel his game has depreciated on the whole.

Sure people will say that his stats show better all-around play (assists/trip dubs), but his passive play & increased turnovers hurt the team overall.
It's painful to see him turn down a shot at the rim for the chance to get 'one more' assist.
Also, multiple times he's looked lost on defense or just plain outright beaten. His defense is vastly overrated.

IMO Batums only problem is in his head. He has all of the tools and if he could get more aggressive and, particularly, more focused - then I think he'd be a real weapon and living up to that huge contract we signed him to.
I hope that 'that' Batum is the one that turns up next year - much like he did for the first few weeks of this season.

 

[magnifier661]

Repped. You hit the nail on the head as to our primary weakness--someone to control the middle. It's where I think Leonard can improve the most. He has the length, strength and athleticism to be a very good defender; he just needs to learn how.

This is what I hope Leonard works on most this offseason. I understand his offense is still raw, but if he is going to be our center, then he needs to really improve defensively. I think he needs to work on timing with help the most. Figure out where he needs to be so he can be in the best position to block or alter shots.

 

[magnifier661]

Batum raised his game this year, but I guess not enough for Blazer fans. Fair enough, as with the big salary comes big expectations.

Personally, I didn't see the problem this year being Batum. I thought it was the bench and the defense. Stotts seems to be getting a free pass for the team defense this year. Some of the worst defense I have seen in a Blazer team for a long time.

I think he was mostly misused this season. He isn't built for 35+ minutes a game. He was asked to be a man defender, when he is a much better trap and help defender. If Batum actually used an offseason to improve his strength (doesn't have to be igs strength, just enough to take some hits), then he would be fine being a plus 35+ minute player.

His issue is he's injured, then he is going to play in France again. He has no time to fully heal and recover.

 

[Pinwheel1]

He isn't built for 35+ minutes a game.

Although I fully agree with your point about him improving his strength this summer, I am not sure who is and who isn't built for big minutes. Maybe the skinny/wiry guys are. Look at Durant, who would have thought he would be an iron man in the league. The guy who couldn't bench press his weight.