Denver Wants Batum

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Re: Denver Wants Batun

I assume they want a three-way deal so we can have the obligation of trading Batum to a Division rival for some random Knick crap? Crap that they themselves obviously don't want, either.

Uhh, no.
 
Re: Denver Wants Batun

As much as I like Batum, I see Cunningham as a perfectly good replacement for him [I'll regret saying that, I just know I will]. Maybe we could pick up an excellent reserve PF.
 
Re: Denver Wants Batun

I don't agree. Dante is a PF and nothing but a PF.
 
Re: Denver Wants Batun

The next time Dante plays the 3 this season will be the first time.
 
Re: Denver Wants Batun

Batun-shaka-laka!
 
Re: Denver Wants Batun

BLAZER PROPHET said:
As much as I like Batum, I see Cunningham as a perfectly good replacement for him [I'll regret saying that, I just know I will]. Maybe we could pick up an excellent reserve PF.
Click to expand...

I'm all for trading away our starting SF, who some wouldn't trade for CP3, for a reserve PF.
 
Re: Denver Wants Batun

BLAZER PROPHET said:
Well, Nate calls him a SF. But I'm sure you are right and Nate is wrong.
Click to expand...

Can you provide an interview or any link where Nate calls Dante a SF? I don't believe Dante has played the 3 in his entire NBA career, let alone in college.
 
Haha, were going over this again?

Dante has been a 4 his entire career.
 
Re: Denver Wants Batun

RipCityInsider said:
Can you provide an interview or any link where Nate calls Dante a SF? I don't believe Dante has played the 3 in his entire NBA career, let alone in college.
Click to expand...

http://www.beyondthebeat.net/201009...eady-for-an-increased-role-with-portland.html
"As a small forward he now fits in the second unit perfectly "

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/bviewplayer.asp?Player=61676
Rivals.com draft preview: "Dante Cunningham #33 - Small Forward"

http://swamigp.wordpress.com/2010/0...ls-in-blazers-summer-league-win-over-rockets/
"Small forward Dante Cunningham, who played very well in limited action last season, looked anxious early on, but settled into a groove"

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/10/dante_cunninghams_love_of_dirt.html
OregonLive talking about him naturally being a SF but forced into the PF role..."When he arrived in Portland last season, there was debate whether he was a small forward or a power forward. But when Travis Outlaw went out with a broken foot, he was quickly forced into the power forward role. Knowing that McMillan likes to use a "stretch" power forward, meaning a smaller forward who can play on the perimeter to stretch the defense"

So not to say Nate calls him a SF, but I've certainly never heard anyone think his game is more of a pure PF game as he's always been a SF that can play tough and fill that PF spot when needed (much like Brandon is a SG that can play the PG spot when needed, but it isn't his natural position). And many of the draft scouts listed him as a forward since he played more of the SF type of game but in the PF role at the college level since he was so dominant at Nova and could get away with playing at the 4 since he was so high of a level compared to the competition.

So I'd agree with the other posters. As much as I like Batum, his "stock" is high now just like Rudy's was a couple years ago. Might be a good time to sell while it's high, because Dante is the real deal and appears not to be a huge drop-off in talent at that SF spot.
 
His game doesn't resemble anything that has to do with being a SF. He's a SF in size alone.
 
Re: Denver Wants Batun

espn_hall_of_famer said:
http://www.beyondthebeat.net/201009...eady-for-an-increased-role-with-portland.html
"As a small forward he now fits in the second unit perfectly "

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/bviewplayer.asp?Player=61676
Rivals.com draft preview: "Dante Cunningham #33 - Small Forward"

http://swamigp.wordpress.com/2010/0...ls-in-blazers-summer-league-win-over-rockets/
"Small forward Dante Cunningham, who played very well in limited action last season, looked anxious early on, but settled into a groove"

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/10/dante_cunninghams_love_of_dirt.html
OregonLive talking about him naturally being a SF but forced into the PF role..."When he arrived in Portland last season, there was debate whether he was a small forward or a power forward. But when Travis Outlaw went out with a broken foot, he was quickly forced into the power forward role. Knowing that McMillan likes to use a "stretch" power forward, meaning a smaller forward who can play on the perimeter to stretch the defense"

So not to say Nate calls him a SF, but I've certainly never heard anyone think his game is more of a pure PF game as he's always been a SF that can play tough and fill that PF spot when needed (much like Brandon is a SG that can play the PG spot when needed, but it isn't his natural position). And many of the draft scouts listed him as a forward since he played more of the SF type of game but in the PF role at the college level since he was so dominant at Nova and could get away with playing at the 4 since he was so high of a level compared to the competition.

So I'd agree with the other posters. As much as I like Batum, his "stock" is high now just like Rudy's was a couple years ago. Might be a good time to sell while it's high, because Dante is the real deal and appears not to be a huge drop-off in talent at that SF spot.
Click to expand...

Dante's body and athleticism make it appear to the fan that he is fully capable of playing the SF position. I think he can fill minutes at the position. However, the discussion isn't necessarily can he play SF, but has he?

Yes or No question: Has Dante ever played SF as a Blazer?

What position did Dante play at Nova?

Simple questions, which require simple answers...
 
Until they can find a third team that has something we're interested in, they ain't gettin Batum.
 
I say let Denver have him IF we can get back Chris Paul or something else we really want. Despite all we hear about how freaking great he is he still gets about the same minutes he got as a rookie, and gets the same crap from the coach he got as a rookie and as a second year player. Unlike the other veterans he doesn't get to play through his ups and downs...he gets benched. If we're going to use him this way we might as well move him for a more useable player.
 
Re: Denver Wants Batun

RipCityInsider said:
Yes or No question: Has Dante ever played SF as a Blazer?

What position did Dante play at Nova?

Simple questions, which require simple answers...
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that the entire context was whether he could move up to the starting SF spot if we traded Batum, at which point I would concur with most that he could fill that role as the SF spot is really his natural position.

The question of HAS HE is obvious, of course he has just like even Greg Oden has played PG at one time or another as there are times in a 5 on 5 game when you dribble a ball up the court or a time when you come up outside the arc and are in a switch. So all 4's are playing variations of the 3 and 5 throughout the game and throughout the 24-second shot clock. So to simply try and qualify what position a player plays out there by using the designator some guy decided to print on the media guide doesn't make much sense. Obviously everyone has their own opinions, but I believe his game is a natural to the soft wing/mid-range jumper game than the power post-up Tim Duncan/Rasheed Wallace PF game.

And the take that someone hasn't been playing the 3 due to who they were backing up (or where they were listed in the depth chart) is a lot like what we in my industry call the "zebra argument". That is like having a zoo with a bunch of horses and a zebra in there since he can coexist with the horses. You claim the zebra is really a horse because he is living with the horses. He's right there in the same pen with them, how could I disagree that the zebra isn't a horse? The answer is that no matter how much you think it's a horse, it's still a zebra.

Just like Bayless has never been listed as a SG, but would fill that role naturally as it is his best fit in the NBA. Just like Camby has never played a game at PF on our team, but he is a natural PF since he's joined the association and it is the best fit for him. So I'm only speaking of Cunningham in the context of making Batum expendable in a trade.
 
I think that Dante's handle up to last year was the main reason he was mostly a 4 - and that's where Nate played him. He is a stretch-4 that can stroke the mid-jumper - but he is mostly a 4. He has also mostly played 4 on defense - but like most Portland 4s - finds himself guarding perimeter guys on a switch. I think he has the speed to guard perimeter guys - but he seems more effective providing weak-side help on them than as primary defender.

I do not think I have seen enough of his improved handle to make up my mind if he is more natural at the SF position now. To me it seems that Portland's 3s - Batum, Webster, Roy/Rudy/Wes when they play the 3 - handle the ball more than Dante does - so to me it does not seem like Nate is using Dante as a SF yet.

He seemed to have worked on his handle this summer - so maybe, but I have to admit that I do not see Dante as a natural SF.
 
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