Do You Want Batum Playing In The World Championships?

[MAS RipCity]

From Casey's Blog-

Not sure if Mickael Pietrus is going to play this time around, as he missed EuroBasket with a fractured wrist, but if he does, that helps counteract the absense of Parker and Turiaf. Beaubois, Batum, Pietrus, Boris Diaw and whoever takes Turiaf's minutes in the middle comprises a legit starting 5. Having Joakim Noah, who hasn't seemed all that interested in playing for Les Bleus, at center would give the French a starting 5 that would rival the Spanish (playing without Pau) for second best in the world behind Team USA. Assuming they all show up, the French also have NBAers Alexis Ajinca and Johan Petro to clog the middle, though they might be better off going with guys like Ali Tarore or Ali Koffi. Neither are as physically gifted as Ajinca or Petro, but both had nice runs of play in EuroBasket.

So even without Parker and Turiaf, the French have a chance. But my question to you is this: is it worth the risk to have Batum play? Nic was adamant that his shoulder would be fine by time the Worlds get started at the end of August and another summer of high-level competition would surely do him good, but the prospect of another season with Batum on the bench for the first 40 games is too scary to think about.

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First off, I didn't realize how stacked the French are becoming in hoops. But, in the end, it all boils down to his shoulder. If the Doc says ok, then fine by me, but I don't want to wake up, get on the net, and read about how he busted up his shoulder again and is out for the half the year again. We don't need another injury filled season like that again. On the other hand, he could learn some sweet new moves as well as learn to be the leader on that team. With so many players out, he becomes the guy and actually will get plays ran for him. I'd love to see him work on his ball handling and translate that over to the season next year and run some point forward.

 

[hasoos]

Yea I hear what you are saying. He will get plenty of opportunity with Parker out to run the point. I just want to it to go smoothly unlike last year. It would just be nice to be going into the year without it starting fucked up before it even begins.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Agreed about the shoulder. But other things equal, I'm all in favor of having Batum play. I think his experience with France last Summer really helped his game. And this year he should be even more of a focus.

 

[ABM]

EDIT: Never mind.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I hope he doesn't play. There are plenty of ways for Nic to improve his game without the intenisty of World championship play. He seemed to get banged up pretty easily when he came back which makes me think the shoulder is not 100%.

Rest the shoulder and come to camp 100% healthy would be my hope.

 

[Nikolokolus]

If 3 or 4 months of rest can get him right before Worlds then I say let him play. Sure, there's always a chance he could get hurt again and then be unavailable to the Blazers to start the season again, but I think the benefits of being a focal point of the offense (and a defacto point forward) for his national team outweighs the risk. It's the same reason I supported Greg participating in the Team USA workouts last summer; these guys need more PT and experience, than they need rest.

Another thing I've wondered is that with all the kid glove treatment some of these guys are getting it seems a bit like parents that fuss over their kids participating in contact sports or who keep their kids "safe" from all of life's dangers, when in reality they are probably installing a "china doll" mentality that makes a person more tentative and less likely to go all out, and as so often happens, people get hurt when they are holding back and not going all out.

 

[Natebishop3]

Unless the French want to pay his salary next year, and compensate us if he were to reinjure himself, I would say no.

 

[hasoos]

Maybe since he is playing for the french team, they will just surrender before the tournament is done.

 

[Driew]

This is the risk you take drafting foreign players--they WANT to play for their country at all costs. We have to live with the consequences just like the Spurs have to live with the consequences of Tony Parker getting hurt in the games etc

 

[hasoos]

This is the risk you take drafting foreign players--they WANT to play for their country at all costs. We have to live with the consequences just like the Spurs have to live with the consequences of Tony Parker getting hurt in the games etc

Well considering both Parker and Manu got hurt badly last summer, that isn't a good sign.

But it is also good to remember that players from the USA play in summer international ball too. The thing is, it is much easier for players from other countries to actually make their national team. In the USA, not so easy.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Unless the French want to pay his salary next year, and compensate us if he were to reinjure himself, I would say no.

QFT!

If Parker and Turiaf can beg off with injuries, what in the blue hell is Batum doing out there?