Joel Przybilla could be headed back to Portland

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Unless Nic puts up monster scoring numbers, he will never really be an all star. Coaches oddly don't value efficiency as much as they should.
 
Unless Nic puts up monster scoring numbers, he will never really be an all star. Coaches oddly don't value efficiency as much as they should.

This is what I was getting at. Nic is good at a lot of things, but not great at any. Those are the type of players usually left out of the all star game. Nic is a nice player, and one I would hate to lose, but he is no all star
 
Batum is nowhere near an allstar player in the west.

As a backup small forward, no. As a starting shooting guard, yes. Very close. He's putting up numbers similar to what Ginobili (and even Roy in two of his seasons) did when they made the All Star team.

It's a small sample size, but I gotta say, he's been really, really impressive. His length is a fantastic advantage over pretty much every SG in the league.

It's funny, because the big controversy had been whether he should start or not during this season. In hindsight, the big controversy should have been whether we shouldn't have played him at SG the minute we acquired Gerald Wallace.
 
This is what I was getting at. Nic is good at a lot of things, but not great at any. Those are the type of players usually left out of the all star game. Nic is a nice player, and one I would hate to lose, but he is no all star
Yet.
 
This is what I was getting at. Nic is good at a lot of things, but not great at any. Those are the type of players usually left out of the all star game. Nic is a nice player, and one I would hate to lose, but he is no all star

20 points, 6 rebs, 50%fg, 40%3fg as a starting shooting guard. That's right now, with the team basically running three or four plays a night for him. What's he going to be like when the team has an off-season to focus on featuring him? What's he going to be like when he's actually used to playing the position?

The only thing holding Batum back is aggression, not talent. If he, for just once in his NBA career, gets a coach in his ear yelling at him to shoot more....man.
 
20 points, 6 rebs, 50%fg, 40%3fg as a starting shooting guard. That's right now, with the team basically running three or four plays a night for him.
That may have been true earlier in the season, but they're actually running quite a few plays for him now, especially in those games LA was out. Nate is finally starting to realize what they have in Batum.

The biggest thing is he's taking advantage of these opportunities.
 
Defenses will adjust to him. It's the nature of sports. I get that everyone will disagree with my opinion, just like with Nate, but that's what I believe to be the case. I hope I am wrong.
 
We are getting off the topic, but Nic is without a doubt one of the best defensive SG/SF's in the league... but that doesnt get ya into the All Star game.
If Nic keeps it up and continues to improve on offense, I definitly think he could someday be an All Star. Confidence has been his biggest issue IMO, and he's gaining lots of confidence lately.
 
With the usual caveat about small sample size, Batum is averaging 20.3 PTS and 6.1 REB as a starter. If, and I know that's a big if, he could do so for the first half of next season, he'd definitely be a worthy all-star candidate.

To put it in perspective, 20.3 PPG would put him tied for 10th, with Dwight Howard, in the entire league in scoring. There are only two SGs in the entire league currently averaging over 20.3 PPG. Kobe Bryant leads the league in scoring at 29.0 PPG and Monta Ellis is tied for 6th at 22.3 PPG. Batum is also averaging 6.1 RPG as a starter. That's more than Kobe and way more than Monta. Add in Batum's BLKs and STLs and he's actually playing all-star level ball right now - but only for seven games.

There are a lot of factors that go into who makes the all-star team. Obviously, basic stats like PPG factor in, but also team record, name recognition, etc. So, Batum would need to produce at the same level he is now, over a longer period, but in order for the Blazers to have two all-stars, they would likely need to be one of the top four teams in the Western Conference the first half of next season.

David Stern also likes to market the league internationally, and the all-star game is a showcase that attracts viewers from around the globe. This year's all-star rosters include 5 international players (Deng, Great Britain; Marc Gasol, Spain; Tony Parker, France; Steve Nash, Canada and Dirk, Germany). And recent all-star games have also had a definite international flavor (Pau, Manu, Yao, etc.). So, being French does not hurt Nic's chances. Heck, if he was Chinese, he'd probably be voted a starter.

And, he only recently turned 23. He has shown remarkable improvements on the offensive end, and still has room to get even better. Nicolas Batum Future All-Star doesn't sound all that far fetched to me.

BNM
 
To put it in perspective, 20.3 PPG would put him tied for 10th, with Dwight Howard, in the entire league in scoring. There are only two SGs in the entire league currently averaging over 20.3 PPG. Kobe Bryant leads the league in scoring at 29.0 PPG and Monta Ellis is tied for 6th at 22.3 PPG.

Not to quibble, but Dwyane Wade is also averaging 22.4, he's just not "qualified". Still, your point stands.
 
Batum is nowhere near an allstar player in the west.

Ok, so let's say you are right and Batum's recent numbers are an aberration. I disagree, but whatever.

You do concede, at least, that Aldridge will be an All Star next year? That he's 6'11, that he'll probably have once again around a 24 PER, that he's likely to play 78 games at least, that he's an above-average defender.

Can you find for me an example where a team with a similar asset was able to get a top 4 or so lottery pick? And not just one time, because really very, very few teams dip in the lotto one year, get what they need, then leave.

The closest I can come up with is the Elton Brand Clippers. (He was a 2-time All Star, whereas Aldridge will probably make it 6 or 7 times, but whatever.) He played for the Clips from 2001 to 2007. Check out the picks they had in those years. Count 'em up. There is exactly 1 top 4 pick they had in his seven seasons there. (Shaun Livingston! Yay!)

Do you seriously want us to tank so we can roll the dice on being the next Elton Brand Clippers?

Or are you saying we should dump Aldridge for picks so we can....hopefully draft a guy like Aldridge?
 
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Ok, so let's say you are right and Batum's recent numbers are an aberration. I disagree, but whatever.

You do concede, at least, that Aldridge will be an All Star next year? That he's 6'11, that he'll probably have once again around a 24 PER, that he's likely to play 78 games at least, that he's an above-average defender.

Can you find for me an example where a team with a similar asset was able to get a top 4 or so lottery pick? And not just one time, because really very, very few teams dip in the lotto one year, get what they need, then leave.

The closest I can come up with is the Elton Brand Clippers. (He was a 2-time All Star, whereas Aldridge will probably make it 6 or 7 times, but whatever.) He played for the Clips from 2001 to 2007. Check out the picks they had in those years. Count 'em up. There is exactly 1 top 4 pick they had in his seven seasons there. (Shaun Livingston! Yay!)

Do you seriously want us to tank so we can roll the dice on being the next Elton Brand Clippers?

Or are you saying we should dump Aldridge for picks so we can....hopefully draft a guy like Aldridge?

Oh, come on, Mook. Don't try to pin him down. It's much easier just to be negative and act like you know more than the Blazers' coaches and scouts and continue to spin the superior BS card that so many around here love to play. Having to make an active suggestion as to a future course, and any potential flack from sticking your neck out, is such a drag.
 
What Boob said!

Mods - can you move all the Batum All Star talk into its own thread?
 
Back on topic...

Quick on the game now saying Przybilla's already made his decision but isn't announcing it until his agent tells him all the i's are dotted and t's are crossed. Quick also said JP asked him a lot of questions about the locker room, the players, and the chemistry, and said that Joel's agent sat courtside with Larry Miller last night.

He says it's down to us and Miami, but clearly he thinks Joel to Portland is a done deal.
 
Back on topic...

Quick on the game now saying Przybilla's already made his decision but isn't announcing it until his agent tells him all the i's are dotted and t's are crossed. Quick also said JP asked him a lot of questions about the locker room, the players, and the chemistry, and said that Joel's agent sat courtside with Larry Miller last night.

He says it's down to us and Miami, but clearly he thinks Joel to Portland is a done deal.

Fuck Yea.
 
Vanilla Gorilla back in a Blazer Uni! I don't care how limited he is; I always loved the guy. Maybe he instills a little more toughness to this ball club.
 
Who's a fucking mercenary? Me? What do I gain if Joel gets a ring with Chicago or Miami (aside from being happy for Joel)?

Didn't he just call you a whore? Or is that not what he meant by "fucking mercenary"?
 
Ok, so let's say you are right and Batum's recent numbers are an aberration. I disagree, but whatever.

You do concede, at least, that Aldridge will be an All Star next year? That he's 6'11, that he'll probably have once again around a 24 PER, that he's likely to play 78 games at least, that he's an above-average defender.

Can you find for me an example where a team with a similar asset was able to get a top 4 or so lottery pick? And not just one time, because really very, very few teams dip in the lotto one year, get what they need, then leave.

The closest I can come up with is the Elton Brand Clippers. (He was a 2-time All Star, whereas Aldridge will probably make it 6 or 7 times, but whatever.) He played for the Clips from 2001 to 2007. Check out the picks they had in those years. Count 'em up. There is exactly 1 top 4 pick they had in his seven seasons there. (Shaun Livingston! Yay!)

Do you seriously want us to tank so we can roll the dice on being the next Elton Brand Clippers?

Or are you saying we should dump Aldridge for picks so we can....hopefully draft a guy like Aldridge?

I don't want us to tank at all. But the Blazers would be better off focusing on the future of this team instead of squeaking into the playoffs and losing in the first round again. Mediocrity in sports is a death sentence. Zach had a PER of 23, Roy had a PER of 18 and LA had a PER of 17 the year before we landing the number one overall pick.

The following year, Roy Aldridge and Oden were all above 18 when we were 1 number away from landing Derek Rose

Thsi team isn't going to win anything, so why not see what the young guys can do next to Aldridge and Batum?
 
Oh, come on, Mook. Don't try to pin him down. It's much easier just to be negative and act like you know more than the Blazers' coaches and scouts and continue to spin the superior BS card that so many around here love to play. Having to make an active suggestion as to a future course, and any potential flack from sticking your neck out, is such a drag.

I have made suggestions for future course. You just don't agree with them, so you went all passive aggressive
 
Ok, so let's say you are right and Batum's recent numbers are an aberration. I disagree, but whatever.

You do concede, at least, that Aldridge will be an All Star next year? That he's 6'11, that he'll probably have once again around a 24 PER, that he's likely to play 78 games at least, that he's an above-average defender.

Can you find for me an example where a team with a similar asset was able to get a top 4 or so lottery pick? And not just one time, because really very, very few teams dip in the lotto one year, get what they need, then leave.

The closest I can come up with is the Elton Brand Clippers. (He was a 2-time All Star, whereas Aldridge will probably make it 6 or 7 times, but whatever.) He played for the Clips from 2001 to 2007. Check out the picks they had in those years. Count 'em up. There is exactly 1 top 4 pick they had in his seven seasons there. (Shaun Livingston! Yay!)

Do you seriously want us to tank so we can roll the dice on being the next Elton Brand Clippers?

Or are you saying we should dump Aldridge for picks so we can....hopefully draft a guy like Aldridge?

Don't want to say your opinion is wrong, because I actually really agree with it. But.... Didn't the Spurs have a superstar "David Robinson" that was injured and they got Duncan? Doesn't that apply?
 
Don't want to say your opinion is wrong, because I actually really agree with it. But.... Didn't the Spurs have a superstar "David Robinson" that was injured and they got Duncan? Doesn't that apply?

There are a lot of cases where it has happened. It's making the right choice that matters
 
I have made suggestions for future course. You just don't agree with them, so you went all passive aggressive

If there was anything passive about my aggressiveness, I apologize for it. Other than a constant drone about replacing McMillan as head coach, I can't seem to recall any practical suggestions coming from you.
 
get lotto picks was one. Joel was a lotto pick! perfect
 
Not a lot of expectations for Chris Johnson, yet he has still been a disapointment this year. Blazers need rebounders and if Joel has 80% of what he had when he was here, Blazers could use him.
 
If there was anything passive about my aggressiveness, I apologize for it. Other than a constant drone about replacing McMillan as head coach, I can't seem to recall any practical suggestions coming from you.

Then you aren't reading my posts. It's all good. We all want the team to win a title, and we only argue because we all have different approaches to get there. In the end we are all TrailBlazer fans
 
Then you aren't reading my posts. It's all good. We all want the team to win a title, and we only argue because we all have different approaches to get there. In the end we are all TrailBlazer fans

Oh, now don't go all Kumbaya on me. I'm feeling pissy this morning and kicking you is better than kicking the cat.
 
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