Nic Batum off season workout........

[Blaze01]

HCP

DO you think Batum is a legit #1-#3 type of player?

or a good rotational player #4-6 on a very good team?

I think the latter...I think people are hoping that he can develop into a #1-#3 type of all star caliber player but in reality after 5 years he is what he probably is, a good 4th -6th player on your team.....

 

[THE HCP]

I honestly think he has the tools and athleticism to be a strong #3 guy. He brings it on both sides. Just doesn't have that killer instinct to be a #2 yet, if ever. I am a huge fan of his game. There is a reason he was asked for in all of last seasons trade scenarios with other teams.

 

[THE HCP]

Also, you have to look at what type of player did you expect when we got him? Where he was drafted and how we saw him play in Vegas...... I swore he was going back to play in Europe. He has already blown away any expectations I had for him. I also saw how raw he was when he showed up and how hard he worked everyday with Coach Monty. So I guess in my mind he has already become a better player then I ever thought he would be. If you expected him to come in and take over for a retiring Brandon Roy, then yes, I can understand how you might be disappointed.

 

[Rhal]

Also, you have to look at what type of player did you expect when we got him? Where he was drafted and how we saw him play in Vegas...... I swore he was going back to play in Europe. He has already blown away any expectations I had for him. I also saw how raw he was when he showed up and how hard he worked everyday with Coach Monty. So I guess in my mind he has already become a better player then I ever thought he would be. If you expected him to come in and take over for a retiring Brandon Roy, then yes, I can understand how you might be disappointed.

I love Nicos game. How often can you find a player with as good of a skill set as Batum who can also defend 4 different positions. A big problem is that Nico, even though still young, may have reached his peek developmental wise. Will he ever be aggressive and assertive on the Offensive end, is such a giant question and most of what we have seen points to no. Teams will look at his youth and "Undeveloped" potential and think they can bring it out so he will get paid like a #2 and with the new CBA that could cripple us for a player that has stopped taking major steps in developing. Depending on what we do this off season I can't think of not taking the risk on Batum but it could be another Damon Stoudamire situation.

 

[MickZagger]

Well when he can dribble penetrate, not lose his man on defense multiple times a game, and not lose overall focus consistently...MAYBE you would have something on me. Until then....

You're about as real about the Blazers as Barrett is. Company Man. That should be your name on here.

His PER would suggest he does something right. Every player has his flaws. You just found a scab and pick at it constantly. We get it, you don't think Batum is very good.

Now's time to bring something else to the board, little guy.

 

[craigehlo]

Nic has been a solid 3-point shooter and finisher in the open court. I do agree with the assessment about his inability to often create for himself off the dribble though. It was very evident when LMA went down and Batum was a focus of the opposing defense. He's an excellent role player, but this team is such dire need for talented scorers that I'd be wary in investing a lot of salary in him.

 

[Blazinaway]

hopefully there is some fairly serious weight lifting this off season, would like to see Nic gain 10-15lbs of muscle and hence strength, would help his game IMO

 

[crandc]

Why is it that when someone wants to say something nasty he/she says it's the "truth", even though it's actually opinion?

Can't something nice also be "truth"?

 

[THE HCP]

Nic might be one of those guys like KG who is better off not putting on weight, or can't.

 

[Blaze01]

Also, you have to look at what type of player did you expect when we got him? Where he was drafted and how we saw him play in Vegas...... I swore he was going back to play in Europe. He has already blown away any expectations I had for him. I also saw how raw he was when he showed up and how hard he worked everyday with Coach Monty. So I guess in my mind he has already become a better player then I ever thought he would be. If you expected him to come in and take over for a retiring Brandon Roy, then yes, I can understand how you might be disappointed.

I am not dissapointed in him...But IMO you have to look at what this team really needs right now...I mean it is easy to look at the roster and say we need a PG and a C, that is obvious....but that isn't what this team REALLY needs if they want to compete for an NBA title....They need top tier talent, that trumps all in the NBA....They have 1 player in LA who is a legit #2\maybe #1 type of player and after that they have a lot of complimentary pieces, including Batum, who I would categorize as a VERY good complimentary piece..that is why I am sure a team like the Spurs would love him, put him in the lineup with Parker\Ginobli\Duncan and a very good team gets better IMO...

But the problem is POR needs him to be a consistent #2\#3 guy on a NIGHTLY basis and after 5 years, you have to question whether he can still develop into that type of player and if the rumours are true at $10-11 million\year you are essentially COUNTING on him to be that player...That is a big risk IMO...Generally I am opposed to having to RELY on a player to be something that he has not shown himself to be as a strategy to significant improvement....That is bad mgmt planning IMO...

Hope for the best result....plan for the worst result...Meaning, I hope Batum developes into that #2\#3 guy but I would plan on rebuilding the team with the assumption that he won't be...b\c if I am able to do that and he does reach such a status, well then the team is that much stronger\better...position of strength..

That is why I think POR needs to utilize both draft picks in this draft, go after high ceiling guys, it is why I like a guy like Perry Jones who has a high ceiling, he may not reach it, nothing is a given but the best way for POR to acquire top tier (#2\#3 type of players) is through the draft....heck just hitting on ONE would be a significant improvement for this team, hit on both? plus Batum, E-Will, Matthews etc...you are a playoff\championship contending team within a few years....

That is why I would not trade either of the picks unless it was for a player who was young\in his prime and a legitimate #2\#3 type of player....Rondo fits that bill to me...Collison, Lowry etc do not....You don't trade those picks and a CHANCE at a top tier player for a player who is not that tier of player IMO....That is especially true when you are sitting on significant cap space that gives you the ability to go out and sign a similiar type of player at no asset cost...