Raptors @ Blazers - GAME THREAD

[Natebishop3]

Every day we get to see Batum - we need to remind us what a world-class pritchslap it was to get him and not let him go to the Spurs.

Kid is something else. I know I have said over and over - but before Oden was out - we were #2 in the league in defensive efficiency. Just imagine how we would look with both big Greg and Nic playing at the same time this year. Ay Caramba!

I really hope we can re-sign Camby. I realize it's a long shot, and his family is going to want to stay in LA, but man...... I would love to have him mentoring Oden.

 

[craigehlo]

The only bad part about tonight was that Batum had 22 points on 9 shots, and LA had 22 points on twenty one shots. But a W is a W.

LA has fallen in love with the fade away jumper too much lately. When he was attacking the rim good things were happening tonight.

 

[STOMP]

Batum has been awesome. I was skeptical (and not exactly creaming myself prematurely like most Blazer fans) about including him as "untouchable" when it comes to trade talks, but now with a jumper he could be near that. He had virtually no offense last year which is why I never thought he was untouchable, but he looks more and more like it everyday.

Last year he shot 46% from the field 37% from 3s and 81% from the line... shooting high percentages is at least a part of offense right? Being able to do so in limited opportunities isn't something I count against him... thats a plus. He also showed a bit of a handle and was a solid finisher on the break. Being efficient on O and their top wing defender since... geez, Pip(?) as a young rook dealing with a language barrier, I don't know why you're mocking the masses for recognizing something early that has panned out.

I just read through this game thread... are you having a really bad day or something? The Blazers won

STOMP

 

[RoyToy]

Let's relax with the KP was insane talk. Hedo was coming off being a huge contributor to a team that just made the NBA Finals.

I'm glad it didn't happen, but it not like KP was signing Bruce Bowen to a max deal.

It was simply a bad idea and I personally thought it was very obvious.

 

[ehizzy3]

am i the only one that wants to see dante back in the rotation? i cant be the only one lol

 

[Natebishop3]

am i the only one that wants to see dante back in the rotation? i cant be the only one lol

I like Dante, but I don't see room for him right now. We're trying to get our rotation set for the stretch run. I don't really see Dante contributing much during the playoffs, but you never know I guess...

 

[Pinwheel1]

It was simply a bad idea and I personally thought it was very obvious.

I am not sure it still is obvious. Although Miller has proved to be a great fit, I am not sure we know how Turk would have fit with a Oden, LMA, Roy and Bayless/Blake line up. He still is a smart player who can pass and shoot. Just because he sucks with Toronto doesn't mean he would suck with the Blazers, Lakers or Spurs.

But the bottom line is Batum is the real deal.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The only bad part about tonight was that Batum had 22 points on 9 shots, and LA had 22 points on twenty one shots. But a W is a W.

9-21 isn't awful, and when you account for LMA's 8 offensive rebounds (12 total), it becomes a fine game. But go ahead and rag on LMA all you like, if it gets your rocks off.

 

[craigehlo]

am i the only one that wants to see dante back in the rotation? i cant be the only one lol

I'd like to see him take minutes from Webster personally. We've given up way too many 2nd chance baskets recently and I think he could really cut down on the lazy D that often grips this team.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'd like to see him take minutes from Webster personally. We've given up way too many 2nd chance baskets recently and I think he could really cut down on the lazy D that often grips this team.

Not much for Dante even then; Martell played 5 minutes tonight (and wasn't awful; the team was +5 while he was in).

 

[illmatic99]

Batum > Greedo.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Batum > Greedo.

Batum shoots first.

 

[BGrantFan]

I don't know why the Raps don't have Bosh face up 90% of the time. It's by far their best play.

Iso play 90% of the time?

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I really hope we can re-sign Camby. I realize it's a long shot, and his family is going to want to stay in LA, but man...... I would love to have him mentoring Oden.

+1

Excellent post.

 

[Natebishop3]

+1

Excellent post.

Even for just a year or two. It's not like we're going to sniff the salary cap anytime soon. I'd throw 10 million per year at Camby for two years so he comes back.

 

[Minstrel]

I'm excited to see this team with Oden back. If Aldridge slots in as the third-best player and Batum and Miller are the main complementary players, this is a fantastic team.

An Oden-Aldridge-Batum front line will be fantastic, defensively.

 

[STOMP]

I'm excited to see this team with Oden back. If Aldridge slots in as the third-best player and Batum and Miller are the main complementary players, this is a fantastic team.

An Oden-Aldridge-Batum front line will be fantastic, defensively.

yup... having all their top wing and low post defenders healthy would do my ticker wonders



STOMP

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Greg was in practice gear for the first time at the RQ and HCP didn't take any pictures?

For shame!

 

[michaelhacker]

BlazerCaravan said it best: Batum had 22 points on 9 shots, and LA had 22 points on twenty one shots

I am now a true believer in NB, his consistency so far looks solid. I thinks we will see some great things from this great young player. With Oden in again, I truly think they will have a good chance at the 2nd round playoff's.

-Michael
www.michaelhacker.com

 

[Minstrel]

22 points on 9 shots is obscene. It's almost like just adding 20 points to the team total without taking away possessions.

Crazy stuff.

 

[The Other Guys]

9-21 isn't awful, and when you account for LMA's 8 offensive rebounds (12 total), it becomes a fine game. But go ahead and rag on LMA all you like, if it gets your rocks off.

I'm just putting a stat out there. Sheesh.

 

[gatorpops]

Last year he shot 46% from the field 37% from 3s and 81% from the line... shooting high percentages is at least a part of offense right? Being able to do so in limited opportunities isn't something I count against him... thats a plus. He also showed a bit of a handle and was a solid finisher on the break. Being efficient on O and their top wing defender since... geez, Pip(?) as a young rook dealing with a language barrier, I don't know why you're mocking the masses for recognizing something early that has panned out.

I just read through this game thread... are you having a really bad day or something? The Blazers won

STOMP

Great post!! I saw something in his game in SL although he did not score much. Then when KP signed him and some/many on the board thought that he should have been sent back to Europe I posted then that i really liked hin.

He has been progressing since then at a marvelous rate and if it had not been for his shoulder would be contending for MIP I believe. If he continues to progress at the rate he has up untill now, he will be very much Pippenish. Maybe better.

 

[Minstrel]

Batum didn't score much last year, but he had a smooth and controlled look on offense, which was pretty surprising for a rookie as young as he was. While I think numbers tend to give a more objective view of a player than the "eyeball test," I think observation is pretty hugely important in evaluating a prospect...which is largely what Batum was last year.

That, combined with his defense, is why I felt he had a pretty remarkable upside despite his far-from-spectacular numbers.

 

[Tince]

I still can't forget draft day 2008 when the majority of people we doubting KP for trading Darrell Arthur for Batum.

I don't think anyone is doubting that now.

 

[STOMP]

I still can't forget draft day 2008 when the majority of people we doubting KP for trading Darrell Arthur for Batum.

I don't think anyone is doubting that now.

Lets also recall that a heart scare just prior to the draft threw a wrench in matters.

I'm on record wanting him at 13 (if ARandolph was gone), but that was based mostly on other's opinions (what I'd read)/youtube. The poster draft calls on him are sort of funny in hindsight, but it's hard to take much blame/credit on a guy so few of us had actually seen play.

STOMP

 

[Tince]

Lets also recall that a heart scare just prior to the draft threw a wrench in matters.

I'm on record wanting him at 13 (if ARandolph was gone), but that was based mostly on other's opinions (what I'd read)/youtube. The poster draft calls on him are sort of funny in hindsight, but it's hard to take much blame/credit on a guy so few of us had actually seen play.

STOMP

I agree, that is what's funny... How can you criticize a pick when you haven't even seen the player play?

 

[Nate Dogg]

Sad when the Blazers/Raptors highlights didn't hit ESPN highlight until 1 hour and 11 minutes into the show. How lame.

 

[gatorpops]

Sad when the Blazers/Raptors highlights didn't hit ESPN highlight until 1 hour and 11 minutes into the show. How lame.

I never go to ESPN for my highlights. I go to NBA TV on Directv. They have great and extended coverage of all the games of the night and can be seen several times on subsequent time slots. Your welcome.

 

[gatorpops]

Batum didn't score much last year, but he had a smooth and controlled look on offense, which was pretty surprising for a rookie as young as he was. While I think numbers tend to give a more objective view of a player than the "eyeball test," I think observation is pretty hugely important in evaluating a prospect...which is largely what Batum was last year.

That, combined with his defense, is why I felt he had a pretty remarkable upside despite his far-from-spectacular numbers.

i like to first see the kid play and then look at numbers to see if he is living up to my expectations of his potential. I was wrong on Sergio and I think I was right on Batum. He still has a high, and still to be higher potential, for me from both observation and the numbers.

Rudy also may yet demonstrate his potential from my observations and I hope the numbers bear this out. The style and speed of play are so important for him. And of course most players are better if the players around them are preforming well together too.

 

[Master Shake]

Fuck.