The Excuse Machine and the Disappearing Man

[PapaG]

It wasn't Aldridge's question. Batum asked Aldridge the question. Batum initiated it.

I see I'm going to need ammo for this all-nighter. I just put 2 beers into the freezer.

You'll get a rep if you earn it.

Batum isn't quoted at all, other than to say "I don't know" when asked the question if he's the 2nd-best SF in the West. He did go one to extensively talk about his role in Stotts' offense.

That's a quite literal interpretation of what you posted, and then I had to post after linking from the thread you posted.

 

[jlprk]

NOBODY ASKED ME, BUT ...

Is Nicolas Batum the second-best small forward in the Western Conference?

I didn't come up with the question this week. It was posed to me recently by one Nicolas Batum, of Portland, Ore.

It's halfway down this long page.
http://www.nba.com/2013/news/featur...it-midseason-skid/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6e

While you phone around for ideas on a creative definition of flapping ones gums, I'll be making lunch meat sandwiches with mustard.

I hope to tire you out with my new 30-can case of beer I just bought.

 

[PapaG]

It's halfway down this long page.
http://www.nba.com/2013/news/featur...it-midseason-skid/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6e

While you phone around for ideas on a creative definition of flapping ones gums, I'll be making lunch meat sandwiches with mustard.

I hope to tire you out with my new 30-can case of beer I just bought.

I read it as Nic asking Aldridge who the second-best SF in the West was early last season. Aldridge then asks the question, and Nic says "I don't know," while being credited editorially with a knowing smile. I haven't seen the knowing smile. In a court of law, the accusation of Nic yapping about being the 2nd-best SF in the NBA does not stand on the known testimony, and it must be considered either an obvious lie, or a misreading of the actual Nic interview with David Aldridge.

Case Closed. I'll gladly take my rep.

 

[jlprk]

Batum posed the question (am I the 2nd-best SF) to David Aldridge, who responded like a good reporter, I don't know, what's your answer? Then Batum played coy and just smiled. The same way he plays.

Now, if you're sitting there in your orange coveralls, the jury will deliberate about 10 seconds, and the jig's up.

Sandwich was good. Now to heat some leftover pizza.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Here's a radical notion: who cares what he said!

Isn't the real issue his on-court performance?

 

[jlprk]

Whuh? Why'd you wake me up.

Hey!! Where's PapaG!!!

 

[TBpup]

3 buckets in two games while Aldridge is out so far. That is my issue. Yes he was under the weather last night but every player reacts differently to that. One of MJ's greatest games was when he was quite ill. Not comparing Nic to Michael but just that if you are on the court, some players toughen up and some pretty much disappear.

Sadly, still a tone of talent but is 'coy' and 'teases' us with it seemingly whenever he feels like it.

 

[1honestfan]

I have read the David Aldridge article in question here and I have come to a conclusion based on that article.

Facts

1) David Aldridge wrote the article in question.

2) This article posed the question, "Is Nic Batum the second - best small forward in the Western Conference?

3) The title of the article is "NOBODY ASKED ME, BUT..." By David Aldridge.

4) Aldridge does state "I didn't come up with the question this week. It was posed to me recently by one Nicolas Batum, of Portland, Ore. It's a fair question.

5) The body of the article then tries to give a history of batum, his goals for statistical averages while comparing them to other players in the league at his position which I determine to be favorable to Nic Batum.

6)The article also tries to add credibility to the article by quoting both Terry Stotts and Neil Olshey.

7) The article's main question at the beginning was, "Is Nicolas Batum the second-best small forward in the Western Conference?" and the article closes the article with a direct quote from Nic Batum "And he's been a three, four-time All-Star. So, who's the second-best small forward in the West?"

Nic Batum sought out David Aldridge and asked him a single question that was narrow in scope that certainly appears to be rhetorical in nature. Nic Batum asked Aldridge this question with full knowledge that he was drawing attention to himself based off of statistical averages among other players in the league at his position. It is my opinion that while Nic never did come right out and proclaim himself the best at a position in the same nature as a Richard Sherman, he did essentially the same way by creating a thesis point and supportive arguments for anyone reading the article to draw their own conclusion that is favorable to Nic Batum. One could easily replace the title of the article with "Nic Batum, the second best small forward in the Western Conference" and it would not have changed the meaning of the essay one bit. It should also be noted and observed that the very next article is named " ... AND NOBODY ASKED YOU, EITHER" an obvious pun made over this named article.

Just one mans opinion.