Timberwolves tried to get Batum

[PtldPlatypus]

You are not the only one!

Glad to hear.

 

[STOMP]

False, Cunningham did not play any SF last season. Take a look at 82 games stats. He didn't play SF in college either. He has played as much SF as Oden.

Martell played more minutes at PF than Dante did at SF. Dante is an intriguing bench player but simply does not have the body to play extend minutes at any NBA position as would be required of a starter.

I'm always find it curious how individuals define positions. If Dante guards Carmelo decently for extended stretches in a game but during those stretches Anthony is the 2nd biggest player on the court for Denver and technically the PF, can he not guard SFs? On offense DC doesn't post up on the low block. He's either setting a screen on the high post in a pick and pop/roll 2 man game or spotting up with his J. I don't think he's a starter talent anywhere, but size wise he's a 3/4 with a perimeter oriented offensive game... I'm sure he'd train to drop 5-10 lbs and be more of a 3 if they wanted him to.

STOMP

 

[Nikolokolus]

Babbitt played the 3 in college.

Yeah, I really don't get where all this "Babbit's not a 3" talk comes from. He sounds like a prototypical 3 to me, and one I'd like to have. In fact, if Martell were jettisoned in a "move up to the early teens" deal, and Babbit were drafted to be our backup 3, I'd be pretty happy with that. #9 (where the mocks have him) however is too high for me.

The questions revolve around his ability to defend the position as his lateral quickness wasn't seen as being ideal for the 3 at the next level ... who knows, he supposedly tested out very well at the combine in agility testing

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The questions revolve around his ability to defend the position as his lateral quickness wasn't seen as being ideal for the 3 at the next level ... who knows, he supposedly tested out very well at the combine in agility testing

I don't think anybody expects Babbit to defend particularly well at any position, but I imagine he'd have a harder time defending in the post than out on the perimeter.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I don't think anybody expects Babbit to defend particularly well at any position, but I imagine he'd have a harder time defending in the post than out on the perimeter.

But you were saying he sounds like a prototypical three ... offensively I totally agree, but to be prototypical for a position and not just a tweener, you need to be able to defend your natural position; this is why I called him a 3/4 -- sucking less badly at defending threes versus fours is hardly an endorsement of his "prototypicalness"

 

[ehizzy3]

wowzers...i'm surprised we didn't accept the deal

 

[Mediocre Man]

wowzers...i'm surprised we didn't accept the deal

Thinking more about it, who at #4 is better than Batum?

Batum is probably younger than most players who we would pick, he has 2 years of NBA experence, he is a proven NBA defender and shooter and he has several years of international competition under his belt.

 

[hasoos]

Thinking more about it, who at #4 is better than Batum?

Batum is probably younger than most players who we would pick, he has 2 years of NBA experence, he is a proven NBA defender and shooter and he has several years of international competition under his belt.

That is nice and all, but really in his career, he still hasn't accomplished a lot in the "success" category. Is he a good defender? Yep. Does his offense leave a lot to be desired at this stage? Big time yep. Folks compare him to Scottie Pippen, but last I looked Scottie could score, and run a teams offense. Batum has a long ways to go before he gets into that turf.

 

[ehizzy3]

Thinking more about it, who at #4 is better than Batum?

Batum is probably younger than most players who we would pick, he has 2 years of NBA experence, he is a proven NBA defender and shooter and he has several years of international competition under his belt.

i would accept if you could get the second or first pick..i'd rather have turner or wall over batum. but if you can't move up again i wouldn't do it

 

[Mediocre Man]

That is nice and all, but really in his career, he still hasn't accomplished a lot in the "success" category. Is he a good defender? Yep. Does his offense leave a lot to be desired at this stage? Big time yep. Folks compare him to Scottie Pippen, but last I looked Scottie could score, and run a teams offense. Batum has a long ways to go before he gets into that turf.

More player, or more system at fault here?

 

[Mediocre Man]

i would accept if you could get the second or first pick..i'd rather have turner or wall over batum. but if you can't move up again i wouldn't do it

Yep.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Thinking more about it, who at #4 is better than Batum?

Batum is probably younger than most players who we would pick, he has 2 years of NBA experence, he is a proven NBA defender and shooter and he has several years of international competition under his belt.

Depends on whether you believe the claim that the Nets have locked in on Johnson at #3. That means that either Favors or Turner are available at #4. I know the conventional wisdom is that Philly takes Turner, but I still think there is a 50/50 chance they go for a big guy.

I like Batum.....but does he honestly have a higher ceiling than Turner/Favors/Cousins? Sorry, but the whole Batum-as-Pippen business strikes me as wish-casting.

 

[Wheels]

I openly admit that this is an uninformed observation.. because I have seen literally zero minutes played by Derrick Favors.. but from what I read in Draft Express he reminds me a lot of Tyrus Thomas minus the headcase... someone feel free to blow my thoughts out of the water, so I feel better about him please and thank you.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I openly admit that this is an uninformed observation.. because I have seen literally zero minutes played by Derrick Favors.. but from what I read in Draft Express he reminds me a lot of Tyrus Thomas minus the headcase... someone feel free to blow my thoughts out of the water, so I feel better about him please and thank you.

Favors is younger than Thomas was, is less of a head case, and has more size/raw talent. TT was so highly thought of in some circles because of his (undeserved) reputation as a "high motor" guy. As a result, some people over-looked the fact that his size and skill set made him a classic tweener.

IIRC, Favors is the youngest player in this year's draft. You have to look past his raw numbers, and judge him on his physical gifts and good attitude. No doubt, he is a project. I imagine he will get fewer ROY votes than someone like Cousins. I also firmly believe that in a few years, he will be seen as the best big man in this draft class, and an all-star level talent.

Just my 2 pennies worth.

 

[hasoos]

I openly admit that this is an uninformed observation.. because I have seen literally zero minutes played by Derrick Favors.. but from what I read in Draft Express he reminds me a lot of Tyrus Thomas minus the headcase... someone feel free to blow my thoughts out of the water, so I feel better about him please and thank you.

Well unlike Thomas, Favors can actually shoot, if that helps. Thomas value what artificially inflated by the NCAA tourney as well, that is the only reason he went that high.

 

[Wheels]

Favors is younger than Thomas was, is less of a head case, and has more size/raw talent. TT was so highly thought of in some circles because of his (undeserved) reputation as a "high motor" guy. As a result, some people over-looked the fact that his size and skill set made him a classic tweener.

IIRC, Favors is the youngest player in this year's draft. You have to look past his raw numbers, and judge him on his physical gifts and good attitude. No doubt, he is a project. I imagine he will get fewer ROY votes than someone like Cousins. I also firmly believe that in a few years, he will be seen as the best big man in this draft class, and an all-star level talent.

Just my 2 pennies worth.

Well unlike Thomas, Favors can actually shoot, if that helps. Thomas value what artificially inflated by the NCAA tourney as well, that is the only reason he went that high.

Thank you for the info gentlemen.

 

[andalusian]

That is nice and all, but really in his career, he still hasn't accomplished a lot in the "success" category. Is he a good defender? Yep. Does his offense leave a lot to be desired at this stage? Big time yep. Folks compare him to Scottie Pippen, but last I looked Scottie could score, and run a teams offense. Batum has a long ways to go before he gets into that turf.

Batum's 2nd year vs. Pip's

http://www.basketball-reference.com...m=0&p1=batumni01&y1=2010&p2=pippesc01&y2=1989

Nic's numbers, adjusted for minutes played do not look bad at all. Actually, if you were to adjust for pace - it looks even better, and Nic at this stage is 2 years younger than what Pip was.

Not to say that there is a very good chance Batum will never be as good as Pip was - but he is a very, very promising prospect.

 

[Shooter]

Wow. I have to say I'm stunned. Not that KP would turn down the offer, but that Minny would make it. I didn't realize Batum was that highly regarded around the league.

 

[Draco]

While that is nice and all watch the game. They might not have logged it, but I am sure Dante played SF quite a few times last year. Some of those lineups might have been blurry to figure out who was playing what position, but he did play SF some.

I watched every game thank you. Dante did not play SF, perhaps you think he did because he is small? He has the height and body of a SF but the speed, reactions, defense and shooting of a power forward.

Look at the 82games link, it shows that during all 20 various 5man lineup's Dante played in one of Batum/Webster/Roy/Rudy were in the game at the SF position. He was exclusively a PF during all of his play last year.

 

[anonymous gambler]

I meant Rubio, of course. Good athleticism, defense and court vision. Nothing like Sergio.

 

[Blaze01]

I am not opposed to dealing Batum, but I don't see it as a given that the player at #4 would be better than him...

and apparently niether did Pritchard....

Favors I like, is he better than Batum? I don't know, maybe? He may not even be there though....

I am not a big fan of Wes Johnson either, and he is a year older than Batum....I can see POR deciding to pass on that....

 

[Ed O]

I don't see how the Nets can take Johnson over Favors... and if I'm either the Blazers or the TWolves, I prefer Batum over Johnson pretty handily.

Batum is a year and a half younger than Johnson, remember, and I think that we all know Batum's already a quality defender.

The TWolves would be better off with Batum than Johnson, and I don't see how they could be that excited about Cousins or even Favors, if he were to slip, and so it makes sense they'd make a play for Batum.

Ed O.