USA vs France, Sunday Aug. 15

[Nate4Prez]

Batum has been open a lot, but France hasn't got him the ball. He needs to start taking the ball up the court.

 

[illmatic99]

Nice little post-up and turnaround jumper by Batum.

They put Steph Curry on him, and Nic has nearly a 6-7 inch advantage. I hope he takes advantage in the post.

And does Billups think he's playing in Denver??! WTF is with all that chucking?

 

[illmatic99]

4 steals now for Nic. His teammates need to look for him more.

 

[illmatic99]

The US team is playing as if Nate is the one coaching its offense. Isos on every possession.

 

[STOMP]

Well, the fact that "many" over-rate Batum and under-rate Nate (Under-Nate?) is telling.

every team in the history of sports has many fans who criticize the coach. Thats a trend you should pick up on... it would be telling if you didn't

Nic has done great in his first couple years in the league. Thats a credit to management and all of the coaches, but mostly to the player. It's certainly to Nate's credit though that he didn't waste much time promoting NB to start over other vet options (like Travis). When NB finally came back last year Nate didn't worry too much about Webster's feelings and went with his superior young talent.

With a full training camp this off-season (as opposed to last), I'd expect Nate and the coaching staff to expand Nic's offensive role as he's proven himself to be an outstanding shooter. If that weren't to happen I'd say there would be a problem with how he's being utilized, but so far this sort of criticism seems misplaced and just the normal sort of ax grinding that surrounds every team

STOMP

 

[The Sebastian Express]

Nic just throwing it down on Chandler.

 

[Luther]

Batum with the dunk!

 

[RipCityInsider]

This is a pretty sluggish game from both sides. A lot of players are careless with the ball today. Nic needs to work on his ball handling skills as well!

 

[Tince]

The US team is playing as if Nate is the one coaching its offense. Isos on every possession.

Here are three more guys that must be clueless because they run an ISO:

Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, and Jay Triano.

I'd hate to be in that company!

 

[Rhal]

France isn't looking to hot. Would like to see Batum demand the ball a little bit, the rest of his teammates look like there chickens with their heads cut off.

 

[RoyToy]

So this is how Batum is correctly used?

 

[RiseWithDE]

So this is how Batum is correctly used?

Yeah, you don't see it? What's YOUR take?

 

[illmatic99]

8pts, and I think 7 rebs, 4 steals, 3 turnovers is pretty decent. He's outplaying Durant.

But his defense this half kinda blows.

 

[RiseWithDE]

8pts, and I think 7 rebs, 4 steals, 3 turnovers is pretty decent. He's outplaying Durant.

But his defense this half kinda blows.

In about 12 first half minutes right? I think RoyToy would take 24 pts, 21 boards and 12 steals per 36... but methinks he's rooting for some Batum failure on this day.

 

[illmatic99]

About 23 minutes of action. But his teammates really suck.

 

[RoyToy]

Yeah, you don't see it? What's YOUR take?

He's shooting all jumpers except 1 dunk. Same thing he does for the Blazers. It's nothing special.

 

[RoyToy]

In about 12 first half minutes right? I think RoyToy would take 24 pts, 21 boards and 12 steals per 36... but methinks he's rooting for some Batum failure on this day.

 

[RiseWithDE]

He's shooting all jumpers except 1 dunk. Same thing he does for the Blazers. It's nothing special.

I've seen his teammates look to feed him the ball (still not enough but all their PG's are out) including a couple/few touches low sideline block. Did you miss those plays or just choose to ignore them?

 

[illmatic99]

USA has a real hole in the post. They're gonna get destroyed by the likes of M. Gasol, Baby Shaq, Scola, and Splitter. Unless they become more cohesive with their passing, and disguise that deficiency with more team play, think they will not win the Championship.

 

[RoyToy]

I've seen his teammates look to feed him the ball (still not enough but all their PG's are out) including a couple/few touches low sideline block. Did you miss those plays or just choose to ignore them?

Lol @ that being a big difference.

Dude, it's basically the same thing. He's standing on the wing for most of the possessions and shooting all jumpers. It's nothing special.

when he puts the ball on the floor he doesn't go anywhere because his handle is weak.

 

[jlprk]

Didn't France lose twice to Canada? Not well-coached. Batum was gone one game, but still...

 

[RipCityInsider]

Lol @ that being a big difference.

Dude, it's basically the same thing. He's standing on the wing for most of the possessions and shooting all jumpers. It's nothing special.

So you expect Batum to play outside of the team's offensive scheme?

 

[RoyToy]

So you expect Batum to play outside of the team's offensive scheme?

Um, no?

 

[RiseWithDE]

So you expect Batum to play outside of the team's offensive scheme?

RoyToy thinks that Nate has utilized Batum's abilities to full measure and is trying to say "Look, France makes him stand and shoot jumpers too! Just like Nate!"

Love those fans that are content with ... not even sure what... Oh ,yeah: "Batum standing on the wing for most of the possessions & shooting all jumpers."

 

[RoyToy]

RoyToy thinks that Nate has utilized Batum's abilities to full measure and is trying to say "Look, France makes him stand and shoot jumpers too! Just like Nate!"

Love those fans that are content with ... not even sure what... Oh ,yeah: "Batum standing on the wing for most of the possessions & shooting all jumpers."

Lol @ you deliberately misquoting me.

 

[RiseWithDE]

Lol @ you deliberately misquoting me.

That is exactly your quote in quotations. That's what he's doing. "Same as Nate". And your premise was Nate was utilizing Batum properly days ago. Not sure how that is a misquote.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Man France's point guard play is woeful.

 

[RiseWithDE]

Lol @ that being a big difference.

Dude, it's basically the same thing. He's standing on the wing for most of the possessions and shooting all jumpers. It's nothing special.

when he puts the ball on the floor he doesn't go anywhere because his handle is weak.

Even this isn't accurate. He's been handed the ball and been at the top of the key to initiate an offensive set. He's been moving off the ball around teammates picks. Been lower in the blocks etc.

 

[RoyToy]

That is exactly your quote in quotations. That's what he's doing. "Same as Nate". And your premise was Nate was utilizing Batum properly days ago. Not sure how that is a misquote.

I've never said McMillan has maximized Batum's abilities, but did say McMillan did use him better than people like you and others realize. Damn Nate for playing to Batum's strengths.

Love those fans that are content with ... not even sure what... Oh ,yeah: "Batum standing on the wing for most of the possessions & shooting all jumpers."

Where did I say I was content with it? I wish Batum could do more with the ball in his hands, but he's never shown more than mere flashes of it.

 

[RoyToy]

Even this isn't accurate. He's been handed the ball and been at the top of the key to initiate an offensive set. He's been moving off the ball around teammates picks. Been lower in the blocks etc.

I've seen him do this for the Blazers.

Just admit it wasn't the big of a difference.