We should nickname Batum "Mr.Consistent"

[MadeFromDust]

Because he's consistently inconsistent.

 

[HailBlazers]

Anyone who goes 1-11 is having a mental block. Even against LA, the only shots he made where the ones he didn't have time to think about. Get this cat a hypnotist.

 

[Natebishop3]

Webster had the same problem. It's frustrating to see these guys with beautiful strokes not hitting their shots. Confidence is killer.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

He has a beautiful stroke but it seems he doesn't get squared up all the way on a lot of his shots. And he needs a lot of practice finishing. then if his shot isn't falling, he can drive more. And rebound! No excuse for one rebound.

 

[PHXBlazer1]

Given Batum's history, I understand the sentiment of this thread. However, we've played 2 games this season. At least he kept shooting tonight, judging by the boxscore. (had to work during the game) Let's give him a few weeks to keep being aggressive without killing the kid. Everyone has bad shooting nights.

 

[Sinobas]

I don't remember him getting that many good looks. A lot of his shots were runners coming off screens, fading away from long range etc.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I don't remember him getting that many good looks. A lot of his shots were runners coming off screens, fading away from long range etc.

I can think immediately of 3 3pt shots, 1 from the corner and two from FTline extended, two on Lillard dribble-drives. He was getting decent looks.

 

[Sinobas]

Either way, he shouldn't put up to many games like that, mr. 10 million dollar man.

 

[julius]

I hope this was just a rare thing. Not that I expected him to continue 26 points and 6 boards, but I'd much rather him be averaging 19 ppg by actually scoring 19 a game, instead of 26 one night, 3 the next, 24 the next, 23 the next, 11, 20 and then 34.

 

[Blazinaway]

He has a beautiful stroke but it seems he doesn't get squared up all the way on a lot of his shots. And he needs a lot of practice finishing. then if his shot isn't falling, he can drive more. And rebound! No excuse for one rebound.

he was trying way to high a diffuclty of shots early on, not surprisingly missed them and it was all down hill after that. He needs to let his D and rebounding (like LA game) get him going, or be set up by the offense for some easier shots

 

[Blazinaway]

I can think immediately of 3 3pt shots, 1 from the corner and two from FTline extended, two on Lillard dribble-drives. He was getting decent looks.

that was later in the game when his confidence/rythym was shot after missing the early high difficulty shots he was attempting

 

[Boise Blazer]

I can somewhat live with a little inconsistency but his off nights need to be 10/4/2/1. Not 3/1. He has too much talent and skill to have nights like last night. New contract or not.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

As i said above; i'm concerned about more than his shooting; he understands the problem: “This is the worst shooting night in my life ... and when I don’t have my shot, I stop playing. It’s my biggest weakness,’’ Batum said. My problem is that he has been playing professionally for 7 or 8 years now and he hasn't overcome this weakness.

 

[mook]

He was guarding Kevin Durant, which is going to take a lot of work on the defensive end. And Durant was guarding him--KD is a long, athletic guy who matches up well on him.

I'm hoping he turns this year from a guy who has 3 good games and 2 bad ones into one who has 4 good games and 1 bad one, and that this was the bad one.

 

[Haakzilla]

...at least there's this

To his credit, Batum on Friday was professional and accountable. He was humble and he was honest. “This is the worst shooting night in my life ... and when I don’t have my shot, I stop playing. It’s my biggest weakness,’’ Batum said. “I’ve got to work on that. And I have to realize the game is different this year for me. It’s not about my contract - I don’t care about that - it’s about my teammates. If I play good tonight, we win the game. That’s on me.’’

 

[Natebishop3]

He was guarding Kevin Durant, which is going to take a lot of work on the defensive end. And Durant was guarding him--KD is a long, athletic guy who matches up well on him.

I'm hoping he turns this year from a guy who has 3 good games and 2 bad ones into one who has 4 good games and 1 bad one, and that this was the bad one.

He was only guarding Durant part of the time. Wes had the assignment on Durant most of the night.