What do you expect from Batum (2 Viewers)

[Further]

In his rookie season his stats were mediocre 5.4ppg, 2.8rpg, 0.9apg, FG.446, 3pt.369, .51blk in 18 minutes. But, I think most that actually watch him play know that he showed much greater potential than his stats would suggest. His defense was very good, his motor was usually strong and he really seemed to play a team game.

So this summer, he has played internationally, and has had many very strong performances where his scoring has been excellent and his passing quite nice. All this while his defense only seems to be getting better.

So where does Batum go from here? The SF position will be manned mostly by Batum and Webster I would think, as Outlaw looks to be the backup PF. Sure, some minutes will go to Rudy, Roy and Cunningham, but the bulk of the minutes seem to be up for grabs at SF and Batum is in prime position to grab those minutes. Webster, Batum's main competition, is coming off a year of injury and was not much better (if at all) before the missed year. So I believe that Batum should be able to earn 25 minutes per game this year if he continues to improve. What type of stats do you expect to see from Batum? Where do you see his biggest improvements coming? What do you see as his biggest deficiencies now. I just thought we could get some Batum opinions.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I think you can expect his APG and FG% to show improvement. How much his scoring improves may well depend on how much time he spends on the floor with Miller, as opposed to Blake. If he gets out and runs the floor, Miller will reward him.

 

[Darkwebs]

I expect him to dunk on Gasol 3 times this year!

But seriously, I hope he has improved his handles this offseason. I want to see him create more shots for himself. I want his FG% to be at least 47%. Hopefully his 3Pt% can be increased to the 40s.

Most of all, I want him to be a lock down defender. If he can do all this, then I think it would be safe to say that he will play at least 25 min per game.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Tough question. If we have a healthy Webster and with Travis, Batum may get inconsistent playing time. If so, I expect his overall numbers to not improve as he learns.

 

[Tyler_Hansbrough]

Improved defense, more minutes and better outside shot.

 

[Reep]

I expect he will get about 25 minutes and average:

9 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg, FG.490, 3pt.369, 1 blk and 1.5-2 stl.

I think everything will go up evenly, except he will elevate his FG% and stls. If he were on a less talented team, he could easily go for more. But I expect that he will stay somewhat in his role. If he does stay in that role, his rebounding and steals may go up even more.

 

[andalusian]

World domination and 2 merde bombs on TV.

 

[Reep]

Oh yeah, and I expect that Batum will need to use both hands (as in at least six fingers) at some point toward the end of the season during a Laker game.

And, Nic will draw more fouls on Gasol than any other non PF/Center on the team.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Depends on how Mr. Sonic uses him.

if he plays 25 minutes a night, and plays with a penetrating PG like Miller, then he should put up 10 ppg and grab 4-5 rpg.

 

[B-Roy]

I expect around the same stats from last year, with some improved defense.

 

[Wheels]

A better scoring, younger Bruce Bowen. (this is the Bruce from the beginning of the championships I'm talking about)

 

[maxiep]

I expect him to back up Webster.

I'm really looking forward to a lineup next year of Roy at PG, Webs at SG, Batum at SF, LMA at PF and GO at C. That is a BIG lineup. It would be fun to at least try in the second quarter of a game.

 

[maxiep]

If anything, this offseason has cemented Travis as our backup four.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I would think that Batum could grow by leaps and bounds with a good amount of playing time this year. If he was on a losing team and started and played 30+ min I think you would see a huge increase. Unfortunately on this team I just dont see that kind of playing time this year. We have way too many weapons and while that is a blessing it is also a curse to players like Batum. I really like Batum and what he can bring to this team.

 

[Tince]

I'm shocked that people think he's going to average close to double digits scoring. I don't think his minutes will increse and to expect his production to double is very hopeful. 7.5ppg would be a nice improvement IMO.

There is a real chance his minutes will get reduced.

 

[Tyler_Hansbrough]

World domination and 2 merde bombs on TV.

Did he say merde on TV last year?! lol thats funny

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

In his rookie season his stats were mediocre 5.4ppg, 2.8rpg, 0.9apg, FG.446, 3pt.369, .51blk in 18 minutes. But, I think most that actually watch him play know that he showed much greater potential than his stats would suggest. His defense was very good, his motor was usually strong and he really seemed to play a team game.

So this summer, he has played internationally, and has had many very strong performances where his scoring has been excellent and his passing quite nice. All this while his defense only seems to be getting better.

So where does Batum go from here? The SF position will be manned mostly by Batum and Webster I would think, as Outlaw looks to be the backup PF. Sure, some minutes will go to Rudy, Roy and Cunningham, but the bulk of the minutes seem to be up for grabs at SF and Batum is in prime position to grab those minutes. Webster, Batum's main competition, is coming off a year of injury and was not much better (if at all) before the missed year. So I believe that Batum should be able to earn 25 minutes per game this year if he continues to improve. What type of stats do you expect to see from Batum? Where do you see his biggest improvements coming? What do you see as his biggest deficiencies now. I just thought we could get some Batum opinions.

Here is the thing with Nic. He was much better than anyone anticipated to see out of him last year. I feel he has some very nice talent and one day could be something to deal with. Who knows, he could be right now. But I don't feel he is ready to compete with Martell when it comes to retaining the starter spot.

Martell is coming off a year of being idle due to injury. The year before that he was showing shades of breaking out. I just think that if Webs stays healthy. It's going to be tough for Nic to deal with the buzzsaw that is about to be dealt to him by Martell in competing for the three spot. Martell probably more than ever has a burning desire to get back on the court and prove himself and what he can do. One whole year of being bored can do a lot of things for you. Include light a fire under you.

This doesn't mean Nic will never be able to deal with it. He is going to get better. A LOT BETTER. But I don't think he is there yet. 2 years. He will be.

 

[Idog1976]

I expect he will get about 25 minutes and average:

9 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg, FG.490, 3pt.369, 1 blk and 1.5-2 stl.

I think everything will go up evenly, except he will elevate his FG% and stls. If he were on a less talented team, he could easily go for more. But I expect that he will stay somewhat in his role. If he does stay in that role, his rebounding and steals may go up even more.

I would reduce the points and increase the rebounds and 3pt%. Other then that those stats look great and fairly accurate.

7 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg, FG.490, 3pt.389, 1 blk and 1.5-2 stl.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I'm shocked that people think he's going to average close to double digits scoring. I don't think his minutes will increse and to expect his production to double is very hopeful. 7.5ppg would be a nice improvement IMO.

There is a real chance his minutes will get reduced.

Seriously?

You must either have great faith in Webster....or think Nate is dumber than a box of hair.

 

[Wheels]

I would reduce the points and increase the rebounds and 3pt%. Other then that those stats look great and fairly accurate.

7 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg, FG.490, 3pt.389, 1 blk and 1.5-2 stl.

Where is Batum gonna get these rebounds from? He will be guarding perimeter players 95% of the time. And assuming Oden is on the court longer as well. I just dont see Batum ever being a huge rebounder, thats why I go along the lines of Bowen as his stats.

 

[Tince]

Where is Batum gonna get these rebounds from? He will be guarding perimeter players 95% of the time. And assuming Oden is on the court longer as well. I just dont see Batum ever being a huge rebounder, thats why I go along the lines of Bowen as his stats.

I agree. Especially if he's going to get out and run, he'll have a hard time averaging 4rpg in 24 minutes.

 

[hasoos]

Half the problem with Batum offensivly last year was that he was too tentative on offense. He passed up way too many good looks.

His other numbers will increase fine if he gets the floor time. They are proportional to what you need on a nightly basis. You can look at those number and say if he played over 30 minutes that he would probably get over 5 rebounds easily.

The thing I was surprised about from what I saw in the euroleague this year, was that he has added a handle to his game. When Parker was out, a lot of times he was actually initiating the offense. It surprised me there, and if he adds the "point forward" to his game, we may have something very special to watch for a long time.

 

[Eastoff]

perfection

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Here is the thing with Nic. He was much better than anyone anticipated to see out of him last year. I feel he has some very nice talent and one day could be something to deal with. Who knows, he could be right now. But I don't feel he is ready to compete with Martell when it comes to retaining the starter spot.

Martell is coming off a year of being idle due to injury. The year before that he was showing shades of breaking out. I just think that if Webs stays healthy. It's going to be tough for Nic to deal with the buzzsaw that is about to be dealt to him by Martell in competing for the three spot. Martell probably more than ever has a burning desire to get back on the court and prove himself and what he can do. One whole year of being bored can do a lot of things for you. Include light a fire under you.

This doesn't mean Nic will never be able to deal with it. He is going to get better. A LOT BETTER. But I don't think he is there yet. 2 years. He will be.

Nic will lock Webster down in practice and earn the starting job. I was hoping that we'd get a top tier SF allowing Nic to back him up. Since we didn't Nic will start, and improve a lot. However, he still will not get noticed much as most reporters will focus of Oden's vast improvement (they will be surprised by Oden, we won't).

 

[BBert]

I like Martell more than most. But Martell has never shown the handles to be able to take it to Batum one-on-one. Martell may still crack the starting line-up over Batum, but he's going to have to earn it. In the end this is the one position where which one starts and which one comes off the bench may depend entirely on the combinations Nate wants to put together on the floor moreso than who is the "best" at the position.

 

[Natebishop3]

I expect around the same stats from last year, with some improved defense.

B-Roy's sig has taken a whole new meaning since Odom re-signed with the Lakers...

 

[Idog1976]

Where is Batum gonna get these rebounds from? He will be guarding perimeter players 95% of the time. And assuming Oden is on the court longer as well. I just dont see Batum ever being a huge rebounder, thats why I go along the lines of Bowen as his stats.

You might be right. I expect at least 5 boards a game though. His length along with Oden tip outs and the once a game put back should net him around that. I'm optimistic in that regard and you bring up solid points. Batum is one of the hardest players for me to project because his impact is largely "stat invisible".

 

[B-Roy]

You might be right. I expect at least 5 boards a game though. His length along with Oden tip outs and the once a game put back should net him around that. I'm optimistic in that regard and you bring up solid points. Batum is one of the hardest players for me to project because his impact is largely "stat invisible".

Then you are expecting way too much. He barely averaged 2.4 rbds a game last year, how can you expect him to double his production with only 5 additional mpg?

 

[Further]

Here is the thing with Nic. He was much better than anyone anticipated to see out of him last year. I feel he has some very nice talent and one day could be something to deal with. Who knows, he could be right now. But I don't feel he is ready to compete with Martell when it comes to retaining the starter spot.

Martell is coming off a year of being idle due to injury. The year before that he was showing shades of breaking out. I just think that if Webs stays healthy. It's going to be tough for Nic to deal with the buzzsaw that is about to be dealt to him by Martell in competing for the three spot. Martell probably more than ever has a burning desire to get back on the court and prove himself and what he can do. One whole year of being bored can do a lot of things for you. Include light a fire under you.

This doesn't mean Nic will never be able to deal with it. He is going to get better. A LOT BETTER. But I don't think he is there yet. 2 years. He will be.

Batum in his first year had similar stats with better D to Webster in his third year when he was showing signs of breaking out. I will admit that I never thought too highly of Webster so perhaps that makes a difference, but I think that if Webster didn't have that one single stellar quarter then most everyone would be writing him off.

I hope I am wrong and that Webster comes back and plays great, I just don't see it. I think Webster will play well enough to remain on the floor for about 18 minutes a game. most of the rest will go to Batum.

 

[julius]

Finals MVP.