What it isn't:
As for his feelings being hurt long-term by Lucas' death, Batum has been a pretty tough player his first two years, beginning by demanding in Summer League that he not be stashed in Europe. His blog shows how much more self-directed he is than anyone else who writes a blog. (I posted that while Oden writes like a child about his video games and TV shows, and Arenas writes egotistically, and Bayless writes sanctimoniously--Batum's every word is about basketball, full of self-critical details as to how he can improve.) By the time Batum arrived, Lucas was absent almost all the time, and I don't buy the Lucas reason.
What it is:
Batum formerly played efficiently--too efficiently. He hovered away from the action until he saw a sure opportunity. Now the opposing scouts have him figured out, we have new assistant coaches, and a new model--Matthews and his physical play, barging into people, bullying his way into the action, instead of hovering in the corner. I think the coaches are less tolerant of his youth being an excuse, and are on his case about contributing consistently, all game long. He is being held to higher standards.
