What's the word on Nicolas?

[Nikolokolus]

Any news? I fear what was already looking like a mugging tomorrow night could end up a genocide if we don't have his length and agility to at least somewhat bother lebron and Mo Williams.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

you need teh twitter.

@blazersedge- Nate on Nic Batum, who was carried off court by Shav: "Ankle sprain. He's getting an x-ray. Hopefully nothing real serious. Maybe a tweak."

 

[PapaG]

Any news? I fear what was already looking like a mugging tomorrow night could end up a genocide if we don't have his length and agility to at least somewhat bother lebron and Mo Williams.

James had 34 points/14 assists/7 rebounds and Mo Williams had 33 points/3 reb/3 assists in the Rose Garden. That was with 20 minutes of Batum.

 

[KingSpeed]

Webster to the rescue?

 

[Minstrel]

James had 34 points/14 assists/7 rebounds and Mo Williams had 33 points/3 reb/3 assists in the Rose Garden. That was with 20 minutes of Batum.

Imagine how much worse it would have been without those 20 minutes of Batum.

 

[Pinwheel1]

It doesn't look good. I am not sure what we can do. Even with Wally out, they still have 4 great 3 pt shooters that james can find. So if we go to the zone they kill us and if we double up on James he finds the open 3 pt shooter. Too bad Cleveland is a jump shooting team. I prefer the few who aren't. That way our bigs are more of a factor.

 

[wastro]

LaMarcus is doubtful with a concussion, too.

It's a good thing I'm watching this game at a bar tomorrow. I'm going to need it.

 

[blue32]

Youch!

 

[HailBlazers]

Apparently the word is Nic could be the next Scottie Pippen...?!? 0:50

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[julius]

quick comment I feel the need to make. First initial-Last name first syllable is the lamest nickname.

 

[RoyToy]

MJ himself is comparing Batum to Pippen, and Jordan would know better than anyone.

Good to hear. I've heard the comparison before but didn't really want to go that far because Pipper was such a great player, but if Jordan says it, that's good enough for me.

 

[number 10]

MJ himself is comparing Batum to Pippen, and Jordan would know better than anyone.

Good to hear. I've heard the comparison before but didn't really want to go that far because Pipper was such a great player, but if Jordan says it, that's good enough for me.

honestly, Jordan doesn't have the best track record in identifying talent... For that matter, Larry Bird sure fucked up his draft... Hibbert isn't bad, but Rush is, and that team desperately needs some potential stars.

 

[HailBlazers]

honestly, Jordan doesn't have the best track record in identifying talent..

Maaaybe so. But Jordan knows Scottie. That's probably one of the best complements a young player could receive from Anyone.

 

[Minstrel]

If there was ever a game to have to lose Aldridge and Batum, @Cleveland is probably it. That was approaching a 0% chance of victory anyway. Better to lose them for that game than a game Portland could win with them and drops without them.

 

[KingSpeed]

Without LMA, we'll probably have to feed Oden a bit more than usual and that could be a great thing for Greg and us.

 

[Minstrel]

I hope Portland does take the opportunity to feed Oden. I'd like to see him given the green light to try and score a lot.

It might not work. But if ever there was a game to try, this game is the one.

 

[Webster's Dictionary]

honestly, Jordan doesn't have the best track record in identifying talent... For that matter, Larry Bird sure fucked up his draft... Hibbert isn't bad, but Rush is, and that team desperately needs some potential stars.

I hate to break it to you, but in terms of this season, Jarret Jack has been a bigger asset than Jerryd Bayless would be this year. I really think that trade was more about Jarret Jack, and Rush was a nice secondary piece. Long term, I think Bayless will improve a lot, but I see a lot of Jack in Bayless too, and when it comes time for Jerryd to make plays that count, I'm not so sure we're not going to see the same turnovers from him as we saw from Jarret.

 

[Da_O]

honestly, Jordan doesn't have the best track record in identifying talent... For that matter, Larry Bird sure fucked up his draft... Hibbert isn't bad, but Rush is, and that team desperately needs some potential stars.

So Jerryd Bayless would have been a better pick?

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Batum is questionable for tonight, LaMarcus is doubtful.

 

[TripTango]

Batum is questionable for tonight, LaMarcus is doubtful.

I also heard that Greg is dubious, Rudy is skeptical, and Roy wants the question repeated.

 

[maxiep]

I hate to break it to you, but in terms of this season, Jarret Jack has been a bigger asset than Jerryd Bayless would be this year. I really think that trade was more about Jarret Jack, and Rush was a nice secondary piece. Long term, I think Bayless will improve a lot, but I see a lot of Jack in Bayless too, and when it comes time for Jerryd to make plays that count, I'm not so sure we're not going to see the same turnovers from him as we saw from Jarret.

I like Jarrett a lot when he was here. I'm happy to see him doing well in Indy. However, we needed to trade Jarrett to save Nate from himself. Jerryd will be fine in the long run.

 

[Webster's Dictionary]

I like Jarrett a lot when he was here. I'm happy to see him doing well in Indy. However, we needed to trade Jarrett to save Nate from himself. Jerryd will be fine in the long run.

I'm not saying it was a bad move by us. Only, I think it might end up a lateral one, which isn't bad because I too liked Jack.

But there can be little question, I think, that Jack has helped the Pacers more this year than Bayless would have, and I'm saying I don't think it's clear cut that Bayless will be better than Jack. Number10 said that Bird F'd up the draft, I don't think he did.

 

[number 10]

I hate to break it to you, but in terms of this season, Jarret Jack has been a bigger asset than Jerryd Bayless would be this year.

Who cares about this season? Neither team is going to win a championship this year.

I really think that trade was more about Jarret Jack, and Rush was a nice secondary piece. Long term, I think Bayless will improve a lot, but I see a lot of Jack in Bayless too, and when it comes time for Jerryd to make plays that count, I'm not so sure we're not going to see the same turnovers from him as we saw from Jarret.

That's exactly my point; Bird approached the offseason as though he had a team close to contention, when in reality they should be rebuilding. Because of his athleticism, Bayless has a much higher upside than Jack, and there aren't any character issues that make you think he won't improve significantly.

So Jerryd Bayless would have been a better pick?

A much better pick, he has more potential than Rush and Jack and Indiana need another star to go with Granger.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'm not saying it was a bad move by us. Only, I think it might end up a lateral one, which isn't bad because I too liked Jack.

But there can be little question, I think, that Jack has helped the Pacers more this year than Bayless would have, and I'm saying I don't think it's clear cut that Bayless will be better than Jack. Number10 said that Bird F'd up the draft, I don't think he did.

A couple of big differences I see between Jarret and Jerryd. Jerryd is actually great in transition and he seems to have avoided stepping on the inbounds line twice a game.

 

[oldguy]

A couple of big differences I see between Jarret and Jerryd. Jerryd is actually great in transition and he seems to have avoided stepping on the inbounds line twice a game.

Amen to that, brother. I like Jarret, but that habit of stepping out of bounds drove me to scream at my TV much too often.