would you trade batum?

[Nikolokolus]

He's struggled lately, but I give him a pass considering this is his first NBA season. Although I'm disappointed, I thought he would be the one guy who would step up big with Roy out.

I agree, I'm not really "down" on him per se, but I just think it's kind of funny how we see threads complaining about Bayless, Batum, Greg, Sergio, LaMarcus and hell even Brandon -- all rookies or young players -- but hardly a peep about Rudy jacking up ill advised three pointers that seem to be streaky as can be. I'm not about dogging him, I just find if odd.

 

[Foulzilla]

How in the fuck can people say no to trading someone for someone better??????

I'd trade Roy for someone better too.

Exactly. The way this question is phrased, the only people saying no should be the ones who get overly attached to players in a Blazer uniform. If he can be traded for something "better" he should be. I think it's highly unlikely they'll be able to get someone better by trading him however.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I agree, I'm not really "down" on him per se, but I just think it's kind of funny how we see threads complaining about Bayless, Batum, Greg, Sergio, LaMarcus and hell even Brandon -- all rookies or young players -- but hardly a peep about Rudy jacking up ill advised three pointers that seem to be streaky as can be. I'm not about dogging him, I just find if odd.

I may be biased on this, but my gut seems to tell me that Rudy generally doesn't take the "bad" 3. He takes (and misses) a bunch of open ones, but I don't generally see him taking them early in the shot clock with a hand in his face. If he (or Outlaw, or Blake) are taking wide-open 3's, I'm not going to fault their shot selection: we WANT to take wide-open 3's. If they're not going down, and you don't bring anything else to the table (Blake, Travis on "off" nights, etc.) then you probably need to sit.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Batum has a swagger and he's not afraid of any player. He is composed and thinks. All of this screams Pippen to me. At 19, you don't trade that! We are building for tomorrow. Imagine how good this kid could be by 21?

 

[mook]

Rudy's big problem lately is that he's just missing shots off of screens. Watch him--whenever he does the Reggie Miller/Rip Hamilton weave-and-bounce to free himself up for an open three, he's invariably missing now. The ONLY threes he's hitting are wide open spot up shots. A lot of the shots off screens are bouncing off the front rim, which makes me wonder if he's hitting the rookie wall. Remember, he also played a ton last summer in the Olympics and in practices leading up to them, so he really hasn't had a break in a long time.

Remember how explosive he used to look? All those shots he was canning off screens? It's got to be fatigue.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

How in the fuck can people say no to trading someone for someone better??????

I'd trade Roy for someone better too.


Now you have to determine what is and what is not better. Battier is betterm but his cieling isn't as high, but maybe Batum will never get any better?

Wallace is better, but older and you have to ask yourself if Batum will ever be better. If so then you probably don't make that move. If you don't think Batum will ever be as good as Wallace though you should trade for Wallace.....or anyone else.

Batum's trade value << Batum's play
Therefore, you do not trade him.

OTOH,
Outlaw's trade value > Outlaw's play (because of his contract) (I think this is true, but I'm JABH)
Therefore, you look to trade him.

p.s. JABH = Just Another Blazer Homer

 

[Ed O]

Batum's trade value << Batum's play
Therefore, you do not trade him.

Hm. I'm not sure that I agree with that. He's been better than expected, but he's still not even an NBA starter level player in my opinion.

I look at it this way:

Batum's trade value < Batum's value to the present and future of the team

He's contributing now and he's likely to get better. I doubt any team will give us enough to make up for the potential he's got.

Ed O.

 

[hasoos]

Which is why no one is talking about Granger...Butler might become available soon....and Wallace is for a decent price, and they both fit just as well into what Portland needs.

Because Danny Granger is to the Pacers what Brandon Roy is to the Blazers. So it isn't going to happen.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Hm. I'm not sure that I agree with that. He's been better than expected, but he's still not even an NBA starter level player in my opinion.

I look at it this way:

Batum's trade value < Batum's value to the present and future of the team

He's contributing now and he's likely to get better. I doubt any team will give us enough to make up for the potential he's got.

Ed O.

Actually,

"Batum's trade value < Batum's value to the present and future of the team"

is closer to what I really meant, but I just posted too quickly. I'd note that value to the team is contract dependent. However, the basic sentiment is the same -

You don't sell low.

That's why I don't support trading Batum under any likely scenario.

 

[crowTrobot]

batum reminds me more than a little bit of mcgrady when he was a skinny 18-year-old inconsistent rookie with promise

 

[BBert]

Would you trade him for something better? And who do you think in a perfect world we could get/.

Are you on crack!?

Sorry, I just felt like saying that.

If by 'for something better' you mean someone who's better today, I still say no. Unless that player made us a contender today - and I can't fathom someone trading us a player like that for him. Nico is better than Travis, Martell, Prince or Pippen at the same age. It would take an aweful lot for me to trade Nico now.

I am firmly in the Nico fan club. He's probably going to hit a rookie wall several times this year. Patience.

 

[ehizzy3]

I am firmly in the Nico fan club. He's probably going to hit a rookie wall several times this year. Patience.

he already did once. but after the game last night, i dont see his confidence any higher than it could be.

 

[number 10]

just look at his shot attempts as the season has progressed, it's obvious he's hit the rookie wall and then some.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?playerId=3416
hopefully as we get into a more relaxed part of the schedule he'll find a second wind