[McWinningParticipant]

Nicolas Batum a starter for the Trail Blazers? Not yet.
By Joe Freeman, The Oregonian
January 29, 2010, 9:20PM
HOUSTON ­— After a dynamic season-opening quarter, a sensational second game and a multifaceted performance Friday night, it seems fair to wonder how long Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan can wait to insert Nicolas Batum into the starting lineup.

It turns out, however, that McMillan isn’t in any hurry.

“I don’t think it’s a move you make right now,” McMillan said before the Blazers’ 104-100 loss to the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.

Batum was penciled into McMillan’s starting lineup at small forward before he underwent surgery on his shoulder Oct. 30 to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. But since making his return earlier this week, Batum has been part difference-maker and part spark-plug for a Blazers team that seems out of gas as it approaches the NBA All-Star break.

His performance against the Rockets was but the latest example as he finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while making 4 of 7 field goals. His rebound and assist totals were career highs.

In three games, Batum is averaging 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He’s made 14 of 21 field goals (67 percent), including 3 of 6 from three-point range. All the while, Batum has been active and aggressive on defense, blocking shots, snatching steals and guarding players at multiple positions.

His play, quite simply, has been remarkable considering he missed three months rehabilitating his shoulder.

Despite a slump this week, Martell Webster has played the best basketball of his career in January. But McMillan has batted around the idea of playing Batum at power forward, so it’s at least a possibility that McMillan could start Webster and Batum at forward and slide LaMarcus Aldridge over to center ­— particularly against a team with a small front court like the Rockets.

The move could give McMillan the chance to rest 16-year veteran Juwan Howard more and play rookies Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph less.

But McMillan resisted the idea on Friday. He said he likes Batum’s production off the bench, particularly as he continues to search for consistent play from both first and second units.

“We’ve done some good things,” McMillan said. “The fact that he was a spark coming off the bench, we need that, too. Because you’ve got to have both units playing well. So the bottom line is that we’ve got to play better and we need him to continue to do what he’s doing. You’ve got to get him time to get in sync.”

Interesting thought a lineup of Miller, Bayless/Rudy, Martell, Batum, and Aldridge could work but thats a very skinny front court. Who do you think should start?

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

It’s crazy to think about how much talent the Blazers have on the wing. I think Batum has a lot of potential, especially as a defender. He’s 6′ 8″ and still growing with a 7+ foot wingspan. Very good athleticism. As much I like Webster, I think Batum is the answer at small forward when talking about their future.

They should keep bringing him off the bench for now though. No need to rush him into the starting lineup, considering he just came off the IR not too long ago.

[jrfloresssParticipant]

I really like Batum’s potential on both sides of the ball. I think he can develop into a player who can average 15, 5 and 5, all while averaging close to 2 steals/blocks per game.. maybe not an All Star but that “glue player” who does everything for a team..

The Blazer’s will be a scary team for years to come. If all their young players come remotely clsoe to fulfilling their potential, this Portalnd team will definately be title contenders for the next decade. A starting lineup with Bayless, Roy, Batum, Aldrigde and Oden?! This teams potential is outstanding, not to mention a very strong bench that includes Webster, Outlaw and Fernandez; then you have the veteran guidance of Steve Blake, Joel Pryzbilla and Andre Miller?! The problem this season was the constant injuries but once this teams gets on the right track, I honestly think this team can become the best team in the league within the next few years.

[Author]

Posts