This topic contains 14 replies, has 11 voices, and was last updated by 
M-DYMES 12 years, 2 months ago.
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- Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 5:31am #36519
mikeyvthedonParticipantThe one bright side to an otherwise awful night for the Blazers was the play of Nicolas Batum. After LaMarcus Aldridge went down with his twisted ankle, Batum clearly became the go-to guy for the Blazers and finished with 33 points. Nick Young had probably one of the better games in his career with 35 (7-8 from 3) and John Wall killed Raymond Felton (what else is new), but I just wanted to highlight Batum for a moment. First off, lets get this out of the way:
Definitely the second most crazy bucket I saw last night behind Jeremy Lin’s dagger against the Raps. Just thought it was a cool, graceful throwdown. But, besides that one play, Nicolas has impressed me in his time as a Blazer. After thinking he needed seasoning watching him in Summer League, he was a very aggressive defender who played well beyond his age.
The SF position is not incredibly strong at this juncture of time, which I also believe raises Nic’s value. If he gets much less than 8-10 million from a team, I would be very surprised. One would like to see Nicolas being the aggressive on a more consistent basis, not to mention maybe do a better job hitting the glass. Still, I for one am happy they did not trade him for Wesley Johnson (rumors of Nicolas for the #4) and feel he is a fringe All-Star.
Nicolas is still only 23 years old and I think is either in or nearing the top half of NBA SF’s. I would definitely hope the Blazers choose to retain Nicolas, who seemed kind of disappointed with the way early contract negotiations were handled. But, I have a feeling that some team will be willing to give this guy fair market value. I see this as 8-10 million and I believe the Blazers will be hardpressed not to match that number.
Anyone hoping there team may be in the market for Nicolas Batum, or are you not buying the hype? I definitely like him a lot and think that when he is given a chance to play solid minutes for the Blazers, they are a better team. LaMarcus Aldridge is clearly the Blazers best player bar none, but I would not be surprised if Nicolas became a nice second or third option. I feel that Nicolas might end up being a more offensively versatile Luol Deng type. My biggest concern is confidence and being a more active rebounder, but I expect that he could definitely improve in both areas.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 6:02am #636976
So raspyParticipantI like the Luol Deng comparison, he fits the mold of a long SF who can play D and score fairly consistently.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 6:03am #636977
So raspyParticipantand that dunk was mean
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 6:05am #636978
burningfloodParticipantYeah, but it’s not just Batum for Johnson, it’s more like Batum for Cousins. Would I do a Batum for Cousins swap? In a heartbeat, considering Greg Oden has no knees.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 6:13am #636979
PulseGlazerParticipantI really wish Portland could play Wallace and Batum together more. They could be one of the better shutdown wing defensive duos in the NBA.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 6:27am #636986
mikeyvthedonParticipantThey still had hope Greg would be back. Not to mention, as talented as DeMarcus Cousins is, he still scares the hell out of me with his attitude. Just have a feeling if he were on the Blazers, we would not be seeing the same DeMarcus Cousins putting up numbers on a team with low to no expectations. I think DeMarcus is very talented, but his issues were not something the Blazers needed when they had hope in a center who may not have knees, but had every bit of the upside that Cousins possesses without the attitude.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 6:41am #636993
HaleParticipantFor some reason I thought he was a lot older, it seems like he’s been around for a long time. He’s a beast defender though with great length and he always makes the corner 3 whenever I watch him. If he can handle the ball and get a midrange game (maybe he already has?) he could be very very good.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 7:46am #637004
BiggysmallsParticipantI would not be suprised to see the Wolves pursue Batum hard this coming offseason seeing as how Khan has indicated strong interest in Batum on several occasions. I have no idea what kind of money he will command but I would bet it is in the same range as what Galinari got from Denver maybe a tad less but he is definitly worth anywehre from 7 to 10 million.
Batum is one of the premiere wing defenders in the game, shoots the ball well from the perimeter and isnt a guy who needs to have the ball in his hands to be an effective player. He is a perfect role player and would fit in on every team in the league.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 8:28am #637014
IndianaBasketballParticipantI’ve always been a big fan of Batum.
He’s A LOT better than what he’s been able to show in Portland. Watch him play for France, when he’s the guy, and you’ll see he can do a lot more than what he’s allowed to do in Portland.
I’ve always liked the Scottie Pippen comparion.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 9:36am #637039
Chilbert arenasParticipantHe didn’t even seem too hyped up after the dunk, as if it was ordinary.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 10:09am #637054
IndianaBasketballParticipantAnd I like him because he’s tough…
He had a tough knee injury, returned quickly and probably put up his best game of the season. He doesn’t pout… Doesn’t complain. He’ll start. He’ll come off of the bench. He defends three positions and will take on the best offensive player every night. He’ll score. He’ll distribute and make the extra pass. He can play the half court… He can get out in transition. He’s a VERY GOOD player who’s played his role.
The Blazers should’ve extended him. I believe it’ll come back to bite them in the A.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 10:25am #637058
Future_Scoutis it me or the dunk happens somewhat in slow motion
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:33pm #637106
WizardofOzParticipantHe shouldnt sign an extension with the blazers. He should go somewhere where he can start and have a bigger role on offense.
I was really impressed by how he looked this summer. He showed an aggressiveness that I’ve never seen from him with an ability to create his own offense. I think he can be an above avg starter. Mid-high teens scoring, good defense. Maybe a slight step below a Rudy Gay.
I would LOVE for the Wizards to make a play for him.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:36pm #637108
natedogggParticipantWith Wallace being an expiring contract there is no way the blazers let him go,
He will get his contract and be the long term starting 3 for the blazers.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 02/15/2012 - 1:18pm #637125
M-DYMESParticipantI really want to see the Wolves get Batum and try him at the 2. While he is a bit oversized (just right in weight though), unlike Wes Johnson he knows how to properly cut and can hit the corner 3 with ease. He is a very good defender and I think he is versatile enough to cover most 2 guards in the league. Not to mention his athleticism + Rubio’s playmaking ability = buckets. I’d even give up Beasley for him now and attempt to resign him as opposed to Beasley.
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