http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/10/breaking_news_batum_to_start_s.html ugh....0-1 here we come
im just saying...the lakers are the best team in the NBA and we are starting 2 rookies. not good. kobe will embarrass the poor kid. Im just saying...batum is in a bad spot here as are teh blazers. websters injury is just as bad as losing oden or aldridge cause of his defense.
It actually makes sense for Nate to do this. Why try to mix Travis with the 2nd unit after starting him the first 6 weeks or so when Martell is out? Let's allow the 2nd unit to gel starting with the first game. This way, unless Batum completely tanks, he can fill a hole with the starting unit, and unless he completely surpasses every expectation, he will slide back to the bench once Webster is healthy. What I don't want to see again this year is Batum taking 7 shots in a first quarter, which happened in one of the pre-season games.
Kobe can embarass anyone on this roster (and most other rosters). Just hope this doesn't hurt the kids confidence.
Kobe might embarrass Batum. It's a definite possibility and might even be a distinct likelihood. But I don't think it's guaranteed. All Batum will be asked to do is throw all his energy into slowing down Kobe. I think he has the athleticism and instincts to make Kobe work hard all night. Kobe may still get 30, but he also might get battered a little and forced to work his ass off.
A couple of bonks on the head from Oden, and Kobe wont be coming to the rim no-mo.. Smash 'em good Oden!
The chances of the Blazers winning this game are limited at best. I say why NOT start Batum? Throw the kid to the "wolves" day-one, see what he's made of.
As there are such low expectations of Batum, I'd say it will be hard for him to disappoint and easy for him to impress as it would appear most aren't expecting anything from him (except being embarrassed). I hope that he's learned and grown from his time with the first team and, as we saw in one of the pre-season games (don't recall which one), he may start but may be replaced relatively quickly by Rudy wherein Roy moves to SF and Rudy to SG. We'll see. Should be interesting. Gramps...
I wonder if they will even put Batum on Kobe. I doubt it, because if they do, that would put Roy on Radmon, which seems like a weird matchup. Also, there isn't anything that says Batum starting means he will play huge minutes, so let's not get all worried about him costing us the game.
I'd really rather see Batum on Bryant. Let Roy concentrate on offense. Maybe start Roy on him so Batum can get his footing, but transition to Batum on Bryant after the first several minutes. Just occurred to me--who is Kobe going to guard? Roy? That's fine by me. That will cost Kobe some energy on the other end. Hmmm. People talk about how loaded that Laker team is, but Radmonovich just doesn't seem to fit. Sure, his shooting creates space, but do they really need a 6-10 SF with Pau and Bynum? They seem to have the same problem we do--a lack of a true stopper in the 6'5 to 6'8 range. *shrug* I guess he only plays 22 mpg.
Roy is tall enough to stick a hand in his face, which is really all most people can do when guarding a 6'10 perimeter shooter.
Jason Quick mentioned it in his "Quick Chat" from last week, Roy is supposedly getting the defensive assignment on Kobe-ashi ... Even though I think he'll be an improvement over Batum (but not by much) I have a feeling he's going to get torched tomorrow night. Ugh ... I'm not feeling real great about our chances (which weren't all that good to begin with).
