Whoever is the best player in camp is, gets it. It's up to Martell to push Nicolas out of his spot, not the other way around. So right now, Nic is the guy unless Martell suggests otherwise.
I am a huge fan of Webster and I have argued on his behalf a lot lately. I have no doubt in my mind that Batum should be the starting SF.
OMG - I AGREE with Mixum on something. If Miller then Webster If Blake then Batum Better balance for each grouping.
So you're saying that Batum is going to double his scoring avg. from last year? I don't see him doing so even if he got 10 more minutes a game (which he probably won't). Just because a guy does OK during international play doesn't mean it's going to translate to the season. I love Batum, but he's not a threat on the offensive end yet. I'm not saying he won't ever be, but he's young and it's tough to be consistent on offense if you're not a natural scorer. And he's not.
I think it really does not matter who starts between the two and total minutes/finishing is the real prize. Batum showed more last season and it would be interesting to see how well he would have performed with some of the really bad squads Martell was on early in his career. Oden's progression and this battle makes the preseason must see for me.
11 or 12 ppg? You expect him to double his scoring average when he is unlikely to get even 5 or 6 more mpg?
I'm not claiming to be prescient or infallible, Nic very well could fall short of my predicition, but I personally believe he's going to average 28-30 minutes per game if only because of his innate defensive abilities. The reason I think he's got it in him is Nic was only 19 last year, and guys typically make a pretty substantial leap from year one to year two ... so yeah I can see him putting up "Martell" or "Travis" numbers this year -- I think he's got that much promise and raw talent. I really don't think Martell is going to gobble up as many minutes at the 3 spot as people think.
It's not just Martell who's going to be playing at the three. Roy and Rudy will both take minutes, and you know Outlaw will get some too, even if Nate says that Outlaw will specifically play backup PF.
I think the team will be better if Webster earns the spot... mainly because I think we know how good Batum is and it'd be good if Martell emerged from his injury as the superior player. But I voted for Batum. Ed O.
I like that attitude. And I think it matches Nic perfect because it seems he cares more about starting games, even if he doesn't get that many minutes. God I love this team!!!1 Oh, I voted Batum.
yeah Batum is only 20, maybe 21? You have to figure that "what's best for the team is best for me" hasn't quite set in. I still think he'll become the star us "homer"s think he is inside.
true, true! In all honesty if something awful happened to Batum I would be okay with the other two guys.
I think we sometimes make the mistake of comparing Batum to Rudy. While both played pro ball in Europe, Rudy is 4 years older, and played against a higher level of competition. He is way ahead of Batum on the developmental curve, but I won't be the least surprised if Batum ultimately emerges as the superior player. (and let's face it - despite his greater age/experience, Rudy is still something of a "me first!" guy.
I could see Martell getting the nod for his superior 3 ball. Especially if Miller and/or Pryz is in the starting lineup, then Martell's offense will be more needed than Batum's defense. Yet I still give a slight edge to Batum based for his more well rounded game so he got my vote.
So, is Webster admitting that finishing games is more important than starting them? Minstrel, wasn't that you on BBF telling me otherwise, among other posters. I wish I had that quote back then.
