USA vs France, Sunday Aug. 15

[RiseWithDE]

10am, ESPN2.

Will be nice to see how Batum looks on the court when utilized properly.

 

[Nikolokolus]

That I have got to see. He's likely to have to guard Durant or maybe Granger and vice versa ...

 

[Tince]

10am, ESPN2.

Will be nice to see how Batum looks on the court when utilized properly.

Yeah, he's been horrible so far hasn't he?

 

[RoyToy]

Batum miraculously made huge strides after a terrible SL all by himself. McMillan's use of him had nothing to do with it.

Same goes for his improved play last year.

 

[THE HCP]

10am, ESPN2.

Will be nice to see how Batum looks on the court when utilized properly.

He's been used properly other then the amount of minutes played. And I think everybody agrees his time on the court will go up big time this season.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Word is he's going to be playing SG for France. Is that "being used properly"? Sure worked great for Kevin Durant, didn't it?

 

[illmatic99]

France is playing two games in Toronto, vs. Team Canada today and tomorrow. I don't think either is being televised-- which sucks.

BTW, if any of you are in NY/NJ and would like tix to see USA vs. France, you can get a 25% discount here.

 

[RiseWithDE]

Yeah, he's been horrible so far hasn't he?

He has been underutilized, yes.

 

[RiseWithDE]

Word is he's going to be playing SG for France. Is that "being used properly"? Sure worked great for Kevin Durant, didn't it?

Yes, if he played like Kevin Durant, that'd be swell.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I am assuming, after reading a lot of the comments about him, that Batum should go off for 30/9/6 while holding Durant to -4.


In all seriousness, I am excited to see how he plays with the ball in his hands more, and with some movement. I already know he is a good defender

 

[RiseWithDE]

In all seriousness, I am excited to see how he plays with the ball in his hands more, and with some movement. I already know he is a good defender

I agree. I'd like to see that all year.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Word is he's going to be playing SG for France. Is that "being used properly"? Sure worked great for Kevin Durant, didn't it?

According to 82games.com, Durant has played some SG every year. In his first season it was his primary possition, and I would happitly take Durants first season numbers of 20/4/2.

 

[Tince]

He has been underutilized, yes.

How so?

 

[cdub503]

faaaaack i wanna watch this but ill have work i think :/!!

 

[Nikolokolus]

I am assuming, after reading a lot of the comments about him, that Batum should go off for 30/9/6 while holding Durant to -4.


In all seriousness, I am excited to see how he plays with the ball in his hands more, and with some movement. I already know he is a good defender

I'm a huge Nic fan, but my expectations are that he'll be more Tayshaun Prince or Josh Childress with a long range jumper in his prime than the Pippen-esque player that some see him becoming.

As for what he'll be able to do against Durant/Iguodala/Granger? My guess is that the first two in the list will put a lot of on-the-ball pressure on him and he'll probably struggle on offense (especially if he's the primary ball-handler or number one option), but if the Blues can get out in the open court and run some then who knows what can happen.

 

[Mediocre Man]

How so?

It's not his fault, he is new. He had no idea he wasn't supposed to question Nate and his coaching ability. Batum standing in the corner waiting for a kick out pass from Roy as the shot clock is winding down is exactly what Batum should be doing......whew, that was close. You owe me one, DE

 

[RiseWithDE]

It's not his fault, he is new. He had no idea he wasn't supposed to question Nate and his coaching ability. Batum standing in the corner waiting for a kick out pass from Roy as the shot clock is winding down is exactly what Batum should be doing......whew, that was close. You owe me one, DE

LOL... I was told this was a much more objective forum. The rose colored Nate-McGoggles are prevalent in here as well huh? Lemme try again:

"Nate has squeezed all we can get out of Batum. No Nate, no defensive master and offensive Swiss Army knife Batum, no Batum on French National team."

There. Do I blend in better?

 

[RoyToy]

Then answer Tince's question

How has Batum been underutilized?

 

[illmatic99]

Well, Nate only played him 24 mpg last year, even when it was clear that he deserved more.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Then answer Tince's question

How has Batum been underutilized?

Oh I dunno? How about a failure to get him the ball or draw up plays to take advantage of the fact that Steve Nash was "guarding" him during the playoffs ...

 

[RiseWithDE]

Then answer Tince's question

How has Batum been underutilized?

Oh you were JOKING about your first post. You SERIOUSLY think Nate has maximized Batum's talent on the court? And his summer improvement is on Nate? Do you have any links to Nate working with Batum over this summer? Cuz I can find plenty of the French National Team working with Batum.

 

[RiseWithDE]

Well, Nate only played him 24 mpg last year, even when it was clear that he deserved more.

And this was due to Outlaw being sidelined for good stretches. Imagine how much less it would have been with Outlaw healthy all season.

 

[Nikolokolus]

And this was due to Outlaw being sidelined for good stretches. Imagine how much less it would have been with Outlaw healthy all season.

Maybe my brain isn't working, but wasn't Trout traded before or just after Nic came back from his shoulder surgery?

 

[RiseWithDE]

Maybe my brain isn't working, but wasn't Trout traded before or just after Nic came back from his shoulder surgery?

I seem to recall being "thankful" Outlaw was out so that Batum wouldn't be blocked from playing time (especially in the 2nd half) of games. Thought it was pre-trade. Maybe I was thankful he was just straight gone.

 

[RoyToy]

Oh I dunno? How about a failure to get him the ball or draw up plays to take advantage of the fact that Steve Nash was "guarding" him during the playoffs ...

Batum game 1 - 18pts
Game 2 - 12pts(early blowout)

Game 3 - couldn't lift arm above shoulder

Yes, play through your injured player that is only a role player more please Nate

 

[RoyToy]

Well, Nate only played him 24 mpg last year, even when it was clear that he deserved more.

Coming back from injury

 

[RoyToy]

Oh you were JOKING about your first post. You SERIOUSLY think Nate has maximized Batum's talent on the court? And his summer improvement is on Nate? Do you have any links to Nate working with Batum over this summer? Cuz I can find plenty of the French National Team working with Batum.

I never said Nate maximized Batum's talent?

So you believe just because it's not right in font of your face that Nate is using Batum all wrong and that he's holding back some star or something, despite improving every season? As a fairly young player? No, Nate, you're using him all wrong still.

Batum is a nice role player. IMO people overrate him way too much.

 

[RiseWithDE]

I never said Nate maximized Batum's talent?

So you believe just because it's not right in font of your face that Nate is using Batum all wrong and that he's holding back some star or something, despite improving every season? As a fairly young player? No, Nate, you're using him all wrong still.

Batum is a nice role player. IMO people overrate him way too much.

Well you infer that Batum's 24 mpg and continued improvement has something to do with Nate utilizing him properly. IMO you overrate Nate way too much.

Standing on the wing or corner watching Roy and then chasing around the other team's PG (because no one else will play decent defense...lack of accountability by the staff) on the other end does little to develop him properly. Batum's improvement is due to Batum's work ethic and maturity. The Blazers are dropping the ball on his potential.

 

[hasoos]

He's been used properly other then the amount of minutes played. And I think everybody agrees his time on the court will go up big time this season.

Are folks blaming his playing time on Nate? Because last I remembered, it was more of Batum's shoulder limiting his playing time, not Nate.

 

[hasoos]

Coming back from injury

Exactly, as I remember it it was the injury that limited minutes, not the coaches. I guess some people just have such an axe to grind with Nate they will just make shit up to try and make their case.