10 million a year for Batum is ridiculous. Anybody willing to give him a deal like that is bat shit crazy. Denver are a bunch of morons for the deals they gave Afflalo and Gallinari.
Batum's agent seems pissed. Larry Miller is in over his head. NBA business is obviously not his forte. Go back to Nike!
Nic needs to show me more if he wants a big contract Being a decent role player doesn't cut it. That's Wesley Matthews territory, and we all saw his contract.
I'd be ok with a Batum contract comparable to Wesley's. But I think we can agree Batum will ask for more than that.
I guess the Blazers think he is asking for more than he has shown he is worth, so far. If he can prove he is worth that over the rest of the season, then they can match any offer; possibly figuring it'll be about what he wants now.
They need to give him opportunity to show his worth. Taking him out of the game when he's hot isn't allowing opportunity.
You guys seem surprised that management didn't strike a deal with Batum the first day of negotiations. Whoever's doing the talks has Pritchard's firing in mind. Remember why he was fired? Hardball negotiations will go on a long time.
This was brilliant. The front office absolutely did the right thing. Portland has a real chance to be a player this summer for free agents, and they know they can match any offer Nic gets. You also never want to pay a sub starters money.
Awesome, then pay him and start him. Until we are absolutely sure that is the direction we are going then don't pay him
What part of 17 games do you have a mind block comprehending? Do you know how many players in the NBA were hot shit for 20 or 30 games once in their career, but nothing special the rest of it? A shit ton load. I am not predicting that career arc for Gallinari - however he made a big jump this season compared to last season on the same team with the same coach. His defense is significantly improved over the entire history of his NBA career. And defense is about effort and committment. Where was these past years? This kind of sudden jump and improved defense is awful suspicious and usually not sustained. Maybe the Nugs get lucky.
An aside on DRtg... Everyone's DRtg looks really incredible due to the exceptional amount of shitty basketball being played right now. Last season, the league average D/ORtg (remember, when they're league-wide, the average is the same) was 107.3 points per 100 possessions. In 2010, it was 107.6, and in 2009, it was 108.3... this season? 102.4 points per possession. Essentially, add 5 to everyone's DRtg to get what it would be if everyone was in shape and playing halfway decently.
If this wasn't Gallo's second contract you'd have a perfectly valid point, but It's not "just 17 games;" he's 23 and coming to the end of his rookie scale deal ... and he's been a productive player (15-16 PER scorer) his three years prior. He was a lottery pick, he's playing like a budding star and now he gets the money that comes with it.
In over his head? Why, because we didn't extend him to a reasonable deal? Isn't that pretty impossible to say without knowing what his agent was asking for? What if his agent was asking for 11 a year? Miller's an idiot for not giving it to him? I'm bummed we didn't extend him, but only because I was hoping we could somehow get him to a reasonable extension. I'd be mroe bummed if we extended him at 11 or 12 per year. Since we don't know the offers, I'd say saying someone is in over his head is a little premature.
As for offers in the offseason, I think day one, you make a huge offer to Brook Lopez. RFA have to be matched in 3 days under new CBA. NJ is going to want to work out aplan for Dwight and Deron. Chances are, those guys will not want to hurry to make a decision. So you force NJ's hand, by day one, max offer to Brook,a nd make them decide on Brook, or their hopes of deron and Dwight.
