He's an older version of Darius Miles with less athleticism, inferior inside play but a superior outside shot. I hope we don't give him a Miles type of contract.
Um, that's a damn good list to be in. I don't know if you have an idea on my opinion of Batum, but I labeled him valued like "Kersey" to the 90's era team. That type of value. Someone that was a 3rd option, but could be 4th at times.
I dunno if he's affected by the weirdness in the lockerroom. He's quiet and kind of shy and his bestest buddies were Rudy and Patty. Plus he looked up to Roy. But even I am getting tired of waiting for him to blossom. What happened to that guy who dunked on Pau Gasol twice? What with him sucking and Elliot getting season-ending surgery, I see basically no reason to watch the games any more.
It seems Mags, the other posters are suggesting try to trade Nico for a 2nd option while the league thinks he's a 2nd option. Perhaps if given the trade opportunity, we should take it. *le sigh*
Absolutely! If we could package Batum and a pick for a legit second option, I would do it in a heart beat. I love Batum, but he never was "untouchable" in my mind. He's a great complimentary player, but we need Batman. Aldridge is Robin, and can't be counted on to carry a team like Roy did. We need a wing "All star"; like Buchannon said a couple days ago. Either it be a PG or SG; we need someone that can take over the 4th. We don't have that type of consistent leadership the moment Roy went down.
I'd say given his talent and ability to draw multiple defenders, and the way he reacts to them now, LA is a first option. He just isn't as good a leader as he should be, so a lot of people consider him a second option.
This. And I love him on my team. I don't know how someone can say in the same breath that he's playing lousy, but he's going to command a huge contract. That doesn't make sense. I'd think his current slump would be a relief as it pertains to his future salary. If he's a second tier free agent, maybe he won't get an offer on day one, that we have to match, which would tie up our cap space. Better if we can swing for the fences on an all star before we have to sign him. He'll get a contract commensurate with his value, or he'll go elsewhere, or he'll be signed and traded. Even if Paul over pays him, I don't care as long as it is after we are done with free agency. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Also: I agree with Mags. He was our best SG, but now he's our only decent small forward. I can't wait for the draft!
So, what should we do? Get rid of every single player who isn't a "first or second option"? Rinse - Repeat? Kind of hard to field a team that way. I find the tiresome argument that you are either an all star who can carry the team or you are complete garbage to be bizarre at best. As for the ubiquitous "small sample size" mantra: The small sample size here isn't his tour at SG, it is his current shooting slump, which coincides with the road trip from hell, trades, firing of the coach, adjustments to roles and expectations, and moving back to SF.
He's horrible. We often play him in garbage time and he blends in or completely disappears. I remember when some people were hesitant to include him in a trade for Chris Paul. Hilarious.
an apt comparison I saw for him is Shane Battier. But lets come up with a stupid nickname for him now that he's in a slum. Batdoom? Badum? Badumb?
