Batum: If I can't find something better elsewhere, I'll stay in Portland.

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Eastoff, May 10, 2012.

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  1. Tince

    Tince Well-Known Member

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    I've heard the cut throat theory a few times, but it has one major hole in it:

    The first 48 hours of free agency is the most important and a team isn't going to lock up their cap space during that time period just to mess with the Blazers and potentially lose out on their top target.

    When Portland screwed Utah over I believe it was weeks into free agency. If we wait more than a week into our free agency to sign other players than we should get punished for such stupidity.
     
    Tince, May 10, 2012
    #21
  2. Run BJM

    Run BJM Heavy lies the crown. Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Batum's situation is interesting because its the first full offseason post-lockout. Teams may be more hesitant to throw big money at non-star wing players. Wilson Chandler just got 7.5 mils a year, how much different will Batum be from that realistically? Especially given his RFA status, teams will be taking themselves off the market for the period it takes PDX to match. Of course with a guy like Batum it only takes one GM to believe hes on the verge of being Scotty Pippen, as so many of you thought not too long ago (lol had to bring it up), and throw huge money at him.
     
    Run BJM, May 11, 2012
    #22
  3. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

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    look for Pippen comparisons to resume once he's retained... right now PDX fans are hoping for him and more. I don't think the comparison is that far off with one glaring exception... PIP could play point really well.

    STOMP
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2012
    STOMP, May 11, 2012
    #23
  4. Sinobas

    Sinobas Banned User BANNED

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    Yeah. And Pippen is one of the greatest SFs of all time and Batum is an average player on a crappy team.
     
    Sinobas, May 11, 2012
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  5. Fez Hammersticks

    Fez Hammersticks スーパーバッド Zero Cool

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    He's more Stacey Augmon/Shane Battier than he is Pippen.
     
    Fez Hammersticks, May 11, 2012
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  6. Fez Hammersticks

    Fez Hammersticks スーパーバッド Zero Cool

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    Btw, at the deadline the Sacramento Kings were one of the teams really interested in Batum.

    A S&T with that team would be interesting.
     
    Fez Hammersticks, May 11, 2012
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  7. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

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    glaring implies it's a major thing. If Pip didn't have that glaring exception going for him, he's an average starter. Btw, I'm for Nic being retained at about 8M per which is about an average amount for a starter

    STOMP
     
    STOMP, May 11, 2012
    #27
  8. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    Do fans think that's not enough? If so they should blame themselves, not the players they expect too much from.
     
    BBert, May 11, 2012
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  9. Rhal

    Rhal Well-Known Member

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    I think a lot of people undervalue Batum on this board. Not from a player standpoint but from a league standpoint, a lot of teams and fan bases want this guy(I know weird to say on a Blazer board that is notorious for overvaluing him the last 3 years). He will be a very trade able asset for the first two years of his contract regardless of what it is outside of a Max/Near Max. His age and ability to play so many different positions an defend 1-4 and his three % has a lot of teams salivating. Every team is going to have a different view of what they can turn him into. He is one of the few really big gems in the market this year.
    I'm all for signing him anywhere from from 11m and under and then shopping him around. I do also think its a mistake if we sign him for over 9m to keep him around long term. If its a big contract like 4/40 4/44m match it then start looking for trade partners for him as soon as possible.
     
    Rhal, May 12, 2012
    #29
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