This is not meant to be an "I Told You So" thread, but more of a "has a year changed your mind?" question. Big assumption, but let's assume that this rumored trade was somehow magically on the table TODAY--knowing what you know about this last season, one year further into contracts, etc.: Batum (with 3 years and about 34M left on his contract) for Derrick Williams (2yrs, 11.3M, RFA-eligible), MIN's 2013 pick (which is pre-lotto slotted at #9) and a future MIN pick. would the principals change their minds? Is Olshey more or less apt to take that deal? Kahn? Would YOU do it if you were Olshey?
Willimas still hasn't shown much, and would still be behind our best player as he is in Minnesota. The pick wouldn't have been at 9, with players on the roster changing. Also, I don't believe it was ever 2 1sts and Williams.
I'm still happy with retaining Batum. He's still very young with room to grow and is a solid starting SF right now. The increased assists were nice, even though his gambling could be maddening at times. I'm glad the Blazers didn't trade him for the hypothetical Wolves offer. Doesn't Batum have more like 3yrs/34m remaining?
I think the rumors was either or on Williams or the pick. Not Williams and the pick PLUS additional compensation. That's just ridiculous.
Nope, Williams is at best a stretch four and with this draft there pick isn't even that great. If it was next years draft I'd think about it but at the moment it would just be another hole in our lineup we would have to fill. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
I would rather have Batum. Interesting what we could fetch with the 9th and 10th pick in the draft though... plus the 3 second rounders. That could be good trade material.
I thought Batum was having a pretty solid season until he started getting beat up. I thought the fact many of those who were against the re-signing of Batum were pretty silent until he started battling injuries and began struggling was a pretty good sign that he was playing well.
Agreed. I think it's integral if you're building around a PG as your top player, that you have another player that can get easy baskets for others, and can give you 5 APG. Absent that, you ask your PG to do way too much, IMO
My only complaint with Batum in the second half was the limited number of shot attempts. But, it could have easily been because of the injuries and he knew he couldn't contribute like that. Given the strong first half I will give him the benefit of the doubt. I still like him in this lineup, especially if he takes Stotts's words to heart and ups his effort on "D".
Only thing I was disappointed with was his tentativeness on shooting. I think he needs to really be aggressive and try and get to the line.
He really didn't add anything to his game last season. Still the same streaky player who always seems to have a problem with consistency and being aggressive. There are too many times where it looks like he's sleeping out there. Batum is always either riding a hot streak or playing poorly. Being primarily an outside scorer he will always be this way. The problem here is that people think his hot streaks are his normal level of play, but that's clearly not the case. He also shot more 3's under Stotts than he did under Nate. People like to ignore this fact.
Batum had more assists this season than he did in his entire career up to this point, how can you say he didn't add anything?
For me: Hell no. I like Batum, he's a guy any championship team needs (really good "glue guy"). We just need more pieces.
He shot more 3s because he played substantially more minutes. Batum is not the same player he has always been, he had a completely different role this season and brought a different game to the court. I get the argument that he didn't live up to his contract (the Blazer have to match, you don't let a talent like Batum just walk). But to say this year he did add anything to his game when he handled the ball more than ever before and had a huge spike in assists, is simply not accurate.
His assist numbers are inflated because he turns down open shots and passes it back out. It's just him continuing to be more and more passive. Batum averaged 8min per game more this season than he did last season, from 30 to 38. His averages: 2012 FGA - 10.9 2013 FGA - 11.4 2012 3PTA - 4.6 2013 3PTA - 6.1 Basially over 50% of his of his total shots attempts in 2013 were 3pt attempts, up from 2012. And not only did he average more 3pt attempts per game last year, he shot it at a lower percentage (37%) compared to 2012 (39%). Yeah, he really progressed this year
Funny. You use stats to prove your points when it comes to shots . . . but when it comes to assists, you throw the stat out by saying it is because he is more passive. (wish more players would be passive) So use stats when they help you and explain them away when they work against you. By the way the stat you like to explain away: 2012 Ast 1.4 2013 Ast 4.9 And you say Batum hasn't "added anything to his game" . . . who is crazy?
