I'm arbitrarily making these numbers up, but I'm going to try to make them both very appealing--just in different ways--so I'm not stacking the deck or making it a leading question. I think the give-and-take between the options is pretty realistic. I start with 2012-2013 Batum as a baseline. 2012-2013 Batum: 14.3 PPG - 5.6 RPG - 4.9 APG - 2.9 FTA/gm - 2.3 3PM/gm - B defense Batum A: 18.0 PPG - 5.0 RPG - 4.0 APG - 4.0 FTA/gm - 2.3 3PM/gm - B defense Batum B: 14.0 PPG - 5.5 RPG - 5.5 APG - 2.5 FTA/gm - 3.0 3PM/gm - A defense I'll just assume blocks and steals both stay in the low 1s either way. Batum A would probably get more All-Star buzz. His 18.0 PPG puts him in a completely different tier, and his 4.0 FTA/gm would be a big career high showing more aggressiveness attacking the basket. 2.3 treys is the same as 2012-2013. Batum B takes a small step backward in scoring and aggressiveness, and "settles" for staying out on the perimeter more as a 3-point specialist on offense. I hypothesize he could elevate his perimeter defense slightly in this scenario.
I want him to be the same batum that we saw last season before the injury. Is like to see a little more aggressiveness on the offensive end; like looking for his shot more.
Batum A is the Batum that stays uninjured this season, while Batum B is the one that hurts his wrist or shoulder again. Many people (not saying you're one of them) forget that pre-wrist-injury Batum was beasting.
Per game averages through 38 games (pre-injury)--17 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.8 FTA, 43% FG, 36% 3P. Agreed--I'll take that guy.
Yeah he was playing very good early on last year. I'm concerned about his injuries, he has had another year he missed most the season with his shoulder then last year he was inefficient when playing the last 2/3 of the year injured. He was injured at the end of the lockout season once we traded Wallace which was the time to let him show he could be the 2nd or 3rd team option. I'm just not sure if he can make it through an NBA season, maybe he would be better as a 25mpg backup.
Hopefully they can reduce all the starters minutes and keep them strong and ready FOR THE POST SEASON.
If you consider that inefficient, I hope all our players are that inefficient! While he certainly wasn't the same player he was prior to the wrist injury, he was still a very effective team player. Take a look at the game log - he was still scoring in double-digits most nights and piling up assists at a fairly good rate: http://espn.go.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/3416/nicolas-batum Either way - Player A or Player B, both are a win. I guess I'd prefer Player B, but I'd be just as happy with Player A.
I'd like that too - but what I'd like even more is to see him cutting to the hoop and actually having someone hit him with a pass! Unless he greatly improves his dribbling this summer he just doesn't have the handles to make driving to the basket the heart of his offense. So I say let's aim to use his strengths - shooting, cutting, passing, and defense. Heck - I'd prefer to see less dribbling and more passing from EVERYONE!
Me too. I love seeing good ball movement. Still think Lillard needs some dribble penetration to get the offense going.
The good news is this is the first summer Batum has not played for Team France. I think having some down time will cut down on the injuries next season.
I really wish those guys wouldn't play during the summer. Pickup games are one thing, but competitive basketball takes a toll on the body. Has Nic ever had a healthy season? He had the shoulder injury that wouldn't go away, and last season it was his wrist. I wish he would rest.
