Batum's assist numbers are highly inflated by the style of offense the Blazers run. Before Stotts offense, he only got 1.5 assists per game. He's not handling the ball nearly as much as James and Durant so he shouldn't be committing near the number of turnovers they do. Using your logic, Robin Lopez is our best shooter because he has the highest FG%.
Ok so here's my take on this "Rumor" that isn't. Deng would help us win now and into the playoffs more than Batum. We would get more mid range to inside scoring which would help open things up for Lillard, Wes and CJ to hit open 3's. In addition we could establish some more post scoring without relying on RoLo to do that for us. We would gain a guy who is only a couple years older (Fits the LMA window) and plays as good of defense as Nic.... Though we would lose the flashy fast break blocks from behind. We wouldn't get the assists that Batum gives us, but Batum also passes up shots way too frequently. This would also put the ball in Damian's hand more, so his assist numbers would actually go up. IMO it's a good move on paper, if what you want is to win now.
I sometimes think that SlyPokerDog posts these things just to stir up shit and create more hits. Denny......appropriate disciplinary action please!
Nah, I got it. Just that I think Denny's appropriate discipline would be feeding the dog more Atta-Boys.
http://fansided.com/2014/02/01/nba-...veland-cavaliers-misses-chicago-bulls/#!u8F7p Luol Deng calls Cleveland Cavaliers a mess, says he misses Chicago Bulls http://www.blogabull.com/2014/1/8/5289520/luol-deng-contract-negotiations-bulls "Three days before the trade, Gar called me upstairs and put three years, $30 million on the table. Take it or leave it. No negotiation. I said no and that was it. But 15? That's the only thing that upset me. I'm not upset with the organization. I want everyone to understand that. If I was a GM, would I make that move? Maybe."
He's a real class act. He certainly has legit reasons to be upset with them but he definitely understands the politics side of the NBA
That should be what our main goal is "To win now!" As long as the Blazers have got this team like it is now the goal should always be about winning now.
Well, you have people reading the tea leaves and making up a story, and then you have the guy in his own words. Deng hurt his wrist several years ago and supposedly it required surgery. He kept playing anyway, and then played international ball that summer. Supposedly the Bulls wanted him to have the surgery and be ready/healed by season opener. Not only did he play for them, he played so many minutes he was top 4 in the league every season since. He also made 2 all-star teams after suffering the injury. Did the Bulls hold a grudge all the years since? I don't think so. As for the spinal tap thing, it was widely reported in the press, not kept as some hush hush kind of secret by the team (see: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/miamiheat/post/_/id/17541/what-luol-deng-is-going-through). I don't blame the coach for making it out like Deng might play. It gave Spoelstra something to think about. And yeah, there is no classier person than Lu. He spends a lot of his money on charity.
Cuts both ways - he's not handling the ball as much, so he shouldn't have close to the same APG as they do either. We get it - you don't like Nic. But you're a fool if you discredit his ability to set-up teammates for easy scoring opportunities.
Nic could set up his teammates even better if he became a little more aggressive to score himself as well. He frustrates the hell out of me as he has the skills, talent and ability to be a Pippen like player but is far too passive.
It's not passivity that's holding him back, it's his ball-handling. If he had a better handle he could be more aggressive in taking the ball to the hoop, but he just doesn't have a great handle on the ball.
