This isn't entirely true, either. Using stats from the previous season I showed that Nic was actually a more consistent player than LMA. But that was when nobody wanted to hear anything bad about LMA, and while Nic's most recent season was fresh in our minds. Just another example of fiction becoming truth through repetition of said fiction...
Eh, not the same thing. Batum lacked drive, which I don't think could be said about Aldridge. I think LaMarcus was driven because I know he wanted to make the All-Star team. I know he wanted to win in the playoffs. The problem with Aldridge was that he wouldn't do what was necessary to win. He didn't have a killer instinct. That's not the same thing as being motivated. I think LA was selfish and stubborn. I think Batum was lazy and unmotivated. He could have probably gone out and gotten damn near a triple double every night, but we just never saw the effort. LA averaged over 20 and 10 so I don't think effort was the problem. LA was just insecure and mentally soft.
Consistency in what way? My point is that Nic never tapped into his full potential. In fact, I don't think he tapped into 50% of his potential. The beef that some fans had was that it looked like he just really wasn't trying that hard. Especially on defense. He could have been one of the best defenders in the league. He hardly ever attacked the basket after his rookie season. He would have these amazing games and then just very underwhelming games. People were annoyed because they could see the potential, but he never lived up to the potential.
I wanted to trade LA two years ago when the rumors first surfaced that he wanted out. And in regards to Batum, it's not so much that we're better off without him, but that he's a free agent after this year and he was going to get grossly overpaid so I'm just happy we're not the ones doing it.
People think that there's only one way to give effort, and that's by LOOKING like you're working hard. I think that's bullshit. People have different demeanors and their bodies move differently. I don't think he had a problem with effort. He had a problem dribbling the ball, and that's what held him back from reaching his imagined potential. If he could have dribbled better I'm sure he would have attacked the hoop more. But for a below-average dribbler he maximized his ability to facilitate on the offensive end. I think Nic was the poster boy for doing what his coaches asked him to do. He knew he was always 4th (at best) in the pecking order. He played on the periphery so that Roy/LMA/Dame/Wes could be on center stage.
I disagree. I think he put himself in a position where he was tired and usually injured because he gave so much of himself to the French team. It seemed to me like he was coasting on both ends of the floor.
In one sentence you say he gave so much of himself to the French National Team. In the next you say he's a coaster. Seems counter-intuitive to me.
Notice that those are two completely different teams and organizations. With that said, giving his time to the French team doesn't necessarily mean that he applied himself on the basketball court. I mean, in the years that he was here, where did you see him really improve an aspect of his game offensively? Did he develop a post game? No. Did he improve his ball handling? Not really. Did he develop any kind of other offensive move that could be used by the coaches? No. He was just a spot up three point shooter, which is what he was when he came into the league. That's pathetic. Dame's outside shot is not doing so well, but how much better is he at getting into the lane? The guy has really worked on his all-around offensive repertoire, and he's a much different player than he was when he was a rookie three years ago.
People will get pissed at CJ. Dude is going to have some empty nights and turnovers. But he's also going to drop 50 in a game this season. Harkless, because I see a lot of people too high on him. Aminu, people are going to want him to stop taking 3s some games.
I loved Batum. But I always wished he would have skipped the French summer tournaments, and instead spent that time resting, getting stronger, and working on improving some aspect of his game. LaTex did. Wes did. Dame does. Nico didn't, because he was busy carrying his French national team and and wearing himself out in the process. That's why he didn't improve, and that's why he was always playing hurt.
I think the slackers on the current team are: Harkless Aminu Lillard Leonard Frazier Plumlee Kamen Alexander Vonleh McCollum Crabbe Davis Montero Henderson the other one, the one I can't think of, is ok. barfo
