http://www.dwightjaynes.com/who-does-nicolas-batum-remind-you-of ... Grant Hill. I'm not feeling it ... in fact I'm not sure if there is anyone who Batum reminds me of.
If were talking about his build and demeanor I think Batum reminds me a ton of Grant Hill. Both are soft spoken and have that deer in the headlights look all the time. However, if were talking about their style of play, I don't see many similarities at all.
The closest comparison is Kirilenko. Most argue Prince or Kirilenko, this only speaks volumes of his potential.
I buy the Grant Hill comparison. Prince is closer though. I am not sure if Batum has the playmaker ability that Hill had.
I can see a little Scotty P, and TPrince and even Kirilenko. I see absolutely zero Grant Hill in him. I remember watching Hill in the Rose Garden as as a rookie. I think it was the the first year the league tried to enforce the no hand check rule. It was a parade to the free throw line for Hill because you could not stop him from getting to the basket without fouling him. I have not seen any of those skills from Batum. But if you are going strickly on the way he carries himself well then maybe. But he is younger than Grant was too.
Drafting a Tayshaun Prince at #25? Nothing wrong with that. I wasn't at the Utah game, and the only other game I've seen is the Kings game. So I can't say too much about his game. But if he was even half the player Grant Hill was, that would be a steal.
That's around where the real Prince was drafted. I was at the Utah game, and the biggest part I liked about him is that he's always active and gives a lot of effort. Also, he always seemed to be at the right place at the right time. He knows what he's supposed to do, and does a good job of it.
That's the best one I've seen yet. I think he's a little taller and more athletic than Prince though. But Batum is a great 4th-5th banana. He was a lottery prospect coming into last year but he didn't impress scouts with that alpha dog mentality and didn't carry his team like a true lottery pick should be able to. He doesn't force anything and lets the game come to him. He's perfect for the Blazers.
I'm not sure you guys read Jaynes comparison. He said he's reminds him of Grant Hill in the way he carries himself, his body build and demeanor. That doesn't mean he plays like Grant Hill. From what I've seen of Batum the comparison that he's made seems dead on.
The "build and demeanor" comparisons I personally find kind of useless... he could be built like Hank Hill, as long as he plays great!
Dang i love Batum. Not in my wildest dreams would I have imagined he would have a good shot to start for us on opening day. I think he is just the perfect compliment to that starting line-up, and can leave Rudy as the main playmaker w/ the potent 2nd unit.
Batum looks like a magnificent selection for so late in the first round. And let's remember that had Pritchard not been the canny wheeler-dealer that he is, Houston would have selected Arthur, San Antonio would have selected Batum and Portland would have been left out in the cold. When the player is coveted by Prichard and RC Buford, that's good enough for me to believe he's quite a talent. I expected him to be a pure project for the first couple of seasons. If he can be a contributor from Day 1, that'll be amazing and put a limitless ceiling on him. "Raw" 19 year olds are not supposed to be able to step onto NBA floors and play well. If he can, imagine what he'll be able to do when he's 24.
