They will put Brandon on Radman. Nate would not have BRoy chasing Kobe around until crunch time. I don't mind him starting. It's just like SA with Manu.
It's a good move. Batum is just being asked to play D and rebound. He can do that. The only problem I see is that it gives the refs somebody to zero in on for foul calls. I expect us to dump the ball into GO and LMA early in the game and see how that works out. Hopefully they will play well as they are the keys imo.
I wonder if we'll see Blake on Kobe for a part of the game. He did a pretty good job on him last year.
I was under the impression that Nate was going to put Roy on Kobe... Why is everyone assume we'll put a rookie on him? I think Batum can help and clog the lanes with his long arms and still get out and cover Radman on the perimeter.
Roy said it himself, that he'd be guarding him. If Brandon was out with two early fouls, then Rudy would be on him, and he's already experienced there. Kobe's Kobe either way, but at least we'll have a couple of fearless guys on him.
Roy guarded him quite a bit at the end of last season. If someone is going to help out though it might be Blake. Blake has done a decent job in the past. Not lock down, but reasonable. I can't imagine Batum guarding anyone but Rad-man--which might be a great matchup.
This actually reflects very poorly on Outlaw. He should be the one in the starting lineup, but his game is so erratic and one-dimensional that McMillan feels better having him come off the bench.
I don't think anyone on our roster can keep him out of the paint, it's what happens after he gets there that'll be interesting. I guess we will see how much respect the refs will give G.O., in game one this season.
Hmm, got this one right. Prepare for more insight all season long! http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/10/lakersblazers_preview_we_are_t.html
Lincoln never said any of that. Fact Check: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/l/lincoln-quotes.htm http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/William.Boetcker.Quote.C3F9
What about the possibility of Steve Blake guarding Kobe as well? Didn't he show some success against Kobe?
Yah, I think Kobe only scored 40 on him that game. Does anyone remember who was "guarding" Kobe the year he went off for like 65 against us?
Batum belongs on the bench, next to Diogu. He's an inexperienced rookie who has had 2 good preseason games. Nate always seems to play his weakest players in order to not upset his vision of 2 permanent lineups, a starter lineup and a 2nd team. Completely unrealistic given injuries are a fact of life in the NBA. His stubborness in adhering to this policy limits his players from developing familiarity with their other teammates, and loses us many a game. In this instance, Travis, or Rudy, would serve us far better against the Rapers than Batum.
