I just love the way he plays, and he has a lot of talent. As his game develops and he gets more minutes I have a feeling we are going to see a real force at the SF spot for years to come. So here are my questions: 1.) Is Nic the future at the SF position for the Blazers? Why or why not. 2.) What is your favorite or least favorite thing about Nic's game.
I think so. He has such amazing defense, and offensively he shows flashes of brilliance. 35% from three for a 20 year old is not too bad (49% from two). He's very athletic, but the thing that impresses me the most about his offense is his court vision and passing ability. He has a good basketball IQ and a lot of determination. He makes some rookie mistakes now, but he'll be a great player. As you can see below, I've already put him in my big four.
I love watching the kid play. Seeing him get back in transition and block a shot from behind at full speed is a thing of beauty. I think if he can work hard on his offensive game in the off season he'll be the favorite to start at SF again next season (barring big trade or signing). I'd like to see him get more minutes than he does right now. It seems like the only time he gets any extended play time is when his shot is falling early.
I like Batum, a lot. As young as he is it is ridiculous where he is already and how much potential he has. His jumper needs work but just by what I see so far i think that can be an easy fix with work over the next few summers. What really makes him stand out to me is his hustle. With that said the league better pray to God that he doesnt develop into Tayshaun or Pippen mold that some project for him. Cuz if he does with the line-up that we already have the league is in TROUBLE. That is the kind of piece that could make us dominate.
I'm quite certain he is. He's too heady and good for what was supposed to be a raw 19 year old for him not to have a pretty impressive ceiling. And his defense will be hugely valuable to a contending core. Well, my favourite thing has to be his defense. It's not just that he's quick, long and athletic...it's how he uses it. He's so versatile...not only can he defend his position well, he can match up even with quick point guards, which is truly remarkable. He has the potential, down the road, to be the perfect perimeter stopper...a player you can match up against the other team's best perimeter player, no matter who that is...Chris Paul, Tony Parker or Danny Granger, Kevin Durant. My least favourite thing is that he currently doesn't know how to create his own shot. He seems to have the ability to handle the ball, he's quick and athletic and he can shoot the ball...so he has all the tools to be able to create offense. I think and hope it will come, but for now, he needs to score off the activity of someone else. Either as a spot-up shooter, receiving a pass on a cut or scoring on the break.
sometimes when looking at the boxscore it can seem like he's a ghost but its hard to quantify all the little intangibles he does on the floor that create pressure, coverage and general defense. the kid has the potential to be a rock on the court, not a headliner or 'wow! did you see that!' type player, but the type of guy that every other coach in the league would love to have on their squad.
I really like Batum's game also. Is he the future? I don't know. I hope so, but there is a long way for him to grow and not all promising young players develop into above average starters. What I like about Batum's game: Fluidity in movement. Natural-born baller. Likes to play defense. Length. How he puts that all together to be a disruptive defender. Besides the usual learning the game that a young player has to do, he needs to fill out his body and become stronger; needs to make his shot consistent; add a mid-range shot to his skill-set; work on his ball-handling so he can be more involved in set plays.
Is Nicolas the future SF? Yep, he'll be great 2-3 years from now. Favorite part of his game? Great team defender. I don't think he's a great one-on-one defender yet, but his off-ball defense is pretty good. Least favorite part? Inconsistent outside shooting
The most frustrating thing for me is that he could have developed instantly into Butler or Wallace via a trade, but we decided to hold onto him. I think we would have been definitely better than Denver with one of those two guys.
He will be the future SF of the team. He's got insane length and good BB IQ. There's a reason he was speculated as a top-5 pick (and a reason why I was advocating for him long before the draft). He's a very good player and I'm sure the Spurs were after him, which is another good sign. Just look at what Batum was wearing on draft day. He has time to rework his jumper. He's so young and will be a very good player. He'll probably never be a 1a scorer, but he'll be that intangibles guy like a Battier who gives you word-class defense (his length helps), knocks down threes, makes good passes, etc. etc. He's that sort of player and could become the best of that type. Which every successful team can use. Rudy hasn't been as good as you would hope for, but considering we drafted him late in the first-round, it's hard to call him a disappointment.
I don't like picking the obvious guys such as Nic as my favorite players, I think I'm going to cut against the grain and just go with a cult favorite like Brandon (crazy I know). On a more serious note; yeah there is a ton to like about Nicolas' game and as he gets stronger and hopefully gets more comfortable from the perimeter he's going to a lot of fun to watch -- I see him as hugely important matching up against guys like Kobe in the short term and Durant in the long term.
He has great instincts. Like Rudy he seems to always know where the ball is going. My fear about Euro players is that although they seem to play well at an early age, (Because they turn pro so early) do they slow down once they start playing for their National teams? When do they work on their game? They don't seem to have much of an off season to work on it. Sergio is a perfect example. Seems like he improved most last season when he didn't make his national team for the first time in years. Hopefully Batum will find the time. Maybe it's best we get swept in the playoffs. (kidding)
To answer you first question, he is the future starting forward for this team. And if I had to pick one thing that I dislike about his game it would be his consistancy of his jump shot.
It speaks volumes that Nic already guards the opposing teams best offensive guard/wing. I remember an article this summer from the Oregonian that said Nic measured 6'9" in shoes. He has all the tools to become an elite defender, like Bobby Jones.
I like him. I think that if he would drive the rim a bit more, with his length, he could go over almost anyone with layups and dunks. He tends to default to jumpshots early, which if they are off, gets him off the court early. Taking it inside a few moer times and getting some points would help him extend his minutes in my opinion. Can't find much fault in his defense, he has helped shut down some of the best players in the association.
