Oh, and just to be clear, I do think that Batum is a better defender than Webster; slightly better at guarding SFs and SGs, and a more versatile defender in general because of his length. I don't think though, that it is enough to cover up his deficiencies on the offensive end, and that was clearly shown in the playoffs.
They are not the same. They had the same defensive win score but Batum did it in 2/3 of the time - which tells you he was a better defender by quite a nice margin with a lot less experience. Webster's DWS as a rookie was 0.1 in more than a 1000 minutes... And... the idea that Webster is a better player on offense is funny - because he never was...
Maybe I'm being extremely naive, but I think we're going to see a much more aggressive player on offense this season. Nic was a major part of the French team's offensive attack during Eurobasket play and while people will point to that and say it's not the same as the NBA, this was also a role Nic has never really played in any of his previous international competition ... Maybe I'm crazy, but I think we're going to see a substantial leap in the development of his game this season.
Significantly better than Batum. I can't believe how overrated Batum as become. People are actually defending his offensive performance last year. Utter balls.
exactly how many autographed Martell jerseys do you own? You're flailing this questionable opinion is held by both the head coach and GM, and the stats back it up. What sort of sig bet would you like to make on which player starts more games and plays more minutes? Of course if one guy suffered a significant injury it would be off. STOMP
Batum's clearly the better player. However, even if you disagree, you have to acknowledge that Batum's rookie performance was at least comparable to Webster's third year. A 19 year old rookie who started the year barely speaking any English on a 54 win team performed as well or better than a third-year American who put up his numbers on a 41 win team. Even Roy has said it's only a matter of time and effort before Batum is a star in this league. Pretty strong endorsement for a rookie.
Webster's 3rd year (best) vs. Nic's rookie year, only offensive stats: http://www.basketball-reference.com...m=0&p1=batumni01&y1=2009&p2=webstma02&y2=2008 FG% - Nic > Webster 3P% - Webster > Nic FT% - Nic > Webster eFG% - Nic > Webster TS% - Nic > Webster AST% - Nic > Webster ORB% - Nic > Webster PER - Nic > Webster Yeah - Webster is better than Nic in one category only(*), and even that is not significant... Webster is a nice role player that might be ready to become better - but he has never been a better offensive player than Nic in the NBA. (*) For the record - Webster got his output with a higher usage% than Nic - one assumes that as Nic matures and becomes more experienced - the coaching staff will use him more and give him more minutes. It is amazing that the "overrated" rookie, used less than the 3-year veteran and playing mostly for his defensive acumen - was a better offensive player than said-veteran...
Well for the most part, I wish him the best for this season. He has all the attributes to be a significant role player on this team. His NBA body is one that many in the league wish they have. If he can get past that "mental block" that's plagued him so many times throughout his career, he would be a serious force to be reckoned with. I would love to see a more "mild mannered" Webster, with the exception of wanting to force other teams to guard him from driving to the rim. His outside shot is the decoy, not his #1 option. I want to see him use that, to gain space so he has enough room to go hard to the rim. He's either going to get fouled, or have a nice poster dunk on their "big man"
This is the second post of yours where you commented on how great Webster's body is. Maybe I'm being old-fashioned, but I think he's a little young for you, Mags.
None, actually. I have never said that Webster is a better defender than Batum, only that Batum is not as much better as most people seem to think.
You're angry and confused. I haven't seen anyone here claim that Batum was a good offensive player. People here are pointing out that Webster is just as bad on offense. So, let's rework your sentence: "I can't believe how overrated Webster as become. People are actually defending his offensive performance his last three healthy years. Utter balls." Both players were poor offensive players the last time we saw them play meaningful games. Webster's poor performance was part of a three-year stagnation. Batum's was in his rookie season, at a younger age. So, Batum actually has a significant hope of improving. And he plays good defense.
I think you are confused. He was saying they both aren't very good on offense but he believes that Webster is better, and so do I. And Webster doesn't have hope of improving? His rookie season he was a year younger than Batum and he is still only 22. Webster also plays good defense.
As far as offensive ability, Webster is purely more offensively talented than Batum. The reason the jury is out on Webster is all mental. If he chooses to use the gifts God gave him, he would be a monster. Getting to that point is what's in question. But IMO, I think getting there would be much easier if the coaching staff tried to motivate him to attack the rim. Get fouled, get easy points going to the line, and make damn sure you play hard defense. That will negate more confidence, which will negate him gambling more offensively, which negates to Blazer success.
I always thought it was a coaching mistake to camp Martell out in the corner, let him stand and think too much, then occassionally pass him the ball and expect him to shoot it and make it cold and flat-footed. It is the common interpretation that the kid was all psyched out. In my personal experience I'd much rather move without the ball, be involved with running plays, and take a variety of shots within the offense when I'm juiced up and not thinking about it. Kind of the way young Martell was used in a certain mythical quarter a couple of years ago.
He was saying he couldn't believe people were "defending" Batum's offensive performance, as if people were arguing that Batum did well offensively. That is what I was referring to. No one is extolling Batum's offensive virtues from last season; people were pointing out that Webster hasn't contributed significantly more on offense. He does, but it's quite a bit less since he hasn't improved in three years of play. We'll have to agree to disagree. He may have the tools to be a solid defender...he doesn't actually defend well, as far as I'm concerned.
Can't wait until the season starts for we can see both of them playing! You think there will be times when Webster is the SG and Batum is in as SF?
Considering shooting guard is even more stocked, with Roy and Fernandez both needing time, it's hard to envision Webster getting minutes there.
