yet they both are career 37% 3 point shooters. Defensively? Neither is "great"... one is good and one okay when his shot is falling. No. The only time these two could match up on PFs is when the other team goes small and plays a SF at the 4. MW is 6'6 Batum 6'6.5 and both are pretty skinny. STOMP
If Martell can keep playing at a level approximating what he's given in the past week or so, then sure you could say he's "better" than Nic, but without consistency he's just teasing us IMO. In any case I won't look a gift horse in the mouth; he's producing and finally playing like a 6th overall pick instead of the 60th.
You are looking at it the wrong way, Webster's improvement is great for this team long team. I Webster/Batum combo is awesome and CHEAP for now and a few more years at least, especially as both these guys defend so well and Batum can play the 1-3. Keep in mind Batum is likely going to improve his offense a lot the next few years. Also I can see when we go small that Webs plays a little PF with Batum at SF. This also makse shoring up the PF/C position longer term the REAL key IMO gven the long term physical concerns of Oden/Pryz and Pryz's contract situation. In addition even though we are short handed now a consolidation trade is going to have to be made near the deadline or this summer. With the Bayless emergence and Rudy and Nic due back soon we just have too many guys one or two of the expirings could be used with perhaps Rudy or another to perhaps go after a quality PF/C which would be ideal for this team.
so you're siting what you said in training camp and not last week when you were adamant that Webster sucks? and now you're gloating that you were right? whatever dude STOMP
While it IS widely considered that Nic is the better defender of the two, you really have to give Webster his due for the way he's been playing D this year. I'm not so sure that either player is THAT much better than the other at this point. Right now, though, it's Webster's job to lose considering that it's going to take Batum some time to get back to being his normal self.
When we were talking about this back at training camp, I made the point that last year, Batum averaged about 2 points per game. That is also one of the reasons we lost in the playoffs to Houston. You can't go against a good defensive team in the playoffs with only 2 scoring options in your starting lineup. They will take your number 1 and 2 option away. Then if you have no 3rd option, you are screwed. Martell not only defends, Martell has been scoring lately. Even when Martell was scoring in his 3rd year he was averaging 5 times as many points per game as Batum. The facts are if Batum wants to start he will have to pick up his scoring. Not that I think he can't do it, but he needs to show us something first. He had a very good summer scoring and playing out of position in the Euro Tournaments this year, so I think he can. Now that being said, with Martell playing as good as he has, you don't jerk this kid around. I flat out can't believe how well he has been playing. He had like 3 or 4 20 point games in a row. We have waited so long for this kid to have confidence, we can't afford to shatter it just to make some folks happy as to who starts. We don't win that game last night without the D Martell played on Kobe. No ifs, ands or butts.
Yeah, MIXUM, you've been a real Webster supporter all season. Here are a few highlights from some of your posts on the topic: You must think that we have short memories around here and that this forum doesn't have a search function.
Webster is my second favorite player on the team but I'm not going to sit here and say Batum isn't going to start. While Martell has played great defense all year it is obvious Batum is a better defender and can knock down jumpers just as well at times. I really don't have a problem with Batum starting because Bayless Rudy and Webster is a pretty good group to have coming off the bench. Batum and Webster can pretty much split the minutes at 3 which will ensure they are both completely fresh for the playoffs.
At this point I can't put one ahead of the other. They're both budding young small forwards that excel defensively. I could see Coach allowing Batum to have his starting spot back as you shouldn't lose it due to injury, only due to inferior play. I can also see McMillan wanting Batum to ease back into the season and come off the bench. One thing is certain, we have two of the up-and-coming small forwards on our team. That's awesome. Agreed that Webs has been brilliant and one of the highlights of the season. What a great story he has become given what he's gone through!
Webs' PER is up to 12.2. Best of his career. His Defensive Rating is now down to 106. Previously, his best DR was 110. Batum's was 107 to put that in perspective. And, how about the contract Pritchard has his signed to - how freaking reasonable is that!
I think his impact for our team goes beyond his PER and defensive ratings but I could be wrong. Either way he has been great this year and a big reason we have kept our heads above water with all of our injuries.
Moot point really. Even if Batum is 100% recovered before the end of the season, he still has to shake off the cobwebs and get into game shape.
someone told him to eat shit, so he started hacking off body parts and cooking them... hard to type when you have no arms.
