Merged: OT: Mavs in the Caron/Haywood sweepstakes now

Yes, it is a risk, which is why I say we try and trade at least Rudy for someone who will be of use to us. Perhaps Bayless or Batum with Rudy if it is an impact player. They can pan out, which will be awesome, but if they don't, our future isn't so bright.

 

Were all living on hopes and dreams with many of these players. I think they're all overrated including Nic Batum.

 

It is true. They are to an extent. Batum is the most overrated by anyone, he has not exactly proven a whole lot, yet is considered untouchable/key piece. I disagree. I may want to try and keep him over someone like Rudy and deal Rudy first, but if we were to get an impact player, I woud not be hesistent to deal Batum if he was required by the other team (and by impact player I mean someone like a Bosh or an all-star who is still relatively young and still makes the all-star game).

 

If KPEEE didn't suck as a GM, he would have FORCED the Wiz to accept our offer!

 

Its not about consistency in a 21 year old, that will come. I'm not sure you realize why Batum has so much potential and is coveted as a trading piece by teams around the league. Basketball instincts, length, lateral quickness, a solid jumper, can defend opposing teams players positions 1-4, newly developed ball handling abilities, capabilities to be a lock down defender with more experience, ability to excel im both uptempo and half court offense. He's 21, will only get better and has shown the ability in just his rookie year to be a very effective defender against the star wing players in the league. I watched him D up Dirk Nowitski and Aaron Brooks in back to back games, which shows his versatility on defense. The only thing I really question about his game is the ability be effective after he puts the ball on the floor and he's already shown strides in that area of his game.

You don't give up on a 21 year old with those type of intangibles.

 

Sorry, I do for the rright price (you're seriously telling me you would not trade Batum for a Bosh hypothetically). I don't tend to overvalue players, once I see consistency then perhaps I will change my tune. But it is cool, we can crown king Batum and if he doesn't work out, then what? I remember everyone was into Rudy last year and I was too, but I would have included him in trades last year if need be. I want to see consistency, not just flashes only to fizzle out.

 

How objective of you. You are an inspiration.

You're open to overrating players if you see some consistency?

That's all we ask.

Tear it down and rebuild. Honestly, unless Batum pans out, this era of Portland basketball is down the tubes.

"Everyone" is everyone's popular scapegoat. Poor "everyone." The best way to illustrate folly is to blame Everyone for his/her (?) opinions.

I thought you don't overrate players? Are you quashing the inspiration?

That's a unique perspective. Most people want to see flashes that fizzle out. In fact, everyone used to want that. Silly everyone.

 

Rebuild... Fun. And *sigh* you took a lot of that out of context.

 

I never said I wouldn't trade Batum for Bosh. Thats you making arguments for me that I never made. Your suggesting that Batum is just another in a long line of inconsistent young prospects on our team, I provided what makes him different. I suppose you don't understand the premium throughout the league on players with Batum's abilities, a lot of people which they had a young prospect to grow with a young core that has the potential Batum has.

I'm not crowning him king anything, at the least however I think he will top out as a Tayshaun Prince or Lamar Odom type player, a great contributing player on a championship level team, but not a star by any means. That kind of player is far more valuable to a team with a young core like the Blazers than rolling the dice on an aging player like Caron Butler who has only proven while in the league that he can put up good numbers on bad teams.

 

You've given Batum 9 games since coming back from injury to show consistency. Numbers I see show consistency, the games he wasn't consistent are the ones where he was left out of the offense. What was it one shot attempt he got against Phoenix?

 

I was kidding. You took it too seriously. I was responding to your sarcasm ("King Batum") with some good-natured ribbing.

Maybe a little but not much. Saying "I don't overrate players" is a bit arrogant. Akin to "I correctly evaluate players and you don't." As if anyone believes they overrate players. Everyone thinks they're rating players correctly, or else they'd rate them differently.

 

Yet, like most of KP's talent, he lacks aggression. This is why I have adopted the wait and see approach. Oh and consistancy.

 

People said Tim Duncan lacked aggression as a youngster. His fingers suffer from arthritis from all the rings he owns.

 

He traded Rodriquez and Frye, both of whom he liked very much. I don't think his "buddy relationship" with anybody keeps him from making trades.

 

Pritch didn't trade away Frye, he was a free agent

 

He let his buddy leave. In fact, he renounced his buddy. That's cold. Cold like a ruthless GM.

 

This thing is a done deal...http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors

 

i believe it is, but espn rumor central, "butler may be heading to mavs" isnt the best source lol.