From Casey's Blog- CONTINUE READING>>> First off, I didn't realize how stacked the French are becoming in hoops. But, in the end, it all boils down to his shoulder. If the Doc says ok, then fine by me, but I don't want to wake up, get on the net, and read about how he busted up his shoulder again and is out for the half the year again. We don't need another injury filled season like that again. On the other hand, he could learn some sweet new moves as well as learn to be the leader on that team. With so many players out, he becomes the guy and actually will get plays ran for him. I'd love to see him work on his ball handling and translate that over to the season next year and run some point forward.
Yea I hear what you are saying. He will get plenty of opportunity with Parker out to run the point. I just want to it to go smoothly unlike last year. It would just be nice to be going into the year without it starting fucked up before it even begins.
Agreed about the shoulder. But other things equal, I'm all in favor of having Batum play. I think his experience with France last Summer really helped his game. And this year he should be even more of a focus.
I hope he doesn't play. There are plenty of ways for Nic to improve his game without the intenisty of World championship play. He seemed to get banged up pretty easily when he came back which makes me think the shoulder is not 100%. Rest the shoulder and come to camp 100% healthy would be my hope.
If 3 or 4 months of rest can get him right before Worlds then I say let him play. Sure, there's always a chance he could get hurt again and then be unavailable to the Blazers to start the season again, but I think the benefits of being a focal point of the offense (and a defacto point forward) for his national team outweighs the risk. It's the same reason I supported Greg participating in the Team USA workouts last summer; these guys need more PT and experience, than they need rest. Another thing I've wondered is that with all the kid glove treatment some of these guys are getting it seems a bit like parents that fuss over their kids participating in contact sports or who keep their kids "safe" from all of life's dangers, when in reality they are probably installing a "china doll" mentality that makes a person more tentative and less likely to go all out, and as so often happens, people get hurt when they are holding back and not going all out.
Unless the French want to pay his salary next year, and compensate us if he were to reinjure himself, I would say no.
Maybe since he is playing for the french team, they will just surrender before the tournament is done.
This is the risk you take drafting foreign players--they WANT to play for their country at all costs. We have to live with the consequences just like the Spurs have to live with the consequences of Tony Parker getting hurt in the games etc
Well considering both Parker and Manu got hurt badly last summer, that isn't a good sign. But it is also good to remember that players from the USA play in summer international ball too. The thing is, it is much easier for players from other countries to actually make their national team. In the USA, not so easy.
