Babbitt - A Bit Concerning (re: Playing Defense)

I hope he's kidding with this remark.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20100725/SPORTS06/7250325/1018/SPORTS


Sure, playing defense is somewhat of an acquired skill, but I certainly hope we're not talking about a guy who's essentially starting from scratch.

 

I am would guess what he meant was "I focused more on defense this week than I ever have before"

 

The only thing that's concerning about it is that he still wasn't very good on defense, and that supposedly was his main focus.

 

Yeah, probably.

I caught only a couple of SL games on TV. What I saw of Babbitt's defensive abilities/display was about what I had expected. Long way to go. However, the good news is, this guy is a perfectionist. I'm fairly certain, with the right coaching and focus, he'll make big strides in this area.

Perhaps Nic will help give him some pointers.

 

He better do it quick since tommorrow is Monday and Batum might be packing his bags soon.

 

might??

 

The kid is physical enough to kinda be like Harpring, just needs the attitude.

 

He wasn't drafted to be a defensive stopper. If people expect that of him, they are going to be disappointed. Do we have to go over the whole idea of "role players" again? Or, are limited bench players who excel in their assigned role going to be ripped for not being great all-around players?

 

The last two games his defense didn't seem bad.

 

You can go over whatever you'd like. I see him as someone the Blazers traded a former starter for to move up to a draft spot just below the lottery. That, coupled with the fact they spent their entire MLE on a defensive specialist. Yeah, I'd expect him to be able to play some defense in Nate's system.

 

So, the Blazers traded a bench player for a sub-lottery pick who makes less money per year. Again, he wasn't drafted for his defense, and as you said, the Blazers picked up their defensive help in Matthews.

I just don't see how some of you people think teams are constructed. I'd rather have a role player who is an "A" in a position of need as opposed to a role player who is a "C+" at all facets of the game.

 

To be honest, I think Blazer management thought Batum was a goner on the night they drafted Babbitt. That would ultimately have thrust him into slightly-more-than-role-player funtion. Still may. In fact, the jury may still be out on if Batum stays with the team.

Regardless, I'm hopeful this cat takes playing D very, very seriously.

 

It's like your buddy Rebecca. I'd rather have someone who performs an A at what counts and not care about the C+ at what doesn't. I must be talking about her Princeton IQ.

 

I think you're still talking about Wavy Gravy and the 60s, Pops. Did you take the blue acid?

 

The ones with the waves on top of the purple? That was called Purple Haze. Naah, I stuck to Orange Sunshine. More mellow, less rigorous.

 

You scream "Blue", though.

 

The blues were before my time. So were the black Inkspots. But have you seen the color of the wind?

 

Have I seen it? I live the wind.

 

And hold on there. Hendrix performed Purple Haze at Woodstock. Things aren't consistent, here.

 

Bitchin'!! Hang 10!!