But, as the article states, they ain't gettin' him. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Nuggets-want-Trail-Blazers-Batum?urn=nba-282113
Re: Denver Wants Batun I assume they want a three-way deal so we can have the obligation of trading Batum to a Division rival for some random Knick crap? Crap that they themselves obviously don't want, either. Uhh, no.
Re: Denver Wants Batun As much as I like Batum, I see Cunningham as a perfectly good replacement for him [I'll regret saying that, I just know I will]. Maybe we could pick up an excellent reserve PF.
Re: Denver Wants Batun I'm all for trading away our starting SF, who some wouldn't trade for CP3, for a reserve PF.
Re: Denver Wants Batun Can you provide an interview or any link where Nate calls Dante a SF? I don't believe Dante has played the 3 in his entire NBA career, let alone in college.
Re: Denver Wants Batun http://www.beyondthebeat.net/201009...eady-for-an-increased-role-with-portland.html "As a small forward he now fits in the second unit perfectly " http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/bviewplayer.asp?Player=61676 Rivals.com draft preview: "Dante Cunningham #33 - Small Forward" http://swamigp.wordpress.com/2010/0...ls-in-blazers-summer-league-win-over-rockets/ "Small forward Dante Cunningham, who played very well in limited action last season, looked anxious early on, but settled into a groove" http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/10/dante_cunninghams_love_of_dirt.html OregonLive talking about him naturally being a SF but forced into the PF role..."When he arrived in Portland last season, there was debate whether he was a small forward or a power forward. But when Travis Outlaw went out with a broken foot, he was quickly forced into the power forward role. Knowing that McMillan likes to use a "stretch" power forward, meaning a smaller forward who can play on the perimeter to stretch the defense" So not to say Nate calls him a SF, but I've certainly never heard anyone think his game is more of a pure PF game as he's always been a SF that can play tough and fill that PF spot when needed (much like Brandon is a SG that can play the PG spot when needed, but it isn't his natural position). And many of the draft scouts listed him as a forward since he played more of the SF type of game but in the PF role at the college level since he was so dominant at Nova and could get away with playing at the 4 since he was so high of a level compared to the competition. So I'd agree with the other posters. As much as I like Batum, his "stock" is high now just like Rudy's was a couple years ago. Might be a good time to sell while it's high, because Dante is the real deal and appears not to be a huge drop-off in talent at that SF spot.
Re: Denver Wants Batun Dante's body and athleticism make it appear to the fan that he is fully capable of playing the SF position. I think he can fill minutes at the position. However, the discussion isn't necessarily can he play SF, but has he? Yes or No question: Has Dante ever played SF as a Blazer? What position did Dante play at Nova? Simple questions, which require simple answers...
I say let Denver have him IF we can get back Chris Paul or something else we really want. Despite all we hear about how freaking great he is he still gets about the same minutes he got as a rookie, and gets the same crap from the coach he got as a rookie and as a second year player. Unlike the other veterans he doesn't get to play through his ups and downs...he gets benched. If we're going to use him this way we might as well move him for a more useable player.
