Maybe. Do we really know if that is it or is he just not developing as fast as some were hoping? I mean does this slow-as-molasses system hamper Wes's development? If he was not doing well many would say that. Does this slow system hamper Aldridge? If he is doing bad, many would say so. But he seems to thriving this year. My point is anyone who isn't developing it is easy to point fingers at the coach and the system . . . but more often than not, IMO, it is the player and not the coach. I think Batum is playing alright. It's tough with all the added pressure of scoring. I wish he could go back to being the defensive guy who is not counted on to score. Scoring consistently and creating his own shot won't happen overnight.
Maybe. I can't really say as I don't know if he can. Which means either: A) Nate won't let him. B) He can but isn't comfortable yet doing so in games. C) He can't. Period. I wish we knew the right answer.
I would go with a nice little 50/50 mix between B and C. I just find A to be ridiculous and I'm sure some people here actually believe it. It wouldn't surprise me with what he currently has in his offensive arsenal he's not comfortable using in games, not too mention just a lack of confidence in general. Pretty normal for a player that just turned 22. I also think his offensive game is still developing to a point where he can consistently be more than just a shooter and that's also normal for a player that is 22. In the end he's still pretty young and clearly still developing his game. It'd be nice if people would realize it and not act as if Batum is ready to step in and be a big part of the offense like Wesley was able to do.
However, I have to admit that with this his third year in the NBA and with recent international tournaments under his belt, he seems to have stopped developing for now. That's puzzling. I'm still in his camp, but would like to see more. Also, with respect to Nate, you may be right- but I have my doubts. However, either way, with Roy's career seemingly ended and without a quality finisher on the team, I would hope Nate would really get him involved more in the offense. It's important for the team.
Why is nobody mentioning that losing Monty Williams is most likely why Batum hasn't taken another leap. Monty was Nic's position coach and the two supposedly were tight. I believe that is why Batum hasn't grown as much this season, he probably isn't as comfortable.
I would hope Nic is above that. He's trained with probably 100+ coaches in his time and now the loss of one single coach shoots his confidence and advancement as a player? When we have other high quality coaches? Not buying that one. Which is possibly why no one is mentioning it. But let's say you're on to something. That the leaving of this one of 100 coaches voices he had heard is enough to derail his career- or at least cease it's development. That speaks very very poorly of Nic.
They were VERY close. Monty was like a big brother and worked with him nonstop. It has had an effect I believe.
Batum was all potential before, displaying temporary glimpses of talent a few times each game. He wasn't a team star, displaying it all game long. What has changed is those few opportunities per game. He no longer sees any. It's either because 1) those few opportunities no longer happen in this season's faster offense, or because 2) they still happen, but he misses them because he's busy doing something else, like thinking of how he can move fast in this season's faster offense.
You guys are funny. Nic has had great games under Nate's coaching. But when Nic has a bad game, it's Nate's fault. Also, we've had games where we run and play at a fast pace with Nate coaching too. Nate coaches and makes decisions and decides minutes based on the skills of the players we have and the best chance to win. I mean, Rudy has had some great games under Nate his rookie season and the last couple weeks, so how is Nate to blame when Rudy plays badly??
I am not judging Nate as a good or bad coach. I just think that different coaches have different positives and negatives, and those match up well or poorly with different players and match up well or poorly with differing situation. There are very very few coaches who I think are skilled enough and flexible enough to be the right coach with any team. I do believe that Nate was the right coach when the team was built around Roy and Oden. He was able to implement a system that played to the abilities of our stars. But with Roy and Oden no longer cornerstones, I think the Blazers need a coach that is not so steeped in the recent Blazer history. And, a coach that will play to the strengths of the players who are left to try and build around, LMA and Batum. LMA can play many systems because he is a very versatile player. But I think he plays a little better the faster the Blazers play. Batum I am unsure about, but I am pretty sure that he can be used effectively in a situation that is not built on all iso's and one that gives him more direct responsibility. Although this thread might sound like Nate bashing (and some posts are) I think that I and some others around here see the situation as a little more grey, where Nate can be a good coach for some players and not for others. Where Nate can be a good coach in some situations and not in others. I also just believe that the Blazers need a change and have just become to stagnant in how they think. This is a problem with almost every coach after a while. That's why you often see good coaches let go. Often, the team will do well with a change and the coach will do well in a new situation. This is not a marriage.
