Its becoming more obvious that Matthews and Batum

Should not even be close to untouchable. The more I watch these guys, I realize they are just pieces around a good team. They arent legit every night scorers who will guarantee 15-20 a night. they are streaky players who tend to disappear from night to night. They are very good defenders but if ya cant score you cant win. My thinking is they are more of 3-4 option rather then a 2nd option. Now that LA has emerged as a star, he needs another next to him. Roy would be perfect but that ship has sailed. The BLazers should really offer wes or nic and see what kind of deal they can get or get into for a legit 2nd option. Im am so tired of these games last night where you know they are of no value on offense. If Rudy doesnt go fucking crazy we lose that game. Its that simple. Anyhow, cho needs to shut his mouth about not trading these two. Good players, yes. Untouchable no.

 

Wow, they should hire you as a scout. You've already mapped out the future for a player that's played 2.5 seasons and another who has played 1.5 seasons, yet they are already holding down the fort as starters as well as posting respectable numbers.

They're not untouchable, but we damn well better make sure what we're getting back for them is well worth it.

 

I don't think anyone think they are legit 2nd/3rd options on a contending team. They are inconsistent but both are young (Matthews in terms of seasons played) and play good defense. No, they should not be untouchable, and yes, without Roy, the Blazers need a legit 2nd option to go far in the playoffs, but that's nothing new.

 

im glad someone is using their brain and not heart this morning!

 

I think Wesley has been a bit banged up lately which has effected his performance. Batum's problem is that he plays soft. Sometimes guys take a few years to toughen up. Sometimes they never do. Neither one of them was untouchable to begin with, but this is only Wesleys second season and he is on schedule to become a 20 point per game scorer within a season or two. He is averaging 16 now, and he hasn't even been playing as well as he can.

Right now though IMO, the main problem Portland needs to address is the bench. You don't trade starters for bench players. What Cho really needs is to find a replacement for Mills who is flat out horrible unless he is scoring, then he is mediocre. He needs to bring in a new backup PF type and he needs a real backup SF. Basically a whole new bench. That is what would help the team the most right now.

 

Batum had 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks yesterday, and 5 clutch points that ensured our victory yesterday. And his defense in the fourth quarter was unbelievable.

Stop just looking at the points column.

 

Can you explain to me why I can't expect to have offense with my defense? Just a little offense. Yes parts of Batum's game are good. But other parts are completely missing. I don't think it is too much to ask for the starting small forward to score a dozen points per game along with the defense. When I say a dozen points per game, I mean a dozen points per game. Not scoring 27 one game and then nothing for 2 games. Show up every night. That is what makes good teams is players who show up to play every night. Not just part of the time.

 

Oh, snap!

 

They would be our 5th and 6th option is everybody was healthy. They weren't brought here to be go to guys. I'm very happy with what they have brought this year.

 

oh they have been great this year. matthews saved our season. but im saying you cant think of these guys as cornerstones. they are very very good role players.

 

So, when you say "the season is over" it means you use your heart, but when you say "they are not stars, just good role players" you are using your brain.

Good to know you have brain days.

 

This. The bottom line is that Matthews wasn't meant to be a starting two, and he shouldn't be on an elite team. I think he'll be terrific off the bench. As for Nico, he's not about stats--he's supposed to do all the intangibles. Looking at a boxscore is not the way to evaluate his game.

 

If Batum can get us a talented, young PG in a trade, I'd do it. But I don't see any available on the open market right now.

 

They're both average offensively. Maybe a bit above average, but not great. Andre is good, but if you paired Batum and Matthews with someone like Nash or Paul, you could probably make up for a lot of their offensive deficiencies.

 

sad to say but MIXUM is right....i love both players and i still think batum could be something great. im sorry everyone but if you really think matthews is a great "core" piece then you are mistaken. i love his hustle and his work ethic but he just doesnt have it. nice brick off the side of the backboard to start the game off last night..... will the real brandon roy please stand up

 

Batum, Matthews and Aldridge just seem like such a great fit for Steve Nash. Sadly, the Suns have won 6 of their last 7.

 

I don't care how old Nash is, he'd make us great.

 

That's probably true, but in the interim they may have to serve as stopgaps until this roster can be rebuilt - and that could be a couple of years - I don't see either guy as being likely to be dealt, mostly because what can you expect to get back in return? Does a package of Batum and Matthews packaged with an expiring like Joel get you enough of an upgrade to make this a vastly better team? I doubt it.