He is not freakishly athletic. Most wing players are probably just as athletic as him. It's actually my opinion that Chandler is more athletic, since strength factors in as well. [video=youtube;vLD19ypf4uw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLD19ypf4uw[/video]
Watching that video I was really surprised at Gallinari's dunks.. They are more impressive than any of Batum's in my opinion. Freakish athlete?
A youtube video is not going to convince me of anything. I've watched almost every game of his career. I know his style of play. As far as the attributes you listed, again, that doesn't tell me a whole lot. Players like Austin Days and Anthony Randolph possess those same attributes. Are they "special" players as well? As far as him being unselfish, I actually see that as a weakness. He's too unselfish aka meaning he's not very aggressive. That's a negative. His defense is above average but not great. He's assisted on 81% of his shots. The guy doesn't have the great ability to create his own shot because his handle isn't that great. Most of the times he's on the fastbreak he's looking to pass it for that very reason, not to mention once again he's not aggressive enough. He's a nice young player, but special he is not, unless you have low expectations for special players.
Im glad you value that little thing called defense, it wins championships.. Nic is good at that thing called defense. Im glad you see where im coming from..
Of course we'd be interested in Nene. I'd be surprised if he were attainable at a price we were willing to pay, however.
I think we would be lucky to get Nene but i just dont see it happening unless Denver needed some cap relief.. If they are looking for cap relief we have both miller and Camby as expiring.. Packaging those two for Nene and another bad contract would clear around 17million for them.. This is the kind of deal we can do because paul is rich, i doubt the nuggets would do this although Nene has been talked about in trades for years..
A bad series and all the sudden the 22 year old Batum is in the doghouse with Blazer fans. I'd probably have Batum over Chandler and Gallinari, but I don't think its outrageous that people think that way.
I wonder, without looking at salaries, if Batum, Rudy, Camby or Miller and a 1st would be enough for Nene and Lawson?
actually, I'm not "high as fuck" or "still pissed" about his Playoff performance. As for "better body of work", Chandler has had higher scoring averages, rebounding averages and Gallinari has had higher scoring averages (although shot much worse). So if they're "scrubs", with higher ppg averages, better rebounding #'s, and similar (if not better) shooting touches, what does that say about Batum then? that said, I'm not in favor of trading Nic (anymore than I am trading anyone else who is a solid player), but that I think people might be over stating his value a bit.
apparently you don't realize that Nene's contract is up after this season... his 11.6M is every bit as expiring as Camby's 11.1M STOMP
I like Nic ... but after a pretty mediocre third season I wouldn't call him untouchable and he didn't do so much in the playoffs that I would call him untouchable. On the other hand, I'd call Chandler and Gallinari comparable talents at worst and more honestly they are probably better overall NBA small forwards (Chandler for his slightly better defense and rebounding and Gallo for his long range shooting).
You are absolutely right about defense wins championships, buy that defense starts in the paint. Nene can play both center and power forward very well defensively. He actually has a low post game and isn't afraid of contact or establishing position for a back to the basket post up. Also, he is an excellent rebounder too. Also we have a great wing defender in g Wallace that will be starting. This makes batum expendable; which we can use to fill a deep tapping hole at 4 and 5.
IF Batum worked on his post up and short range game, he could be deadly and we could regret trading him. I have a feeling he's worked too much on defense in practice and that a productive off-season working on his moves could go a loooong way. If he actually attacked the basket and had confidence in some go to moves it could have been the difference in the mavs series
This is what I would love to see. 3 team deal. Portland trades: Camby, R. Fern, and Batum Denver trades: Nene, Felton and Anderson Washington trades: McGee and Lewis Portland gets: McGee, Anderson and Felton Washington gets: Nene and Fernandez Denver gets: Camby, Batum and Lewis
Honestly, I just don't see Denver trading with us, even if they get a killer deal. When was the last time Portland ever made a deal within it's own division. As much as I would love to have Nene; I think our only chance to land him is via "free agency" and that is impossible; or someone deals with Denver, then makes a deal with us on the same day or something.
Well, it sounds l ike they were trying to include us in the original Carmelo deal, so I wouldn't say it is out of the question. I think first and foremost, you look to help yourself, and if for some odd reason they felt that with Gallinari and Chandler in the fold, adding Batum for Nene was a good deal for them, then they'd do it. As for deals within the division, last season we moved Webster to Minnesota for Babbitt and Gomes. We traded Foye for Roy. Deron(pick) for Webster and Jacck(picks). I tmight not happen all the time, but if a team likes what they can get, they will do it regardless of division or not.
I've heard rumors that the Blazers have been interested in Nene for the last few years. I'd love to see him in a Trail Blazer uni!
