I wouldn't flatly oppose such a trade, but I'm not sure it really does anything for the Blazers in the short term even if he does have a couple of good years left.
50/50 manu is still getting it done and is a nightmare for other teams to contain. he is a little older and on the down-slope of the career bellcurve, but he would help us a LOT just how he is. if we plan on greg coming back (if?!) and crash primarily plays SF then id much rather have Manu slot into that position off the bench when we need a lift than Nic. Nic does have a propencity to disappear in the game and in the score sheet fairly often, when manu comes in he is basically given the full responsibility to score and make a run - we dont have anyone like that really unless roy is having a good-knee day.
Probably wasn't you but some posters were saying the same thing about Aldridge last summer. Outside of Aldridge, I think Batum is next in line in potential to be an all star (maybe Oden before Nic). Doesn't mean he will be an all star, but better chance than any Blazer besides Aldridge, IMO.
I wouldn't consider it. No way. Manu is almost 34 years old and, while he had a good year this year, I don't expect his sudden lack of injuries to be anything approaching permanent. Batum might never emerge as a player as good as Manu is now, but I believe that over the next three or four years, Batum should be better. Beyond that time period, Manu will be out of the league and Batum should just be hitting his prime. Ed O.
Certainly wasn't me. I've always thought LMA is close to being an all-star caliber player, even after his second season. I think Batum has a long way to go, and while it's possible, I think it's highly unlikely. We've had a lot more future all-stars come and go than real all-stars. Having said that, I agree he has the potential, but I see him topping out at a Shane Battier level (which is no knock on Nic).
This is the type of trade I could see us trying to pull off around next trade deadline. Lets say the Blazers have a healthy Greg and are one of the top couple teams in the west. The main piece we are missing is scoring, solid guard play, and contributions off the bench. Batum still has potential but is not progressing much from the previous season. We have Wallace contributing as a superior starting SF. Meanwhile the Spurs have fallen to being a low playoff team and look to be rebuilding. Manu is playing very well but Duncan's play has fallen and the team has no shot at contending. In that scenario I could possibly see the Spurs willing to start the rebuilding with players like Batum and the Blazers willing to cash in greater long term potential for superior short term play and a shot at immediate contention. A scenario such as the one above would be dependent on a number of "if's". If Oden is healthy. If the Blazers are a top west team. If the Spurs are no longer contenting. But next trade deadline Cho should have some major choices. He can try to pick up a vet to take an immediate shot at a deeper playoff run or attempt to cash in Miller and Camby for younger assets. The play of the team, and the progression of Greg Oden, will mostly determine his direction.
when Manu was Nic's age he was a pretty good player for Basket Viola Reggio Calabria. Then he became the 57th pick in the draft and spent 3 more years in Italy. Then he came over and was injury-plagued and didn't start until he was 26.
