He averaged 12/5/3 (all rounded) last year. I think he will be an improved player for sure, and have a bigger role for us, but historically players winning that award have a large statistical increase. I don't see him jumping that much in ppg. Maybe 16 or 17, but no more than that IMO.
I think he could win it if the Blazers win, and he's seen as the key to that, despite his stats. Long shot, for sure. The other way is if he becomes a starter, which certainly can still happen. barfo
I'm just worried about the minutes as long as Crash is around. I wouldn't be surprised if they move Crash if they can get something decent back in return. It just feels like they have to loosen the reigns with Nic now. He's still young, but it's time to see what he can do with 35-38 minutes/game. I don't think that's going to happen right away with Crash around. But who knows? A trade or injury could open things up. But as it stands today, I'm afraid Nic's numbers may look similar to the Playoff Series with Dallas last year last year (25 minutes, 8 PPG, 7 FGA). I suppose the silver lining is that we don't have to splurge on a contract extension if he's not posting big numbers.
I'm afraid Batum may be one of those types that always teases us with flashes of great play, and hopes he'll be great due to his physical gifts, but never quite becomes anything more than a tease. He's been in the league a few years now, he's not a pup. Time to grow up. Are you going to be a star or a role player?
I don't know if Batum is going to be MIP, but the fact that he's been playing competitive ball since the early fall can't hurt his chances; I thought he looked pretty much in mid-season form in those two pre-season games.
he will continue to play marginally just as he has the last few years, and will continue to be the most over hyped piece of the blazer organization since the lafrentz contract. remember when rudy had a huge ceiling, and people were calling trying to trade for him, and we though he was going to be a star and never moved him? how did that work out for us?
Not sure what your point is. He's always been a fair 3pt shooter. But he's not the 2nd coming of Scottie Pippen. Tayshaun Prince maybe... I hope the Blazers do not over-pay him based on "potential", in the NBA that is usually a recipe for regret. You have your rookie contract to prove what you are. I do hope retain him though, I like him. But Blazer fans have a history of putting to much hope in a player "developing" into a star, because stars don't usually flock to Portland.
Getting Wes Matthew's numbers should be fine, IMO. He may not be as good as Matthews is right now, but he will eventually.
The only way Nico gets MIP is if he becomes our no. 2 scoring option, and performs to that level. Not going to happen. Not that he couldn't, under the right circumstances, but these aren't the right circumstances.
Yeah because even if he doesn't pan out, it's a contract you can easily move. Some teams may even look at it like we fans do; thinking Wallace maybe interfering with his growth and take a chance on him. What I'm really hoping for is Batum and Wallace to be around 13-15 mil collectively (Batum 6-7, Wallace 7-8). I think that's a perfect salary for both players. And when Wallace finally starts to slow down, they can switch spots and roles.
Nico looks to me like Aldridge did before Roy went down. Competent, but not assertive enough. He has all the talent in the world. He is so fluid out there and so graceful and it looks like he does not even try. He just needs to be put in a position where it is his team/job to score.
A good coach can bring out players' talents even when they get limited minutes. A bad director needs an actor to break a leg and lose stage time before allowing the understudy to display his ability. Rewrite your plays, Nate.
I agree. Anyone who watched him play in the Euroleague saw him step up against good teams - most notably Caja Laboral. And this because it was HIS team. Suggested trade: Wallace for Varejao. [Edit: scratch that. I don't think Wallace is the problem. I think they're such different players they can play together (and I swear I witnessed good interaction between them in the preseason). My nominee for the problem is Crawford, just because the ball has to be in his hands for him to be effective. Batum can be effective without the ball, whereas Crawford is pretty much useless (he's NOT a spot-up shooter). So Batum gets the ball taken away from him because of Crawford's narrowness and his versatility.]
