Felton Isn't the only one under the microscope Dude Batum was the least of your worries. How about drawing 6 plays in a row for Crawful to take a shot. That was terrible. Newsflash Nate! Your rotations and decisions in-game are terrible! Felton should have never been in the game. It should have been Crawful, Batum, Wallace, Aldridge and Camby.
I think it's because he knows he can get away with benching Batum. I don't think Batum would be vocal enough to force Nate to play him. Instead he is massaging the egos of Failton and Crawful.
Probably has something to do with Nic turning down open shots and generally sleep walking through half the game a lot of the time. Basically he's just not consistently aggressive. It's time for Nic to step up.
You do realize that he is the second highest "PER" player we have on this team? And he's #7 of all SF's in the league in PER. And his TFG% is 59.8%; which is 8th in all the NBA for SFs. http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics?position=sf&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fhollinger%2fstatistics%3fposition%3dsf
That's what makes it frustrating to see when he does pass up shots which I felt he did in the last game. He's a little to unselfish at times. If he misses a couple shots he has to keep shooting when open.
Seriously, he always says he doesn't want to call out players by name in the media but does it routinely with Nic. Fuck you, Nate. He's a better player than you ever were. Stop hating on him.
I agree buddy; but at least he's being productive. I think the mental thing is Nate always treating him like a red headed step child. I think if Nate went to Batum and told him; "Listen I made the decision for you to start at SG; and you get a longer leash; but you have to prove that you will take the shots when we need it"; I think Batum would look to shoot more. Also, Roy being on this team last season lit a fire under Matthews. Matthews always had the question that Roy would want to take his starting spot. He played harder and performed well. Now Matthews knows his spot is secure. He isn't playing with the sense of urgency like he had last season.
He passed up one shot that he should have shot last night. Crawful should have passed up 15. Felton should have passed up all of his 17. The double standard Nate has with Crawful and Nic is alarming.
Doesn't take away from the fact he constantly turns down open shots and looks asleep for half the game. He also has no ability to create his own shot, thus his PER doesn't mean much to me. Rudy Gay has a 16 PER this season Am I really supposed to believe Batum is better than Rudy Gay? lololll
Exactly! Batum is one of the most frustrating Blazers. He plays so soft at times. He needs to play aggressive and show some fire. Nobody is going to get on him for taking shots, but they will get on him for NOT taking shots.
Thanks man. Long time lurker. Probably 2-3 years lol. I just had to register and start talkin' ball with the way things are going!
Welcome to S2! Yeah I admit that he does get timid on the offensive end. But he is still the most efficient Blazer we have besides Aldridge. Aldridge can't do it alone and Nate benching him for a few shots, while he allows Crawchuck and Felton miss time and time again is insane.
Thanks man. You said it right there. He benches him for a few shots he doesn't take because he appears timid. Where as the others, he keeps them in because they are being aggressive. That's all it is with Batum. If he would just get out of his own damn way and pull the trigger, he won't be pulled.
