Batum: I'm the number 2 option now and have to play like it

Good to hear:

"The last two games, I didn't play aggressive. Now I have to step up. I'm the No. 2 option now. I have to do a better job. I have to play like a go-to guy almost. I just tried to be aggressive all night." -- Batum

 

Right #$%&^% on!

That is good to hear.

 

Great, now he decides to play hard and cost us lottery seeding

 

Someone mentioned in the other thread that Batum talked to Roy earlier in the day. So perhaps that helped get his feet set. Maybe we can still convince Roy to ast. coach for us

 

Well if he can make the adjustment mentally that would be to the good of this team long-term ... we'll see I guess.

 

I know many of you think it's a bad thing to play to win. This will bleed over to the next season. Players will work harder in the off season because they have hope. Tanking would be a let down and it will destroy any possible confidence. This is a good thing.

 

How will it bleed over to next season?

More than likely we will have a different GM, different coach, 3/5 different starting lineup, I would guess over 1/2 of the players on our roster right now will not be here next season. This is a horrible thing.

 

Nate NEVER put Batum in that role. Until the coach establishes the pecking order, and gives the marching orders, it was never up to Batum to stage a coup and take over the team. Those of you who have been clamouring for him to do so were delusional. Last night they showed the team running a play and setting two picks to get Batum open for a shot. How many times did Nate ever do that? He preferred to give the ball to Crawchuck and tell Batum to stay out of the way. Good for Nico that his coach has a clue and has given him a larger defined role in the offense.

 

You completely overestimate the impact that this season will have on the player's long term mentality. As long as guys like LMA and Batum still play hard and care that's the only thing that might carry over. Almost everyone else is a short-timer.

 

Why should players like Batum and Aldridge work hard in the offseason when they suspect management doesn't believe in them? That's how it works. The players still play this game. We need them hungry to win! And it helps free agency because we are a proud organization with a supportive fan base. This is a good thing.

 

You seriously underestimate what losing on purpose does for your players like Aldridge and Batum.

P.S. love the new avatar!

 

What is a horrible thing?

 

Rebuilding half ass is a horrible thing. The Blazers did a lot right at the deadline, but continuing to play guys like Felton, Matthews, Crawford, Thomas and even Joel a lot of minutes is dumb. Thabeet, Flynn, Hickson (even though he is good), Nolan, Babbitt should get a ton of time right now. Try to win, but try to win with them.

 

That has nothing to do with your post.

You're upset that Batum wants to try to step up and play like the 2nd option or a go-to guy because we might win a couple more games.

Considering I don't remember you ever being right about your whining and predictions, I'll say getting Batum experience and comfortable playing like a go-to guy with confidence will be much more valuable in the long term than losing a couple more games this season.

 

I predicted the Blazers would not be good this year. I whined that Nate was a shitty coach and Brandon was making him look better than he really was. I think it's great Batum steps into a bigger role, but right now, that's not what we need to be a better basketball team

 

You can't expect a coach to go out and tell a player to stop playing hard. That's just stupid. The only way to really tank is to bench the player. But Nic's potential development in to a real go-to guy is worth more than tanking right now. Especially because we already have 22 wins.

 

So you want to play the young guys more. But not the one that actually has a chance to be an impact player if his confidence grows. Good strategy. The difference between a confident, aggressive Batum and an uninterested Batum is larger than the probable difference between a 9th and 10th draft pick.

 

I disagree. We need to make leaders and Batum stepping up is acting like a leader. We need him to want to win, to dedicate himself and gain confidence. This is the best thing for this organization. Hell if we make the playoffs and actually beat or take OKC to 7 games, it's a step in the right direction if you ask me.

We've rebuilt being a low seeded playoff team before and almost made it to the finals. We can do it if our players believe. So would you consider it a failure if we knocked out OKC in the first round but was swept in round two? I don't and I think we have a great shot if we build momentum and go on a win streak before the playoffs.

One game at a time!

 

A substitution here, a substition there, calling plays for Crawchuck to dominate the ball and take his teammates out of the game, and we could have easily lost that game last night. If the refs can control the outcome with a very few calls here and there, so can the coach.

Come on K-C! Get with the program!

 

When he put Felton in at like the 5 min mark of the 4th quarter, I figured that's what Kaleb was trying to do. And BTW, Nic never touched the ball after Felton entered.