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

Ahh....also could explain the quick hook on Flynn.

 

Yep.

 

I think the Blazers could play all of the guys MM was mentioning without pulling Batum or Aldridge. It would give Batum and Aldridge a chance to be the confident leaders and still increase chance of losing while developing/testing the questionable players.

 

Zactly!!

 

WTF? Playing to lose is the absolute worst thing you can do. I agree with giving the young guys time. But you always play to win, untimately. The Blazers need to balance getting the young guys time while playing for the win.

You don't EVER want that losing culture to set in, and you certainly don't ever want to encourage it to set in. That creates far worse long-term ramifications.

 

Careful, people siding with me usually regret it until everyone else finally catches up

 

What culture can set in when 3/4 of these guys will be gone next year and a new coach will be installed?

 

That's great, but MM was upset about Batum's new attitude, which is what this thread was about. Your suggestion would actually give Batum more chance of improving his confidence and role as a go-to-guy. MM would be pissed.

 

Not upset about the attitude as much as the timing of it

 

It may, just may, have something to do with the coaching. He can't really do much about the timing of that. But, it's nice to have something new to complain about.

 

It has some to do with the coaching, but the team has come out and said they were imploring him to take a larger role for most of the season. I realize I shouldn't complain. Status quo it is. Go Blazers. Sneak into that 8th spot so we can feel all warm and fuzzy when OKC says we were their toughest out in the playoffs

 

You mean the same team that said they were imploring the team to run more the last 3 years?

Excellent use of the victim card shtick.

 

I am just happy I have been able to entertain you for the day. Not many people would hang on every word an internet poster says. Kudos

 

Aww for a second I thought you two were going to agree on something and leave it at that.

 

Lol.

 

You've struggled making the final leap in your career Batum to being a borderline all-star. We really need you to make that step to become a better team.

Don't do it yet, though. Cease working on your game and trying to get better and wait until next year. Don't worry about it now.

 

Players know when a caoch or organization isn't trying to win. Playing Batum and Aldridge with a bunch of unproven youngsters will hurt the Blazers chances of resigning Batum and keeping Aldrdige happy.

There is plenty of time to see what the Blazers have with Babbit, Flynn, Nolan and the likes. (Really what are we hoping for there?)

But to create a team atmosphere that we really aren't trying to win, goes a long way to the mentality of the players and sets the tone for players considering coming here next year.

The better we look, the bettter chance a quailty player will want to sign here and the more players Blazers want to keep will be content here.

 

Batum needs to be Allstar caliber. As much as roytoy dogs Batum, I would bet he would be surprisingly happy if he actually became a true second option player.

If his development causes wins instead of losses then so be it

 

Batum's comments would mean more if he was saying them AFTER a performance like tonight's at LA. He would hold himself accountable, and say, "Yeah, I'm the #2 guys some nights. But for the team to grow, I need to be the #2 guy EVERY night. And I'm going to work on developing my game into that."

 

I hear that. Although I thought he played decent d tonight.