Nic and Freeland ranked in the top 10 of group play http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/48715/the-top-10-of-olympics-group-play
...Joel 2.0 is the "banger" that the Blazers so desperately need, and I don't mean the British sausage version of the word banger either. Nic on the other hand, well had better take over consistently on one end or another next season [no problem, right?]. If not, then hopefully his new contract can still be traded for value. Either way, I cannot wait for 10-31!
Funny, but somehow I get the feeling his line is going to be almost identical to that in the league next year.
what were his assist numbers? Was really hoping, and I know they have parker, but was hoping to see more of him as a facilitator, and that hasn't seemed to happen. Playing more similar to what he does here.
I'd be happy with that...... maybe a few more assists. But I'm sure Lillard will have the rock the majority of the time.
Much like Parker I suspect Lillard is going to need the rock 90% of the time to be truly effective as a pick and roll guy, with occasional sets where he catches and shoots on the wing. Nic's assist numbers are probably going to stay fairly flat.
Batum is not a good facilitator and I doubt he ever will be. He lacks the handle and the BBIQ to be a good assist guy.
Watching Freeland against NBA bigs I have a good feeling about him. I think he'll make an immediate -- think 6'11" Nick Collison.
...and 60.4 FG%, 38.5% from 3 in only 25.8 mpg. If those are his stats, then: 1) I'll be pissed that he isn't playing more and 2) he'll be one of the league leaders in PER.
Biggest game of the year for Nic and he's completely invisible. Sad, because there is no one on Spain that can guard him.