Two questions actually: 1) What are your expectations for Batum going forward? 2) What kind of player would you like to see him become? I think early in his career he was labeled a defensive stopper, which I don't think really came to fruition, but I have been pleasantly surprised with his all-around play this season. I remember Pippen's name was bantered around a bit in his rookie season, and at the time I remember thinking that was absurd. Now it doesn't seem so far fetched. Anyway, here are his current stats - 15.3 ppg, 5.9 boards, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks Where do you think he'll be in the next couple years?
I would hope for two more points, one more board and for him to improve on his already good defense. Go Blazers
Funny, I was think of just the opposite. I fine with his stats, I just want him to play defense like he used to.
He is a LeBron or Durant-lite. Most would scoff at even mentioning someone being like LeBron or Durant but if there is a guy who contributes all-around in the NBA like King James or Durantula then it is Batum. Check this: http://www.basketball-reference.com...&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=ts_pct Obviously he is not on that level but he is more on that level then any other young-gun currently. What can he do going forward? Just natural progression is going to make him very good. I do think he could focus on more D (and I don't mean blocks).
Of course, Pippen in his fifth year was averaging 21 points, 7 assists, 7.7 boards, and 2 steals per game. So obviously Batum has a ways to go before he can even be remotely mentioned in the same breath as Pip.
Ya his later year stats really distorted what he produced in his prime. I expect Nic to stay about the same as he is now, maybe with a bit more consistency. I hope he can bump that scoring average to 20ppg while keeping his %s good and his other stats the same.
I don't see him averaging 20 ppg. I think he'll stay around 17 or 18 ppg at the most, with 5 assists and 4 boards. That sounds about where he'll be, unless he takes a monster step in a year or two.
I'd like to see him improve his handle and cut down on turnovers. Other than that, his numbers are fine for me.
Well he's not that far off. Just one more FG made and increase his FT attempts, and I think he's there. He's at a paltry 3 attempts per game. Increase that to 5 (take one more foul drawn), and at his FT %, he's at ~17ppg. Then increase his FG attempts by two, and at his FG%, you've got another FG made putting him at 19. I think both will come with a better handle and confidence. His biggest problem (and he knows this) is his his consistency and aggression.
Batum has a long way to go before reaching Pippen's level. Lets not forget Pippen should have won the MVP I believe it was in 1997.Pippen also led the Bulls to 55 wins and a playoff series win w/o MJ in 94 in a competitive conference and led the Bulls in pts, rebs, asts, stls, and blks in 95. As for Batum I would like to see him become and All Star and maybe an MVP would be nice.
I have always thought of him as a blend of Prince, Battier, and Posey. I see the Pippen similarities, but I don't think he can dominate both defensively AND offensively - we've already seen his defense suffer a little with his increased offensive role. If we can get a good defensive coach, then I think that will do wonders for both him and the team. Overall his stats are fine, though I expect his FG% to improve by a couple points. And I would be quite pleased if is assists went up to near 6. But I'm not really concerned with his stats (other than FG%), it's more about him just playing his all-around game and making the team better than the sum of its parts.
He doesn't get many free throw attempts due to his lack of ballhandling, I mean, he doesn't really have any moves, so it's amazing he gets the stats he does now. If he improves that, lots of other things will come with it.
"Ways to go" is an understatement of epic proportions. The Pippen comparisons need to stop. HoF player and one of the 50 greatest players of all-time. Anyways... If the Blazers are going to be a serious contender Nic will need to step it up. Right now he's just a good player that doesn't really impact the game greatly every night. Inconsistent, passive, etc. He'll need to overcome both of those to be a real #3 on a serious contender.
He should stand up straight like a forward so he can get 1 rebound every 4, not 5, minutes. He crouches like a guard.
