You can have a great player who has Batum's stats. The trouble is, I think his defense has been very blah as well. Half the time I'm watching the game and I don't even realize he's in there. That should never happen.
I was against signing Nico to that contract. His play before the wrist injury changed my mind. He'll be fine next year. As for this year, if he's at all hurt, sit him.
Except for the 80 blocks? And yes, we have an abysmal defensive strategy, implemented without enthusiasm. Batum's not the only one who disappears a bit on defense.
This is true. All our players are accountable on the defensive end. I wish stotts used batum as the roaming, trapping and disruptive defender. The man up defenders should be Aldridge and Matthews. And we need a defensive anchor like a hibbert type that is a help help defender and protects the paint. Lillard just needs to know where to direct his man into the help.
Repped. You hit the nail on the head as to our primary weakness--someone to control the middle. It's where I think Leonard can improve the most. He has the length, strength and athleticism to be a very good defender; he just needs to learn how.
Batum raised his game this year, but I guess not enough for Blazer fans. Fair enough, as with the big salary comes big expectations. Personally, I didn't see the problem this year being Batum. I thought it was the bench and the defense. Stotts seems to be getting a free pass for the team defense this year. Some of the worst defense I have seen in a Blazer team for a long time.
Whilst Batum has been pushing to facilitate more often, I feel his game has depreciated on the whole. Sure people will say that his stats show better all-around play (assists/trip dubs), but his passive play & increased turnovers hurt the team overall. It's painful to see him turn down a shot at the rim for the chance to get 'one more' assist. Also, multiple times he's looked lost on defense or just plain outright beaten. His defense is vastly overrated. IMO Batums only problem is in his head. He has all of the tools and if he could get more aggressive and, particularly, more focused - then I think he'd be a real weapon and living up to that huge contract we signed him to. I hope that 'that' Batum is the one that turns up next year - much like he did for the first few weeks of this season.
This is what I hope Leonard works on most this offseason. I understand his offense is still raw, but if he is going to be our center, then he needs to really improve defensively. I think he needs to work on timing with help the most. Figure out where he needs to be so he can be in the best position to block or alter shots.
I think he was mostly misused this season. He isn't built for 35+ minutes a game. He was asked to be a man defender, when he is a much better trap and help defender. If Batum actually used an offseason to improve his strength (doesn't have to be igs strength, just enough to take some hits), then he would be fine being a plus 35+ minute player. His issue is he's injured, then he is going to play in France again. He has no time to fully heal and recover.
Although I fully agree with your point about him improving his strength this summer, I am not sure who is and who isn't built for big minutes. Maybe the skinny/wiry guys are. Look at Durant, who would have thought he would be an iron man in the league. The guy who couldn't bench press his weight.
Durant is much stronger now than when he came into the league. He has worked on his strength almost all off season. There are a lot of wiry guys with huge minutes. Prince, pippen, Reggie miller, Durant, and James worthy to mention a few. Building strength isn't only bulk. You can strength train and still keep your wry frame.
Joe Freeman @BlazerFreeman 59s #Blazers coach Terry Stotts says Nicolas Batum also will not play vs Memphis because of a right arm ailment.
Before the injury I thought Nic was playing very, very well. After the wrist, he mostly vanished. No one aside from Nic and the training staff know how hurt he is, so I won't speculate if blaming the injury is still a reasonable excuse, but hopefully he does better next year.
@BlazerFreeman: I asked #Blazers F Nicolas Batum if he plans on playing again this season. His reply: "I don't know." Sent from HCPs Baller-Ass iPhone 5...FAMS!
What's up with his arm? I hadn't heard of anything wrong with his arm before this. Is it related to his wrist injury?
