Paul George vs. Nicolas Batum?

Is there a formula that puts a $$$ value on stats?

It would be interesting to see what Carmelo brings to the game is more valuable than George or Nic. Is their value worse because they make so much more or not?

 

I agree with all except the bolded. I don't think Batum is a good penetrator at all, and it's because he doesn't have handles.

 

Agreed. And if memory serves me, Lance has scored a combined 6 points versus Portland in his last 3 games (2 points per game).

 

I think you're somehow confusing Lillar_ ["_" done with tongue firmly planted in cheek] with Batum. Nic is the only player on our team with any ability to set up teammates for easy shots around the hoop.

 

Also, he's #2 in APG for SFs: http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/assists/sort/avgAssists/position/small-forwards
As well as #2 in A/T for SFs: http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/p...t/assistTurnoverRatio/position/small-forwards

So, some people are blowing his turnovers out of proportion.

 

I LOVE Nic Batum and I'm VERY happy he plays for my favorite team, but this is a seriously stupid question. You realize you just asked:

Who would you rather have, the guy who is the number 1 scoring option on the best team in the NBA, or the guy who is the number 4 scoring option on the third best team?

Paul George is having the kind of breakout year we've always fantasized Nic would have. George is so much better at both ends of the court it's not even close, and he's a year and a half younger, too.

Last year, at the age of 22, Paul George won Most Improved Player, was 3rd team All-NBA and 2nd Team ALL-Defense. In 5 seasons in the NBA, Nic Batum has never even received a single vote for Most Improved Player or Defensive Player of the Year, or any other award. He hasn't made a single All-Anything team.

What's really amazing is that George should be in the running for Most Improved Player again this year. His improvement this season is even more impressive than it was last year.

Last season, at the age of 22, Paul George lead the entire NBA in Defensive Win Shares. That alone makes him better than Nicolas Batum. And, this year he is once again leading the league in Defensive Win Shares. In five and a half seasons, Nic Batum has never finished in the Top 20 in any defensive stat.

Paul George averages 22.3 PPG and has a PER = 22.0 Nic Batum averages 13.5 PPG and has a PER = 16.4.

In 37 games this season, Paul George has scored over 30 points in a game 6 times. In his entire five and a half year NBA career, Nic Batum has scored over 30 points in a game 5 times.

Paul George is 5th in the NBA in both Win Shares and Win Shares/48. Nic Batum isn't Top 20 in either.

If we had Paul George on this team, we'd be favored to win it all not only this season, but for at least the next 5 seasons. Our Big 3 of Aldridge/George/Lillard would be as good, or better, than anyone else's. And George and Lillard are only 23 and still improving rapidly. Aldridge is the old man at 28, but is also still improving and having the best year of his career, and he has the kind of game that will age gracefully, like Tim Duncan.

Of course, this is all moot. There is no way we could ever get Paul George without giving up Aldridge or Lillard, but it's the kind of trade Paul Allen would sell his soul to make happen.

BNM

 

BNM that was a great response. I suggested a few years ago to trade Batum for George at the beginning of his sophomore year. That did not happen and now he is un-tradeable.

 

It wouldn't have happened then either. Both teams were happy with their players' potential.

 

Again, this was to provoke. A LEGIT question would be Stephenson and Batum.

 

If MM posted this he would have been given another few days off.

 

So now people are being suspended for asking stupid questions?

Not sure what's so provocative about this question. It's such a ridiculous comparison. It would be like asking Pacer fans who they'd rather have, LaMarcus Aldridge or Davis West. West is a nice player, but Aldridge is much better and younger.

BNM

 

No worries, it was a joke. Hence the devil wink.

The question was so ridiculous that it has no reason to be asked. BGD is known for asking questions like Lebron or Wes Matthews?

 

The question maybe be crazy but had the question been Dunleavy v. Batum and the OP took Dunleavy then maybe there would be an issue. This thread is just a fun little question designed to separate knowledgeable fans from complete homers (anyone taking Batum)