The Batum tracker thread

Because it's affecting one of my favorite teams. I would prefer to have players who are focused on the team where they collect their paychecks.

 

As long as he's on the team you're going to have to accept that.

 

I don't have to accept it. I can complain about it. That's what we do on this forum. We voice opinions on those things that we pleased with, and those things we are displeased with.

 

Realized maybe instead of the free agency salary thread, I should post this here instead:

I get he's paid highly, and he isn't like a 18 PPG scorer so people are going to dump on him, but I don't think Nic's contributions to our team are as easily replaceable as many on here seem to feel. We have 3 players averaging over 16 PPG. We have 4 guys with USG rates in the 20s(matthews is 19.9, I'm rounding up, sue me). I'd like another scorer off the bench, be it shooter or attacker, but not at the expense of Nic. He allows Damian to play off the ball a bit, is solid in the PnR. I get frustrated at his telegraphed passes, but he's still a much better passer than probably anyone outside of Lillard and Blake on our team. Sure, we can start Crabbe and he'd be a passable defender and a better 3 point shooter, but he's a 3 and D sit in the corner-ish type on offense. That puts way mor pressure on Lillard to facilitate more of the offense.

 

No, I didn't...

 

Unless those activities are expressly allowed in the employment contract...

 

Some people did re the leadership, assertiveness, goto player, etc. I will agree he showed some growth in those areas due to being in that position that year.

However, he has been with the Blazers since he was 19 years old and I believe he has played for the French team over the summer every single year. That's all great when you are 20 and a bench player, but IMO he's been playing year round for too long, and I've said that every year. Outside looking in, I think it has finally worn him to a nub. The summer he won the championship -- good for him. It seemed he learned a lot from Parker that year. Last summer, he really should have taken the time off. Parker did. I wish he'd learned that lesson, too.

 

This is important. Batum allows Lillard to be Lillard, in the same way Lopez allows LaMarcus to be LaMarcus.

Synergy, for the win!

 

Lillard played his best ball of the season without Nic in the lineup. I actually think Dame plays better when he dominates the ball more.

 

Damn you and your infernal logic! [/"Bones"]

 

In the four games without Batum:

Vs Charlotte - 29 points 12-21 shooting, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals

@ Denver - 27 points 10-16 shooting, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals

Vs Brooklyn - 28 points 8-14 shooting, 10 assists, 5 rebounds

Vs New Orleans - 24 points 7-18 shooting, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals

During those four games he averaged 27 points, 8.25 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals on 54% shooting. He also won Western Conference player of the week. His seasonal averages are currently 20 ppg, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, on 45% shooting.

 

And we were playing against some stellar competition, to boot!

 

It still illustrates that Nic takes the ball out of Lillard's hands, which lowers his assist numbers.

 

This has become embarrassing

 

More crabbe, less batum.

Nic is becoming a joke to watch

 

Honestly, I think he has become such a liability. I'm talking seriously hurting our team

 

to me he plays like he doesn't really give a shit, and that pisses me off

 

Boston is willing to give up Rondo for a first and Wright from Dallas, we should offer up Batum and figure this shit out later. Rondo has to be worth more in a trade than Batum.

 

Link?

 

Marc Stein's Twitter, idk if the story he posted about it is up yet.