What does legit threat for a triple double every night mean? He's played 318 games and had a triple double twice. I don't go into every game thinking "Batum might very well get a triple double tonight." Do you?
Almost all of Batum's stats have decreased this season, he's passing much, much better, but has a worse shooting percentage, plays worse defense, scores less, and his PER and WS/48 are down.
Tough to argue with the numbers (because they aren't exactly great). The only caveat I would throw out is that, he's been given an entirely different role this year than he's ever had to fill, a role with a lot more responsibility, that is asking him to do quite a few more things on any given play. The question is whether or not he'll be able to adapt long term and bring his averages back up to career norms while carrying that additional load. Pre wrist injury I thought he was starting to show some gradual improvement in consistency, since then he's sort of been alternating between "pretty good" and the "invisible man." I guess we'll see what happens next year.
I'm rooting for him to succeed. He really needs to be a legit third option for our team. I think that role was given to him and its a little overwhelming. I still think logging him too many minutes and playing in Europe in the summer hampers him. We need to cut down the minutes and convince him to stop playing in the summer. Then he can develop some strength and won't be tired when the nba season starts.
That is one way to describe his stats. Another way might be: He has been asked to be a distributor this year and in his new role he has tripled his assists from last year. He also continues to play tough defense while getting more rebounds than last year and slightly increasing his scoring . . . all the while having to play through an injury and log heavy minutes. I hope next year the trend will continue as he increases his stats in assists, rebounds and scoring with hopefully a decrease in minutes. Although being only 25 next year, he can probably handle the heavy load.
Good points. Batum isn't a heavy minute player. Not with his frame and having to play in Europe. If we can find him help and reduce his minutes to 30 a game; I think it changes. And he does have the injured wrist; but that won't be his excuse next season. We will soon find out.
I am glad we have him, but I want him to attack the basket more. He doesn't even need to get all the way to the rim, but it would be nice to see him get to the paint. Wasn't one of his complaints that Nate kept him out on the perimeter to be a spot up shooter? He needs to attack the basket and develop a consistent pull up jumper in the lane. I know he can do it. I have seen glimpses of it. I agree with Mags, he needs to wok his ass off all summer on getting healthy, a little stronger, and adding a new dimension to his arsenal. Stay away from the French Team.
His mentality is to be passive. The problem is he takes it to the extreme. He doesn't take wide open shots and instead passes it to another player. His assist numbers are totally inflated because of it.
I understand the facilitator idea. It's a good weapon; but he needs to look to score first. Then when the d focuses on him; distribute. It's backwards right now
I didn't see the game tonight, was he that bad? His stats seem OK. He isn't taking a lot of shots, but seems to be active with rebounds and assists. Blazers aren't having a problem scoring this year and have plenty of shooters. What with the need for him to take more shots?
For the first three quarters; it was bad. That was when I posted what I did. In the fourth; he played really well. I just get frustrated that he has such offensive talent and he plays the pass first. I think it's a good weapon; but it should be his second weapon.
I'd be happy if he were getting paid what he was actually worth, which is half his current salary. We could use half his salary go get a nice backup, like Corey Brewer.
I get that. But here is my thought, we need someone else beside the PG to get assists and to be that all around player. Who on the Blazers can take on that role? For as non aggressive as Batum can be, he is averaging about the same points as the aggressive Matthews while averaging almost twice as many rebounds assists and blocks as him. I know I'm saying this as it looks like Matthews had a great game, but I think Mathews does it with an aggressive style so he looks more aggressive. But currently they are both taking about the same amount of shots per game, shooting about the same average while Batum is filling up the other categories. But yes, Batum doesn't look very aggressive when it comes to scoring and I understand where posters are coming from. If your going to get big bucks, you are going to be held to a different standard.
There's a difference cause Matthews makes quite a bit less than batum. I also get he helps distribute and make others better; but there has to come a time when he is more aggressive and looking for his shot. It's not that I want him more selfish. It's I want him to keep the defense on their toes.
Batum makes about 4 million more than Matthews, so if we go by that he should be producing more. My point is everyone talks about how aggressive Matthews is, but Batum takes as many shots as Matthews. And they both take more than any other player besides LA and Lillard. Seems like a good distribution shots among the starters. But salary says Batum should be taking more shots than Matthews, I do get that,
