sorry both sets of supporters just ruin it for me. Between American Outlaws and "YSA" and Mexico's "P*to" chants I'm emberrassed for both.
You do know that every team is specifically prohibited by the CBA from even suggesting any player from any country not play during the summer, right?
hmm at first glance, I am not thrilled, but I have to respect his decision. He is allowed to play, just like any other player can and do play for Our national team. All of this over reacting is unwarranted at best, and ridiculous in the extreme.
American Soccer fans blow. It's a bunch of bros lol I'm no better though, I only watch them during WC and Gold Cup season.
I'll agree on the bros part. There is a certain sleeveless section of the Timbers Army that nobody likes, and they are big time USA guys too. Nothing wrong with watching during WC and Gold Cup... pretty soon you will be hooked on Club level as well
An interesting observation given that 3 of the 4 you mentioned have had significant injuries this year... I understand the point you and others are making but once you get to this point in the season, the part where it really starts to matter, everyone who has seen extended minutes isn't going to be 100%. The grind gets to you whether you rested 5 months ago or not. If a week long all-star break can make this much of a difference for Batum, I'd just rest him a couple weeks during the unnecessarily long training camp/pre-season.
It's not just the rest though. But the time that could be spent working on skills. Notice how Mathews, LA, and Lillard always seem to add something to their game each offseason? Well that takes time, repetition, and practice away from team ball.
I think Nic has added to his game over time, his passing, his pull up jumper all have really come the past couple years.
As he should... The food, the wine and the women. Ah... he gets more than the average Joe. A bonafide NBA player in a Euro atmosphere means all the perks comes his way,. He and Parker can have a night on the town. .
We're talking about 10 games in the offseason. The money argument is just odd, so if Batum only made $6mill a year some of you would be fine that he plays 10 extra games a year for the French team? Why do some of you get so jacked over what Batum makes? It's reasonable. Look at what Dallas gave Chandler this year. Some of you bitch about Batum's stats. Up until Wes got hurt Batum was the 4th best player on the team. 4th best. How many 4th best players on a team are as versatile as Batum? Stats, rebounds, scoring, defense. Just want kind of numbers do you want your 4th option to put up?
Completely understand that point of view but money is what players are judged by and the hit the team takes cap wise is what people see. Could this team have two players just as consistent for the same money? Would they end up being a deeper team if they could spread that money around a bit? The other idea is that it absolutely makes no difference to me what a player makes because it isn't coming out of my pocket other than when i decide to buy a ticket to go watch. Nic is versatile and at this point there is no replacing him. As far as i am concerned he is the key to making it deep into the playoffs this year. However we have seen this Tired/nagging injury problem before and it looks as though we will see it again.
It's going to be fun when Lillard signs a big contract and he goes into a shooting slump or doesn't get enough assists. On a game by game basis is going to drive people nuts. Also you can't play two players at once in place of Batum. You can get a player better than Batum but saying you can replace with two players means the player replacing Batum in the starting lineup is half as good. There aren't many 4th options in the NBA as good as Batum.
You can't play them both but you can play one and see if he is playing well and if not try the other? At this point Nic checks out of games quite a bit. Really i wholeheartedly want Nic Batum to stay and play well for the Blazers but my patience wears thin sometimes. If he shows next year and goes another 50 games with sub par games and nagging injuries he will not get the contract he will be looking for and the Blazers will have to make a decision on what to do. Do they trade him and make sure they get something in return? Or do they offer him less than he feels he is worth and let him walk?
