In 4 minutes he got 3 rebounds, a steal and made his only shot. He should have started. He is still ready to go and he should have played 15 minutes this game at least. He could have disrupted Kobe better. Nate man... do the right thing!
Batum would not have made a difference in the first quarter other than Kobe would have ended up with 40 points instead of 23 when he saw a rookie trying to guard him. Batum did great in garbage time.
It would have kept the team in a positive frame of mind rather than upsetting them by changing the starting lineup. It was stupid to make a last minute change.
Batum starting in this game likely would not have made a difference. However, I still want to see him start because I think he brings a lot of good things to the SF position. I still believe he is the best defender, passer, and ball-handler (insert other "glue" type items here) that we have at the SF position. Maybe Roy tanked the game just to show up Nate, given that Roy wanted Batum to start.
Batum should have started. Unless there was a specific reason why he didn't that we're not privy to, it was fucking bone-headed move on McMillan's part. If coach was so concerned with "doing the right thing" and allowing Outlaw the starting role because of seniority, then he should have made that decision long before the eve of the game. It was a mistake. The team had been preparing for the opener with Batum in the first unit and Outlaw in the second. You mix that up without any practice and the you get what we had last night. Obviously Roy and Aldridge were missing very makable shots, but the offense's ball movement was poor. I can't help but think that with the normalcy that Batum would bring LA would not have been able to take as great of an advantage in the 1st Quarter. Not to mention the second unit most likely would have played better. Fuck. I feel sick this morning.
And Pau would have had 0 instead of 15. RadMan wouldn't have had as many open looks. See, it works both ways.
I could have swore Batum missed a jump shot, but ESPN has the boxscore as 1-1. I think Nate made the right move. Starting two rookies on opening night in Staples? I don't think I would do that, if you have other options. Let's just chalk this loss up to a very bad night. It's just one game -- we started very slow last year too.
Oh come on man. Starting 2 rookies? Oden is differen't then Batum dude. But at least Nic didn't get injured.
I'm for Batum starting as well, primarily because I think that the Rudy/Outlaw combo on the second unit could be a game changer.
How is he different? They both had NEVER played in an NBA regular season game before last night. I think that it's a bad idea if 40% of your starters are playing their first regular season game in Staples Center on opening night. Wouldn't have made a difference -- the Blazers looked horrible -- but I don't think it was a bad coaching move to start Outlaw on opening night.
Oh yeah, and Batum hardly speaks English. Now -- if they want to start him against the Spurs fine. Hopefully the Blazers got their jitters out of the way. I just don't make too much out of one game and I would have been a little nervous myself about starting Batum and Oden. Sucked that they played so bad on national TV, but oh well.
I joined a month before you, what's that make you? Did Oden play organized basketball at all last year? No. stfu frosh
