I wasn't meaning you. I don't expect you to budge from bashing Nic during game threads. It's what you do!
Batum might get the year off I hated the BLANKEY signing because he sucks, so I'm sure I'll be directing my posts towards that
After awhile one needs to look at the team collectively instead of individual stats. You want a stat pad guy, Kevin Love is your guy. You want an allstar? Jeremy Lin is a 2 time allstar. Batum is the opposite of that. This team is trying to get the best shot and Nic makes the extra pass. Comparing the Blazers under Stotts to the Spurs? Compare them when LaMarcus and Stotts have been together for almost 2 decades like Pops and Duncan. Spurs are a great team. I respect them but I like the Blazers chances. An improved bench should see Batum getting some rest this season. He carried this team's bench more often than not. I think he's a keeper and I'm glad we have him. After last season's playoffs, every team in the league wants to be the Spurs. They set the bar pretty high.
Leonard wasn't naturally aggressive, either. Popovich had to encourage him to take more shots as his natural inclination was to keep the ball moving. I think he'd have gotten something similar out of Batum. I don't think there's a toughness/athleticism gap between them of great significance. I do think Leonard has proven to be a bit better at creating his own shot. I'd take Leonard over Batum, but I think they're very similar types of players and actually better comps for each other than Prince would be for either.
This runs contrary to my view of the player, because I really like Chris Paul, but he's also become a bit of a stat beast who even with other All-Stars can't get past the 2nd-round of the playoffs. He's nearing 30, and some are calling him the best PG of all-time, which bewilders me because as a former HS PG at a school with 2300 students, you're judged on winning at that position more than any other.
If that was what you're getting at, I agree with it. Maybe that's why Mo went to Minny? We told him to sign there to stick it to Minny for signing Batum to such a big contract.
BBert's comment is spot-on to me, too. Batum may not appear "consistent" because he's the one who is asked to adapt his game based on match-ups above all other players in the starting line-up. LMA and Lillard are going to be the focus on offense. RoLo is going to crash offensive boards and protect the rim on the weakside. Wes is going to share #1 perimeter defensive responsibilities with Batum, but offensively all he's asked to do is make 3s off of ball rotations, for the most part. Batum? He guards everyone from PGs to PFs, he at times handles the ball as a PG on offense, he at times spots up on offense, and he at times (such as late in Game 6 against Houston) is asked to create his own shot. His role is inconsistent based on on what he's asked to do, so by nature he should be viewed as an inconsistent player.
No the only fact in those numbers is Batum played more minutes. PER 36 minutes Leonard averaged 7.7 REB Batum 7.4.
There are a few players that are similar to Batum, T. Evans, A. Iguodala, and C. Parsons. Batum has more range and is a better defender than Evans, he is a better scorer than Iguodala but he is well behind defensively, I would say the closest comparison is actually Parsons.
What? Aldridge was already a star before last season. 2x all star games, extension talks, trade talks with the 1st overall pick coming back..... He wasn't a superstar (still probably isn't), but he was definitely held in higher regard than Batum. Last season probably wasn't even his best season.
Psst... Last summer many talked about Aldridge hitting his peak remember? The topic is, we seen all we could see with Aldridge. I don't care if he could punch through walls. The argument was "Aldridge hit his peak"
Like I said, it could be argued last season wasn't even his best. He's the same old Aldridge he's been for a few years now. It's just more people recognize him now cause we're winning.
...and, the posts actually about basketball are now down the memory hole because it's Fight Night again. RoyToy, thank you for giving the effort of being reasonable enough to hold a consistent opinion. I agree with parts of it, and this was the most fun thread I've had on here in years.
