You have watched almost every game in Nic's career and yet you talk like you have no idea what Nic is about. Nic is young, athletic, developing every year, humble, a a solid teammate who accepts his role and a great community guy. You say you know his style from watching him, do you know Blazers don't want to trade him? Blazers wouldn't even trade Nic for Wallace and you seem to be under some impression that he isn't a special player. I'm guessing the Blazer mamagement has had more exposure than you watching alomst every game and they have a different opinion of him. But I'm sure the Blazers have lower standards of special player than you do.
His stats this year are worse than last year in the 37 games he played. He averaged two more points but his 3 point percentage, field goal percentage, and PER dropped while his defense seemed to get worse.
It doesn't add up that they think he's a special player merely because they wouldn't trade him for Wallace... they got Wallace WITHOUT trading pieces as valuable as he is, so why would they trade him? I'm not the biggest Nene fan in the world, but he would be a great addition if Batum was the centerpiece of a deal. As others have said, Aldridge/Oden/Nene would be a killer three-man bigs rotation and, while I agree that Batum has a lot of upside and I expect him to become a near all-star player (at least) in the next several years, I don't think that we'd regret him developing elsewhere if we got Nene in his prime for him. Ed O.
Well if reports are to be believe, not including Batum origianlly for Wallace killed the deal. Jordan blinked, call the Blazers back and pulled the trigger without Batum. The reports seem pretty consistent on this . . . but this is all from the media. I obviously don't agree with trading Batum for Nene . . . but I'm guessing it won't be the last time I'll be saying don't trade Batum.
I understand and believe that. Wallace isn't worth Batum. That doesn't mean that Batum is thought to be a special player, I don't think. Wallace is much older and more injury-prone and makes a lot of money... and he's a borderline all-star player, at best. Ed O.
You are going to use that 37 game stat huh? OK Looking at his role, what is expected from him and how he has performed, to me he has improved each year. But if the stats say otherwise, I get why you don't think he has.
Batum is probably my favourite player on the team, but I'd stop a bit short of calling him "special." He didn't develop, this past season, the way I'd expect from a special young player. In fact, he regressed a bit. That isn't necessarily dooming. Every player doesn't go from rookie to prime in a straight-line ascent. However, to regain the sense that Batum is a really major talent, I'd want to see him take some big steps forward next year. Tighten up his ball-handling, show the ability to consistently make plays (either for himself or for others) and ratchet his defense up to a high level. I think reports (on this forum) of his defensive decline this past year were overblown, but he didn't make the leap to a legitimate All-Defense candidate, as I believe he has the capability to be.
You're right, I was making the leap that if they were willing to let Wallace go instead of giving up Batum, I was assuming the Blazers do not want to trade Batum under almost any situation. I still think that is the case, but I understand I'm making a little leap there.
Like I've told you before. I doubt anyone in this forum, well the ones that actually know basketball, will argue that Batum isn't a "star capable talent". But I doubt you wouldn't argue that he is arguably our most tradeable asset either. Now if you go even further, you can also believe Nic should start. With that in mind, I doubt Nic will ever be able to compete with Wallace for the starting position; especially since we will be trying to aquire bigs, so Wallace can stay at his natural position SF. So the only way I see a starting future in Portland for Nic, would be either SG or PG. And I don't know if he's good enough to run our offense or consistent enough to be our SG.
For the record, this sums up how I feel about Batum pretty nicely as well. Definitely don't dislike him I just don't like overrating Blazers players.
Can you count on Wallace for 82 game a year? There will be times Nic will start. Also I'm confused onterminology. Nic isn't a special player (many say that) but he is does have star capable talent? I don't know, but I would like to see who the posters were who were doubting Aldrdige last summer, because there was a lot of that and I see Batum in an Aldridge like situation. Give the guy time to bulk up and get confidence in his game. And I would think Aldridge is our most tradable asset. You think Nic has more value than Aldridge? He is not a max player playing at max level or close to it and improving.
Listen, if we keep Batum, I will be more than happy to embrace him and cheer him on. My question is... Okay so Wallace gets injured for, let's say, 10 games. Batum starts those 10 games. Do you think a starter capable player will be happy with that? Also, WHEN WALLACE PLAYS.... Probably gonna be for 30-35 minutes per game. This leaves about 18-23 minutes at the 3. This season and last, it was fine for Batum. Sooner or later Brass will have to make a decision on his probable demands for more playing time. Regardless, I get your point and I hope you get mine. It's not that I WANT TO TRADE BATUM. It's just i think he is our most "tradeable asset".
Get ready to cheer for him because the Blazers are keeping Batum. I get your point and not saying it's way out there . . . in fact clearly my position is in the minority when it comes to batum. So yes I get what you (and others) are saying.
I don't think anyone is saying they want Batum gone, but he's probably our most valuable "tradeabe" asset, and you have to give to get so...
Hmmm just looked at Nene's info page and there are some surprising numbers. Well for one, the dude is a career 56% FG guy and this season 61%! scores career 12.3 and this season 14.5. That's great, especially knowing most of those scores are in the paint. He does have some great post moves too. The thing that seems a little "troubling" is his rebounding. 7.6 rebounds? For a center? I don't know if I like that, especially since we had such a tough time rebounding the ball already. Also, I suspect if we get Nene, then we will probably have to give up Camby. Obviously Camby is much older than Nene, but he is a much better rebounder and shot blocker. Basically, I think we give up rebounding and shot blocking, but gain a much improved inside offense and some youth. Is it worth it? Also, maybe the possibility of Oden coming back and giving us that lost rebounding helps too.
