This stat here is probably a sign that he is gone. It's not like the organization doesn't already know this. They don't have to look at an OLive poll to determine if a player is liked or not. They field calls all year long and I'm sure there have received plenty of negative feedback on him. As well as he should have. I think of many you in here pamper him too much. More than what's deserved.
Isn't that much? It's ranked 37 out of 150 starters, and most of the players that make around his salary are a hell of a lot better.
You're right. But there have been rumors that Olshey has floated batums name in trade talks, which would be the smart thing to do. Especially when your star fa is making hints about possibly wanting said player off the team
While I do agree that Batum's contract is overpriced, I can't help but wonder if he had an off year like most players do. I have read through all 11 pages of this thread and agree with both sides. Yes, Batum has a great game as a field general, setting up plays and assisting on many baskets. Batum also slumped hard-core, thus making us all wonder if he should be traded, dropped like a hot potato, rested up in Cuba, or falsely accused of being a part of Isis. IMO, I think we should give him this year to prove himself as a part of staying on this team (which I know people are going to respond to this saying that he has had almost a decade to prove himself, etc). My thought is that if he RESTS UP this summer, he can come back strong this next year and we can possibly contend for a title. Think about it... A rested Dame, Batum, LA, and Rolo, plus a healthy Wes (assuming that he comes back strong, which I have reason to believe with seeing how Paul George is recovering and playing well off the bench), we would have a chance at Title Contention. I believe we can upgrade at C, which I like the concept of Drummond, but I am unsure how team-chemistry will be affected. What ever decision is made, it has to be made with the utmost consideration of all angles. This offseason needs more thought by Management than what you put into the draft. My thought is rest everyone up, and make them feel valued. People play better when this happens. I'm open to trades, but am wary of how things will turn out.
haha its proof of how much his mind is stuck in France. He's in the NBA but talking about how at the end he would love to leave to go back to France. I don't understand...
Same thing was said by Rudy and Pau Gasol a few years ago. They throw a bone to their local media over there.
First off "welcome". Second, the underlined, bold sentence is the problem with your line of though. IF he rested up and fully healed, he might start performing like the very well paid player he is. But hes not gonna rest, he already said he is playing for France this summer. Don't get me wrong, I thinks its admirable and I support his desire to play for his home country. However when it negatively effects his play for the Blazers and subsequently impacts the team, that's a problem.
I'm sure Batum called up the local media and made a statement that, years from now, before he hangs up his sneakers, he would like to play a year or two for the home team. There's no way that statement was in response to a direct question. Traitorous bastard.
Threads like these are probably why. Sabonis went home, Rudy went home. He owns a majority of a team there. He's a championship winner there. His mother and family are there...it's not that hard to understand. Better than Vlade Divac spending his golden years in Sacramento in my opinion
I agree with this, and yes, Batum isn't resting up because he is playing for France later this summer. Ultimately it is his choice, and we have to be willing to accept that. My question to all of us fans is that if we keep everyone and they stay healthy, do you think we can contend for a title? If not, who do we make a trade for or pursue in FA to make our team able to contend for a title? Hibbert or Monroe would upgrade our C position, but then we have to deal with attitude problems and alcohol. Do we find a SF in the draft that can immediately replace Batum and his court-general skills? I believe they can be great, but I doubt it would be enough to help us contend. Could we trade Batum, or find a better SF through FA? Possible, but not likely. Might we have to wait till next offseason to make any major change? Possible. I believe we can contend with our current team, but some changes do need to be made. When, and how is the delicate question, for we could be in the Lakers position if we don't do this right. Funny how the Lakers are no longer contenders... I like it.
