Let's assume that for whatever reason (like lack of a big, PG sucktitude, whatever) that Batum when healthy will play either the 4 in a small-ball lineup or the 1 (with Roy as the primary ball-handler along with either Webster or Rudy). Which, in your opinion, is better for our team?
Batum did great running the French team while Parker was out. That was part of the reason I was excited to get to see him play this year...
At this point in time - I would rather see him at the 1. He is fast enough to guard many PGs, not strong enough to guard many PFs.
Point guard. I think he can make life difficult for opposing point guards, which would be a really big deal. Roy would handle the distributing duties.
The only question here is who is he more capable of guarding? Clearly that is against guards. Real power forwards would back him down on post-ups every trip down the court
I said 4, he doesn't have the ball handling chops to play the 1 and he couldn't possibly be any worse on defense at the 4 than Outlaw.
Where team France had him starting: SG The Anti-Nelly ball PG: Roy - 6'6" SG: Batum - 6'8" SF: Claver - 6'11" PF: Aldridge - 6'11" C: Oden - 7'0"
I like the thought of Batum/Rudy/Roy a lot. Batum guarding the best of the other team's 1/2/3 and Rudy and Roy taking the other two.
I can't decide if I like Rudy or Bayless better (long term) Batum/Rudy/Roy - looks like a pretty good shooting line-up, but only Roy attacks the rim Batum/Bayless/Roy - 2 guys who can attack the rim, perimeter shooting not as good
"You are whatever (position) you can guard." Honestly, I think Batum's one of those players that you can throw out there at almost any position (other than center, of course) to help you win ball games... primarily due to his defensive versatitlity. I think he'd do just fine at the 1, 2, or 4 given the situational match-ups and the combination(s) of players that you're able to throw out on the floor with him.
Absolutely @ 1. He has the speed to hang with PGs on defense, and has better handles than any other non-PG on this team outside of Roy. As mentioned above, if his play in Eurobasket is any indication, dude can play guard with BRoy on the ball.
He's a good 3, but I'd have to be desperate to play him elsewhere. He could play some SG against some teams but we'll never need him to. PF's would abuse him and he has absolutely no PG skills of note.
He isn't a good enough dribbler with his left hand to consistently be the point and a ball handler. With practice, he could learn to play the 1 but why?
I'm looking forward to Nicolas playing with Rudy and Roy at the 3 small spots. Let the announcers decide what the position labels are. STOMP
Tonight I'd have wanted him at the 4 since Oden/Pryz/LaMarcus/Outlaw are out. If the roster was healthy I'd rather see him at the 1.
