IMO, the guy that can help us the most by stepping up his game.

We know what Lillard and LA can do. However, our best chance to really have something is for Nico to live up to his talent level.

He has all the tools to be an elite wing, but doesn't have the assertiveness. In a way, he reminds me of LA when Aldridge played with Roy.

If we can make him a focus of our offense, both as an outside shooter and cutter, it creates all kinds of difficulties for the defense and opens up offensive opportunities. However, Batum seems simply content to disappear for long stretches.

Thoughts?

 

Repp'd. I said this in the Batum for Monroe thread. He's also only 25 and has not yet reached his prime.

 

Oops! Sorry to steal your thunder, and repped for inadvertently stealing your idea. You've proven you know a hell of a lot more about hoops than I do in your previous posts.

 

Think you nailed it with the term, assertiveness. If Batum could really assert himself and stay healthy he could be the X-factor on offense.

On the defensive end, some have said Batum is average, but if you watch him play against Durant (the best scorer in the West), he's one of KD's toughest matchup's.

 

I was going to comment on his defensive potential, but I didn't want to make the post too long. When Batum wants, he can be a dominant defender. Again, he's simply not aggressive enough. I wonder if that's a European b-ball mindset. The guy has all the tools and occasionally they'll manifest themselves.

SA always wanted Nico. I think under Pop, he'd be a star. So, how can we get him to step up his game?

 

Let's see what he's like for France in the Eurobasket. He's usually a lot more assertive, and sometimes even looks like the star, despite Parker being around.

 

I agree as well. It was frustrating to watch Nic after his injury. It was night and day compared to earlier in the year. We need one more wing player to attack the basket. If he can't then I am fine with trading him. But if he can, then he can be a difference maker.

 

Nic has been the X factor the last 3 years. His problem has been staying healthy. And when I say healthy, I'm talking about not having nagging injuries that keep him timid.

So I agree that he must be more assertive; but I think his assertiveness is directly connected to his health. He should rest or work on some strength training.

 

There's a lot in this thread I agree with.

First, Nico did become more assertive playing in Europe last summer, and it showed during the early part of the season. Hopefully he continues in that direction in Eurobasket this summer. Guys better wear a cup, that's all I'm sayin'.

Second, he was living up to his talent level, and playing like a top SF in the league, last season, before his wrist injury. Hopefully, Stotts puts him in a position to continue and even build on his play from the early part of last season.

Nico is just now entering his prime. But he's never going to take over the team. It's not his team and it's not LaMarcus' team. It's Lillard's team. But as a third fiddle, I'm not worried about him stepping up, if given the proper role on the team.

 

Easy, trade him for Kawhi Leonard. Pop can teach Batum to be consistently dominant, and we get back a similarly productive player that has already learned the trade!

 

If Hickson's example couldn't shame Batum and Aldridge into becoming energy players, then nothing can.

 

In my experience this is impossible to do. Either you have a fiery temperament or you are laid back and this is about your DNA and can't really be "taught."

For better or worse, I think Nic is probably who he is going to be at this point of his career. The question is whether he's the guy we saw before he hurt his wrist or more the guy we say after that injury, last season. Pre-injury Nic was a borderline all-star; we'll see if he picks up there I guess?

 

Yep and yep. For the first month and a half of the season last year, Nic was putting up triple doubles and had a 5x5 game and a PER > 20. People here were talking about our Big 3 of Aldridge, Lillard and Batum. Then, he had the wrist injury. That effected him physically, but I also think it effected him psychologically. He lost some confidence and just wasn't as assertive after that. If he comes into the season healthy, and can stay that way, hopefully, we will see Awesome Nic for an entire season.

BNM

 

Ever since the Oregonian forced out Whitsitt, the team has filtered out all but soft--oops, I mean character--players.

 

In addition to the injury, I think our record going in the toilet had an effect on his assertiveness. He, like much of the team, realized we weren't going anywhere and stopped playing hard. Bad attitude to have, but I don't blame him that much. He has the ability to make a good team great, but not the ability to make a bad team good... if that makes sense.

 

I totally agree. He needs some aggravation therapy, maybe make him watch highlight films of Rudy flopping or part of his daily workout could be punching a Spaniard in the nutsack.

 

I thought I read somewhere or saw a tweet that Batum was going to try to put on more muscle this summer. I wonder if that will help with the injuries

 

But his pay scale doesn't call for him to be a "game changer" for a bad team. He was an important piece to an already winning caliber team.

FUCK SCRATCH THAT: I thought I was in the matthews thread. Batum is definitely at a pay scale to make a bad team good.

 

I do believe Nico will be skipping it this year. (A FIRST!)