Thanks for your concern about my time. I'm sorry you feel it's "completely stupid" just b/c you're having a hard time refuting anything in it, even though you seem to disagree with it. The "ignore" button is easier than typing a couple of sarcastic sentences that don't contribute. If you don't want to discuss Outlaw, don't click on the thread. Doesn't seem tough. The precedent I was hoping to set seems to have been lost on you. I took actual comment from actual readers asking questions about someone or something that they had a "belief" in. I then used actual data to challenge their opinion on it. Most won't change their minds either way, but it's something that should spur discussion. I'll go cartoon on you: "knowing is half the battle".
Fair enough. I think that the original premise (and the one you just brought up) is faulty. Sure, he's a "bench" player b/c he doesn't start. But he plays the 4th most minutes on the team. I personally don't think the debate is played out, since there are still people that say he's a limited player, but that's ok, since he's a bench player. My position was that that's not ok, since he's getting 28mpg. Then I was asked to compare him with players more like him ("bench" SFs and PFs). So I did. If it didn't spark anything else for you to discuss/debate, then that's fine. Sorry to waste your time.
My inclination is that it would be beneficial to get Batum more minutes, based somewhat on "evaluating" and "baking". He's also a better player at the SF, IMO. His PER is comparable (13.6 to 13.8), his PER against is comparable (17.6 vs. 17.8). He's 5 years younger, 5 years less experienced. He's playing exclusively against starters (playing the first 7 minutes of each half), while Travis gets a decent amount of time against backups. He's a rookie that, if he progresses like many young players, develops better with more time and good coaching. If you were to say that Rudy's a better fit b/c he brings more to the table, or play Roy there b/c he can defend the position better, then I can agree and we can talk more about that. My point is...Travis should either develop his game more (especially defense and rebounding), which I haven't given up hope on; or have his minutes decreased. Nicolas' stats show that you're not going to get worse production at the SF position by taking TO's minutes away for NB.
I don't think they're doing flat-out terrible. Combined, they put up good numbers. But they're both just inconsistent game to game. You never know what you're going to get offensively from each especially Travis.
Doubtful. Jerome Kersey averaged in double digits for most of his career, and when he did that, he really did that, he didn't score 30 one game and 6 3 times in a row. He showed up in the teens every night. He didn't drop off in production until he started getting old.
Were you expecting Nic's 3 point barrage tonight? Sure all players productivity varies and Travis may fluctuate even more then others, but the overall numbers in the link I provided suggest that the Blazers SF spot has been more productive then most. That Nic and Travis are just 20 and 24 years old and making relative peanuts... I can live with a little inconsistency. STOMP
One thing about Outlaw that came to me, as I was occupying my afternoon thinking about him, is that he seems to be someone who stays off of the injured list. That's not a bad trait, is it?
