He's the youngest player on our team and is our best perimeter defender by far. His second game back from injury he was guarding Deron Williams during our comeback when we got the deficit down to five. His IQ and court vision is one of the highest on the team. It's up there with Roy. His only flaw is consistency with his jumper and now that looks vastly improved. IMO, he has as much of a shot at an All-Star game down the road as LaMarcus.
But does it work? If it does, are you rubbing it all afternoon it to insure a win tonight? If they win we will know if you are up to the job.
Of course, that's the Chinese conception of him. Most other conceptions of him don't portray him as fat. Or laughing. More of a slim, serene figure.
My family moved from Portland to Winston Salem NC when I was 6. We moved back when I was 11 but not before I developed a strong hate for Duke. They are all that is wrong. But I could never hate Shane Battier. That guy's aptitude, skill level and passion for the game over comes his so-so athleticism to be an outstanding player... sort of a lessor defensive Larry Bird. My kind of player for sure. Dude knows his role and plays the game the right way. I'd throw him out as an alternative comparison to Pippen for Nic. There are differences... NB is a shade smaller but conversely a better run-jump athlete and a better ballhandler then Shane. But both play with intelligence, do all the little things, and defend at a high level. converting that alley oop tonight was a perfect example of Batum's athleticism... so smooth. I hope he keeps Pip's game as his goal as he has potential to do so much outside of just scoring. Very stoked to get to see him develop the next few years... I'd be shocked if he were dealt. Dude is a talent and he's very cheap. STOMP
Right before each season, I pick a favorite player. The last 3 seasons, it has been Sergio, then Petteri, then Batum. Well, I haven't had much to do yet...Last season I replaced Petteri with Sergio after Pritchard rejected Koponen (because Bayless hogged the ball in the summer games and Koponen couldn't show what he could do). This season my new favorite immediately got injured for half of the season. So far, this favorite player stuff hasn't exactly provided me with a world of entertainment.
