We may have 2 Euro-non-wusses

Claver and Freeland both look like they don't mind mixing it up inside, have a nose for the ball and want to rebound, and seem pretty scrappy on D.

Oh yeah, and we have Nic too who makes a lot of money.

 

From what you've seen of those two so far, do you see either having a significant impact on the NBA level?

By that, I mean, do you think either of them have starter potential in their near future, or are both of them just big bodies that can mix it up down-low off the bench?

 

At this point Freeland probably will make the biggest impact. Looks like a guy that could be a solid NBA role player, especially if he can shoot the ball like he did in the olympics. He could be the guy that gets under the skin of the opponent, getting offensive rebounds and making hustle plays.

Claver, I'm not too sure about NBA long-term, but he is athletic and if he can move his feet well enough to guard the 3 he might not be bad. At least tonight he was going after rebounds and looked like he belonged there.

 

I predict that Claver will become better than Batum.

(3rd time I've posted that in about 3 or 4 days)

 

Why does Batum look apologetic about everything he does on the court? It's like he can barely be assertive enough to make a decision. He obviously makes decisions but they still seem unsure and I wish he would go into nut-punching mode more often. There are great aspects to his game but I want more from him......

 

I don't understand why you guys see the nut punching as a positive thing. When I was playing, the kind of guys who did things like that were the kind of guys that would get frustrated that they couldn't compete with the rest of the guys on the court, so they'd resort to cheap shots... not the kind of guys who approached the game itself aggressively.

 

Just an attitude thing I guess. I wasn't thrilled with the testicular attack but at least it showed some passion from Batum.
It would be better to redirect it.

 

When Batum does try hard, he makes a lot of mistakes and causes turnovers (not just for him, but also for his pass receivers). So he becomes passive.

 

As a fan of team other than the Blazers... I still can't figure out why he got the contract that he did. It's almost like your GM holds your team to a below-average standard.

 

This team waits (and pays) more years for potential to play out than any other team. Maybe it's because the owner is willing to pay years before he receives results, and maybe it's because the small town fans believe religiously in a golden future like the Book of Revelation.

I like a team that changes most of its roster every year. Up or out. If you don't move up, you're out.

 

You read my mind. We should've let Batum walk. I don't think he's any better than Claver in the long term.

Maybe we could trade Batum to Minny for Roy and scrubs?

 

Boom

 

is your hope that numerous posts will convince yourself and us?

 

When Olshey accepts my authority, I won't need to repeat myself anymore.

 

An "impact"? No. But Freeland has shown me he may be a keeper. Claver isn't long for the NBA. I'd cut him. But if not, it'll probably be his only NBA contract.

 

I'll pretend I didn't hear that. After all, this is a thread about wusses.

 

Three, was it two? years of playing under Mcmillian will do that to a guy.

Batum just needs to continue to shoot, regardless if he makes it, needs to continue to attack and not look back.

 

Nah, you like to hear yourself talk (post) too much for that to happen...

 

3.65 seasons of standing in the corner waiting for the kickout under McMillan.

BNM

 

Wow, amazing what you manage to tell from less than 50 total minutes on the court. What an extrapolator you are.