post-match Batum interview, comments on the Laker game

by #10 on Oct 29, 2008 12:14 PM PDT

Not really the most positive interview, especially his comments on how the Blazers changed all their plans at the last minute.

link

He thought he would discover the NBA in Portland’s starting five, moreover against the Lakers. Last night, Nicolas Batum finally had to content himself with less than 4 minutes of playing time. A disappointment for the French wing, who confided Wednesday in the mike of RTL-L’Equipe, in the program Carrément Basket.

Nicolas Batum, you played your first match in the NBA last night against Los Angeles. How did you experience this moment?

A little (hesitating)… bizarrely. A little bizarrely because the coach had told me that I was going to be in the starting five. And then the morning after practice, he changed everything! He changed the plan of attack, all the strategies, and he took me out of the starting lineup.

How did he explain all these changes to you?

He told me: “Given all the tactical changes that we’re going to make, I think that Travis who has been with the club for longer will absorb them quicker.” But on the other hand me I was supposed to be in the second unit, off the bench, for my defense against Radmanovic or especially against Lamar Odom… in the end I only had a few minutes at the end of the game.

You can imagine your disappointment at the end of the meeting.

Yes it’s true that I took it badly at first. But it’s just like that. I talked about it with Didier Mbenga (a Laker player) and he told me: “That’s the NBA, that’s how it is here.”

Did you feel like you were set aside?

I don’t know. I have to meet with the coach today or tomorrow. I hope that this choice was specifically for the game against the Lakers. I don’t think that I’m being put aside because he talked to me about it again this week. He told me that he had confidence in me, that I was capable of playing. So I think that it’s more for this game that I was set aside.

Does the fact that you only played 3 minutes in the meeting ruin your first NBA game?

A bit all the same…because if the coach had told me, two months ago, that I will be on the bench, I wouldn’t have said anything. But given everything that’s happened and everything that I’d been promised, of course I’m disappointed. I didn’t really understand, but oh well, I’ll deal with it… Now I know where I stand, I see the start of how it works here. I won’t be surprised anymore. That’s the only positive of this whole thing!

How did this young Portland team cope with the first game against last year’s finalists?

There’s a lot of talk about us as one of the possible surprises of the season in the West, but we’re still very young. And I think that we played this game like a pre-season game. I don’t think that we didn’t prepare like we should’ve, like for the first game of the regular season. I think that we got a good cold shower, that will wake us up. Friday, the San Antonio Spurs come. The fact that we play another ace team of the League will do us good, it will launch our season. We s tart with five complicated games (L.A. Lakers, San Antonio, Phoenix, Utah and Houston). It’s good for us. We’re going to evaluate ourselves against the strong teams of the conference.

Your center Greg Oden got hurt again (right foot), do you already have news from him?

Not really. All that we know is that he left with a big splint. It’s true that Joe (Joel Prizbilla [sic], in place of Oden) had a good game on the court last night (11 rebounds). But it’s true that he doesn’t provide the same contribution offensively like Greg. And it’s true that when LaMarcus (Aldridge) had a game like last night’s (8 points, 4/12 shooting) it becomes complicated for us. We’re hoping that Greg is going to come back quickly with us.

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Ouch!

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Oct 29, 2008 12:37 PM PDT 0 recs

I just can't figure out what Nate was thinking...

Even Mike Barrett was confused last night. Does anybody have a link for Nate’s postgame interview? I’d like to hear what his line of thinking was, and why the change in strategy? I don’t have experience with coaching or play making, but even I know what a last minute change like that can do to an entire team. Everyone was confused on offense. The Lakers defense didn’t help us much, but it would have been nice if we could have made some stops on the other end. Someone please shed some light on this.

by blazerbeliever on Oct 29, 2008 12:38 PM PDT 0 recs

Nate's fear

really trickled down and killed team confidence. Worst move thus far from coach Mac. Hopefully this is a one and done mistake. I hate to think our coach is gonna get rattled like this on a regular basis. Also just as the Celtics have a Defensive specialist assistant, Paul Allen needs to pay to clone Tex Winter or hire SOMEONE who knows how to run an NBA offense. Coach Mac is great at defense but his offense is boring at best. Read our Offense is offensive in the recommended posts for a FAR more eloquent post on this matter then I can summon up.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 29, 2008 12:49 PM PDT up 0 recs

I am a big believer in Outlaw

And I agree with most B-edgersTrout is best off the bench. Batum has every right to be puzzled and a bit upset.

And then the morning after practice, he changed everything! He changed the plan of attack, all the strategies, and he took me out of the starting lineup.

I don’t know what McMillan saw yesterday morning that spooked him out of his game plan but I think he should have made his final decisions during the preseason while the team had time to practice.

Dose anyone remember the song 123 go Rip City?

by 123_G.O._RipCity on Oct 29, 2008 12:38 PM PDT 0 recs

That was an awesome interview

I totally agree with Nicolas. He was told he was gonna start and was getting all this praise, helping him boost his confidence. But then he ends up getting 4 minutes of garbage time. I wouldn’t be too happy about it either. The thing that impresses me is that he realizes that this is the NBA and he knows he has to work even harder if he wants to succeed in this league. Any other rookie (besides oden and rudy) would be throwin a fit right now if they were promised the starting job on opening night and then get it taken away for no reason the day of the game, and then end up playing 4 minutes in garbage time. Batum expressed his opinion of the situation, which he has every right to do, and handled himself like a gentleman saying he realizes that its not all peas and carrots in the NBA and things change all the time and its just something he has to deal with.

Rip City. can't be stopped. 09.

by BlazinTrails on Oct 29, 2008 12:42 PM PDT 0 recs

Credit Nate for taking the fall

He admitted last night in post game interviews that he didn’t have the team prepared for the type of intensity this game required. I don’t think Batum would have made much of a difference. But Batum really got the shaft last night and Nate got off the wrong foot with him.

I surprised no one has talked much about Sergio. He only played 5 minutes in the first half after playing decent in the preseason. Nate elected to put in Bayless in the second half, I’m not sure if he was penalizing Sergio or going with Bayless to attack the hoop.

All this talk about panicking amongst the fans, I thought Nate panicked the most. He switched lineups last minute, pulled Sergio, and just went with a small lineup in the 4th. I’m glad he fessed up about not preparing the team, I hope everyone wakes up for the next game.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Oct 29, 2008 12:50 PM PDT 0 recs

Sergio

yeah, that move confused me too. Granted, it was a bizarre game with lots of garbage time, but I think he should have sent his 2nd unit out there and just said “go run”. So what if Sergio might have made a mistake or two – the game was lost already. Sergio needs to know he’s going to get his run and be allowed to make a mistake or two here or there, or else we’ll never know if he’s got any potential.

Rule #1 of nitpicking is to get it right.

by douglast on Oct 29, 2008 12:54 PM PDT up 0 recs

I feel like

Nate’s brain just froze up. He needs to put confidence in his team first. If they make Rookie mistakes deal with it at the time. To do what he did is just a real confidence killer and it was written all over the face of our team out of the gate. Inserting a shot-hungry / poor passing / poor defense SF who hasn’t played with them into the starting unit based on one practice is foolish.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 29, 2008 1:01 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nate needs to meditate

before every game and yes I am serious. Dude needs to relax and have faith in himself and his team.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 29, 2008 1:07 PM PDT up 0 recs

Seriously

Mac has shown us that Sergio is not his type of player.We can’t expect to see more Sergio anymore.After all, only one of the two (Sergio and Bayless) can stay as long as Blake is our starter.I feel so bad because I love Sergio’s game.

Our 2R are basketball geniuses-Roy and Rudy

by asiafan on Oct 31, 2008 7:35 AM PDT up 0 recs

I made this post in the Offense is Offensive thread

"3) Nate’s choice to start Outlaw over Batum. Not because Batum would be a better choice, but because of the message it sends. Batum had been playing over his head in the preseason and camp, enough so that 2 weeks before the season started, Nate started running him with the 1st unit, BRoy gave him his stamp of approval, and Nate named him the starter for the 1st game. Then on the day of the game he yanks him and starts Outlaw. This could have disrupted the 1st team’s offense, and Outlaw had not practiced with them at all for the most part, and even though he had a good game, all of his shots were the one on one type, and did not come in any type of offensive flow. Maybe that contributed to BRoy and LMA’s off nights, maybe not. It also told Batum that his coach thinks he can’t handle it, after 2 weeks of telling him he could. Actions speak louder that words my momma said, I hope Batum’s confidence can handle that and still come out and play well when we need him. "

Pretty much says why I totally disagreed with the move by Coach Nate. This interview with Batum only confirms my worst fears, "Nicolas Batum, you played your first match in the NBA last night against Los Angeles. How did you experience this moment?

So the morning of Nate changed everything, not the best way to go, that must have been some nightmare he had.

As far as Sergio goes, I didn’t agree with that call either, again here was my take from the other thread.
“3) Not playing Sergio more than 4 mins. Nate needs to let go of this team. He reminds me of Avery Johnson that way, he just can’t let the team play, he has to have control over it at all times. Last season this team played it’s best when Nate took off the reigns a bit in December. In the case of Sergio, his confidence is kinda shaky, although he had a good preseason, he is still feeling his way, benching him after 4 mins, (basically playing him the exact same way he did last year) does nothing but take a hammer to the glass and break the momention Sergio had going. More so, the team can see that, and see that Nate is still holding on very tight to the team. During Nate’s interview he said the team needed to slow down, which I am not sure was the case. They were all admittedly nervous or amped up for the game, which can lead to playing too fast. But the 1st qtr saw more bricks and players over running a play, or taking rushed shots. Maybe he meant they need to calm down, I can only hope.”

Sergio played well all preseason, Nate named him the back up, then suddenly he plays him 4 mins during a BLOWOUT loss, simply unfathomable.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 29, 2008 1:10 PM PDT 3 recs

Agreed on all points

well said usmcr3049.

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Oct 29, 2008 1:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

I was about to post something identical to this...

Look at my comments in the junk drawer and Travis starts la… i named the reason ( 4 i believe ) why this is a bad move by nate

1. reveals his lack of confidence in batum
2. takes shots away from broy and lma
3. breaks up offense of the 2nd unit
4. ruined my night

Nate is the person that failed us last night. Horrid coaching… simply horrid. And I hate being proven right.

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 29, 2008 1:22 PM PDT up 2 recs

i'm sorry i posted that sarcastic thing on blazers.com

i made a sarcastic remark about how travis looks cuter in a road jersey, than batum and that’s why nate played him, now i feel bad. sorry.

by appel82 on Oct 29, 2008 10:00 PM PDT up 0 recs

haha its okay :)

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 30, 2008 8:59 AM PDT up 0 recs

I thought you were mocking me or implying that

the only reason I was upset about the decision was because I think Batum is cute or that sports fans that happen to be women only watch because they are attracted to the athletes (i wont lie, it IS an added benefit!). I think I took it too personal though, because I called you a “laker fan” so for that insult, I am truly sorry.

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 30, 2008 9:02 AM PDT up 0 recs

not horrid

Nate made a wrong decision. That doesn’t make his coaching “horrid.”

He had what appeared at the time to be solid reasons for starting Outlaw. And it was a tough decision to make, what to do in light of Webster’s absence.

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

by fisheyes on Oct 29, 2008 11:07 PM PDT up 0 recs

I Nate deserves some blame, but Roy and LMA are not getting enough of it

I’m seriously disappointed by how Roy and LMA approached the game. They are the captains of the team and they shriveled up in the BIG moment. Their leadership, aggressiveness, and play sets tone on the court. Nate could give the most inspiring speech this side of MLK, but the leaders on the court have to lead. In this game, LMA and Roy failed. The good news is that this is not the end of it and there will be other big games. If anything else, I just hoped they learned from this, all of them.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Oct 29, 2008 1:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

There was plenty of choking going on last night--probably including Nate

But the team (and coach) will be that much better-prepared the next time they play a big game. The good news: this wasn’t a playoff loss. It was just game 1 of an 82-game regular season.

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Oct 29, 2008 1:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

agreed.

I was not meaning to say nate was the only one to blame, just trying to keep it on the topic of this fanpost. I think Nate undercut his teams confidence by moving Outlaw to the starting unit, that made everyone on the team think about that, instead of thinking about the game. Head games can kill a team, Nate is normally good at this, but yesterday he was just awful.

As for BRoy and LMA, they had bad shooting nights, but during the game I was imploring BRoy to take over the game in the 1st and 2nd qtrs, because the team needed him to go off to keep them close. But he never stepped up to the plate, this was really odd, because all last season he was able to do that in games, pick his spots to score right when the team needed him. Last night he was floating out there too often. This could have been Kobe’s defense, or it could have been because of the 0-9 start, or maybe it was because Roy was confused as to what Nate wanted out of him. In the end it comes down to the players playing, so they deserve most of the blame, but Nate really disappointed me last night with his decisions and since it doesn’t happen that often I felt we needed to speak out about it.

WAR losing my voice at the garden on friday night.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 29, 2008 1:56 PM PDT up 0 recs

The refs helped the Blazers look pitiful

Hell, even BRoy complained to the refs. And he NEVER complains.

Get used to getting punk’d, newbie Blazer fans.

There once was a Sea’ Cap’n Nate
Whom with Blazers did negotiate.
The pool, t’was so deep!
"That KP don’t sleep."
Gold medals and rings were his fate.

by LaoTzu on Oct 30, 2008 3:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

Correct Adjective!!!

bizarrely

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Oct 29, 2008 1:59 PM PDT 0 recs

...................... even if it's an adverb...

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Oct 29, 2008 2:00 PM PDT up 0 recs

Anyone else curious about the "strategies" that Nate changed?

If Trout, despite his low basketball IQ, is expected to absorb the “changes” quicker, that suggests that the “changed” plan is basically to just play like we did last year and that the “original” plan involved implementing some new offensive system.

If that is the case and Nate was planning to use a different type of offense, then that leaves us with a lot of unanswered questions to speculate about. What exactly is the new offense and how does it differ from what we actually did in the game? Why did Nate chicken out and decide not to use the new offense? Does the team just need more practice before they are ready to use it in a real game? Did Nate just change the strategy for one game, or are we going to have to wait longer to see the new offense? Does it require a healthy Greg Oden to work properly?

In any case, changing the plan at the last moment is usually a bad idea. It’s often better to be decisive and stick with a bad strategy than to be indecisive and switch to a better strategy without being prepared to execute it properly. Hopefully Nate will show more decisiveness in the future.

by trk on Oct 29, 2008 6:59 PM PDT 0 recs

interesting theory.

Ah to be a fly on the wall!

by Blazin' on Oct 29, 2008 9:29 PM PDT up 0 recs

My high school alma mater is Sunset High

In 1971, my senior year, our coach Mouse Davis, coached us to an undefeated season and into the state title game against Corvallis… where he inexplicably changed the offense. We lost by 30. If it ain’t broke, etc.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 29, 2008 10:09 PM PDT 0 recs

sounds like paranoia

Mouse must have smoked some root before the game……I wonder what Nate was smoking?….
It probably looked like a good decision (to him)until after the game started and then it was too late to change his strategy (or he was too paranoid to make a move….or maybe there wasn’t a strategy)……Someone on the bench should have Pritch-slapped him….at least it would have provided some entertainment on our side.
Ya know he always wants scoring players on the floor….for some reason he never practices what he preaches…he talks defense but never fields a defensive team or gets them to play “D” first and let the offense take care of itself. (like maybe creating turnovers, getting rebounds, and a quick transition to offense that could turn into some easy baskets)…So we keep getting stuck with the slow, methodical walk through offense…….The one we have to use because we are always behind from not playing good defense…..
Sorry….I started blabbing again…I’m done

by 67 on Oct 29, 2008 11:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

You gotta play your game!

Impose your will on the other guy!

Sometimes, in individual games, there will be matchups that are key or concepts that if followed are a clear route to victory.

But mostly, it’s about gaming up. And this time, Nate took these guys’ heart away.

Time to game, Nate.

There once was a Sea’ Cap’n Nate
Whom with Blazers did negotiate.
The pool, t’was so deep!
"That KP don’t sleep."
Gold medals and rings were his fate.

by LaoTzu on Oct 30, 2008 3:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nate says Travis on Friday

Nate said tonight that he will start Travis again on Friday. But he has been known to change his mind.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 29, 2008 10:48 PM PDT 0 recs

Travis is the starter as long as Pryz is (and Webster is out)

We can’t start the game with two severely limited offensive players on the floor. Thus, unless we want to move Roy to the 3, which looks doubtful, Outlaw is the starter at least until either Greg or Martell is back.

Rule #1 of nitpicking is to get it right.

by douglast on Oct 30, 2008 11:31 AM PDT up 1 recs

Nate Choked

I’ve also been preaching this exact same message since the game ended. Absolutely no reason to shake the teams confidence and chemistry like he did. Travis doesn’t belong on the first unit, and Nate has acknowledged as much nearly every time he’s been broached on the subject. Batum is a fit on the first unit and Travis is a fit on the second unit. How incredibly dumb do you have to be to mess that up. As far as the Sergio subject goes, he flat out refuses to play him, no matter how much he’s earned it, or has insta-chemistry with Rudy. Nate has been a solid coach in the past, hopefully all the limelight doesn’t make him a shrivel as a coach.

by as11osu on Oct 29, 2008 11:56 PM PDT 0 recs

Sergio through that awful lob

And Nate was done with him.

There once was a Sea’ Cap’n Nate
Whom with Blazers did negotiate.
The pool, t’was so deep!
"That KP don’t sleep."
Gold medals and rings were his fate.

by LaoTzu on Oct 30, 2008 3:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nate has to play Sergio

if hes not going to give a run this season, they may as well release him and let him have a go with another team.

bayless is still too raw and needs a season or two on the bench to really start to show his potential, you cant teach the type of floor vision sergio has, and its a crime not to let him have a go with the second unit.

by Yawnie on Oct 30, 2008 2:48 AM PDT 0 recs

Thank you for posting this

I am beside myself. As a fan, I have lost a large chunk of the esteem I had for Nate. The Coach obviously cracked before the game. What the &@*#! C’mon coach. This is common sense stuff.

"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)

by G_dubs on Oct 30, 2008 3:13 AM PDT 0 recs

Coaching Failure Illustrated

’nuff said.

"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)

by G_dubs on Oct 30, 2008 4:09 AM PDT 0 recs

When will you learn to keep your damn mouth shut Nicolas !!!!????

Not even 20, rookie from France taken late in the first round feeling like playing’s granted to him ???
Where do you think you are boy ?
Learn the NBA game, watch, absorb, don’t lose anytime complaing…

by Blenzer on Oct 30, 2008 7:10 AM PDT 0 recs

He was already disapointed

not being drafted by the Spurs, and now this one…
I hope the kid’s ego is not something to be concerned about.

by Blenzer on Oct 30, 2008 7:12 AM PDT up 0 recs

Nic answered the question honestly.

He has every reason to feel disappointed and a bit confused. Playing time was granted to him well in advance of the game and then yanked at the last minute. I had no problem with anything he said in that interview.

This situation is a black mark for Nate. Could team and player psychology, or a lack of skill at game preparation, be a weakness of his?

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 30, 2008 9:09 AM PDT up 0 recs

I don't know

if McMillan’s preparation of the game messed up or not.
I was personnally in favor of Batum’s starting, but then I also don’t feel like it’s Nic’s job to decide who should or shouldn’t play, let alone talk about it in the media…

To me the coach has every right to change the lineups whenever he wants to, whether it’s a mistake or not is another topic, but the players shouldn’t express themselves on that point, even when they’re veterans, so when they’re late first round rookies, they shouldn’t even think about that…

by Blenzer on Oct 30, 2008 10:15 AM PDT up 0 recs

No one is really questioning the "right" of the head coach

to adjust the lineup at any time. We are just questioning the intelligence of such a move. As far as Nicolas complaining to the media, I interpreted this as him voicing an honest description of how the last minute change made him feel. It is far better than NOT speaking to the media, you know “both teams played hard”.

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 30, 2008 10:27 AM PDT up 0 recs

Well...

You’re talking to a big Rasheed Wallace fan…

I think those things should be kept internal. I also think rookies shouldn’t question the coach’s decisions.

by Blenzer on Oct 30, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

I apologize

I was a sheed fan too and his media silence was frustrating, but that was then.

I guess I used to see a softer side of Sheed when he wasnt around the team. Sheeds house shared backyards w/ my best friend in highschool house . He was always outside playing w/ his kids running round and joking w/ fatima and I respect that.

Is Batum questioning Nate, or feeling upset or disapointed at least and simply stating as much to a reported when asked pointed questions? I think he has a right to be upset, but he will have to grow up and get over it. Hopefully he already is over it.

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 30, 2008 1:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

Of course he's got every right in the world to be upset

I also wish he kept his feelings for himself.
And it’s the second time his communication with the media is not positive I think…

by Blenzer on Oct 30, 2008 2:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

jeeze... relax guys

OK. Nate, the players, all of them (except Rudy) really sucked. They know it and are in worse moods than we are. Things will improve, less myopia more perspective please.

by rburg on Oct 30, 2008 9:07 AM PDT 0 recs

nic!!!!!!!

tighten up that upper lip my friend!

# 10 Top Charles Barkley Quote: On the Portland Trail Blazers (back when they were known as the Jail Blazers) serving Thanksgiving meals: "In between arrests they do community service."

by BlazermaniacAndy on Oct 30, 2008 4:02 PM PDT 0 recs

honesty in sports and some of you guys don't like it?

He is not saying he is better than anyone, he is not trying to bring anyone down, he is trying to answer the question. I wish there was more of that. It’s not what we want to hear anyone say regarding our team, but then again, that game was not what we wanted to see either. Batum’s disappointed, and he should be. Hopefully everyone can learn from this.

Hang on everyone, we're "Red Hot and Rollin'" again!

by ORcoastAK on Oct 30, 2008 4:58 PM PDT 0 recs

I feel the same way about

Rudy’s answer about how does Sergio feel,the Euros have a little bit different relationship with the media and will get the both teams played hard bs so beloved of Stern down pat,too bad I like honesty.

by southern oregon on Oct 30, 2008 5:47 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yes, agree

and they have come over to both prove their worth and be compared to the best in the world…when they are drafted in the first round, it leads them to believe they must be showing they have something…..what they are showing is that their basketball IQ is right up there with the best….it could be that Batum truley thinks he is a better player than Outlaw (I think so to) But Nate is enamored over Outlaw for some reason . Must be because he’s in love with the slow, methodical, boring game of jump shots and no “D”….
I guess it would bother anyone (even a rookie) that, not so much, not starting, but not playing……The coach was wrong, dead wrong…….At what point did Nate feel he was out of the game….right after the opening tip……so he played Travis, played Travis, played Travis….what was the point, did he think Travis’s jump shot would get them back in?
…

by 67 on Oct 31, 2008 11:52 AM PDT up 0 recs