Why we will sign Petko and Batum this year

by lee3022 on Jul 16, 2008 11:50 PM PDT Comment 37 comments

The economics of drafting Europeans in the bottom of the 1st round has shifted dramatically in the past 5 years. Considering 1) European teams paying significantly more to players; 2) the dollar's drop against the Euro; and 3) the NBA rookie salary structure for 1st round picks there simply is not enough money to sign a European talent after he establishes himself in Europe. (Rudy is amazing to be willing to come anyway.) Both Kopenen and Batum will have to sign 4-5 year contracts in order to play in Europe next year (and get pretty good money). By the end of those contracts they will be getting 3-5 times the salary restricted for low 1st rounder (remember that the salary is the amount when they were drafted). So failing to sign both this year probably means we will not see them again. A side note: I believe 2nd round picks are not restricted in what we can pay so 2nd rounders are more valuable than low 1st rounders for Europeans. It is why KP does so well with this currency.

Both show huge upside and both are raw in experience. Both can be worth having on the roster by the end of this year (getting some playing time).

So the real question to me is do you want to keep these guys or toss off Paul Allen's $3M purchase of each of these draft picks? It would appear that error on the side of keeping the player makes more sense. Especially if there is indeed a trade this next year (likely a 2 or 3 for 1 trade). We also have the ability to waive Raef (hate it if we do) and still keep his salary cap value going into next year. With Greg healthy there will not be minutes for him I would think. That would free up a roster slot if absolutely needed.

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Good reasoning

I follow your reasoning on this one, buddy. Of course, the main premise of your argument is that Petko and Batum are or have the potential of becoming gifted and valuable NBA players. If we are fairly confident of this (not necessarily certain), then we are wise to sign those boys and let them work with Blazer coaches and learn the NBA game. Batum seems awfully raw. I wonder whether he has Euro teams courting him as heavily as PetKo is getting courted. Probably not. Maybe the risk of losing Batum to Euroland is less than the risk of losing PetKo. I’d sure hate to lose PetKo anyway. They sell cheap cigarettes there don’t they? Beer and smokes. That’s what I spend my tip money on at the end of the day. That plus I’m saving up for another tattoo.

Winning is everything.

by MT Suit on Jul 17, 2008 12:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

livin' large, brother

I thought they only sold pet food. Then one day I went in there and it was more like a mini mart, with lots of boxes of weird little products. And yeah I believe you’re right about the cheap cigarettes. I don’t know about beer, though. Might have to get that at Dairy Mart or Plaid Pantry.

Where have all the flowers gone?

by bilingual octopus on Jul 17, 2008 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

KP has said we are signing Batum and he reportedly has some decent offers

But the assessment of whether they can become NBA players is what the summer league is all about. I would think it is less about production and more about willingness to learn and progress as well as how they do in the clutch. I am so glad to see Petko playing well. He has 3 more games to get it done.

Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."

by lee3022 on Jul 17, 2008 12:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not really production or willingness to learn

It’s more about showing you belong with fringe NBA and near NBA players. If you look like you are in over your head, you aren’t ready. If you look like you fit in ok, you might be close. If you look like you own these guys, it is a good indication that you are ready to make a team.

PK is showing he’s ready to contend for a spot on a team. Bayless is showing he definitely belongs in the NBA. Batum is showing he isn’t ready yet. That’s after only two games, so subject to change, of course.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Jul 17, 2008 2:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

P.S.

Saying Batum isn’t ready doesn’t mean I think he won’t be signed and brought over. I think he probably will.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Jul 17, 2008 4:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I respectfully disagree

Someone that has game like B Roy’s could be great on an NBA team but you would see nothing from him in these summer league games. I think there is no way for fans watching these guys on TV to know for sure if a player belongs in the NBA, you have to be around the team and see the whole picture, that’s why the whole staff went down there and that’s what they get paid to do.

Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard

by Kelsoballa on Jul 17, 2008 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

Roy looked pretty good in Summer League. No one with Roy’s ability would look like he was in over his head in Summer League. He might not dominate, but he’d look like he belongs.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Jul 17, 2008 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Roy looked good because he's an all-star

But someone with Roy’s type of game may be an all-star but may not do squat in summer league. I just don’t think we can truly know unless we are there.

Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard

by Kelsoballa on Jul 17, 2008 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Edit

someone with Roy’s type of game may be ~~an all-star~~ an NBA player but…

Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard

by Kelsoballa on Jul 17, 2008 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, I get what you're saying

but someone with Roy’s type of game may not produce much in summer league, but if he’s NBA quality, he isn’t going to look over his head.

Your point is valid, but it is about production. I’m talking about whether guys look like they are lost out there, or overwhelmed. The guy who is overwhelmed in SL just isn’t ready.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Jul 17, 2008 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are players going to Europe after 4 years in college

that can play better now than either of these two players. Willingness to learn seems part of the equation because it notes the maturity needed to progress. If either of these guys had Martell’s rookie attitude (as described later by him) they would not be ready to take the jump. The expression intended to be inclusive of practice time and player interaction as well.

by lee3022 on Jul 17, 2008 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

I kant imagine Kevy hasnt come to this realization himself. Kopper is Gold!

"As long as Yao is in the league, Greg Oden will probably never start in an all-star game, because he doesn’t have 1 Billion people voting for him."
silkybrown

"Just so we're totally clear(, y)ou’re saying you want me to kill Yao, right?"
nightbluefruit

by ptwnblzr on Jul 17, 2008 3:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Batum is killing me.

His game is so hard to watch. I knew he was going to be young and raw, but I expected a little something.

Is it just me or does it seem like young, skinny, tall, super athletic, jump shot loving, small forwards are a dime a dozen. Gerald Green can barely get a job. We have three of them.

Batum has been like the 8th best guy on the court the last two games. Why in the world would you give him a roster spot and not Petko?

If somebody hits you with an object you should beat the hell out of them.-Charles Barkley

by Winchester on Jul 17, 2008 4:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Because we have point guards?

Then again, we have small forwards.

I have to admit that batman seems even rawer than I had expected. He seems smart on defense but that barn his perfectly safe from his shot.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Jul 17, 2008 6:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a toss up.

We have six guys who can play the 1 and five guys who can play the 3. We are so stacked everywhere. The problem is most of it is in the form of “potential”. We have the potential to be a great team. I just don’t want to end up like the Clippers, in a state of eternal potential.

If somebody hits you with an object you should beat the hell out of them.-Charles Barkley

by Winchester on Jul 17, 2008 7:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

so what?

We also have 5 guys who can play the 5 and 5 guys who can play the 4. We’re versatile, so what?

Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard

by Kelsoballa on Jul 17, 2008 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly.

so what does it matter if we add another point guard? If we add anyone we will be overbooking.

If somebody hits you with an object you should beat the hell out of them.-Charles Barkley

by Winchester on Jul 17, 2008 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

THey are both going to be signed then KopFin is gonna be sent directly to

the D league- Batman will sit on the bench and travel w/ the team- The fact that he is 19 and is skinnier than most middle school cheerleaders leads me to believe that KP n Staff have a lot in store for him. It has been mentioned around here that his style, right now at least, is reminiscient of Outlaw when he first got here. Not sure if they wanna wait another 5 year for somthing but if that is truly the case he’s golden…

-Sophia

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes. - Marcus Fabius Quintilian (35-95AD) Roman Rhetorician, Critic

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 17, 2008 8:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

3 PG's, 3 SG's, 3 SF's, 3PF's, 3 C's

Everyone talks about too many PG’s and SF’s If we do sign both of them, but if this happened we would then have 3 players at EVERY position, with versatality throughout the linup of course. That is as balanced as it gets. (I put LaFrentz at C and Aldridge at PF)

I was about to say that if both DID come over, I would sense a trade coming on, but after looking at the lineup, I’m not so sure about that.

Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard

by Kelsoballa on Jul 17, 2008 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Way to put that perspective up

Im convinced they oth are signed…why not? right?

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes. - Marcus Fabius Quintilian (35-95AD) Roman Rhetorician, Critic

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 17, 2008 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I'm convinced now too

The only thing I hesitate on is I remember KP saying he might leave a spot open so players can battle for it in camp, he wants camp to be intense and that would be a great way to make it intense. But then again, why wouldn’t it be intense anyway with all these hungry players looking for playing time

Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard

by Kelsoballa on Jul 17, 2008 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah KP is a master he says one thing then does another that is un heard of

i dunno I still think both are gonna be signed. The battle will be between sergio and Kopfin and Bayless.

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes. - Marcus Fabius Quintilian (35-95AD) Roman Rhetorician, Critic

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 17, 2008 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One possible future for Batman

3 years from now, after Travis wins his second consective 6th man award, KP trades him (his championship ring and realatively small contract) for an unprotected #1 pick to a lottery team, where he goes on to start, gets a max contract, and becomes an all-star (but never plays in the finals again). Batman becomes the starting 3 and is named to the all NBA defense 1st or 2nd team for the next 10 years as he collects about 6 rings and is named MVP of the finals (twice).

by DucRider on Jul 17, 2008 9:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

uuhhh, no.

how did this thread turn agaist travis?

"As long as Yao is in the league, Greg Oden will probably never start in an all-star game, because he doesn’t have 1 Billion people voting for him."
silkybrown

"Just so we're totally clear(, y)ou’re saying you want me to kill Yao, right?"
nightbluefruit

by ptwnblzr on Jul 17, 2008 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Three years from now

Travis may not have that small of a contract, if he’s as good as you are saying.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Jul 17, 2008 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha

Outlaw traded for an unprotected lottery pick?

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard

by Kelsoballa on Jul 17, 2008 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think KP thinks too highly of PK to let him go to the D-league

PK is ready now, heck, he’s better now then Sergio will ever be. And this coming from one of the original Sergio fans! He has that passion you don’t get from any other Finnish players (was that as funny as it sounded?), and he is tall enough to start me salvating. Did we really just get a 6’3” (jbay) and a 6’4” (PetKo) for our roster this year? Thats called size people, while Batum hits the protein shakes PK is ready to contribute now. Mark my words, we will sign him this year.

Mike Barrett Says "Yes Sir!', Wheels Says "Boomshakalaka!'

by BlazermaniacAndy on Jul 17, 2008 9:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

he’s better now then Sergio will ever be

Ummm…no? Sorry, but PK is not better right now than Sergio Rodriguez will ever be. Had you argued that PK shows more potential and WILL be better than Sergio I could have stomached it, but speculating off of two summer league games that he is better is just ridiculous.

by joelor on Jul 17, 2008 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its weird how everyone forgets the rookie love we gave him.

sergio played very well, and as soon as he has a problem…..

"As long as Yao is in the league, Greg Oden will probably never start in an all-star game, because he doesn’t have 1 Billion people voting for him."
silkybrown

"Just so we're totally clear(, y)ou’re saying you want me to kill Yao, right?"
nightbluefruit

by ptwnblzr on Jul 17, 2008 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ggggwwwaaaaAAAAGHGHTHTTTGHGHTHTHGGMMM!!!!!!!!

Does the man on the left actually appear one inch taller than the man on the right to you?

"He shoots....................... he scores!!!"

by timbo on Jul 17, 2008 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No.

Did we really just get a 6’3" (jbay) and a 6’4" (PetKo) for our roster this year?

"He shoots....................... he scores!!!"

by timbo on Jul 17, 2008 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you are saying Petko is really 6'8"?

by lee3022 on Jul 17, 2008 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think we have better uses for roster spots

than to wait 4 years for batum to develop. i wouldn’t mind seeing him going over seas for a while. both batum and petko are 19 i believe and it is clearly obvious that Batum needs a lot more experience and coaching.

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Jul 17, 2008 10:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

They might not develop for a 3-4 years but they could still be nice trade pieces over the next 1-3 years.

Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard

by Kelsoballa on Jul 17, 2008 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

1st round picks are guaranteed 2 years only

so he either showed significant continued promise and some progress or we have a roster spot. Reminder however – there were how many freshmen drafted in the 1st round this year? The league will still trade for potential next year as well.

by lee3022 on Jul 17, 2008 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think they will sign pk

we will keep our team together till halfway through the season, if we are getting owned, we will trade a few peices for a vet, or upgrade at the point

otherwise if we are playing decently, we will ride out the yr and wait till 09 to go after some pimp free agents. at least thats what i think.

bayless looks good, needs to work on finishing
batum needs a lot of work, either he goes dleague, or he sits on the bench for like 2 yrs b4 he turns into a good def role player
PK looks good, but i dont think hes as good as sergio right now.

by KObeHater on Jul 17, 2008 11:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Should I stop drinking?

Bayless needs to work on finishing? I was pretty drunk both games and I forget a lot when I’m drunk but I think I remember him finishing quite nicely several times. Is this the alcohol messing wit me?

Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard
Both Teams Played Hard

by Kelsoballa on Jul 17, 2008 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs