Pritchards first mistake = Nicolas Batum

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to early to make that call

Drafting him was very similiar to the thought process of drafting Trout. We don’t have space for another rotation player right now. So what is the smart thing to do? Draft someone with BIG upside or even a specialty type player that is a few years out and let them develop in your system.

The Blazer’s have been keeping an eye On Batum for three years now and these guy’s do their research.

Being that the goal is to have a balanced roster I have no doubt that there will come a time when Batum will provide a valuable niche for the Blazers.

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Jul 17, 2008 8:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey... Leave his "gut feeling" alone.

This sort of thing is very persona; it’s his gut feeling that is premature, I hear lots of guys have that situation of premature gut feeling that really disappoint a lot of people.

by Portland Dynasty on Jul 18, 2008 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I should have been much more sensitive

I had a friend (wink) that suffered from the same thing. It was very humiliating for him.

I'm a little confused by your tactics

by oderiferous emanations 74 on Jul 18, 2008 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

low cost mistake

IF it does turn out to be a mistake – and it’s way too early to tell for sure—it’s a pretty low cost one. We spent 3 million and a 2nd round pick for him. big whoop.

Sure, we could have had Donte Greene. But Arthur (the Kansas guy you reference) was not available. Had we not traded up from 27 to 25 to get Batum, Arthur would have gone 25. We never had a chance at him.

Rule #1 of nitpicking is to get it right.

by douglast on Jul 17, 2008 8:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah..

but I’m thinking, now and forever, CD-R.

"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan

by 12sharks on Jul 17, 2008 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait - so we could have had Batum at 27?

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 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Batum

would have gone 26 to the Spurs. The Rockets were planning to take Arthur, but since the Spurs didn’t need him, we made a deal with Houston so we could both get our guys. The Rockets got Dorsey for their trouble and we got the guy the Spurs were after

by DominicanAvenger on Jul 17, 2008 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So San Antonio wanted Batum and we made a mistake to take him?

That would account for the top two foreign draft expert staffs both wanting a mistake?

There was no mistake made. And Houston did not want Arthur preferring to move him to Memphis for Greene who they likely wanted all along.

(My earlier comment was satire)

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 18, 2008 2:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No..

Batum would have gone 26th (to the Spurs). Arthur was a sure-fire 25th to the stats-lovin’ Rockets. We cut a deal – we pick for the rockets plus our second-rounder, they pick for us. They get a freebie, we cut in front of the Spurs.

If it weren’t for that deal, it would’ve been 25th – Arthur, 26th – Batum, 27th – ??

Personally, I’d take CD-R or Chalmers over Batum, but that’s accessory to the fact here. Arthur was never there for the taking, so to speak.

"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan

by 12sharks on Jul 17, 2008 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HA

gotcha by like 3 seconds. I agree on Chalmers. I was posting semi-frequently before the draft saying that was my guy out of this class and the best overall fit for the blazers, and now he’s tearing up the summer league. That said, if we had a feeling Koponen was going to do as well as he’s doing, there would have been no point in taking a PG5. CDR will probably be looking to play sooner than we’d have space for him, i don’t think he’d be real happy here

by DominicanAvenger on Jul 17, 2008 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah no kidding

at least Batum understands that he is still a project LOL and his main job, in my mind, is to learn from the doods around him. His team in Francais is freaking terrible. He will do nothing but grow and learn and grow and learn and gain muscle and learn and learn oh and learn while he’s here.

-Sophia

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

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 17, 2008 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the cost of the mistake is...

the value of Arthur and Joey Dorsey. I really like Joey Dorsey, I think he has Bill Laimbeer potential (without the threes).

Yeah, I haven’t liked what I’ve seen from Batum. He’s long in body and long and upside, but his game has looked non-existant so far. I think the odds of him breaking out are much lower than either of Arthur or Dorsey.

M, period. Fresh, comma.

by manzell on Jul 18, 2008 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As it has been explained many times...

Arthur was never ours.

Basically the Rockets wanted Arthur, and the Spurs wanted Batum.

We called the Rockets up and said “Hey we want Batum, pick him for us and we’ll pick your man at 27 and we’ll throw in the the 34th”. The Rockets said “Ok sure, we want Arthur and Dorsey”. Then the Rockets dumped Arthur for Donté. If this deal wasn’t worked out Arthur would have gone 25, Batum at 26, and we would pick from the CDR/Hickson/Chalmers/Dorsey left overs.

Secondly, Batum hasn’t played as well in SL as he has in Euroleague. He averaged over 12ppg over there, even though his team was god awful, having an 18 year old starting on a Euro league team is very impressive. Batum was projected as a lottery pick for quite some time on many mock drafts.

I liked, and still like the move. He’s not a player that is going to need minutes right away, but he has the potential to be a top 5 player on our team that’s a very good compromise. His age means that once our core is older (8 years in the future) he’ll be 26-27, right in his prime and be able to take over some of the scoring duties to keep the Blazers competitive.

A Time For Heroes,
It's not right for young lungs to be coughing up blood
And it's all
It's all in my hands
And its all up the walls
Well the stale chips were up and the hopes stakes were down
Until Kp came into Town!
'Sing it Petey!

by Dheepan on Jul 18, 2008 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

exactly

At that point in the draft, with our current roster, getting a high potential project like Batum makes a lot more sense that sitting Dorsey on the bench behind Oden, Aldridge, Frye and Diogu. You draft a seasoned college player if you want help now- and there was nobody available who would have been a significant upgrade in our rotation.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 18, 2008 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I come from the future...

I come from the future to mock you. For in the future Nic Batum’s name is said in the same breath with Babe Ruth, Wayne Gretzky and Ned Sparks (you’ll see). 42 a game for his career this Batman. And that’s blocked shots.

But KP does make a mistake when he order’s Blaze to… oh I”m sorry I got a holo-call. I have to take this.

by Blazersaurus on Jul 17, 2008 8:52 PM PDT reply actions 5 recs

lmao

brilliant. Sorry to interrupt your post with that holo call. I thought about you and the telepathy recogonition device went off…Well that’s what you get with these darn Translucent Berry’s. I have the hardest time finding them in my Zero G bachelor pad. It’s great for parties but a nightmare to clean!

He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants

by Idog1976 on Jul 17, 2008 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You got my back :)

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

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 17, 2008 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's looking pretty good here in the 4th

finally

Rule #1 of nitpicking is to get it right.

by douglast on Jul 17, 2008 8:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think he's nervous

Which is strange, but that’s how he’s playing. I could see him taking a while to get adjusted to the league, but I do think he has talent.

Definitely a wait and see type of thing. But I do applaud your courage to step out and call it as you see it.

Kevin Pritchard is a 4.0 Draft Day Student

by rmcdougall on Jul 17, 2008 8:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Batum was better tonight

Shooting 5 for 7 and 1 for 2 from 3 point. Batum will be ok. Nobody in the bottom three positions is going to get PT this year anyway. And he might just be a good enough defender by the end of the year to play more. Practicing against these guys will give him the fastest growth curve.

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 9:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You are out of your mind

Summer league is nothing. I suppose, based on summer league play we should count Oden out as a mistake as well as LMA what the hell was KP thinking trading for him?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? And picking Oden, gawd KP is such a dolt.
Well, Batum is raww as all heck. He has good elavation on his shot but for some reason it never goes in. I was hoping someone could do a critical analysis on HIS shot :) Anywho, he grabs so good boards, has a great passing eye and his Defense (what he’s known for btw) is great. He was keeping in front of KLove all night. Ok, and staying in front of a HUGE guy like that has got to be hard work. He looks little, but clearly he’s strong. he finally got a lil agressive and in my mind perhaps breaking out of his shell.
Also, in his defense, its not like the guards are passing or anything I have half a mind to say that he is soo stunned by the fact that he was actually passed the ball he forgets what to do w/ it for a sec.

Do me a favor, please at least wait to pass judgement. I dont think your argument was even substantiated as I have my defense .

-Sophia

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

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 17, 2008 9:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

While agreeing with your sentiment

Did Batum grow a beard? I thought that was Hill with 4 blocks. Batum did play a good game and I look for him to improve each game. The back-to-back might be a first for him as the 2nd game was his worst.

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 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I kow Walton, i mean Hill was a beast on the boards

but I was referencing his D based on how he used his hands and body. There were tons of times during this game that I saw him use solely his arms to break up a play. That freaky long arms and a mind to tell them to do that is special. In all seriousness I think he has the potential to become an excellent defender in the league (6 years or so…) reminiscent of Battier/Canby/Prince. Mind you i put a year look in there b/c he clearly has tons of work to do. Besides, he’s hot.

-Sophia

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

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 17, 2008 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know - he humiliated Corey Brewer

A stopper at the next level is a rare gem and a keeper. I like everything about the kid so I am solidly behind you here.

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 18, 2008 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your argument is much like my whiffle ball

It is full of holes sir. I could reiterate what others have said, but I hate copying people and just being a plain old “yes” man. Plus, your argument lacked meat and I am still so very much hungry. I’m a big guy and I need my meaty debate. So my argument is this. Sophia thinks he’s fine and thus he’s a keeper. Also… Batman MUST play with the webhead. Just wait and watch and talk to me in five years.

Okay, thank you then. Buhbye.

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 9:20 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs

Great Post

+1

by Powder on Jul 17, 2008 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh, you're talkin' about a DC-Marvel crossover here

It’d be like having Archie and Jughead turn up on South Park. But, I always thought that the WB missed an opportunity of epic proportions when Dawson’s Creek went off the air. They should’ve had everybody go on a little trip to Sunnydale to be done in by the local vamps on Buffy.

"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"

These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.

by CatMan2 on Jul 17, 2008 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think DC and Marvel

DID do a cross over. I’m not sure. I stopped paying attention about ten years ago. It’s funny. One of my friends draws for DC so you’d think I’d pay a little attention. Nope. However, if he decided to go over to marvel I’d become a drooling fan boy. Unfortunately DC has the insurance and marvel doesn’t.

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 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They DID do a crossover

In fact after the crossover, they combined characters into new “amalgam comics” for a while.
i.e. Batman+Wolverine = Dark Claw

It all went back to normal about 6 months later.

The inbound to McGinnis, drives, stops, pumps, shoots, short, no good...AND THE GAME IS OVER! ~ Bill Schonely

by SandbergOnSports on Jul 17, 2008 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not? Bart Simpson made the cameo...

It’d be like having Archie and Jughead turn up on South Park.

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

by timbo on Jul 17, 2008 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree w/ your screen name....

Something about ElvisJong that makes me feel so right

I didn't mean to turn you on

by dukedee on Jul 17, 2008 9:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Is a mid-20's draft pick not panning out

really a mistake? Even should your hypothesis prove valid, that is.

—Dave

by Dave on Jul 17, 2008 9:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

dave has my back...see

pshh…

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

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 17, 2008 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally..

(and I’m neither pro nor con re: Elvis’ point here) I see Batum being one of the mid-20s who don’t pan out. Summer league, foreign-ness, skinniness, etc. aside, from having seen him play I’m just not thinking “ooh, here’s a guy to keep our eyes on” or even “hm, here’s an interesting prospect.”

Granted, someone chosen at his level requires a generous amount of salt to go along with the taking, but I’ve been a big proponent of people like CD-R or Chalmers as players who could, potentially, be NBA players. According to all the scouting reports (and a generous amount of salt for them, as well), Batum was pegged as a player that more fills out the “this is why you don’t expect much from a mid-20s pick” field rather than being the exception.

Judging by what I’ve seen, he needs a LOT of work. To be average. Perhaps we’re spoiled, but I can’t begin to tell you the butterflies in my stomach (not knowing we’d traded our first 2nd-round pick), each time we passed on CD-R (I thought we’d grab him with our other first-round pick). I was so happy to still see him on the board when we chose Arthur (who I was for, actually, him being a steal as the lonesome, bad-kidney-wielding green-room-prisoner), and thought we’d lost all opportunity for his selection until, tentatively, I saw him slide closer and closer to our 33rd slot. “Dorsey?” I thought, “How can we possibly pass on CD-R, the man of my dreams, with him still on the table now?” Well, it didn’t work out that way, but here’s my point:

To call Batum a bust is premature, especially considering his draft spot, but to have passed on others who, in my humble opinion, will go on to bigger and better things (positional need aside) is a bit of a shame, don’t you think?

"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan

by 12sharks on Jul 17, 2008 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To call CD-R

a player who “will go on to bigger and better things” is premature too.

by Jumbo on Jul 17, 2008 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

KP doesn't make mistakes.

It’s your mistake to doubt him.

by snudger on Jul 17, 2008 9:36 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

late first rounders...

... and 2nd rounders are for risk taking. KP obviously felt there was nobody who would play for us immediately (we are a very deep team) so he took a risk on a high potential guy that won’t be able to help for several years.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 17, 2008 10:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It wasn't just Pritchard

Unlike the future-dwelling Blazersaurus, I’m stuck very much in the here and now and therefore lack the benefit of his hindsight. I have no idea whether Batum will turn out to be a player or a piece of merde.

However, a brief look at some of the pre-draft maneuvering that went on in regards to Batum shows that Pritchard hardly went out on limb here. Months before the draft he was considered an almost sure-fire lottery selection. Following a somewhat lackluster season in France, his stock dropped a bit. It fell even further in the days leading up to the draft when rumors about possible cardiac problems surfaced.

Nevertheless, it was fairly well known that the Spurs were targeting Batum at 26, perhaps with the intention of grooming him as an heir apparent to Bowen. Such was their level of interest that they reportedly were in possesion of a medical report that gave Batum a clean bill of health. Rather than share the results of that report with the other teams, they kept it to themselves. It appears that San Antonio feared if word got out that Batum was 100% healthy, he might not drop down to them at the 26th pick. In the end, of course, all their well-laid plans gang agley when Pritchard had Houston select Batum at 25 for Portland.

Now, Batum may well wind up being a bust. But when the Spurs – whose track record with scouting international players is pretty much tops in the league – are that high on his potential, it’s probably a safe bet that the kid’s got some talent. I doubt that San Antonio was thinking of drafting him to step in and contribute right away. I’m sure that Portland probably has a similar timeline for his development in mind.

by knickfan on Jul 17, 2008 10:03 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

All you had to say was "hater."

All the cool kids are doing it.

"France is a place where the money falls apart in your hands but you can't tear the toilet paper" - Billy Wilder

by tominhawaii on Jul 17, 2008 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish I could be cool

instead of just a stupid haole.

by knickfan on Jul 17, 2008 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just wear your hat backwards.

"France is a place where the money falls apart in your hands but you can't tear the toilet paper" - Billy Wilder

by tominhawaii on Jul 17, 2008 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's a hat?

by knickfan on Jul 17, 2008 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bald people and players wear them.

.

"France is a place where the money falls apart in your hands but you can't tear the toilet paper" - Billy Wilder

by tominhawaii on Jul 17, 2008 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tom

how is the vog this week? I am thinking Maui or Big Island till the season starts.

by southern oregon on Jul 17, 2008 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The trades are going so it hasn't been an issue.

"France is a place where the money falls apart in your hands but you can't tear the toilet paper" - Billy Wilder

by tominhawaii on Jul 17, 2008 11:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cool is over rated.

Being feared is a much better way to go.

Of course, being loved is the best way of all – just ask Dave.

by timg56 on Jul 18, 2008 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fire KP...it's obvious

Batum is no good. Why can’t anybody see this after 3 summer league games? Summer league proves that Nate Robinson is an all star, Deron Williams is a bust, and Qyntel Woods should’ve been All-NBA.

This fanpost gets -100000000000000000

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Jul 17, 2008 10:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

or um doesn’t that make your – like 1 lesss.? oh crud im confused

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

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 17, 2008 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, KP really blew it on that one. Batum may very well end up being the worst #25 pick in the history of the NBA, worse than anyone on this list of luminaries:

Morris Almond (2007)
Shannon Brown (2006)
Johan Petro (2005)
Tony Allen (2004)
Carlos Delfino (2003)
Frank Williams (2002)
Gerald Wallace (2001)
Jake Tsakalidis (2000)
Tim James (1999)
Al Harrington (1998)

Given KP’s track record, my full expectation is that Batum will turn out to be a combination of Al Harrington and Gerald Wallace. If not, then clearly Batum is a huuuuuge mistake.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on Jul 17, 2008 10:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He's not that bad

Don’t wanna offend, but I think Butum is the better team player among Travis and Martell.

by asiafan on Jul 17, 2008 11:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dude's 19 years old...

............................ Let’s revisit this in 3 years, shall we?

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

by timbo on Jul 17, 2008 11:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually could tell he was a bust.........\

when he was 16 years old when he first showed up on the scouting radar. When I first saw him, he had no BBIQ, lacked maturity, didn’t have an NBA ready body, was unsure of himself and still looked like he had a TON of growing to do. I wish I could have seen him earlier like when he was 14 or 12, so I could of really really predicted him being a bust. My next project in blog fan scouting is viewing ultrasounds and basing NBA success based on what I can see looking at an unborn baby in the womb. (ie how does he expect to dunk with such tiny hands?)

Gimmicks don't make dynasties

by WarEaglePDX on Jul 18, 2008 1:19 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

The finest load of - oh yeah - sarcasm yet

Tell him what he has won – a rec!

LMA's reign as "LaMonster of the Low Post" has just begun!

by LaMarvelous on Jul 18, 2008 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

#88

"Besides, AnntheFan will be here any minute to #25 you." T Darkstar

by annthefan on Jul 17, 2008 11:59 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Wait - might that actually be #2588?

You could start a whole new generation!

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 18, 2008 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You do realize that you are now promoting...

Travis’ future competition – right?

LMA's reign as "LaMonster of the Low Post" has just begun!

by LaMarvelous on Jul 18, 2008 11:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope.

"Besides, AnntheFan will be here any minute to #25 you." T Darkstar

by annthefan on Jul 19, 2008 12:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No way

Batum and Travis will always bring different skills. If our eventual SF tandem is on our roster right now, it is either Martell/Travis or Batum/Travis.

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

by jscot on Jul 19, 2008 2:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he is going to be good

I turned 19 in Vietnam,give him a chance

by southern oregon on Jul 18, 2008 12:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

thanks for your service

by tweener on Jul 18, 2008 5:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with tweener - Thanks for your service!

That goes for any one who served honorably in the armed services.

LMA's reign as "LaMonster of the Low Post" has just begun!

by LaMarvelous on Jul 19, 2008 12:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too early...

I doubt there’s really a high correlation between Summer League and Regular Season stats. As others have posted, many Summer League stars don’t go on to be great and many Summer League duds end up as real stars. Oden and Rose not looking so hot would be recent examples.

Obviously, Batum hasn’t looked good in addition to having bad stats. He has shown promise in many intangibles though. He has a good grasp of spacing like James Jones, but his inconsistant jumper is preventing that from being useful. He seems like a good passer (I know he has 0 assists so far), but his ballhandling is making that attribute limited. He seems to play good team defense, but it relies on having better defenders than these Summer League bigs.

The biggest problem appears to be confidence or nervousness, which was noted as a potential weakness prior to the draft. However, he went through the entire “process” with Pritchard already. Unlike Sergio or Rudy (I don’t know if KP worked out Koponen before the draft), Batum was worked out in Portland. The Blazers should have known what to expect.

He has looked good in practice according to Dean Demopolis from today’s interview during the game. It just hasn’t translated to the games yet. There shouldn’t be any reason to write him off though. I’d actually like to see him signed even though it seems less likely now. He would be a good practice dummy at least since he has all of the defensive tools to challenge Webster and Outlaw (besides the weight).

by poster on Jul 18, 2008 12:19 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

This is an excellent post. Batum looked nervous and rushed in the first couple games and even for portions of last nights game. However he has shown that he can pass and the defense looks fine so far. He looked like he settled down a lot last night and the game started to come to him. He is a project for sure but to call him a mistake after 3 summer league games is wrong. It will be a couple of years before we can even start to evaluate him properly.

Brett Pill - Lord of the double.

by malarky on Jul 18, 2008 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Von Wafer

was ranked by NBA.com as being the 18th most valuable player during the 2007 summer league. Kevin Durrant was 17th and Nate Robinson was #1. It doesn’t mean anything.

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

by Winchester on Jul 18, 2008 2:41 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Well that just means Batum was mistake #2 then. #1 being Von Wafer getting the axe.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on Jul 18, 2008 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll say what everyone else is afraid of saying

Look, the guy is French. French people have culture, and it ain’t ours.

I mean, really, who wants a French guy on their team? Especially one the Spurs, of all people, wanted? We all know how that works out, don’t we?

Next thing you know, some woman called Longoria will be hanging around.

There goes the culture.

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

by jscot on Jul 18, 2008 2:45 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

If you shove your tougue any harder into your cheek...

you will poke a hole right through it.

LMA's reign as "LaMonster of the Low Post" has just begun!

by LaMarvelous on Jul 19, 2008 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have practice in this kind of thing

I know just how far to push it.

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

by jscot on Jul 19, 2008 2:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll settle for Catherine Deneuve

"Shoot, I don't even have anything to put in my own sig"

These are the modest words of pualo, posted on June 20, 2008.
Yes, pualo, an extraordinarily discerning BEdger with a knack for subtle expression.

by CatMan2 on Jul 19, 2008 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well settle in for a long summer's wait

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 20, 2008 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

3 summer league games...lol

That’s all anyone needs to say in response to this thread.

by BRoyInThe4th on Jul 18, 2008 5:36 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

One question...

Is Batum better right now than travis was at the same age?

by raoulduke on Jul 18, 2008 9:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Eons better

He looks awkward on offense, but his defense is good and he can pass the ball and has pro experience. He’s much further than Travis “Only 8 games as a rookie what a bust” Outlaw as a 19 year old, and as Monty Williams said he’s ahead of Outlaw RIGHT THIS MINUTE in a feel for the game and understanding defense and offense.

I know you’re not REALLY asking the question and just makin’ the point, but I thought I’d throw out an answer anyways.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jul 18, 2008 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'd say Batum's offense = Travis at the same age

Batum’s D (by all accounts- hard for me to make judgments after a few Vegas game) >>> Travis D at the same age.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 18, 2008 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually since Batum has a jump shot

I’d say he’s ahead of the curve when it comes to Travis at 19.

A Time For Heroes,
It's not right for young lungs to be coughing up blood
And it's all
It's all in my hands
And its all up the walls
Well the stale chips were up and the hopes stakes were down
Until Kp came into Town!
'Sing it Petey!

by Dheepan on Jul 18, 2008 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Xenophobe.

Why do you have to hate the French so much? Is it because they gave us consensual sex?

by robrun2 on Jul 18, 2008 11:20 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

lol

That was naughty.

A Time For Heroes,
It's not right for young lungs to be coughing up blood
And it's all
It's all in my hands
And its all up the walls
Well the stale chips were up and the hopes stakes were down
Until Kp came into Town!
'Sing it Petey!

by Dheepan on Jul 18, 2008 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs