Does Batum's Rise Make Oden Less Important?
by Anim8rguy on Mar 15, 2010 12:22 AM PDT
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PrintI realize there has been a flurry of Batum stories, but I have adopted a wait and see attitude with him. However, he does seem like he's becoming very consistent. Also, please note that I doo support Oden and I'm confident that he will comeback from this freak injury and have a long basketball career. That being said, however . . .
One thing many people point to is the idea of 3 reliable scorers on a team with supporting role players in order to win a championship. Now, we drafted Greg to be one of our anchors on defense, with him growing into one of those 3 scorers. Of course, we all know he went down with the patella injury and caused many people to assume that we cannot realistically just accept that Greg will be a healthy player we can count on for years to come. It might happen (I think it will) but we obviously cannot put our cetner's eggs in the perverbial basket.
The way Batum has been playing, can it be argued that he might become that 3rd lynchpin in the championship Blazer teams in the future? He is proving that he can score, and can play defense at a high level. With him, Brandon and Lamarcus as our core we can then get a utility center that doesn't need to be the second coming. Camby is working out very well, and as much as I like him he's not a hall of famer.
The Piston teams and the first batch of Jordan's championship teams had dependable, but not all-world, centers. For example, with a healthy Brandon Roy, Lamarcus, Batum, Miller and Center, along with our current bench, do we have what it takes to be a serious Title threat, or is Greg Oden our Obi-Wan Kenobi (our last remaining hope, fo your non Star Wars folks).
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If Oden isn't too occupied posting up to score
then he should be focused more on getting offensive rebounds or setting screens for literally any of our starting lineup to come off of. With all of our players (except Aldridge) willing and able to hit a 3, then it’ll also help open opportunities for driving in the paint. Getting too excited thinking of possibilities….gotta calm down before I rant
My point is this
Maybe it wasn’t too clear.
When Oden went down we had to accept that we could not rely on him to be our future. He might be, but any illusions of him not potentially be an injury prone player had to be reviewed.
With Batum stepping up, we may not need to have such a dominant center as we feel Oden will be in order for Portland to get some rings.
With a big decision looming about whether or not to sign Greg Oden to a new contract, it may be OK to let him go if we are unsure of his long term health.
I have to agree
Everyone talks about about needing a third scorer, but with Batum becoming a force on the offensive end, Bayless’ improved outside shot and Oden’s instant doublt team, I dont know if we are going to have a defined 2nd option, much less 3rd. I didn’t even mention Rudy or Martell. I think we are set on offense for a ways to go.
We need Oden to be what he already is, a defensive force. Pryz and Camby can both block shots like its just volleyball, but neither have been the presence Oden is. So I have to agree with anim8rguy, we no longer need him to be “The Mighty Oden of Norse fame” We just need him healthy.
Portland could coast along with their superior talent and stay right with us. Now that Portland woke up, the hammer cometh down.
Bayless > Daffy Duck after 3 cans of rockstar
by Batumshakalaka on Mar 15, 2010 2:03 AM PDT up reply actions
A solid inside presence is important
comparing jordan’s championships with any others is ludicrous. Not even LeBron is a Jordan.
For Greg to be an afterthought on offense, and us to still have realistic hopes at a string of titles, LaMarcus will have to show some inclination to play a real post game. he is doing better in that regard this season, but still a vast majority of his shots are spot up jumpers or actually fading from the hoop.
Basketball is a rythym inside out type of game, at least good basketball is and having a bunch of scorers on the perimeter with little or no offensive post presence is not a championship combination.
I am completely on board with Charles Barkely on this front, jump shooting teams do not win championships.
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
problem is
we get chewed up by the title contenders though.
We are great when we are not talking about the Lakers, Denver, Cavs, Boston, Orlando, Atlanta and even Utah this season, unfortunately it is that group of teams that will produce this years title contenders. This is who we need to measure our performance against if we want to win championships, not the non-contending rest of the league. We just need to beat them, which we can and do routinely.
This is about how to win championships not reach the playoffs.
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
I don't see how Batum being good makes Oden expendable
I don’t think a Good Batum equals a Healthy Oden. Batum playing so nice is awesome, but I don’t see how what he does, replaces what Oden does— easy inside scoring, interior defense, a post presence to run offense through.
Batum can be a Rich Man’s Teyshaun Prince, and we’d still want an inside presence.
Now, I understand we might not be able to rely on Oden till he shows that he will be around for us to rely on him. But Batum having some good games really shouldn’t make Oden expendable. Even if Batum surpasses LMA as part of the top 3 of the team.I don’t see how that connects.
Mortimer
#52
by Mortimer on Mar 15, 2010 4:28 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
With a big decision looming about whether or not to sign Greg Oden to a new contract, it may be OK to let him go if we are unsure of his long term health.
That’s not a good idea. First of all, the wrong time to “let Greg go” is during a time of uncertainty regarding his injury status. There should be no rush to deal Oden this summer or next winter at the deadline. The team needs his defense, rebounding and interior toughness to reach the finals, regardless of what offensive role he plays.
This summer’s negotiations for Greg’s extension should be interesting. On the one hand, he’s a former #1 pick who (if he can stay healthy) will be a difference-making center for a decade, at least. OTOH, his first 3 season have been interrupted by injuries, so his agent won’t have nearly the same leverage to demand a max contract as he would if Greg had played 75+gps. Another factor is the looming CBA (with a potential work-stoppage) and what limitations will be made to player contract length and max salary, after 2011. Oden’s reps may decide that signing an incentive-based 5 year deal “now” may be better than waiting-and-seeing what they will get coming out of the next CBA.
Both sides will be gambling with Greg’s potential and the unknown state of the NBA economy in 18 months or so. We’ll see who blinks first, and if the two sides can meet somewhere in the middle, which at this point is a moving target
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
the CBA
ratchets up the pressure. Both sides would likely have preferred to agree to negotations on an extension until 2011, but with the CBA the time pressure is significantly increased.
Although if Oden makes it back to the floor by playoff time, which is feeling about right based on reporting of his rehab progressm, this may all be moot.
This season has yet to pass, to discount any more contribution Greg might make is unwise…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
Quick said that Greg can't even sit behind the bench during games
because his knee is still sore. The playoffs are a month away. It will take a miracle for Oden to return to the court, and the Blazers are not likely to take the risk of reinjuring #52—can you imagine the fallout if they rush him back and he gets hurt again?
I’d love to see him play, but discretion is the better part of valor
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
greg was saying the same on courtside tonite
A month is pretty quick that is for sure
discretion is the better of valor, however to write it off completely does not come with a certain level of uncertainty either…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
Of course we cannot put our center's eggs in the proverbial basket. We all have photographic proof that there is no basket(proverbial or not) that could contain oden's "eggs".
by tevisthe4th on Mar 15, 2010 1:41 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Definately rec worthy
Portland could coast along with their superior talent and stay right with us. Now that Portland woke up, the hammer cometh down.
Bayless > Daffy Duck after 3 cans of rockstar
by Batumshakalaka on Mar 15, 2010 1:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Oden is still the most important part of the vision of a contending blazers' team.
In the words of AK1984, every franchise in the past two decades except for Jordan’s Bulls won championships with an elite “pivotman”. That’s what Portland will need to win playoff series, and that’s what we need Oden to become.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
I don't completely agree
As you noted, the Bulls never had a dominant big guy, and the Detroit Piston in 89, 90 and 2004 never had an elite big guy. Also, the Lakers did not have an elite big man last season — although Orlando did. While a dominant big man seems like a good thing to have, out of the past 20 champs only 11 have had dominant centers. Those 11 centers have been only 4 guys — Shaq(4), Duncan(4), Hakeem (2) and Garnett(1)
What players now are going to be leading their teams to Championships in the current NBA? It seems that Guards and Forwards will be taking folks to the promised land. If we can get a big guy to play defense and semi-neutralize any height advantage, our other positions may overwhelm another team’s. That was kind of the role Pryzbilla plays for this team. He’s not elite, but he does what the team needs him to do.
He’s kind of like Rodman from the Bulls and Detroit champ teams. Defend and rebound. That might be all we need.
Yao Ming didn’t beat us last season —
It should be noted
The Bulls didn’t have an elite big man, but they had the most dominant post player in the NBA— Michael Jordan. He got them the easy buckets teams crave by posting up his man and scorin’.
The Lakers did have an elite big man, as well… Pau Gasol was really good last season. He makes that triangle go. He wasn’t as physically dominating as Dwight Howard, but he was a more effective player.
I think it’s fair to say that the recent Pistons championship was an anomaly, more than something to replicate.
It’s not just about having a good center, it’s about having a dominant player who can score inside. Plus pass, and play defense. If ya got one of THOSE, you got something other teams can’t stop.
It’s not the only way to win a title, but it’s likely the best way… especially if ya don’t got Lebron. Joel can be a starter on a good team but his total lack of offense— scoring, passing, being a threat to do anything— clearly hurt our offensive game. We hope Oden can become what he was showing he was on the way to becoming… a dominant, two way player. Those sorts of guys are the ones who teams can’t stop.
Damn injuries!
Morty
#52
by Mortimer on Mar 15, 2010 4:36 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
This statement is correct in a backward sort of way
Also, the Lakers did not have an elite big man last season
They did not have one elite big man—they had three. Pau, Lamar, and Andrew. Their outstanding length was one of their keys to winning the championship. I don’t see how their tremendious length can be ignored.
Larry, Curly, and Moe? I don’t think so.
Also, I love Batum, but he has a long way to go. His name, lead, and championship are not even close to being synonymous at this point. He needs to mature more, physically, for starters.
21 + 52=
I agree....He does have potential, but....
is not there yet it will take time for sure as it has with LMA. How long have we been waiting for LMA to show more consistency and now is finally showing it. Batum will take some time for this same consistency to show. Now to think about it… the same will be for Oden and he will probably be the last to gel with the team due to his injuries. Next year may be great but we had high hopes for this year too. The West is so strong and being in the NW division is only that much harder. Good luck Blazers!! Can’t wait for the playoffs.!!!
I disagreeYao did just that,
our having to double Yao left Scola wide open for midrange jumpers.LMA took alot of heat for this but he was just following the game plan.The great wall was definitely the biggest reason we lost that series.
Batumshakalaka!
by We-B-Dunkin on Mar 15, 2010 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Yao Ming didn’t beat us last season
Not by himself, he didn’t. But if Yao had not been available for the Rockets in that series, Portland would’ve easily won the battle on the boards and the series. Ming “occupied” Greg and Joel and turned Portland’s regular season rebounding advantage upside-down.
Deliberately making your roster “smaller” is a losing playoff strategy, in any era of NBA history. There’s a good reason why big men are more valuable than wing players, in general. You need both, it’s not an either/or question
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The Lakers had Bynam AND Gasol!
The Pistons had Laimbeer, who completely took Duckworth out of the game mentally and was able to hit outside shots. Ben Wallace was a force on the defensive end.
The Bulls were able to win without an above-average big because they had Jordan, Pippen, and a whole bunch of valuable role players. While a dominant big is not an absolute need to win a championship, it certainly helps and Oden becoming a reliable and regular contributer would help our chances greatly!
Batum has the potential to be better than LeBron once he bulks up
Andre Miller is an Anachronism
by tominhawaii on Mar 15, 2010 6:12 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I think you're seriously
undervaluing Nic’s potential. I mean when LeBron was Nics age what was he accomplishing?
That’s what I thought.
It wasn't the first time I'd been kicked in the cherries and called a rat by a woman, but it was the first time I didn't mind.
LeBron
made NBA players look tiny when he came in at age 18 for goodness sake…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
I only say what everyone else is thinking
They’re just too afraid to do it.
Andre Miller is an Anachronism
batum makes everybody less important
Awesomeness (ô'səm-nes)
1. n. Something that inspires awe
2. n. Nicolas Batum
i favor having a (2nd) center playing small forard like lamar or lebron
or even some long armed guy like durant or aldridge. #15 looked pretty good last nite. ya he got alot of fouls but he hustled against us.
BA-ZING!!!!!
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Mar 15, 2010 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Batum's rise definitely answers a lot of questions about our future,
but I still fear for our championship hopes without a healthy Greg in the middle ( unless we get . Before he went down you could see just how difficult life was starting to become on opponents. Greg presents all kinds of problems for teams. Right now the only other player we have that makes that kind of an impact is Brandon.
The bottom line is easy buckets win championship. Getting them and preventing them. Greg or no Greg, we need players to control the paint to win a title.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
that is correct
We do not just want to be able to beat other teams, we want to present them with problems. No matter how good Batum gets, Greg will present more problems for the opposition.
Batum, Roy, Aldridge, Oden….wow!
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
If Batum becomes a legit #2, sure.
I don’t trust LA to be a legit #2 for a championship team, like someone like Pau Gasol or Manu for Spurs. Aldridge in current for is really a #3 for a championship contender. Of course, it is within the realm of possibility that he has another leap in him in terms of performance, but I doubt it.
Batum, ceiling wise, is good enough to be a legit 2 for a contender. Only thing I worry about is the window between Roy’s elite play and Batum’s best play might not match, since we really can’t count on Roy’s body (specifically, his knees) to hold up. Given Nic’s youth, it might be few years before Nic hits his best years..but by that time, Roy could already be on the downside of his peak.
"I think he’s been doing some good things. I think he’s been doing some good things. He’s had to play a lot of minutes lately with Blake being out. I think he’s been doing some good things." -Nate McMillan
no
Firmly in favor of making a coaching change at the end of the season.
Free AK1984
by jksnake99 on Mar 15, 2010 11:00 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
two totally different positions and impact
the guy Batum really helps with his play Brandon Roy. Nic checks the other team’s best offensive threat, and if he can score EFFICIENTLY (that’s they key word – high productivity on limited attempts), he is a huge asset to us as a guy contributing on both ends, and takes a lot of pressure of BRoy and LMA to score.
While it definitely helps to have a young guy like that playing at that level, we are still going to need a center to anchor our defense. Camby and to a lesser extent, Juwan Howard have been doing an admirable job filling in, but neither has many games left in them. We need Oden to be there as a shot blocker, rebounder, and lane-clogger on offense. Teams can’t help off on Roy, Miller, or Bayless’ penetration if you have Oden in there to dunk it home. LaMarcus is too much of a finesse player, Oden is the dominant physical guy that can punish you inside.
That being said, we were running WAY TOO MUCH of our offense through GO at the beginning of the season. He can literally get 15-20 points per game on offensive rebounds and putbacks, dives to the rim on the pick-and-roll when they overplay Brandon, and on backdoor lobs and garbage buckets around the rim (and the free throws he’ll likely get). We don’t need to post him up on the block 10 times a game to get him involved, unless there is an obvious mismatch (Golden State Warriors, anyone?) where he can just dip his shoulder and score.
With Nic playing the way he is, BRoy and LMA, and a HOPEFULLY healthy Oden – that’s an elite squad…now we just have to figure out who’s going to be running the point for us in the next 5 years – and don’t you dare say Bayless or I’ll have to clap back!
by rip_city_swagger on Mar 15, 2010 12:11 PM PDT reply actions
this isn't possible
That being said, we were running WAY TOO MUCH of our offense through GO at the beginning of the season. He can literally get 15-20 points per game on offensive rebounds and putbacks, dives to the rim on the pick-and-roll when they overplay Brandon, and on backdoor lobs and garbage buckets around the rim (and the free throws he’ll likely get).
How can you give a guy the ball too much when he’s at 60% FG and 65% TS? FEED THE BEAST!
by atomiccafe on Mar 15, 2010 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
because he doesn't need set plays and touches to score
the offense should always run through Roy and Aldridge, with Batum being a 3rd perimeter option and Oden being a counter/dump off option. He’s just not fluid enough on the block, if you watch game tape he looks really uncomfortable with his back to the basket and making a move. He is obviously improving in that area, but until he refines that part of his game more I don’t think we should run a bunch of set plays for him unless he has an obvious physical mismatch
by rip_city_swagger on Mar 15, 2010 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
From my memory
Even when it was awkward with Oden, it was effective, and since he’s a MUCH better passer than LMA is out of the post, he’s a much more effective option to run our post offense through. He gets doubled every game, he was great at finding the open man or cutters, and his awkward-yet-effective offensive game kept improving… why wouldn’t we keep going to it?
Wasn’t it maybe improving, because we were feeding him?
Just making him be a Bigger Joel, removes a LOT of what Oden did that was special. You want a guy the other team wants to double constantly, especially when he’s as good of a passer as Oden is. Making him exist as a put back guy, and using LMA more in the post than Oden, hurts the team.
Ya gotta feed yo dog if ya want him to guard ya yard!
Morty
#52
by Mortimer on Mar 15, 2010 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
i'm not saying not to feed him
but it seemed like because there was such an emphasis on getting him the ball early in the game that Brandon, LMA, and others didn’t get in a rhythm. I do think it’s important to feed him in the post and play an inside-out game, just not at the expense of getting our big-time scorers going. I’ts definitely a fine line, and one I think we were leaning too heavily to Oden’s side on at the beginning of the season.
I just think we should run some more high-low plays with he and LMA, and some more back door lobs (a la Brian Shaw to Shaq in his Laker days) than just having him post up with his back to the basket. Obviously, his development and growth in that area (I’ve heard that since he can do light activity now he’s been doing a ton of work with post moves, hook-shots, etc.) will only increase his ability in that area and make him a more viable scoring threat
And in the end – if he can pull down 15 rbs and swat 3-4 shots a game everything else is gravy!
by rip_city_swagger on Mar 15, 2010 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Roy and Aldridge
need to get better then if they can’t get theirs with Greg on the floor.
both these guys are outstanding players, but to not run a significant number of plays through an efficient post player like Oden is just not smart ball. It looked awkward early, but you have to admit, our offense has looked awkward most of the season and Oden has only played the first 3rd of the year to date…maybe Oden was not the problem…
Batum in the starting lineup actually seems to be the thing that has caused our offense to gel. Not sure why that is. I mean, he is the better player, but even with some good offensive games, it is not his specialty.
I guess we underestimated Nics impact on our offense…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
You bring up a point that fuels one of my dislikes of Nate as a coach!
When a given player has an obvious mismatch or is riding a hot streak, we need to go with that until the player cools or the other team adjusts and takes away that advantage. I’ve seen Nate pull a player who is on a roll because it’s time for either the starter to come back or the reserve to come in, depending on who it is. Or maybe because it’s the 4th quarter and his gameplan calls for giving everything to Roy! Part of being sucessful is recognizing what the other team is giving you and using it to your advantage, even if it’s not in your standard game plan.
by goobie1 on Mar 18, 2010 7:46 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
no.
Roy is our star, Aldridge is our #2 option, Batum is our defensive stopper and quickly becoming #3 option reliably, but our title hopes lie on the shoulders (and knees) of Greg Oden. Without him, we’re just another dog in a very talented pack hoping to try to contend. but with him, we rise above most teams to stand shoulder to shoulder with l.a. and cleveland.
If Oden is healthy next season, we have a legit shot at the #1 seed in west next season.
I agree...
the West is so talented that we need Oden or someone similar to contend for the top spot in the West. (not to put any pressure on Oden) lol
Batum
is your favorite player’s favorite player.
by NEPBlazer4life on Mar 15, 2010 12:49 PM PDT reply actions
Dikembe Mutombo
is the hope for Oden – a center who dominates the defensive end and cleans up the glass. Dikembe didn’t have much in terms of offense but he scored 14-16ppg on garbage alone.
Oden’s got a better offensive skill-set already than Dikembe… we just need to remember that we have lots of other good scoring options that should be placed ahead of Greg on the priority list.
by dwaynebillybob on Mar 15, 2010 12:59 PM PDT reply actions
Point being, Batum is moving ahead of Oden quickly on that priority list
With Roy and LMA already being the top dogs.
by dwaynebillybob on Mar 15, 2010 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions
why exactly?
Oden was our most efficient offensive option. As his usage increased earlier this season, he got more efficient. He drew doubles every time he got the ball, and his passing out of the post was good and improving. Batum, on the other hand, spends the vast majority of his floor time as the fourth option,, which means he can wait for Roy, Aldridge and Miller to create wide open shots and broken floor situations where he thrives. It’s great to have Batum feeding off these situations, and it will be even better when Greg comes back with a vengeance to create more of them.
by atomiccafe on Mar 15, 2010 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
My why
Because Oden’s efficiency so far is predicated on being a garbage man. He’s already great at wiping the boards and getting easy dunks. Not so great at the back-to-the-basket traditional post-up game. Yet.
I’m not saying that he can’t develop into a solid low-post threat – he can… but for the time being, I think Batum’s ahead of him on the development curve.
As you point out Miller (or Rudy or Bayless) are currently a better offensive option than Batum, but the gap is closing…
Frankly I’m not sure if it matters whether Roy is #1, LMA #2, Batum/Greg #3/4, PG to be named later #5… as long as they can all score and facilitate when needed. Miller’s done a great job of showing what we’ve been lacking from the PG spot. Unfortunately Andre’s not a long-term solution.
If we can get an average to good PG (Devin Harris…but I dream…) and Oden comes back strong, we’ll be killer on offense, no matter what order you put the options in.
by dwaynebillybob on Mar 15, 2010 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions
We could go far in the playoffs with Batum as a 3rd option
Depends on how his game develops. I will say that if that became the case then the open looks would dry up and the defensive pressure on him would increase markedly.
On the other hand, if we have LMA as a 3rd option (With Greg 2nd and Batum 4th) then I think we have a good chance of winning a championship. I’m such a huge Greg Oden fan that I have trouble being impartial but I think his run of bad luck with injuries is done. It has to be – would be too cruel to him and this fanbase for it to continue.
All this options talk is a bit silly to me though. Role are more complex than simply what option you are on offense. For instance, if Batum’s role on offense was expanded would it have a negative effect on his ability to play great defense. Always hear of guys playing passive D because they expend so much energy on offense. IMO if we have Roy as our offensive rock – a consistent scorer throughout the game who we can rely on in the 4th, Oden as our defensive anchor and a guy we throw the ball to early in the clock to try and get easy points, LMA as the early offensive spark and a guy for Brandon or Greg to pass to for an easy 15 footer and Batum as our lock down perimeter defender and efficient wing scorer (3’s and dun – just like he’s been doing this year) we are set. That core id easily championship calibre and it means all we would need from a pg is the ability to hit an open shot, play decent D and feed the post. If we have someone like Rudy as 6th man, thats a bonus.
Thats my take anyway – Roy, LMA, Batum core = good playoff team. Roy, Oden, LMA, Batum core = Championship
i agree...
except finding a PG that can hit an open shot, play D, and feed the post has proved to be a lot more difficult than it sounds!
Collison or Lawson would look mighty good in a Blazers uni about now as opposed to freakin Victor Claver!
Andre has been GREAT, and I’m a big fan of his game, but we’re gonna need a longer term option soon
by rip_city_swagger on Mar 15, 2010 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions
I think I'll throw up next season if Greg goes down again. At that point, I can't believe it's bad luck anymore.
It would be something screwy in his bones.
It's pretty simple, really. Oden lives up to the hype and the franchise wins
rings. If he can’t – well they don’t. At least not is his era with the team.
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.
It doesn't make Oden less important
But hopefully it doesn’t make him feel as much pressure as he did before Batum’s rise.
Oden doesn't HAVE to be all-world
If he is, that’s great, but all he needs to do is be a big defensive presence and that will put the team over the top. Batum + Oden (+ decent PG defense?) neutralizes a lot of opposing offense. If Oden can do 10-10-2, and scares the other team out of the paint, that works with the rest of the team. If he totally dominates someday, then all the better.
Now that this year’s Blazers are finally finding their rhythm, I’m wondering how next year’s Blazers change, assuming Greg comes back. It might be a whole new adjustment process.
Love Nic, but....
I gotta think other teams are drooling over him. Young, multi-talented, cheap contract. I think for the future, the Blazers greater need is for a high level 1 guard. Small forwards are somewhat easy to replace, and we already have more than adequate Martell and Cunningham can certainly use mo minutes (he can play the 3, can’t he?).
Would you, could you, consider packaging Nic with Andre for Deron Williams or CP3???
You have to think those teams woould consider it. DW is fed up in Utah and CP work the cheapassed Hornets.
Oden/Canby/Pryz
LA/ Snake
Martell/Dante
Roy/Rudy
DW or CP3/Bayless
I know its not trade time, I like that roster. The better and better Nic gets, the more this is possible.
If he magically turns into a Scottie Pippen level player maybe.
But most likely no. Plus totally different impacts like people said.
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