2009-10 Season Review: Nicolas Batum
by Dave on May 6, 2010 11:00 PM PDT
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PrintSince Ben posted his homage to Nicolas Batum's run-down block prowess yesterday we might as well keep the ball rolling with Nic's season review today. And boy, did Batum give the Blazers more than those people-pleasing blocks this year!
The caveat to any comparison between Batum's sophomore season and his rookie campaign is that he played only 37 games in 2009-10 compared to 79 in 2008-09. Granted rehab from injury is hard work but it's different work than basketball. He experienced half the wear and tear, half the mental and emotional fatigue, half the chances to slump. Before we go completely ga-ga we need to see another season or two of constant production. But if these 37 games were accurate, Batum is well on his way to fulfilling his promise.
Batum's minutes increased from 18.4 to 24.8 per game this season, cementing him firmly in the rotation. That's an increase of approximately 35% in playing time per game. His assists and rebounds increased at relatively the same rate as his minutes did. But check out these offensive numbers (rounded for convenience). Off of a 35% increase in playing time...
- Field Goal makes were up 90%.
- Three-point makes went up 88%.
- Free throw attempts increased 100%.
- Free throw makes were up 140%.
- Total points scored went up 87%.
Switching to raw numbers, Nicolas increased:
- his overall field goal percentage from 44.5% last year to 52% this
- his three-point percentage from 37% to 41%
- his free throw percentage from 81% to 84%
- his True Shooting percentage from 55.5% to 64.5%
- his Effective Field Goal percentage from 53% to 62%.
- his PER from 12.9 to 17.3
- his points produced per 100 possessions from 117 to 127
By comparison Dwight Howard led the league in TS% and EFG% with 63% and 61% respectively. Nene Hilario led the league in points per 100 possessions with 124.3. Nicolas rated above them all, though obviously without playing enough minutes to qualify. This is not to imply that Batum ranks among the offensive elite in the NBA, rather that his offense this year was far more than an afterthought. He was doing far more than stand-still shooting...a legitimate criticism from his rookie campaign. Batum's offensive improvement is the story of his season.
Representative defensive statistics are harder to come by, which is an issue when you're talking about a reputed good defender. The Effective Field Goal percentage of opponents rose when Nic was on the floor compared to when he was on the bench, which is not a fantastic sign. The same is true of their points per 100 possessions. (That said, Batum held a personal PER advantage over his small-forward opponents and his plus-minus was around +3 so he did make headway in the general sense.) Batum's Defensive Rating of 107 is fairly mediocre, especially when compared to the true defensive impresarios of the league. Observation tends to confirm that impression. He's good, but he's not to the defensive level of a younger Tayshaun Prince or a current Thabo Sefolosha yet. Then again he's matched up against good scorers, against whom "success" is defined as shaving a couple points off of a likely-prodigious final total. He's also depended upon to rotate, making his overall contributions harder to quantify. We also have to remember that he is still young so it's no surprise that he's not prepared to handle every point, shooting guard, and small forward in the league (plus some power forwards).
But part of the so-so nature of his defensive performance owes to statistics and observations being averaged out over time. Batum can be brilliant. (Check that link at the top of the story again if you doubt it.) But Batum still suffers from a malady that plagued him well before he became a Blazer: he tends to play "good enough" for long stretches, especially on the defensive end. He's not bad...especially when compared to other young players we've seen come through the organization in the last six years. But not being embarrassing isn't good enough for a guy with Batum's form and ability. Even with his improved offense the defensive touch is what will endear him to this team. The Blazers can find plenty of guys to score. Nic is one of a select few who can also change the game with his defensive energy. Portland needs that more nights, if not every night, before we can say that Batum has truly arrived in this league.
Consistency quibbles aside, Nicolas Batum is one of the best reasons to get seriously excited about this team and its future. His playing time and impact should continue to increase in the near future. He may never be a headline-grabbing superstar. He probably won't ever be his own team's leading scorer. But given what we've seen so far it's hard to put a cap on the contributions he could make to the bottom-line win total of this team. It's hard to imagine the Blazers or their fans not being pleased with him.
Season Performance: A
Trend: Rising
Biggest Question Marks: Sustained aggression
Future with the Team: Rock Solid, tending towards untouchable
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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I dunno, Dave
I think his ceiling as a scorer is very, very high.
Better to play it safe and temper our expectations, but it’s not hard to imagine Nic averaging 20 ppg in a few years. With the Blazers, with Nate, LA, and Roy? Well, that’s another story.
Batum is a pimp
We would be CRAZY to trade him…
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on May 6, 2010 11:18 PM PDT reply actions
I think Batum will develop into our #2 option
I think his ceiling is where ever we allow it to get. If we just make him shoot corner three’s he’ll never be as good as he could, but if we give him more offensive responsibility he’ll flourish.
Bat88m
I like that.
That is the way I feel. When Batum tried to be more aggressinve on Offense, Williams pulled him to the side and told him he was the 4th or 5th option on offense and his main reason for playing was defense.
hg
by BBK on May 8, 2010 3:32 AM PDT up reply actions
He's our Pippen, and he should be untouchable
While I agree that I’d like to see Batum have more of a killer instinct, he is still so young, and still trying to adjust to America and the NBA. I did see some letdowns, mostly in concentration, on the defensive end (a few cuts to the hoop generating layups too many against him). But he does give Nate tremendous flexibility by being able to guard anyone.
About NIc’s future, I can only say: imagine if his coach played an up-tempo style, OR, tried to utilize an asset with those shooting percentages by (gasp) diagramming one or two plays for him…
More Nic! Nate! He’s young! Play the dude!
have to agree, he is gifted, and a keeper
And I appreciated him at least considering not playing for the French national team if that was best for the Blazers. I like when our players show a committment to the team.
Of course, additional play time is the ultimate off season training, IF it does not interfere with healing. I don’t believe in living in fear. If he feels good, get the practice. As an added feature of the international play, Nic will probably be a more featured star, which should build his confidence and aggression. He may be able to try stuff that might get him in trouble with Nate.
"You be realistic," Oden said. "I’m going to stay happy. All right?"
Can we hold off on the Pippen talk?
I love Nic and I think he’s got a very bright future, but you don’t compare 21 year old players to “50 greatest of all time” guys until they earn it … Pippen very well could be his ceiling, but let’s hold off on the unearned praise.
The comparison to Pippen is not far off.
When you compare Nic to a 21 year old Pippen right out of Central Arkansas, Nic is actually ahead of Scottie at that point in his developement. Will he get to the Pip that made the Dream Team? That is yet to be seen but the comparison taken in that light is a fair one IMHO.
Somebody step up! - Mike Rice
I lived in Chicago in the late 80's early 90's
I saw nearly every Bulls game during that time. The young Batum/ young Pippen comparisons are legit. In Scottie’s first two years in the league he was very skinny, tenative, and a raw talent… no one at the time thought he was going to be what he eventually became. I remember a lot of 5-8 point games, and long periods were he would disappear. But his length, strong defensive abiliy, and offensive potential was very much like Batum’s today. I would even go so far as to say… Batum is a much better outside shooter than PIP was at the same age. Though Pip did have better handles and finished stronger at the rim. Unfortunatly, we don’t get to see if Batum can display much of that in the current offense.
All that being said….Pip really took off and became a 19+ point scorer by year 3 and the number two guy on the Bulls…and playing with MJ every day in practice, he developed a strong work ethic and killer instinct. It remains to be seen if our coaches will allow Batum the freedom to be aggressive offensively like Pip, and if Batum has the work ethic to improve his game to that degree. Only time will tell…. Batum is my favorite player on the Blazers and I’ll be watching him with interest next year.
Nic's desire to play for the French National team each summer speaks to his work ethic
Also his big jump in scoring ability between years 1 and 2 also speak to his working on his weaknesses. All this while playing with a shoulder needing surgery is really impressive.
Thanks for the first-hand comparison.
Human's tend to make God's out of retired greats
Don’t get me wrong, I loved Pippin’s play, but the fan’s and Jordan made him a legend.
At 21 Batum has all the qualities that Pippin had when we was 21 so the comparison is valid.
hg
by BBK on May 8, 2010 3:41 AM PDT up reply actions
I appreciate the hustle and can-do attitude from Nic
But was surprised at his not being on the floor at crunch time most games. Then I noticed that his shooting by quarter was really different as follows:
1st quarter 60.5% FG%; 48,4% 3FG%
2nd quarter 55.7% FG%; 50.0% 3FG%
3rd quarter 56.8% FG%; 44.7% 3FG%
4th quarter 38.7% FG%; 24.3% 3FG%
None of these totals are large numbers of shots (31,26,38,37 attempts from 3 by quarter) but they confirm the eyeball sense that Nic did seem to have the same sense of confidence in the 4th quarter. That much drop-off seems significant.
Many of the Shots that Batum got in the 4th...
were when somebody dumped it off to him with the shot clock at 3 seconds.
AND – the coaches specifically told Batum to leave the scoring to other dudes- so no wonder his tentative ways in the 4th.
SInce he is a spot shooter the time is mostly irrelevant isn't it?
He is to shoot as soon as he receives it. It is not about leaving the scoring to others. No difference from 1st three quarters in the offense – get the ball when open – shoot when you get it. The decision to pass him the ball green lights him to shoot.
Perhaps there is another reason why he is usually on the bench at crunch time. But his shooting % does tell one part of the story,
Please don’t get me wrong – Nic is probably my favorite player. But he needs to find the confidence to hit his shots under pressure to become the great I hope he can be. Perhaps this summer with the French team he will gain that confidence. Last summer certainly helped.
Two things are considered
He does have a spot shooter role, Our guards seem to take over the game in the fourth partly due to Nate plays a three guard rotation much of the time and BRoy moves over to the 3. Plus the centers and LMA offensive % goes down in the fourth because the guards starts casting off the threes or gives them the ball with time running out.
hg
by BBK on May 8, 2010 3:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Good points indeed
But they Nic did get more shots in the 4th quarter than any of the other three except one fewer than the 3rd quarter and the 3FG% is significantly lower. So he is getting the opportunities and having trouble converting. That is still a puzzle to me.
I agree that NIc is not going to be the primary weapon but he can and hopefully will take on the Travis role in the 4th once he is able to consistently knock down the 3 and create his own shot on the run-out. That 3rd scorer capability was critical in 2008-2009 with Travis.
I think there is a few facts that has to be considered
1. He missed half the season and was not used to the team and the rotation
2. Brandon got hurt and Rudy couldn’t set him up as good as BRoy.
3. He was playing with his shoulder still bothering him quite a bit.
4. He is young and still Chokes when his shot is critical. Same reason he missed a free throw. That happens when you are young.
5. He is left much of the time on an island by himself and it is hard to keep your focus.
Those are my opinions only, not fact.
hg
by BBK on May 8, 2010 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Give the young man more freakin' minutes
He should be in the top 3 or 4 in minutes per game. I like Martell, Rudy, and all our other wings, but they’re not as good as Nic. He deserves starter minutes, not just being a starter.
by desperationshot on May 7, 2010 12:18 AM PDT reply actions
AT THE SAME TIME
Okay, not really.
Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.
We will have to add Nic's picture the the Oden-Roy-Aldrich power photo
No, not Nic in place of LaMarcus.
That’s four long term championship positions filled, with Andre servicable for next year.
Please, let Greg be well.
"You be realistic," Oden said. "I’m going to stay happy. All right?"
I have a budding man-crush on Batum.
/////
((o))
/////
The sky is the limit
But he isn’t without some weaknesses. Offensively, he still isn’t that good at taking guys off the dribble or catching the ball in motion. He is a good 3 pt shooter, and a slasher. I’d like to see him develop a few more signature moves, and start to create his own shots a little.
I also worry about his ongoing health. He injured his shoulder last season, played all summer for the French national team, had surgery on it and reinjured the shoulder this season. Now we hear he is going to play this summer again. Far be it from me to tell someone not to play for his country, but I would prefer he rest his shoulder a bit more this season.
He is somewhat slightly built, which helps him with his length. But he could stand to be a little bigger and stronger. Teams are running him through a lot of picks, especially with that bum shoulder. But if he can stay healthy, I could easily see Batum being the Blazers’ best player in a couple more years.
88
ochenta y ocho
八十八
quatre vingt huit
88 is an untouchable number. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/88_(number)
"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."
-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.
"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."
-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.
"Efficiency" is the word when it comes to 88
Why a player as efficient as Batum only played 24.8 minutes/game is a total mystery. In fact, I would say that it is right up there with overplaying Blake, and misusing Miller, as reasons why I have serious doubts about Nate. When you have a perimeter player who has a TS% higher than most post players, you try to maximize his attempts. This isn’t Rocket Science, it is Stats 101. Against Phoenix, the fact that the team kept trying to jam the ball into LMA against aggressive doubles and didn’t even try to run plays for Nic strikes me as coaching malpractice.
I have heard many people say the Blazers “need to make a trade for a second All-Star.” I think that is downright stupid. The Blazers have two guys with All-Star potential who just need to be healthy and have time to develop: Oden and Batum. Aldridge might make that three, and I would even say there is an outside chance that Bayless, the team’s second best scorer per 36 minutes and a better TS% than Roy had in his second season, could make that four.
Nic should be considered untouchable. He is a perfect compliment next to Roy. He has the defensive chops to take the pressure off Brandon and he is already a very good spot up shooter. If Nate can figure out how to run a few plays for him, he is going to help make it difficult for teams to double Brandon and LMA.
I would also add that I think Nic is a perfect compliment for those of us who are optimistic that Bayless can develop into our starting PG. He can run the floor with Bayless on the break, and he can help spread the floor to create driving lanes. As others have pointed out, at this point Bayless gets most of his assists by using the threat of his drive to create open jumpers for teammates. One of the reasons Bayless struggled with the second team is because Marty and Rudy were having extended slumps after the All-Star break and not hitting the open Js, Bayless was able to create.. Both Nic and Bayless might prosper together.
I think next year will be Nic’s national coming-out party. He should be playing 30+ minutes which will allow him to generate some nice per game numbers. If he can just scale up the numbers he had this season, he is going to start getting the attention his game deserves.
by upper left corner on May 7, 2010 7:23 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
"Why a player as efficient as Batum only played 24.8 minutes/game is a total mystery."
he was coming off a serious shoulder surgery and struggled to stay healthy even with the limited minutes he played. i think total mystery is a bit strong.
That explains the Phoenix series, it does not explain the regular season
There were plenty of nights when Nate chose to play a struggling Rudy, and a hustling but struggling offensively Martell, rather than Nic.
I stand by my statement.
by upper left corner on May 8, 2010 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions
I think Nate's system is holding him back
He needs to be used as more than just a spot up shooter.
2-4 the who
Just like Rudy's game is being held back too.
It’s kinda sad, the system tends to benefit mainly 2 guys: Roy and LMA. The other guys’ skills don’t really get to develop too much.
In professional sports you don't get given a role - you earn it
Nic is making nice progress in doing that but Rudy took a step backwards this year. The system does not cause Rudy to miss open three’s. If he cannot hit his threes then his defense and rebounding need to be stellar (Martell). Unfortunately that is a work in progress for Rudy as well. When they are producing with consistency they will have opportunity to expand their roles. I trust that will improve next year.
#88
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
team>players
by thomasikehara on May 7, 2010 7:49 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
I think Nate has misused Nic to a degree
Nic has shown the ability to lead the break off of rebounds, but he is rarely given the chance. He has shown the ability to make cuts off screens and hit shots, but he is rarely given the chance. He has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and make shots, but he is rarely given the chance.
Nic could be a much better offensive player if given the chance by our coaching staff, he needs to be let free. However I don’t ever see this happening with Nate as the coach. His offensive system has the 3 stand in a corner and wait to shoot 3’s, which is just a waste of Nic’s other abilities. Unless Nate can change, we will never see the best of Batum.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
batum for player-coach!
Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
team>players
by thomasikehara on May 7, 2010 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions
All of the points you make lead me to be extremely disappointed.
Batum is far and away the player I am most excited about watching. If we never get to see the full potential of Nic because of Nate and his elementary style of play, I will be extremely upset. Like everyone else has said, he needs to be let loose and given some responsibility other than defending the leagues’ elite players. If Nic were to go on with his career outside of Portland, and become the type of player we all know he can be. Then my hate for Nate will run deep for a long, long time.
"Batum must be french for: being at the right place at the right time" -
-StudMuffin15 @ Rufus On Fire
"Juwan "The Clipper Killer" Howard" - Natedog1977 @ ClipsNation
" I would trade our entire team for Brandon Roy"
- Slick4President @ Indy Cornrows
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on May 7, 2010 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Batum's slump at the end of the season is all on the coaches...
I believe it was Monty Williams who specifically told him that he is the 4th or 5th option and should not try to be scoring so much. No wonder he started to look tentative with the ball.
That is what is wrong with the Blazers- this stupid pecking order!
Can’t you see that not only does the offensive suck with that kind of scheme, but it also is retarding the development of the young dudes?
Should everyone get the same number of shots per game?
That is what is wrong with the Blazers- this stupid pecking order!
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
I not really debating that
The fact is that there is going to be a pecking order…..and Nic is never likely to be at the top of it as long as the team has Roy/LMA/Miller playing at their current level of effectiveness. I know you don’t like LMA’s efficiency…but even if you move Nic in front of him …that only bumps him up to the 3rd option ( or 4th when Oden comes back) behind Miller/Roy.
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on May 7, 2010 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Good teams move the ball to the open man and...
take what the defense gives them.
Roy and Aldridge will get plenty of shots if the defense has to adjust to leaving Batum wide open and he gets aggressive.
But if you say, let Roy and Aldridge get their shots, then you just stand around and watch- which looks pretty much like the Blazer offense.
The pecking order doesn't really detirmine who gets the shots
It really means who gets the plays called for them….and Nic, unless something drastic changes, is going to continue to be the 3 or 4 option (this does not mean he won’t get opportunities…just that his opportunities will be more of the safety valve type).
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on May 7, 2010 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
actually most good teams have pretty clear cut scoring leaders
the whole “move the ball to the open man stuff” sounds nice but if you look at recent champions, they were teams that featured pretty clear #1 and #2 offensive guys.
Agreed again.
It wouldn’t take but just a couple of plays and a little freedom to help keep Batum’s head in the game or for any three we put out there. BRoy looses his effectiveness playing the three as well, because Nate is basically a guard oriented coach.
But guess what I am not a coach
hg
by BBK on May 8, 2010 4:10 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree
I feel that is also true with Greg. He is to get his points of rebounds and put backs whether then setting up plays for him. LMA is criticized for not driving to the basket, but if they were to give him the ball off pick and rolls whether then having to beat his man off the dribble, it would be much easier and have a higher % of efficiency.
But guess what, I am not a coach
hg
by BBK on May 8, 2010 4:03 AM PDT up reply actions
What's up with Z-Bo's defensive hand position on #88?
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
That makrs the first time
Z-Bo and defensive posiion have been used in the same sentence on this blog. At least without an “out of” in between.
—Dave
You used that photo JUST...
so you could use the above one liner didn’t you?…C’mon Dave…admit it.. you are two steps ahead of all of us all of the time.
RoadBlazer
Not a foul.
That was all ball.
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
Don't get testy with me!
Somebody step up! - Mike Rice
by We-B-Dunkin on May 7, 2010 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I had to look at that pic again to get those jokes
well done
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
Aw, nuts
Andre Miller is the old guy in the corner at the YMCA who gets picked last and then wins the game singlehandedly with sky hooks from the deep right corner. - dwaynebillybob
Careful
You don’t want to get Dave sacked from his current job with these risque comments.
"My shoulder is OK. And away we go." -- Nic Batum
"wang-dang diddly wubba SPROING wow-wow" -- Dave
Batum effectiveness depends on his health
He hasn’t made it through a full season without an injury and he only played about half of this season, I think with a full training camp and a full season Nate might be more inclined to use Nic.
But guess what, I am not a coach
hg
I have a full blown man crush on Batum
Can’t wait to see more baseline dunks next year :)))
Just found a sick Batum shirt
Why it took me this long to find this site I have no idea, but I just ordered a bunch for the whole family!
Like Rudy,
I wonder if Batum is a good fit on the Blazers. I think his talents might be better leveraged on a team that passed the ball to each other and looked to create some motion on offense.
"The only 'Advanced Metric' that matters is what you see with your eyes." -Timbo, Nov., 2009.
batum must play in nouvelle orleans,with a real all stars player(cp3).
go away batum!!!find real team where the coach trust you,and condition you so that you became the player of whom you wish,no like they want(just defender)…
-batum in blazers team;he first role>>> is view as roy’s and aldrige pet.
-batum just D,don’t score too much!!!you are the pet here!bi…don’t take pleasure when you balling in portland…
-No way he resign with blazers,he need team which he perceives him.
PS:when you call him"nic" in french>>>its mean “F…” ;)
les balzers sont composes de 2 joueurs (roy et lamarcus)et les autres sont consideres comme des bouches trous…
Je crois que vous êtes incorrecte
Les entraîneurs aiment bien Batum. Nate Mcmillan a le dit beaucoup des temps. Il ne veut pas qu’il seulment jouer aux defense, mais en ce moment, c’est le chose plus important. Le autre rôle vient quand il est prêt.
Je crois que Batum peut vient de jouer le 3ieme rôle sur l’équipe, aprés Roy et Oden. Mais il a besoin de le gagner, il n’est pas des cadeaux por lui.
Je suis désolée, ma francais n’est pas trés bien…
The eternal optimist
by I can't think of a good screen name... on May 9, 2010 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Batum will be even better next season
Have you noticed how he has bulked up from that “skinny-guy” at the start of the season?
Did you notice how confident/comfortable he seemed at the end of the season?
Nate will have all summer to review stats and compare Batum’s output to Webster’s.
Watch for Roy to be a bigger advocate for Batum with Nate.
Batum will get more minutes next season.
Monty Williams will probably move to another team next season (Almost got a HC job this year).
Monty probably won’t be around to hold back Batum.
That shoulder will heal this summer and his strength/conditioning with turn him into a “force” next season.
“The sky is the limit.”
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