Start Nic Batum!

by Sir.Ludo on Jan 15, 2012 4:44 PM PST

If one visits 82games.com, and checks out Portlands top 5 man units (http://www.82games.com/1112/1112POR2.HTM ), one can see that Batum is involved in many of our top units. In fact, out of the 13 positive (+/-) line-ups, Batum is tied with Aldridge as being part of 10 of them. Wallace and Crawford come in second with 9 out of 13 of the positive +/- line-ups. Matthews and Felton are in 8 of them. This would suggest that Batum is one of our top contributors, even at a much lower usage than our other main rotation players.

With Camby out, there is no excuse to be starting Thomas. Batum is the one who needs more minutes, and after posting 29 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks last night (as well as the upcoming contract negotiations), it only makes sense to get as many minutes as possible for the young player.

Finally, it is absolutely ridiculous to ignore the hot hand in crunch time. Nate should get his fair share of criticism for going away from Batum at the end of last nights game. Of course the Rockets made it tough, but Nate ended up using Batum as a distraction rather than a weapon.

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Maybe

I would like to see him get major minutes, especially with Camby down and Wallace at pf. But make no mistake, this is not because of last night’s performance. I would not blame Nate so much as Nic’s lack of consistent aggressiveness.

by ORDucktape on Jan 15, 2012 4:56 PM PST reply actions

Wallace

Well Wallace doesn’t show up the results haven’t been stellar either. Right now batum is playing better then Crawford or Felton. He should at least get crawfords minutes.

by Cabbol on Jan 15, 2012 7:32 PM PST reply actions

Ugh

Would love to see Wes try bringing the ball up At point batum at the 2 Wallace 3 l train 4 thomas at the 5 get butter fingers mcbrick Felton and j crossfaded Crawford on the pine or traded for a decent center. Rhino 6th man bomb.com

by DonttrashCrash on Jan 15, 2012 8:27 PM PST via mobile reply actions

One thing that would help me give an assessment is

what position do you suggest he start at, and what do you propose the starting lineup to be?

La Illaha Illallah Muhamadur Rasulallah

by AbuFatimah on Jan 15, 2012 9:02 PM PST reply actions

Well, immediately (if you check paragraph 2), I think we should start small ball

Thomas should come off the bench if and when it becomes apparent we need better post defense. Until then, Felton-Matthews-Batum-Wallace-Aldridge.

Eventually, I think Batum has a bigger future for Portland than Matthews does. Of course, to date this is not supported by the numbers, but I think with a bigger role, Batum could produce better than Matthews. I also see Matthews as more of a SF, and would like to try and get Batum more minutes at SG. Their relative heights make this counter-intuitive, but I like Batum’s passing as a guard, and think Matthews could play Nate McMillians SF just as well (stand and catch 3 point shooter, seems to be the game plan)

by Sir.Ludo on Jan 16, 2012 8:02 AM PST up reply actions

Trade Wallace

We need a decent center and I think Wallace has the trade power to bring one here. Don’t ask me who but we have a need.

Nic can start and chemistry wise and talent wise he fits the team better than Wallace.

There is no flow to Wallace’s game but he’s a great player but I don’t think we would fall off with Batum.

Nic has earned his place on the team. In the long run we are better off with building around LA – Mathews- & Nic. We need an answer to center & PG.

by Idahoblazerfan on Jan 16, 2012 5:32 AM PST reply actions

Trade Batum keep Wallace

Batum will go for 30 once a season Wallace has nearly done it twice. All this talk of him fizzeling out next year is carp his health history is good. He has another 3 good years left.

by DonttrashCrash on Jan 16, 2012 7:51 AM PST up reply actions

Three years of missed layups. Wallace is a great energy guy but I'm starting to have doubts about him.

Maybe there’s a reason he’s never played on a winner.

by raoulduke on Jan 16, 2012 11:22 AM PST up reply actions

Nic's shooting would open the floor for Aldrige for sure

but Wallace is our heart right now. Its tough, I think without him we are a 7 or 8 seed and likely out of the first round…….depending how good a center we could get for him.

by skott75 on Jan 16, 2012 12:28 PM PST up reply actions

How about Wallace for Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter?

Not that Spurs would do it or that the numbers would work but its one that would work for us now and for the future. Wallace has been incredibly inconsistent with great games one night and going scoreless on another night.

I am in favour of starting Batum over Wallace when Camby gets back as I think his energy will help the 2nd unit more.

by VinnyB on Jan 16, 2012 5:53 AM PST reply actions

Nico = the best all-around player on our team, now and future

This whole thing has been driving me crazy for a couple years. When I watch that dude play, I see a player who is smart, selfless and talented and has one of the most beautiful/graceful games in the world. We are blessed to have him on our team. But, usage has to be testing his patience. And, if it’s true that management low-balled him with their initial offer, that makes me sick. You have to take care of this guy, because his prime can be Scottie’s prime. With him and L.A. hitting their strides, that is an excellent start to a long-term contender. Please play the man, with and without the fantastic GW. And, please pay the man!!!!! He’ll be winning somewhere — let’s hope it’s with us.

by BlazersAx on Jan 16, 2012 7:47 AM PST reply actions

I agree

KEEP NICO – get him in the flow od the starting 5 with LA & Wes & whoever and I think we would be better off. Nothing against Wallace but ultimately we can’t keep them both. We have no GM yet and that doesn’t help!

by Idahoblazerfan on Jan 16, 2012 7:54 AM PST up reply actions

I agree

we should just keep Wallace until the trade deadline and then trade him for a solid center or some picks, like the Orlando trade.Cause he is gone after this season we cant give him a 4 year contract when he is already 29, he is called Crash for a reason. Thar way we won’t be juggling our wings and people can play with flow and we can have a solid center like Kaman coming back in the deal. We are just going to match the Batum offer sheet in July or august anyway so don’t sign him now.

by Dre2.0 on Jan 16, 2012 8:29 AM PST up reply actions

I love Nic

but that Pippen comparison is soooooooo far off. PIPPEN IS A HALL OF FAMER!!!!

by skott75 on Jan 16, 2012 12:31 PM PST up reply actions

Small ball only works some of the time. It all depends on your

opponent. And, as far as Wallace vs. Batum, I believe we may sign both, and then trade one. After all, a player under contract is more valuable than a player that is not under contract when trading. Which one will come down to the issue of Oden/Camby, and how they package, or don’t package and for who. We might keep Oden if we can get him at the right price, and give it one more shot. But, we can’t base that decision on slotting him as a starter and paying him as a starter. I find it interesting that we’ve been told the Blazers have opened negotiations with Batum and Wallace, but we’ve heard nothing on Felton. In point of fact, Batum, and or Wallace and or Felton are in the mix to sign and trade for picks, or a player. Or some combo,. However, if Felton goes, and if Oden can get starter money from some team will to throw the dice, then we’ll clearly be in a rebuilding mode and I suspect we’ll go after picks – which is what we were rumored to have tried on Howard. And, perhaps, that gave us a better indication of what we’re likely to do than anything else.

by ebenc on Jan 16, 2012 9:32 AM PST reply actions