Remember when we thought Batum was going to the D-League?

ChadBC · Post #1 » by **ChadBC** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:56 pm

Times sure have changed, haven't they?

SabasRevenge! · Post #2 » by **SabasRevenge!** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:26 pm

He's my boy!

jhern87 · Post #3 » by **jhern87** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:28 pm

ChadBC wrote:Times sure have changed, haven't they?

Definitely, I was pretty underwhelmed (no pun intended) with his performance in Las Vegas. I seriously thought that KP might have finally made a poor trade, though he has proved me wrong again.

I think why he played so poorly in pre-season is because right now he's a solid role player, not vocal point in an offense. I expect the competition for playing time once Webster gets back to help him develop as well.

Zyme · Post #4 » by **Zyme** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:40 pm

Ah memories.

He has shown showed so much teachability and such a nose for teh ball.

Walton'sBeard! · Post #5 » by **Walton'sBeard!** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:47 pm

I guess I was the only one impressed with him in Vegas. After the first two crappy games he played 3 very Batum-like games to finish it off. Having said that, I too thought Idaho was in his future.

He seems to get better at all the little things every night. At the end of the last two games, when Nate cleared the bench, Batum looked like a wiley vet on the court, keeping everything in order. He could go far in this league.

PDXKnight · Post #6 » by **PDXKnight** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:24 pm

Well I still see his offense as quite raw, but he's looking to be a stud on defense. He could very well be our Bruce Bowen within a couple of years, but it's still too early to judge how good he can become.

jakjup216 · Post #7 » by **jakjup216** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:26 pm

i was a BIG Batum hater yo!! LOL @ me tho.. i like dude.. love what he brings to the team!!!

BBen · Post #8 » by **BBen** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:49 pm

He's got a bit of a hitch in his shot still (like right before release too). Hopefully the shooting coaches can iron that out. Once that's done there is nothing not to like. He goes to the basket well, defends well, rebounds astoundingly well and he doesn't seem to be a selfish player in any respect.

Pritchard has assembled a team through absolute thievery. Phoenix and Houston should feel bad for getting abused so hard. It's like you're walking down the street and instead of getting mugged you just hand your wallet to a stranger. Then that stranger uses your credit cards and does your wife.

blazersmaniac8 · Post #9 » by **blazersmaniac8** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:58 pm

If he can get a better handle this offseason it's going to be scary. Just seeing him run up and down the court for some reason reminds me of Ime except more athletic longer and younger.

The Emcee · Post #10 » by **The Emcee** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:17 pm

He'll make a great 6th man for years to come.

JD45 · Post #11 » by **JD45** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:51 pm

I thought he wasted pick and had no chance of an NBA career.

Proving that I have no chance of an NBA career.

AKBlazerFan · Post #12 » by **AKBlazerFan** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:06 pm

Imagine how BAyless feels about playing so much less after each of their summer league performances...ha ha.

I love Batum, when he is out there he fills up the stat sheet kind of like Marion used to. He just never plays more than 7-8 min in each half. I honestly love his production while he is out there. He hustles for loose balls, plays good D, gets rebounds, and hits the occasional 3 ball. Not much more you can ask for from him.

Post #13 » by **NO-KG-AI** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:06 am

Why did you all hate Batum so much? He was a sure fire top 10 pick with comparisons to Rudy Gay before last season.

Post #14 » by **mojomarc** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:34 am

NO-KG-AI wrote:Why did you all hate Batum so much? He was a sure fire top 10 pick with comparisons to Rudy Gay before last season.

He was downright ugly in summer league. Plus, the scouting reports were that in France that he was inconsistent, that he was raw, and that he would be a few years away from producing.

We're more than happy to be wrong, though.

tisbee · Post #15 » by **tisbee** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 7:58 am

BBen,
Houston picked up Dorsey and used the draft pick that would have been Batum for Artest. Hardly call that getting robbed. Agree that Dorsey is extremely raw,but coaching staff has a track record of developing PFs(Landry,anyone). The Rockets are trying to win now and Artest has been responsible for keeping the team afloat while McGrady struggles to recover from his knee surgery and w/Battier still out.