120 Guarantees: the Nic Batum thread

[Rusted]

When does the FIBA Worldcup stuff start up? Interested to see how Batum plays there this year.

[BlackOutBuzz]

When does the FIBA Worldcup stuff start up? Interested to see how Batum plays there this year.

I believe Eurobasket kicks off early September.

NBA Africa game announced. Has Batum representing Africa with Biz.

@NBA_Africa
BREAKING: #TeamAfrica and #TeamWorld rosters announced for the historic #NBAAfricaGame 2015! http://t.co/CsBK0Atksj

#TeamAfrica: @nicolas88batum @theborisdiaw @bismackbiyombo0 @G_ante34 @farouq1 @mbahamoute @LuolDeng9 @sergeibaka9 @festus & @GorguiDieng

#TeamWorld: @CP3 @KennethFaried35 @RealDealBeal23 @NikolaVucevic @paugasol @MarcGasol @unclejeffgreen @smart_MS3 & @thekidet! #NBAAfricaGame

@nicolas88batum
I guess @G_ante34 and I gonna have to play PG ! #TeamAfricaCamer #NBAAfricaGame #LT http://t.co/cloUKyscPT

[HornetJail]

That's the best team Bismack has ever played on

[ChokeFasncists]

MKG would do well to get a Bowenesque corner three.

[LofJ]

MKG would do well to get a Bowenesque corner three.

He's definitely working on it. He's more than a Bruce Bowen 3 and D player though:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cna_qX64Z1c[/youtube]

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/top_plays/2014/03/22/20140322-dunk-of-the-night.nba/

http://www.nba.com/hornets/video/teams/hornets/2015/03/04/150304MKGMicdUpmov-3535109

[BigSlam]

GM also said Batum is the SG. Means nothing.

We can assume it means that he expects MKG to be on the roster in November, which is obviously more than he said for Biz.

Do you honestly think MKG is not more valued by our FO than Biz? You think we would actually let him walk like we did Biz if the only other option was resigning him?

If Lamb + Batum works better than Batum + MKG then things will work out. Cho had better get more for MKG than he did for Biz if it comes to that.

Should trade Kemba for a PG who can shoot a damn if that's the case.

Something like:

Conley - Batum - MKG

Would be a damn site better than:

Kemba - Lamb - Batum


(Not saying Conley could be had, just using him as an example)


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[JDR720]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/HornetsPR/status/621807712331014146[/tweet]

[ChokeFasncists]

MKG would do well to get a Bowenesque corner three.

He's definitely working on it. He's more than a Bruce Bowen 3 and D player though:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cna_qX64Z1c[/youtube]

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/top_plays/2014/03/22/20140322-dunk-of-the-night.nba/

http://www.nba.com/hornets/video/teams/hornets/2015/03/04/150304MKGMicdUpmov-3535109

Cool, yeah, he's definitely more athletic, a better finisher and better ball handler. Can't wait to see him and Lin connect for some alley-oops! Getting the corner three could make him a star and would help with the team spacings.

[Liver_Pooty]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/HornetsPR/status/621807712331014146[/tweet]

Nice

[LofJ]

Team Africa doesn't stand a chance without a point guard, don't know why they're handicapping the team like that. Schroeder definitely needs to be added to the Africa roster.

[JDR720]

the world team should let the african team win

[yosemiteben]

Lots of chatter about Batum's role littered in a number of threads, figured it makes sense to try to bring Batum-focused discussion into this thread.

I don't think we are primarily focused on Batum being a major scoring threat, and also think he can be hugely successful in CHA while only averaging 13-14 ppg. What we need is someone in the starting lineup who can (1) facilitate offense without dominating the ball and (2) be a perimeter threat. IMO our biggest issue with Hendo and Lance is that both took a lot of time to create space and/or generate offense for others. I think this was partially due to their preference for creating off the dribble and for their aversion to perimeter shooting. I think Lance was an excellent passer in PNR situations, but I also think he was pretty terrible at facilitating intelligent ball movement outside of PNR situations. In that sense, I see Batum as a major improvement over both Hendo and Lance in terms of creating offense with his passing while avoiding having the ball stick in his hands when he tries to make something happen.

As far as being a perimeter shooting threat, we haven't had a SG that teams couldn't play off of in a long time, and that in and of itself should help the rest of our offense. I don't expect Batum to have a super high percentage, probably around 35-36% like his career average, but I do think he's someone that offenses will need to focus on more from the perimeter. I'm curious to learn how many open looks Batum got in POR's offense, will probably do a deep dive into his shooting stats another time.

[Mystical Apples]

Lots of chatter about Batum's role littered in a number of threads, figured it makes sense to try to bring Batum-focused discussion into this thread.

I don't think we are primarily focused on Batum being a major scoring threat, and also think he can be hugely successful in CHA while only averaging 13-14 ppg. What we need is someone in the starting lineup who can (1) facilitate offense without dominating the ball and (2) be a perimeter threat. IMO our biggest issue with Hendo and Lance is that both took a lot of time to create space and/or generate offense for others. I think this was partially due to their preference for creating off the dribble and for their aversion to perimeter shooting. I think Lance was an excellent passer in PNR situations, but I also think he was pretty terrible at facilitating intelligent ball movement outside of PNR situations. In that sense, I see Batum as a major improvement over both Hendo and Lance in terms of creating offense with his passing while avoiding having the ball stick in his hands when he tries to make something happen.

As far as being a perimeter shooting threat, we haven't had a SG that teams couldn't play off of in a long time, and that in and of itself should help the rest of our offense. I don't expect Batum to have a super high percentage, probably around 35-36% like his career average, but I do think he's someone that offenses will need to focus on more from the perimeter. I'm curious to learn how many open looks Batum got in POR's offense, will probably do a deep dive into his shooting stats another time.

I love Batum. His true value is the ability to unlock multiple lineup options because he's not married to 1 position. Clifford can bring his best player off the bench regardless of position and then slide Batum where needed without having to make offense/defense sacrifices. He's rare in that way.

[catch20two]

Nicolas Batum ready for fresh start, expanded role with Hornets

OK, now we know new Hornet Batum is playful. Coach Steve Clifford thinks can be a lot more than that, a lot more than he was as a Portland Trail Blazer.

Clifford told Batum this trade will expand his role. He’s no longer playing with stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard, standing in the corner waiting to take a 3-pointer.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article25668130.html#storylink=cpy

Speak on it.

[catch20two]

I love Batum. His true value is the ability to unlock multiple lineup options because he's not married to 1 position. Clifford can bring his best player off the bench regardless of position and then slide Batum where needed without having to make offense/defense sacrifices. He's rare in that way.

Sounds like a good bench player. You can plug him in different positions.

[mrknowitall215]

Nicolas Batum ready for fresh start, expanded role with Hornets

OK, now we know new Hornet Batum is playful. Coach Steve Clifford thinks can be a lot more than that, a lot more than he was as a Portland Trail Blazer.

Clifford told Batum this trade will expand his role. He’s no longer playing with stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard, standing in the corner waiting to take a 3-pointer.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article25668130.html#storylink=cpy

Speak on it.

A Blazers fan just touched on it, and practically said what some of us have already stated

Blazer fan here, I come in peace.

Not trying to discount the article or anything, but the Blazers have been trying for the longest time to turn Batum into an aggressive player. His issue isn't his role (he had a ton of freedom in Terry Stott's offense), it's his mentality. He's passive, he passes up open shots, opportunities. There are times he will flash his aggression, show what he's capable of, but it never lasts more than a few games. Too easily he reverts back to playing 4th or even 5th wheel.

Maybe he turns it on in a contract year, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Batum is a great all around player, but he will never be a go to guy.

[catch20two]

I want to ask the knowledgeable Portland fans about his defense. The numbers don't really support him as a above average defender as much as his appearance. The numbers show that he was the worst defender in the starting lineup last year and the 2nd worst in the year before that to Lillard.

[mrknowitall215]

I want to ask the knowledgeable Portland fans about his defense. The numbers don't really support him as a above average defender as much as his appearance. The numbers show that he was the worst defender in the starting lineup last year and the 2nd worst in the year before that to Lillard.

I think Batum is a roundabout average defender, but his versatility combined with his length can help situationally

[Mystical Apples]

I want to ask the knowledgeable Portland fans about his defense. The numbers don't really support him as a above average defender as much as his appearance. The numbers show that he was the worst defender in the starting lineup last year and the 2nd worst in the year before that to Lillard.

I think Batum is a roundabout average defender, but his versatility combined with his length can help situationally

That's about right. He's a good defender but not necessarily great. But his defense is more valuable when he can take an assignment a teammate can't handle - like covering Pgs for Lilliard

[Malapropism]

I want to ask the knowledgeable Portland fans about his defense. The numbers don't really support him as a above average defender as much as his appearance. The numbers show that he was the worst defender in the starting lineup last year and the 2nd worst in the year before that to Lillard.

I think Batum is a roundabout average defender, but his versatility combined with his length can help situationally

Spot on. His versatility is his biggest advantage on defense. He can adequately defend 1-4s, but he's not lockdown. His length helps on players bothered by length but he can get abused by stronger players.