Woj: Batum to Charlotte, Vonleh + Gerald to Portland

[Liver_Pooty]

You are getting too hung up on positions Catch. Both MKG and Batum can defend 2s and 3s with no problem. Offensively, Batum will play the McRoberts role at the top of the key, strong side, feeding Jefferson and then cutting or spotting up for 3s. MKG will still live in his shame corner.

Then what the hell Zeller gonna do? Stand out of bounds? Lol

LOL, that sounds about right.

Nah, Zeller runs around to start each possession by setting a screen for Kemba, or getting a handoff from Kemba, then Kemba runs around in a big circle and get the ball back from Zeller in the same spot. Kemba then tries to beat his man off the dribble and either shoots a step back jumper or he hands the ball of to Batum who then starts the pass into Jefferson... result of said play is obviously a shot clock violation.

LOL

[fatlever]

As others have mentioned, Batum was much better in the 2nd half of the season. He still didnt score much, but his percentages were really good.

Post ASB
10.2ppg
6.6rpg
5.0apg
45%FG
42.5%3PT
90%FT

Those are some damn fine numbers. He shot 42.5% on over 100 3PT attempts after the ASB.

[USER0023942]

Our offense isn't good at creating corner 3s. How's his 3s on the wing and top of the key since he'll be our starting SG.

Average at best. His shooting is also highly dependent on the state of his health, which has been suspect of late. Again, this is primarily due to offseason injuries incurred during FIBA, Eurobasket, and the Olympics.

[Braggins]

If I had a list of my top 5 all-time favorite realgm posts, this would definitely be on that list. I love randomly saying that to people just to see their confused reactions.

I am glad someone enjoyed my Twin Peaks pics tonight. I'm at the start of season 2 right now, but I can see why you guys loved the show so much. I can't wait for more great opportunities for Twin Peaks memes.

Oh boy, you are in for a treat. I wish I could watch Twin Peaks for the first time again. Word of warning, there is a pretty big lull that starts at about halfway through season 2 and doesn't really end until the last few episodes. Force your way through it even if you start to lose interest for a while. The payoff is more than worth it.

[GreenRiddler]

I can give you guys the heads up about Batum though. He will have a great year. Probably no more than 14 ppg, but everything else and more. Can defend PGs SGs and SFs. Excellent passer( Like ridiculous good vision). PnR he needs a big that can roll and he can generate chemistry with so if you guys keep Zeller they can get a 1-2 thing going otherwise you need a big who can roll.

Don't expect great shooting though, he had as bad a year shooting as I have seen from a big time starter who can't create shots and whose best shot is the 3. He is a career 36% three point shooter and that is more than 50% of his shots. He doesn't have the handle to take it to the rim and finish, no change of direction, hesitation dribble etc. to get to the basket.

Never developed a mid range pullup game like Afflalo or Henderson have. He just isn't a scorer and probably never will be unless he gets better at getting to the line/rim.

I thought he could be a 16ppg 3rd option if we needed him too but with Wes we never needed that...until Wes went down and Batum just never took shots and when he did it was bad pull up 3s.

You are getting a guy who will improve your wing D and help alleviate your PGs duties as a passer and help them to focus on scoring, so if you have scorers on the wing and you need an Igoudala type wing then he is your guy.

If you want a Parsons type of scorer at Sf who can get you 16/18ppg, well Utah shouldn't have matched that offer sheet you guys gave Hayward, cause that is not Batum.

Thanks Riddler for assuring me that my thoughts about him were correct. How do you feel about him being a SG thru and thru?

I actually think he defends SGs the best, he always gave Wade trouble. On offense with him and MKG....Your PG better be okay with playing without a shot creator. Batum creates shots for others not himself.

[GreenRiddler]

IIRC he will be playing for France this summer about the 4th one in a row. People have questioned his commitment level towards the NBA VS France in the past.

[fatlever]

Kemba don't need no help getting shots. LOL. He's never seen a step back jumper he didnt love.

[Liver_Pooty]

I can give you guys the heads up about Batum though. He will have a great year. Probably no more than 14 ppg, but everything else and more. Can defend PGs SGs and SFs. Excellent passer( Like ridiculous good vision). PnR he needs a big that can roll and he can generate chemistry with so if you guys keep Zeller they can get a 1-2 thing going otherwise you need a big who can roll.

Don't expect great shooting though, he had as bad a year shooting as I have seen from a big time starter who can't create shots and whose best shot is the 3. He is a career 36% three point shooter and that is more than 50% of his shots. He doesn't have the handle to take it to the rim and finish, no change of direction, hesitation dribble etc. to get to the basket.

Never developed a mid range pullup game like Afflalo or Henderson have. He just isn't a scorer and probably never will be unless he gets better at getting to the line/rim.

I thought he could be a 16ppg 3rd option if we needed him too but with Wes we never needed that...until Wes went down and Batum just never took shots and when he did it was bad pull up 3s.

You are getting a guy who will improve your wing D and help alleviate your PGs duties as a passer and help them to focus on scoring, so if you have scorers on the wing and you need an Igoudala type wing then he is your guy.

If you want a Parsons type of scorer at Sf who can get you 16/18ppg, well Utah shouldn't have matched that offer sheet you guys gave Hayward, cause that is not Batum.

Thanks Riddler for assuring me that my thoughts about him were correct. How do you feel about him being a SG thru and thru?

I actually think he defends SGs the best, he always gave Wade trouble. On offense with him and MKG....Your PG better be okay with playing without a shot creator. Batum creates shots for others not himself.

How do you honestly think Batum will do playing with a ball dominant PG? I know Lillardis fairly ball dominant, but Walker is very, very ball dominant. He doesn't know what to do without the ball in his hands.

[fatlever]

IIRC he will be playing for France this summer about the 4th one in a row. People have questioned his commitment level towards the NBA VS France in the past.

Sounds like Boris Diaw all over again. Yay.

[yosemiteben]

So obviously the FO and coaching staff saw the writing on the wall for Vonleh but Cho didn't want to show his hand on that so started shopping Zeller to generate interest, then when a team showed cautious interest he swapped in Vonleh for Zeller as a deal sweetener, all the while knowing that he never would trade Zeller and the goal was always to move Vonleh + Hendo for an upgrade on the wing.

I'm going to run with that narrative regardless of how false I think it probably is.

[Braggins]

So obviously the FO and coaching staff saw the writing on the wall for Vonleh but Cho didn't want to show his hand on that so started shopping Zeller to generate interest, then when a team showed cautious interest he swapped in Vonleh for Zeller as a deal sweetener, all the while knowing that he never would trade Zeller and the goal was always to move Vonleh + Hendo for an upgrade on the wing.

I'm going to run with that narrative regardless of how false I think it probably is.

Its about damn time. Ive been refreshing this thread like every ten seconds waiting for you to give me a positive spin on this. Lets roll with it lol.

[Elden Payton]

This sucks.

What is this ****?

[Braggins]

So... Whats up with this Lamb trade? Is it final? I might feel a little better if I can frame the events of today as Hendo + Vonleh + Barnes for Batum + Lamb.

[Liver_Pooty]

So obviously the FO and coaching staff saw the writing on the wall for Vonleh but Cho didn't want to show his hand on that so started shopping Zeller to generate interest, then when a team showed cautious interest he swapped in Vonleh for Zeller as a deal sweetener, all the while knowing that he never would trade Zeller and the goal was always to move Vonleh + Hendo for an upgrade on the wing.

I'm going to run with that narrative regardless of how false I think it probably is.

Chad Buchanan came from Portland. Rich Cho came from Portland. They have probably had their eye on Batum for a while. And they plucked him. They know him better than all of us, and probably more than most of the Portland fan base. I trust them.

[Liver_Pooty]

So... Whats up with this Lamb trade? Is it final? I might feel a little better if I can frame the events of today as Hendo + Vonleh + Barnes for Batum + Lamb.

Not final yet, OKC wants some kind of pick.

[yosemiteben]

So... Whats up with this Lamb trade? Is it final? I might feel a little better if I can frame the events of today as Hendo + Vonleh + Barnes for Batum + Lamb.

Not final, go check the thread.

[GreenRiddler]

Chad sure, but Cho spent 1 season here. Batum will be good for you guys, you saw what Iggy did as finals MVP for the Dubs.

[Braggins]

So... Whats up with this Lamb trade? Is it final? I might feel a little better if I can frame the events of today as Hendo + Vonleh + Barnes for Batum + Lamb.

Not final yet, OKC wants some kind of pick.

Eh, whatever. Give them 39 or a future 1st that is protected unless we make the conference finals in the next two seasons and then conveys as a 2nd.

[Liver_Pooty]

So... Whats up with this Lamb trade? Is it final? I might feel a little better if I can frame the events of today as Hendo + Vonleh + Barnes for Batum + Lamb.

Not final yet, OKC wants some kind of pick.

Eh, whatever. Give them 39 or a future 1st that is protected unless we make the conference finals in the next two seasons and then conveys as a 2nd.

Damn a future protected first. With our luck that will bite us in the ass. Has to be something better than our second rounder or they would take it.

[GreenRiddler]

Thanks Riddler for assuring me that my thoughts about him were correct. How do you feel about him being a SG thru and thru?

I actually think he defends SGs the best, he always gave Wade trouble. On offense with him and MKG....Your PG better be okay with playing without a shot creator. Batum creates shots for others not himself.

How do you honestly think Batum will do playing with a ball dominant PG? I know Lillardis fairly ball dominant, but Walker is very, very ball dominant. He doesn't know what to do without the ball in his hands.

That can be a problem, one of his best assets was being able to take pressure off of Lillard who doesn't like to handle the ball too much. Something people don't know about Dame on the outside looking in is that he really likes to play off the ball to get easy open shots and even alley-oops.

That is why I think you guys should draft Payne at 9 he is good on and off the ball and can play big mins day 1. Walker like you said isn't great off the ball.