Reep

The future? (Koponen to Batum)

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Batum has been reported to have a questionable attitude, but he was projected as a high lottery pick. He can play solid defense, shoot with range, handle and pass. He could also hang in Europe for a bit to work on his game (and attitude). Assuming some of the guys in the early lottery stay in school as reported (Bayless, Mayo, etc.), All the interesting point guards (Westbrook, Colison, etc.) could be gone. After that there are a bunch of project centers that we really don't need. I think Batum could be a great choice. If he matures, he could be a Rudy-esque kind of pick.

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MrJayremmie

Yea, he was the guy i put in my "best case scenerio" thread. I saw him predicted to now go at 15, which is crazy. We better snatch him up if he is stil there at our pick.

Westbrook is still one that interests me also, though.

If we do snatch Batum, i see Outlaw possibly gettin' moved.

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Jerryd Bayless

Reep

I'm mixed on Westbrook. I like him, but he really doesn't have an outside shot, and he doesn't handle the ball well in traffic (only at full speed in the open court). He can drive down the whole court and dunk, but he almost never beats his man off the dribble. His defense would be great, but without the three ball and the handle, he would be a long term project that might never work out. And he is likely to be gone by 13 if he does come out.

It will be interesting to see Colison and Westbrook v. Rose tomorrow. It should tell alot about all three.

MrJayremmie

NBADraft.net Nicolas Batum profile - http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/prof...olasbatum.html
Draftexpress.com's Nicolas Batum profile - http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Nicolas-Batum-537/

He is predicted to go 15th in both. What a steal...

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Jerryd Bayless

MrJayremmie

I DEFINITELY understand your concern. Very warranted.

His PG mentality gives me hope that he will develop into a good PG, maybe not a pure PG, but what we need. His defense and ability to get us fast break points is awesome. His outside shot needs ALOT of work, but he is a good passer.

He would be a project, but not an Outlaw type 4 year project. Give this guy 1 year behind Blake, let him make his mistakes, get used to our team and the PG position and the NBA game and life, and imo, in 2 years he is ready to start.

that is what i think. Obviously its very very very possible he might never be better than a backup caliber PG.

To me, if Westbrook doesn't go in the top 10, its worth trading up to 10-12 and pickin' him up. If he goes 3-9 IDK if it is worth it IF Batum is still on the board.

The kid is really special though. He made a huge step in gettin' a lot better this year, which gives me a lot of hope. And the fact that when Collison went down for like 6 games, WEstbrook took the PG postition over and led the pac-10 in assists during that time.

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Jerryd Bayless

Verro

More so than even the unathletic big, the undersized shooting guard, or the ¾ tweener, there isn’t a more bust prone draft profile than Euro’s who are not performing at a high level on their current club. Not saying it wouldn’t still be a solid pick, generalizations only go so far. But Batum’s numbers have been pretty disappointing this season considering the league he’s in.

World B. Free

I would like to have Westbrook over Batum. But I wouldn't be mad if we got Batum.

Was that Petteri alley ooping to Batum on that first clip?

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STOMP

Oui

STOMP

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STOMP

If Portland picks Batum, I see James Jones waving goodbye and Outlaw and Martell getting all the 2008-9 SF minutes.

STOMP

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Perfection

If he's there at 13 or late lotto I think you have to pick him. He's been compared a lot to Rudy Gay and it wasn't long ago that he was considered a top-5 lock.

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croco

Why Batum ? He won't be ready to come in and contribute, plus SF is the easiest position to fill with someone because there are so many guys who can play the 3 effectively. Plus you already have a lot of depth at that position and Webster, Jones and Outlaw can all stretch the floor because of their ability to shoot the three, Batum cannot.

I also think that this team is young enough, you should look to trade that pick and get some veteran help and still keep the cap flexibility at the same time.

Fork

Batum needs to start showing a little more for me to get on his bandwagon.

From draftexpress.com

weaknesses include:

• Lacks aggressiveness offensively
• Avoids contact/Soft?
• Confidence/intensity wavers
• Willingness to dominate opponents
• Gets extremely passive at times

Not a real glowing review. He shoots 29% from three point range. He doesn't rebound well. He turns it over too much. He has the physical ability to take it to the rim, but he prefers the outside shot.

I understand that they have to list weaknesses for each player and maybe his weaknesses aren't to the level of being a fatal flaw, but some weaknesses are more problematic than others. For me, certain things just can't be taught. The mental stuff? Toughness? The desire to get better? That can't be taught.

If you're soft, you stay soft. If you're tough, you stay tough. Nobody taught Maurice Lucas to be a bad ***, he was just born that way. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, etc, etc...those guys were all born with killer instinct. This Batum Kid sounds like he does not have that trait and guys who don't have it by age 19-20...they can't get it. Ever.

I understand Batum is physical freak, but so was Darius Miles. If he can turn out to be like Rudy Gay, that's great. But if he doesn't pick up the game performance, I think he's too great a risk. Because for every Rudy Gay (physical freak with 'questionable desire') there are a TON of Darius Miles/Stromile Swift/Eddie Griffin/Gerald Green type players.

I guess it comes down to what our scouts and Kevin Pritchard say, but I'd be very surprised if Batum ends up being our guy on draft day. Just doesn't sound like a KP player.

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Reep

Who would you rather have at 13, assuming Westbrook and Colison are gone? Hibbert? Lopez-lite? Of the players availabe, I think Batum would be a solid gamble. Part of his appeal is that he could stay over in Europe and not cost us anything as he develops. If he does, bring him over and you have Rudy Gay in your lineup. If he doesn't, then it doesn't cost you any salary.