Batum Will Start
posted: 11/04/2008 at 9:58 AM
Earlier in the day, I suggested we could be seeing Nicolas Batum move into the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. Now I can tell you that's official and it's going to happen. McMillan made the declaration after practice, and then told me the same thing on our flight to Salt Lake City this afternoon.
Batum was expected to be the starting small forward for the Trail Blazers in the first game of the regular season against the Lakers, but Nate McMillan had a change of heart the night before the game. Batum had even received a vote of confidence from Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, and certainly nothing has happened since then to hurt Batum's chances of seeing an increase role.
Easing at least some of the pain from Greg Oden's opening-night injury has been the play of the 19-year-old Batum, the 25th pick in last summer's draft. He had a solid training camp, but not spectacular, following a less-than-stellar showing in the Las Vegas Summer League. But, when given a chance to contribute during the preason, Batum showed everyone he had developed into an impact player well ahead of schedule.
Batum had a huge impact during the win over San Antonio at home, and then played well again on the road at Phoenix on Saturday night. During Monday's practice, Nate McMillan called his name when it came time to split the groups into starters and reserves.
"I'm thinking of starting him against Utah to see if we can get some defense into the game, some hustle points. Then, we'll look to come off the bench with Travis (Outlaw)," said McMillan on our Trail Blazers Courtside show on Monday night. "I'm going back and forth with the lineup and am trying to get a combination that works with both lineups."
It's not like Travis Outlaw has been banished, but it just appears to everyone that he's much better coming off the bench. He's never been a player who's started games well, and with the second group, he can be more of the focal point of the offensive plan. Also, with that second group, especially right now with Oden out, Travis can play the power-forward spot, where he flourished last season.
Outlaw hasn't been awful as a starter, and in fact led the Blazers in scoring in their first game against the Lakers. In the three games, he's averaged 13 points, and 4 rebounds per game, while shooting 42 percent from the field, and 50 percent from behind the three-point line. But, it's about chemistry with the two units, and Roy acknowledged after the first game against the Lakers, that the starting group's chemistry was a bit off, especially comparing it to how it was with Batum as a starter in the final games of the exhibition schedule.
"I really wanted to give him (Batum) some minutes and not throw him out there in that first game against the Lakers," said McMillan. "Now, I've put him in that first unit again in practice, and will start him."
To listen to the entire interview with McMillan from Monday night's show,
click here.
There is also the chance, in the near future, that McMillan could really scramble the starting unit and give Rudy Fernandez a shot. There are a couple of different options if he does that. One is to start Roy at the point, Fernandez at the two, and Batum at the three. The other is to keep Blake at the point, play Rudy at the two, and start Roy at the three. McMillan told me yesterday he's weighing all three options, and will indeed give Rudy some practice time with that first group.
We're in Utah now, and are getting set to take on the Jazz on Wednesday night. A few days ago it appeared we were going to see the return of Utah point guard Deron Williams in this game, as he's been recovering from a sprained ankle. But, Williams didn't play last night, as the Jazz beat the Clippers in L.A., and it's sounding like he's not quite ready to return against the Blazers.
Following the game against the Jazz, we'll return to Portland and play the second of another tough back to back, as the Houston Rockets will take on the Blazers Thursday night at the Rose Garden.
We've talked a lot about the difficulty of the early-season schedule, with good reason. And, if you think I've overstated its toughness, here's a stat for you that was dug up by our executive TV producer Scott Zachry. The Blazers are the first team in NBA HISTORY to play its first five games of a season against opponents who each won at least 54 games in the previous season. So, the start to the season isn't just tough by our standards, but is indeed, the toughest start ever, using this scale.
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I love the idea of Batum starting!
Hey MB; i still say BRoy @ point, RUDY as off guard, Batum small forward, LA @ power & PRYZ @ center for starting unit!
I really want Batum to get his shot at starter. Give him a few games, and let's hope Martel will be back by then.
Don't forget about Nate's Other Change
Nate also slipped into the discussion that he wants to start Rudy too. That probably means that Roy and Rudy will be in there together and share the PG role.
If that is the case, then where does that put the other guards? Looks like it would also open the door for Bayless to play more with the second unit. The challenge will be to decide if it is going to be Blake or Sergio as the odd man out.
MB, could you please shed a little more light onto the possibility of Travis being traded. I know his name comes up every year, especially since he has been improving, but I believe as many do that he is a core part of this "new" Blazers team. I would be sorely disappointed if he was traded.
Where can I download the whole show? I want to listen to the whole hour!
MB,
I've heard from an old friend of mine, with close connections to the late, great Kevin Duckworth, that Thursday's home game against Houston will be a tribute night for the big fella. Is this true? Seems like we would've heard something official.
Thanks
e.l.,
Front page of the website has the complete Courtside podcast link. Trailblazers.com.
MB
I'd like to see Batum start. I wouldn't mind to see Rudy start alongside Roy, but Im not sure how well that would work out since Rudy would rather push the tempo and Roy is more of a half court player. If Rudy starts, Blake and Bayless can both play the 2 and Sergio can play alot at the Point.
Let's start Roy, Rudy, Batum, LMA and Pryz, it's the best lineup we have both on paper and on the court. I'd even stick with it once Oden returns, at least for a while, so they can work him into the lineup and get him comfortable and in shape before he returns to the starting lineup.
The fact that Batum is even on an NBA team, let alone starting on one, is truly a testament to this young man's progress over the last year. What makes this such a great story within a story is its inexcapable cinderella quality.
A year ago in a videotaped interview with a reporter Nicholas was asked why he did not declare himself eligible for the 2007 NBA draft. His response was that he simply didn't feel he was ready. Obviously that has changed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEzNa7msDLc
No slight on Outlaw, but Batum getting the start ahead of the six-year pro only took three games. Was it Outlaw's job to lose or was the plan all along to give Nic time to work out the jitters? Perhaps it was a little of both. It seems a little more than interesting that three games was the exact amount of games it took Nate to insert Jack ahead of Nash's trophy pick Telfair. Not that Outlaw was anyone's trophy pick, but then again, Nate didn't draft him. He drafted Batum.
In any event, experience generally always wins out over athleticism in cases like these. My gut tells me it's not that Outlaw doesn't have what it takes to be a starter, it's that Batum just has more of it.
Chad has it right.
hey mb,
i sent a post for the "suns pull away late" thread. did it get lost in the shuffle, or was it just too late? i missed the show last night, but hope to catch it next week. the blog is great!
as for batum, i think that this is a great opportunity for everyone involved. batum will have the chance to impact a very win-able game. with deron williams likely out, that makes things a little more even considering that we are without martell and greg. the jazz are 3 and 0, but that includes a close win over denver, and two wins over the clips (who are shorthanded/not in midseason form as well). we are going to need batum and outlaw both to have good games against the wealth of 3 spot players that the jazz employ (miles, kirilenko, korver, harpring and millsap). i applaud the move, and understand coach mcmillan's initial reticence in implementing the rookie as a starter. Congratulations Mr. Batum!!!
also, i think that trading outlaw would be hasty. injuries happen. having someone who readily comes off the bench to play the 3, and an offensively attacking 4 spot is needed. we don't need experienced players as much as we need time to pass and experience to come under our belts. by the time this team's average age gets to 27, we will be ready to realize our potential (if not sooner).
Mike: Thanks for the Blog.
I too think a line-up of BRoy, Rudy, Batman, LMA and Joel would be great. What concerns me is some of the bloggers recognized that BRoy doesn't pass the ball to Rudy.. Regardless of this possibility, I think it would be a fabulous line-up. We could still give Sergio and Rudy some time together and BRoy and Steve.
The only way we will see if it works is to try it. Nothing is forever, and you can change back to another line-up in seconds. Nate and Pritchard have always said that they want to keep flexibility. This is the time to see if we have it.
Let’s show The Jazz by winning.
Lets do it
hg
Nate made an idiotic choice to start Travis ahead of Batum. Batum is the guy that does the dirty work and plays defense. He doesn't need to be scoring to be affective like Outlaw. Outlaw is a scorer and is suited to come off the bench. Batum plays hard defense when he is out there and waits for his opportunities. He's just a smarter player and it's great Nate is starting him, great move.
And another thing about that tough start. The league does not want Portland to succeed because of the market, there is no money in seeing Portland succeed. This schedule proves they want to see Portland fail.
Hi everyone,
1 Roy
2 Rudy
3 Batum
No doubts about it...
Also i think that Sergio should get more minutes at least the 15 he got the other day. He's so much better than Blake.I don't know what the coach is thinking.
Greatins from Spain.
Gonzalo
I am going to be at the game tonight and would love to see Roy, Rudy, and Batum all in the starting line up.
wow I watched that classic college basketball game last night on CSN.
Oden vs. Florida. I was just shocked how thin he was, so durable and quick off his feet. now he just looks like some middle aged shaq w/ no O. Just slamming it down in the paint and throwing up hook shots off the front of the rim. Will he ever be a tim ducan type in his offensive style?
i think it will be good to start batum the defensive mind set will mesh the starters and it outlaws scoring off the bench will help the second unit. travis plays like an all star when he comes off the bench. i also think it would be a good idea to bring oden off the bench when he gets back, it will give him a chance to get in shape and into the flow of the game. i think that if you start joel he can set the tempo of the game and it will take alot of the pressure off oden while he is learning.
Batum may have the title of starter this game but he didn't even play 20 minutes... a title means nothing except a bigger contract in the NBA. GIVE HIM THE MINUTES... his defense is vastly superior to that of Outlaw and should be getting more minutes because of it. So what if Outlaw has played more in the NBA, he still plays like a rookie. I've seen every game on TV so far this season and have seen countless times when Outlaw has forced a shot he didn't have to force and even more times that he has allowed an opposing team to get points in the paint. Batum is the future... Outlaw is just a strong presence off the bench.
Uhhh... Needing to play hard for a full 48 minutes to win games. Now didn't we hear this last year, too?
Vamos Sergio!!!
Yes, YOU CAN.
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Un saludo.
Vamos Sergio!!!
YES YOU CAN.
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