Batum of the Barrel

Nor'easter drops Batum, picks up McCants

Nicolas Batum is getting a bit annoyed - picked up twice, dropped twice, only getting to play twice. He's been discussed a few times, and while his situation hasn't changed, he's put up two goose eggs in a row (after his two double-digit games), making it difficult to justify rostering him. We still think Portland is too deep, and Batum too raw, for him to be particularly valuable this year.

McCants was dropped by thenopp after suffering a back injury, as discussed here. But his fortunes have changed rather markedly in the last week - Corey 'C-Brizzle' Brewer is out for the season with a torn AC-Lizzle, and Mike Miller sprained his knee yesterday (it looks like Miller will be OK). If McCants is healthy, he'll get around 25 mpg, and he'll certainly shoot a lot of 3s. Whether any of them go in is another matter.

Judgment: A nice pickup, We like McCants' opportunity, and while he doesn't contribute in an 'all-around' way, and he's not a very good basketball, he will score and hit some 3s. We love Batum, but we'll have to wait at least a year for his breakout.

Batum Raider II - the Return

In swap of Nicks, Nor'easter drops Young for Batum

 

Nick Young was discussed here - after Nor'Easter picked him up, he had one good week, one OK week, and then last week, which was quite poor. A-Dan and DeShawn are now getting the great bulk of the G minutes in WAS, and they're even sliding C-But over to SG some to make room for the young big men. N-Young just hasn't produced enough to justify more PT - even when he's good, he's just a points guy. His series of YouTube videos (see below) with fellow WIZ Dominic McGuire are quite amusing, however.

Nicolas Batum was previously profiled here, when the Spoonful picked him up briefly. He's started each of Portland's last 15 games, and while he's been mostly a starter-in-name-only, his last 3 games have been different: he's averaged 24 MPG (versus 14 previously),  11 PPG, 2 3s, 5 reb, 3 AST, 1 STL and a BLK. Very pleasant across the board production. It's hard to imagine his role increasing, especially with Martell It On the Mountain Webster returning soon, though his strong play (and RudyFer's) seems to be contributing to swirling T-Out trade rumors. He's really fun to watch, as well.

Judgment: This looks like a strong, high-upside pickup to us. N-Young's doing nothing, and Batum looks like he can do anything, and that he will contribute at least a little in a number of categories going forward.

The Batum Hangover

Spoonful drops Batum for Jared Dudley

We've covered Batum previously -- he may have some spectacular games, but he's raw and buried on a deep team.

On the other hand, Jared 'Subway' Dudley is only behind Sean 'Fat' May, and is apparently starting today since May is (surprise) hurt. Larry Brown has already called out Fat on his conditioning, and Dudley was a fine rebounder when given the opportunity last year.

Judgment: Certainly this team needs rebounds, and Batum might have been picked up while management was slightly inebriated.

Note: I won't be able to post again until Sunday night - hope y'all hold down the fort!

If you can't Joinum...

Spoonful drop Warrick, pick up Batum

Hakim Warrick can score, but he is soft and doesn't play defense. This has not endeared him to coaches, and it seems he's presently buried behind Darrell Arthur, Marc Gasol, and perhaps Darko. He'll be rosterable at some point this year, but right now he's not getting it done.

Nicolas Batum is only 19, very raw, and, while he's quite athletic, he's on a deep Portland team, and will not be a consistent performer. However, he looks amazing tonight, plays with high energy, and should get 15-20 minutes while Oden is out, and do some stealing and blocking.in that time. It may be that Bayless is the Blazer rookie on the outside looking in.

Judgment: Worth a flyer, though this doesn't address any team needs (except bodies on the floor). Rumor is that the team is being renamed 'The Lovin' Sixthmen'. Warrick was needed for his rebounding, in particular, but he's not doing it. Millsap may end up on the Spoonful soon enough...