Rebound season for our whipping boy??

[bLACKpANTHER]

I know what you are thinking - "which Whipping Boy?" - MKG, Frank, Batum, maybe Clifford or MJ??

 

I am going to prolly regret saying this on here but:
I see a huge bounce back year for Batum. This past year was arguably his worst year of his career - especially when you factor in the expectations for him Vs the rest of his career. I really thought Dwight and Batum would be a Dream combo with Kemba running around having fun. Unfortunately is was a Nightmare. They didn't mesh well together and I still think Batum has been playing out of position at the SG position.

If Borrego wants to run and gun, Batum could be a key benefactor from his system. If Borrego is smart - I think they slide him back to SF and MKG to the bench. Lamb would be the starting SG - good size to balance the height issue with Kemba. A starting lineup of Kemba-Lamb-Batum-Marvin-Zeller ain't that terrible. You really have 4 shooters who all defend their positions at an above-average level. I see a lot of potential assists with that lineup.

Batum's career numbers:

 

I know his contract is terrible - just sickening.. but I would bet my money that last year was the exception, not the rule when it comes to Batum.
If you take Dwight's average numbers (16.5pts, 12reb @ game) and redistribute a portion of those to the rest of the team = I can easily see a 15pt- 6reb- 6ast season from Batum.. AND If he really bounces back, 17pt- 6.5reb- 6.5ast.
Anybody what to come out in this limb with me??

[yasuhara2241]

7 minutes ago, bLACKpANTHER said:

I know what you are thinking - "which Whipping Boy?" - MKG, Frank, Batum, maybe Clifford or MJ??

 

I am going to prolly regret saying this on here but:
I see a huge bounce back year for Batum. This past year was arguably his worst year of his career - especially when you factor in the expectations for him Vs the rest of his career. I really thought Dwight and Batum would be a Dream combo with Kemba running around having fun. Unfortunately is was a Nightmare. They didn't mesh well together and I still think Batum has been playing out of position at the SG position.

If Borrego wants to run and gun, Batum could be a key benefactor from his system. If Borrego is smart - I think they slide him back to SF and MKG to the bench. Lamb would be the starting SG - good size to balance the height issue with Kemba. A starting lineup of Kemba-Lamb-Batum-Marvin-Zeller ain't that terrible. You really have 4 shooters who all defend their positions at an above-average level. I see a lot of potential assists with that lineup.

Batum's career numbers:

 

I know his contract is terrible - just sickening.. but I would bet my money that last year was the exception, not the rule when it comes to Batum.
If you take Dwight's average numbers (16.5pts, 12reb @ game) and redistribute a portion of those to the rest of the team = I can easily see a 15pt- 6reb- 6ast season from Batum.. AND If he really bounces back, 17pt- 6.5reb- 6.5ast.
Anybody what to come out in this limb with me??

I actually want to see Batum play a lot with Monk. I think Monk's game can improve greatly improve with Batum beside him. Actually that is my ideal lineup but I know we couldn't pay Nic that much money to be a backup. Batum would be perfect with our young reserves to give them direction. 

Starters: Kemba, Lamb, Bridges, Williams, Cody

Reserves: FA, Monk, Batum, Frank, Hernangomez

* Can't see a place for MKG. Going from starter to who knows where he 

[bLACKpANTHER]

Yeah MKG needs to be traded. Maybe package him with Bacon for a backup PG? I wonder what his trade value for that package would be if we just put the feelers out.

[carpanfan96]

same here, Batum should bounce back just for the fact that Howard isnt here. 

[yasuhara2241]

10 hours ago, bLACKpANTHER said:

Yeah MKG needs to be traded. Maybe package him with Bacon for a backup PG? I wonder what his trade value for that package would be if we just put the feelers out.

That package would get nothing special. MKG has basically a 2nd round pick value especially with his contract. And Bacon was just a 2nd round pick. 2 second round picks net you no good backup PG

[Zaximus]

Let's be honest, we were kind of stupid to expect a dude that never hit 15 points a game his previous 7 seasons to come in here and be a #2 scoring option.   

[Peppers90 NC]

We just need a coach who can motivate properly. I think at this point Lamb should be playing over either Batum or MKG.

Kemba-Monk-Lamb-Frank-Cody would be an interesting lineup.

[Zaximus]

31 minutes ago, Peppers90 NC said:

We just need a coach who can motivate properly. I think at this point Lamb should be playing over either Batum or MKG.

Kemba-Monk-Lamb-Frank-Cody would be an interesting lineup.

Yeah I lost total faith in Clifford, well what was left, when Lamb wasn't getting the most minutes over those guys last year.   Then not playing Monk and seeing him at the end?    Get out of here.

[bLACKpANTHER]

4 minutes ago, Zaximus said:

Yeah I lost total faith in Clifford, well what was left, when Lamb wasn't getting the most minutes over those guys last year.   Then not playing Monk and seeing him at the end?    Get out of here.

I might be wrong but I though Lamb was leading the bench and playing clutch minutes down the stretch. Lamb had 24.6 mins a game and MKG only had 25 mins as the starting SF.

[Zaximus]

15 minutes ago, bLACKpANTHER said:

I might be wrong but I though Lamb was leading the bench and playing clutch minutes down the stretch. Lamb had 24.6 mins a game and MKG only had 25 mins as the starting SF.

That seems right but I think a lot of those MKG/Batum minutes should have been Lamb's.

[Sub Zero]

I don't have any faith in Batum.. He showed his heart last year and it wasn't pretty.. He has the same affliction as Diaw .. No dog or aggression in their games and you should never count on either one to be more than a role player.. 

I'm tired of ppl and the Basis Charlotte Media (Bonnell) blaming Dwight for Batum stealing money.. 

Dwight had nothing to do with Batum worthless defense or him being fat and out of shape. 

Dwight had nothing to do with Batum passive offense and complete lack of aggression or taken charge of a game..

Batum is being paid to at least avg. 18 to 20 points a game and barely gave us double digits.  

He was soft and never attacked the rim.. He never took advantage of always having a smaller defender on him.. Many teams started putting PGs on him while letting their better defender and taller SG affect Kemba .. If I see that screen quick off blanche 3 point shot (praying for a foul) or that fade away post shot (when being guarded by a 6'4 and below player) from him.. I'm going to throw something on the court.. Dude rates as one of the biggest blunder moves in team history.. And this is the team who drafted Adam Morrison.. 

I hope the new coaches are not as attached as Clifford was to given him minutes and will play the younger better players when he sucks again this year.