tlongII
10-27-2008, 06:45 PM
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/10/breaking_news_batum_to_start_s.html
One of the most improbable possibilities of the Trail Blazers' training camp became a reality Monday when coach Nate McMillan confirmed that he would start rookie Nicolas Batum at small forward during tomorrow's season opener at the Los Angeles Lakers.
Batum, a 19 year-old rookie from France, who seemed more suited for the Development League when he made his debut at the Las Vegas Summer League in June, instead will be begin his NBA career by filling in for the injured Martell Webster before a nationally-televised audience.
McMillan said he went with Batum over six-year veteran Travis Outlaw in part because Outlaw feels more comfortable coming off the bench but mostly because it allows him to keep his second unit together. The group of Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez, Travis Outlaw, Channing Frye and Joel Przybilla has shown that it can be a dynamic and exciting up-tempo unit that could pose matchup problems for opposing teams.
"I think Nicolas is going to be better with that first group," McMillan said. "He doesn't have to do as much with the first group -- just defend, rebound and run -- as he would with the second group. And we can keep our second group in tact with Sergio, Travis, Rudy, Frye and Joel."
Batum, who was considered a project when he was drafted with the 25th overall pick in June, blossomed into a starting candidate last week and started the Blazers' final three exhibition games. He showed standout defensive ability and unusual poise for a rookie.
McMillan's decision came down to whether he wanted defense (Batum) or experience (Outlaw). Going with defense means the Blazers will feature two rookies (Batum and Greg Oden) in a starting lineup alongside Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Steve Blake.
"Well, you know what? We don't have a lot of experience," McMillan said. "It could go either way. If we don't (start) two rookies ... we're going to have three coming (off the bench). We're a young group. I think with that first group, with Brandon being out there, Greg, LaMarcus, we are going to go through those three guys and Nic can play off of those guys. And defensively, he gives us a wing defender. We will use that as long as we can."
Batum averaged 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while playing 18.7 minutes per game during the exhibition season.
One of the most improbable possibilities of the Trail Blazers' training camp became a reality Monday when coach Nate McMillan confirmed that he would start rookie Nicolas Batum at small forward during tomorrow's season opener at the Los Angeles Lakers.
Batum, a 19 year-old rookie from France, who seemed more suited for the Development League when he made his debut at the Las Vegas Summer League in June, instead will be begin his NBA career by filling in for the injured Martell Webster before a nationally-televised audience.
McMillan said he went with Batum over six-year veteran Travis Outlaw in part because Outlaw feels more comfortable coming off the bench but mostly because it allows him to keep his second unit together. The group of Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez, Travis Outlaw, Channing Frye and Joel Przybilla has shown that it can be a dynamic and exciting up-tempo unit that could pose matchup problems for opposing teams.
"I think Nicolas is going to be better with that first group," McMillan said. "He doesn't have to do as much with the first group -- just defend, rebound and run -- as he would with the second group. And we can keep our second group in tact with Sergio, Travis, Rudy, Frye and Joel."
Batum, who was considered a project when he was drafted with the 25th overall pick in June, blossomed into a starting candidate last week and started the Blazers' final three exhibition games. He showed standout defensive ability and unusual poise for a rookie.
McMillan's decision came down to whether he wanted defense (Batum) or experience (Outlaw). Going with defense means the Blazers will feature two rookies (Batum and Greg Oden) in a starting lineup alongside Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Steve Blake.
"Well, you know what? We don't have a lot of experience," McMillan said. "It could go either way. If we don't (start) two rookies ... we're going to have three coming (off the bench). We're a young group. I think with that first group, with Brandon being out there, Greg, LaMarcus, we are going to go through those three guys and Nic can play off of those guys. And defensively, he gives us a wing defender. We will use that as long as we can."
Batum averaged 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while playing 18.7 minutes per game during the exhibition season.