Blazers: Nicolas Batum's disappearing act should concern Trail Blazers as second half of seas

[ElNono]

The locker with the answers was barren, save for a lone T-shirt hanging and a chocolate protein drink, half consumed, on the mantle.

It was tough to tell just how quickly Nicolas Batum jetted out of the Portland Trail Blazers locker room Wednesday night, but judging from the streaks still cascading down the sides of the plastic cup, it was moments before the media was allowed in.

Maybe he had a date, or a family matter, or maybe he had to pack for Thursday morning's early departure to San Antonio, but Batum wasn't around Wednesday to answer the biggest question surrounding the Trail Blazers these days:

What in the world is going on with his game?

For how great the Blazers season has been -- second-best record in the Western Conference, dramatically improved defense, never-say-die comebacks -- the success has only masked the troubling dilemma everyone hoped would go away by itself: The disappearing act of Batum.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/in...social_feature

[spurraider21]

Kawhi's

[Mikeanaro]

tlong...

[Splits]

Holy I read the first 2 paragraphs and was convinced EN was trolling and was gonna give props. Then I clicked on the link.. Wtf is wrong with trailgangsta beat writers?

[ElNono]

Holy I read the first 2 paragraphs and was convinced EN was trolling and was gonna give props. Then I clicked on the link.. Wtf is wrong with trailgangsta beat writers?

yeah, it's a legit article...

[Malik Hairston]

Shooting 25% from 3..

Still a nice point-forward that rebounds, but an average defender that can't shoot 3s isn't a good recipe for 1 of your lead wing players..

[apalisoc_9]

The guy is not motivated to play.

I don't know if people remember last year when Batum was at odds with Aldridge and Lillard..He was trying so hard to make it to the allstar game last year. I think he's at a point right now where he doesn't believe in the team at all..He's an average defender this year and can't score for .

[FkLA]

The guy is not motivated to play.

I don't know if people remember last year when Batum was at odds with Aldridge and Lillard..He was trying so hard to make it to the allstar game last year. I think he's at a point right now where he doesn't believe in the team at all..He's an average defender this year and can't score for .

Don't think he even wanted them to match when he was a RFA and got the offer from Minny. He was talking about looking forward to playing in Minny and spreading his wings IIRC. Minny was considered up and coming at the time.

[KL2]

Tbh you can't blame him, he was guarded by the best defender in the NBA, a top 15 player, an MVP.

[313]

Kawhi's

[100%duncan]

Would be a great back up for whiwhi tbh

[lefty]

bump

[mkurts]

And people wanted him on the Spurs team when he was a free agent ..... so re ed

[hater]

frenchman sucks

[Mori Chu]

[hater]

)