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Batum Says Minnesota Is His Top Choice
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  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6476

    Posted 07/10/2012 6:52 PM



    David Aldridge: Batum's First Choice Is Minnesota

    I felt like this deserved it's own thread, because for the first time, Nicolas Batum actually said that playing for the Timbrwolves is what he wants. NBA.com's David Aldridge caught up with Nic and during a phone interview this is what the 23-year-old swingman had to say:
     "I’m a restricted free agent,” Batum said. “I know the situation. Anywhere I sign, the Blazers are going to match. But my first choice was, and is, Minnesota. That’s where I want to play and that’s where I want to put my family. I’ve got nothing against the fans (in Portland) and nothing against the city. But this is a basketball decision and basketball wise, I want to be there. Last year, they impressed everybody, and that’s what I respect. To have a great young point guard like (Ricky) Rubio, and a great coach like (Rick) Adelman, I really liked that project. And I think they think I’m the missing piece at small forward. That’s what they told me."

    "When I talked with Adelman last week, I felt like he wants me, will play me the way I ask to play,” Batum said. “Last year was tough for all of us and I think I need a new start. I think I need something else. Again, it’s nothing against the city or the fans (in Portland)."
    Neil Olshey has said time and time again that the Trail Blazers are going to match, yet Batum seems hopeful a sign-and-trade can be facilitated:
      “I know that they’re working on a sign and trade, and I’m very hopeful that both of them understand my situation, do the best both for me and for them," Batum said.
    The free agent moratorium period ends tonight at 9:01 PM PST. If there is an offer sheet from the Wolves, Nic may sign it then, giving Portland 72 hours to match or decline. If he does indeed sign an offer sheet, that means no sign-and-trade opportunities can be explored.

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  1. pball8478
    pball8478
    Posts: 85

    Posted 07/10/2012 8:06 PM

    I have always been a very big fan a Batum. I was hoping he stays, but after this free agency debacle I'm not so sure any more. It sucks that he said he wouldn't mind playing for the Blazers next year, and then he turns around and says something like this to another source when he is away in Madrid.  I am feeling a little spurned by this report myself! Just shows how unhappy he was here with Mcmillan. He has a phenomenal efficiency rating and is a great defender. And his offense will only get better from here every year. Especially when he is better coached. I  feel like he will be one of the best SF in the league in a few more years. I never felt like coach Mcmillan used Batum well for his abilities. That or he just didn't like Batum. I for one, was a Portland fan last year who was ecstatic that Mcmillan got fired. I feel like once the " BIg 3" (Aldridge, Roy, and Oden) didn't work out because of injuries, Mcmillan didn't know what to do with the talent available and squandered it. I think if Mcmillan had been let go a year earlier, we wouldn't even be talking about this right now with Batum. But that being said, we have a new GM, and will be adding a new coach. As well as improving are team substantially through FA I'm sure. Not to mention all the high potential draft picks we got. So my questions is then. why Batum now. WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD A TEAM AROUND YOU, and LMA. Portland deserves better then this from a player we have supported and been patient with for 4 seasons. But if you really want out that bad, then I say good riddance. If there is any truth to this three way Iggy trade, and Batum really hates being here, regardless of the improvements we are obviously making, then let him go and Hello Iggy.
    I am a fan of Blazers making the playoffs in 2012, and developing young talent.
  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6476

    Posted 07/10/2012 11:18 PM

    If we do go the sign and trade route, I really want to nab Derrick Williams and a first round pick. I just want to make sure we don't let Batum go for nothing if he does indeed end up in Minnesota.
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  1. Tiki Kienle
    Tiki Kienle
    Posts: 280

    Posted 07/11/2012 7:23 AM

    Batum wants his family in Minny? What does Minny have to offer besides negative temperatures in winter? I honestly think this is just an act so he gets max money with where he wants to stay (Portland). We've had Batum for 3 or 4 years as a Blazer and not a single complaint, now that his contract is restricted, he's claiming how Minny is better for his family (who lives in France btw). This is the work of his agent assuring the passive, non-assertive restricted free agent doesn't get low balled by Portland. Even if Portland doesn't sign Batum, we just stuck T-wolves with a very expensive bill. And considering how K-Love went on record saying he's going to leave Minesota if they don't make playoffs next year, and how the organization needs to step up, if they get Batum, they will be a 50 win team, but not a title contender. In my opinion, Portland wins regardless of what we choose. We keep Batum, great. If not, we just allowed the T-wolves to be a mediocre team for the next 4 years. And lol @ Batum saying how he likes the idea of a young rebuilding team with Rubio. Wasn't Batum aware that he tore his ACL midway last season and the main reason why they had a terrible season? Too much lol in is agency period. I said it on this board the day after we went after Hibbert. If we don't get Hibbert, we keep Batum. Welcome to Portland, which is where you want to stay, Nic. I'm not buying that smoke-screen "I want to play in Minny" BS.
    I am a fan of Skype (BeLiKiN33), Heroes Of Newerth (DKTiki), NBA (Blazers), NFL (KC Chiefs), Japan, Education, Hermitting, Gaming and women.
  1. Ricky
    Ricky
    Posts: 416

    Posted 07/11/2012 11:32 AM

    I see no problem investigating what Min would give up in a sign and trade deal.  If its Williams plus a first then trade him and let's move forward If Min just wants to give us their weaker players in exchange for Batum then say no Batum stays with us.
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  1. BlazerManiac
    BlazerManiac
    Posts: 678

    Posted 07/11/2012 5:31 PM

    Batum has already shown his true colors indicating he wants to play for Adelman.  Why should we have a player here who will not be 100% committed to the success of the Blazers?



    His agent has him convinced that Batum wants Minnesota.



    Who wants a 23 year old who listens to an agent who is an idiot first and secondly thinks he knows what he wants when he grows up.  What 23 year old does know what he wants when he grows up?



    Sign and trade the bum. 

    I am a fan of JJ the Double Double Beast.
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