Nick Batum or Paul George

[ojandpizza]

I would really enjoy seeing these two guys play together. George at the 2 and Batum at the 3.. How exciting would that team be.

[z Revis]

Batum also has 2 more seasons on George. The bottom line is one is improving each and every game still while the other seems far more polished in his game. This month George has averaged 20, 9, 4 and 2. His potential is very intriguing to me. He still seems like he hasn't fully grown into his body. Still is inconsistent offensively and needs to improve his handles.

[Streaky McFloorburn]

Quote: Originally Posted by z Revis

Batum also has 2 more seasons on George. The bottom line is one is improving each and every game still while the other seems far more polished in his game. This month George has averaged 20, 9, 4 and 2. His potential is very intriguing to me. He still seems like he hasn't fully grown into his body. Still is inconsistent offensively and needs to improve his handles.

It's not really fair to describe Batum as being polished (insinuating he's basically already the player he's going to be, or even necessarily closer to it than George). Remember that even though he's almost a year and a half older and has been in the NBA for 2 more seasons, he probably also needed more of an adjustment period than most players who were born in the U.S. do.

His role has changed drastically from what it was his first 4 seasons, having gone from being mainly a spot-up shooter/defensive specialist to the jack-of-all-trades he is now. Having watched most of the games throughout his career, I can tell you that playmaking ability is a completely new wrinkle that hadn't really been seen at all from him prior to this year, and he's looking to rebound with much more determination (although he did show signs of that last season). His ballhandling is greatly improved but still a work in progress, and he hasn't quite figured out when to drive all the way to the hoop if he doesn't have a completely open path. His off-ball defense is great, but he still has a lot to learn as far as on-ball fundamentals and veteran tricks, because he's been getting by mostly on length and athleticism (which works fine against most small guards or hesitant shooters, but Wes Matthews seems more effective against strong, aggressive wing scorers).

I know (or assume from your profile pic) that you're coming from the perspective of someone who watches the Pacers/George and is familiar with his game and improvements, so I just wanted to give the opposite side of the story. I haven't watched George enough to grade him on anything more than stats/highlights, so that's why it's too hard for me to personally make a fair assessment between them.

If we're being honest, I don't suppose any of us are equally familiar with both players' games, so this thread is going to pretty much be split by intangibles and which team people prefer.

The devil you know vs. the one you don't, or your beautiful baby against that ugly one over there. On paper, the better choice is probably George - but just by a whisker, and no one really knows whether it'll fall out or blossom into a James Harden beard in a couple years. /metaphorbomb

It should be fun to revisit this question down the road though.

[z Revis]

^ Good post and I think that really ends this discussion for now.

I can definitely admit to not being all that familiar with Batum. I did get to see him last week when the Blazers and Pacers played, but he didn't play all that well that game. His playmaking ability was a pleasant surprise though.

[JazzMan]

I like Batum's game a lot. Less flash, more substance than PG. But George is a phenomenal player, no doubt about it.

IMO, Batum > George.

[Rockie_Fresh88]

I have to Say George .

[InthePaint]

Quote: Originally Posted by tyklug2013

more substance than PG.

Please explain "Substance".

[Macar91]

I love the fact that "Batum Shaka Laka" is liking posts in this thread.