World HOt toPPIX

Nicolas Batum called the Blazers' loss against the Washington Wizards the worst of the season and despite scoring a team-high 33 points, said he didn't play well.

Nicolas Batum, in only his second start of the season, scored 33 points, which ties a career high. But, he said he did not play a good game in the Blazers' 124-109 loss to the Washington Wizards.

Nicolas Batum, in only his second start of the season, scored 33 points, which ties a career high. But, he said he did not play a good game in the Blazers' 124-109 loss to the Washington Wizards.

Trail Blazers-Wizards reaction: Portland plays its 'worst game' of the year (links) Copyright 2012 OregonLive.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

I would love for just a few of these type of bad games from Felton, then maybe we would be closer to the top of the standings. Felton should be dropped, put on waivers or traded if we manage to find anyone interested in him. This season is fading away fast, I hope the McMillan is either able to fix this during the next 5 games or so or he is also out of a job. In some strange ways I am not against the team just giving up on this season, if we make the playoffs we are still not going to make any noice, probably a first round exit and it would be better to get a draft pick, let the young guys play and start thinking about next season with a new coach etc.

Batum is second best player on this team!If Nate doesn't see that!? If he doesn't start Batum and play him over 35 minutes each game ,means Nate is an idiot and he needs to be fired.

I blame Nate in part for Nico not being locked up with a contract extension. Why? Because he didn't let management know how valuable this young man is to the franchise. This is just another example of Nate needing to be fired. Nico is now in a position to demand a lot more money and or becoming a free agent. Big mistake. The management of this team from the top down is just sad.

Batum played absolutely no defense last night and Nic Young scored 35 POINTS . Its sad that fans are more worried about making sure there favorites pad there stats than actually winning games .

Whatever whatever, alot of these posts are just blah. Nic is cool because he doesn't have a Mcmillan visor on during interviews. You can hear truth when Nic talks, he doesn't hold back. The blazers need to have fun and get some baller pride back in the RG. Good Game Nicolas, Get better LMA!

Won't be an off season move. The Blazers (as ordered by Bert Kolde) will blow it up, and the interim coach will be told to develop young talent.

Here's my take. If Felton and Smith both play the same, play Smith as he has a future upside, and Felton has no upside at all. Smith needs NBA floor time to see if he has the Linsanity recessant gene, and can blossom into a 10/10 guy. As my grandma always said, "You can't develop talent by watching someone else do it."

Well said - serega. We are not the only Portland fans that think Batum needs 38min/night. It's not clear to us what the dynamic is behind the scenes. As fans I think we unfairly simplify the coaching/management decisions but to me it is a no-brainer to sign Batum for as long as possible and play him as much as possible. I like that Batum is taking responsibility for last nights defense. Portland players need to take responsibility. All I hear out of the camp is we don't know what's wrong, we need to pick it up, we need to close games. NO! Start saying I need to pick it up, I need to make shots and there is no excuse for taking 17 shots and only making 4, I wont do that again. I will close a game with no turnovers and good shots or get to the foul line and wont shoot fade away jumpers to win in the 4th quarter. etc. Portland basketball is not determined, not hard working enough, not competative enough. Or if this is the best we got- time to get some players that need to win.

Exactly ONE addition would make the Blazers legitimate contenders - a decent GM. This team basically needs to replace Roy, and an interim GM probably won't lure a true franchise player. Yes, everyone loves LMA - he's arguably the best 4 in the game today and still improving; heir apparent to Tim Duncan. Did San Antonio follow Duncan into 4 championships? No. He was always led into battle by another all star like Parker, and the combination rallied the troops to play their best.

So, Portland - go get a super star! No, not Steve Nash. Maybe Lin will force Carmelo to ask for a trade. How about John Wall? It's obvious Portland can only get better through trading up, and it will take a savvy GM to trick a legitimate superstar to come out here.

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