Is Nicolas Batum Ready to Become a Superstar?

But is he ready?

It’s a fair question, because while the 23-year-old continues to improve on a season-by-season basis, his averages of 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and one steal per game in 2011-12 hardly scream future All-Star.

Yes, the numbers are solid and he has proven to be a versatile swingman who can score, pass, rebound and defend. Yet to earn the rights that come with being a superstar, Batum will be tasked with ensuring a massive statistical jump.

And according to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com, despite the need for such drastic improvement, Portland hasn’t adjusted its expectations:

Nicolas Batum is well aware of the expectations placed upon him after he signed that four-year lucrative offer sheet from the Minnesota Timberwolves this past offseason only to be matched by the Portland Trail Blazers.

This was the same path Eric Gordon took when he signed the Phoenix Suns offer sheet of four-years, $58 million back in July. It was eventually matched by the New Orleans Hornets. The difference between him and Batum, is that Gordon got his deal off of past performances while Batum’s deal is mainly off of potential.

Batum himself is even aware that he earned his lucrative pay grade because of what he is capable of doing, not because of what he has done. Such circumstances are undoubtedly a burden, because the Blazers have officially set a bar he has yet to meet, perhaps one that he is not ready to meet.

As Haynes goes on to note, Portland hopes to see Batum improve the way Eric Gordon did from his second- to third year. He too was considered to have potential, and before his team at the time, the Los Angeles Clippers, knew it, he was averaging over 20 points per contest.

But is that a realistic expectation for Batum?

Unfortunately, no.

It’s not that the small forward isn’t an athletic goldmine, because he is. This is also not to suggest that one day he won’t reach that point, because he might. But it’s not going to be this year; Batum is not ready to make the jump to a superstar.

His development has been gradual. He has made slight adjustments and noticeable improvements every season, yet this is not a kid who is prepared to jump from 13-plus points a night to 20-plus points; he’s entering his fifth season in the league, and while he’s still brimming with potential, he has already shown his improvements will become evident in doses, not significant jumps.

And there’s also his roster situation to consider. Though the Blazers are a team in flux and Batum is likely to be their second offensive option, he is at the mercy of a rookie facilitator in Damian Lillard. There are going to be some noticeable hiccups on Lillard’s part, and the offense, for both Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge, is going to suffer to a certain extent.

But that’s minor. This has more to do with Batum not being ready than it does anything else. Come 2013, when he has yet another season and additional enhancements under his belt, maybe he’ll be ready.

Now, though? Expecting him to average more than 15 points and six rebounds per game is begging to experience disappointment.

Like it or not, Batum is being paid big money to be an above average producer, not a superstar.

One day he may live up to his contract; one day he may meet the lofty ceiling Portland has set for him.

But based on past performances and previous improvements, that day is not going to be today.