Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Chan Sung Jung Wins Thriller Over Dustin Poirier

Batum interview

longtime lurker, my first post so be nice! 

I've translated an interview and a blog entry from everyone's favorite new SF, Nicolas Batum.  My translation's a bit awkward at times, and sadly I don't have the "learning english" excuse the resident Spanish translator does, but hopefully you'll all enjoy it anyway.

edit - In case nobody has read them before, I just added a pair of older interviews beneath the first two that I'd already translated.

Star-divide

 

Sept 16 interview

So, have you gotten to know Portland?
Yes, my move went well. I was a little apprehensive about my adaptation but Portland is a well organized team, very structured and since I left the airport they've held my hand. They were very welcoming. My mother hasn't arrived yet because she's waiting for her visa but it's fine because we've gotten everything very quickly. I have my house, my car, I'm settled. I wanted to do that fairly quickly to be calm and concentrate on basketball. Training camp begins soon and I wanted to arrive early to prepare myself.

What did you do this summer?
I came back from the summer league July 22nd and since then I've taken a vacation. It's good because I've had two crazy months. In fact, I didn't stop at the end of the season. During my vacation I took a little break from basketball. Since August 22nd, I've been in Portland working hard. For the moment, it's individual training and games in the morning. There's only one training session each day but for me it's actually two. From the end of September to the beginning of October there's training camp. We'll take on the pre-season the 12th and after that it begins!

What areas do you want to work on for your first season in the NBA?
My pre-season will be centered on my physique because it's going to progress very quickly. I don't have a precise objective in term of muscle gain but just become stronger, have a weight that's going to help me in a game. As a result, I lift weights for an hour and a half every day. I'm also going to work a lot on my shot. I also need to adapt to their game. There aren't many shooting positions and as soon as you get the ball you have to take a shot immediately. The game is a lot more individualistic than in Europe, which I'm not really accustomed to yet.

You already have a good shot, what more will you learn with the Blazers?
In fact, I'm learning to shoot while tired. I don't shoot at the beginning of training anymore but always after. It's really interesting and going back to the basics isn't a bad thing. I know I have a good shot but the three point line is further out and that's what I need to work on.

Your goal for this first season?
Of course I hope to get some minutes but I'm here in particular to learn a lot. It's a year of learning to really be ready for next season.

Portland's aiming for the playoffs?
Yes, that's clear. We have a very very young team, one of the most exciting this season. The experts talk about it a lot and the season previews call us one of the three teams to follow. We have the star Greg Oden, who can finally play. Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless and myself who arrive, others who need to establish themselves. It's a very exciting team, it's going to be a great season.

Where did the number 88 come from?
I wanted #5 but Rudy had already taken it. #33 was James Jones' number before leaving. And #8 was already on Webster's back. I was at the draft with my best friend and he suggested my birthday. #14 (he was born December 14th 1988) wasn't very fun so I decided on 88.

As you can see through events like the Adidas NBA 5IVE Tour, the NBA really is something else?
It has nothing to do with the Pro A [top French league]. It's another world. It's a show but above all it's a business. I think that that the sporting side has been neglected, except when the playoffs start. The "show" part is emphasized but that's just the way it is. And besides it's fun and exciting!

So are you going to loosen up more [embrace the "show" part of the NBA]?
I think that it's going to come in time. I was already beginning to let loose with Le Mans at the end of the season in the last 3 or four games. In the NBA, the game and the atmosphere encourage you to express yourself more because those are very often the plays that make the highlights. This year, I especially want to watch and next year I'll let loose.

Is your Euroleague experience a real plus in the NBA?
In the Euroleague, I learned about the difficulty facing old veterans. The NBA isn't the same as a the Euroleague but I'm sure that it will help guys like me or Gallinari.

Last year, you had big responsibilities with Le Mans, in Portland that's going to be very different.
My first professional season with MSB [Le Mans Sarthe Basket], I was nothing. I got the crumbs left over from Kenny Gregory, who was the star of the team. That's a bit of what I'm going to do this year in Portland. I know how it works. I'm only 19 and I still have time. If I blow up in four years [even if it takes me 4 years to reach my potential], it's not the end of the world because I'll only be 23. I have the time to progress.

 

and the blog, written a few days before the preseason opener


I've been in Portland since August 22nd and since I've only had 3 days off when I went to Paris for the NBA 5five Adidas. Otherwise it's work, weights, shooting, and weights, almost 8 hours a day. Even at the Rookie Transition program (where there were the three stoners ) I practiced with Alexis.

But anyway since Monday, the preseason began with training camp. It's crazy how haaaaarrrrrddd it is. We run everywhere, all the time. Basically, a typical day, it's 10 am - 12 pm and 6 pm – 7:30 pm. But for me, it's 8 am - 1 pm and 4 – 9 p, so I'm exhausted, but I have to do it, I can only succeed like that. Basically, it's 8-8:30 shooting and dribbling, 8:30-9:30 weights, and 9:30-10 shooting. Then, the team training and, from noon to 1pm shooting, shooting, and shooting. The afternoon is similar. After a good nap, 4-5pm weights, 5-6pm dribbling and shooting and after the team training I spend another hour on my shot. And it's like that every day.

Last Tuesday we had the famous conditioning test, it was hard! You have to run the length of the court 10 times (or 5 there and back) in under a minute but you have 5 sets with 2 minutes of rest between each one. I did : 55 sec, 57 sec, 59 sec et 60 sec. I was really happy to have succeeded because 6 out of 16 players succeeded. Overall, my time was +9 sec (5+3+1+0) but the record was set by Sergio Rodriguez : + 21 sec.

As for the team training, we constantly work on defense, because certainly we're a very young and talented team, but if we defend like were sick, things won't go well. That's why coach McMillan talks to us a lot about Boston last year or the Spurs. Personally, they want me to be a defensive player because they find that I understand the game and the movement of players well. That's why I only defend Rudy, Outlaw, and especially B-Roy. He's very, very good, it's crazy, but it's good it makes me progress a great deal.

Otherwise in general, everything's good. I get along with everyone. Especially with the 2 Spaniards and Oden. Yes, nobody believes me when I say that we were born the same year ;-). He's really a chill guy and as I sit next to him in the locker room, we get along well. Among the players that have impressed me, there's Brandon Roy the All-Star, he has an enormous amount of confidence in himself and an impressive level of maturity, and he's a true leader. But aside from B-Roy, the player who's impressed me the most is LaMarcus Aldridge, alias L.A.12. He's reached a level already impressive enough it won't take him long to be an All-Star. He can do everything at the 4, he's mobile like Garnett. Together with Oden they can cause some damage in the years to come, and even quicker then you'd think.

More personally, the coaches want me to play my game, that I take my shots and that I defend hard. Friday we had a scrimmage between us..... in front of 15,000 people and I finished best stealer with 4 defending Roy for 20 minutes. Coach McMillan really appreciated my commitment and my desire, especially in defense and on offensive rebounds. My stats : 6 points (3-8, 0-2 from three), 6 rebounds 4 of which were offensive, 2 assists and 4 steals in 24 minutes. But my team lost by 6 points, 74-68 and LA12 was picked as MVP. But for my first game with my new team, I'm satisfied with myself, especially that the players really went for the win to the end.

Overall, I like the world of the NBA that I'm discovering little by little, and that's why I'm working hard every day so that I don't go (like I hear a lot in France....) to the D-league. I don't want to have any regrets. Voila for the instant, see you soon.

 

June 27

Nicolas Batum experienced a fairly irritating evening, Thursday at the organized draft at Madison Square Garden. While he was imagining himself with the San Antonio Spurs, he was chosen 25th by Houston before being traded several minutes later with Portland. The disappointment over, the ex-Manceau (Le Mans) remains positive. "It's the second best choice for me."

Nicolas Batum, you were drafted by Houston, and finally it's Portland where you will put down your suit cases.

Yes, that's it. In fact, I think that before taking me, Houston had made a deal with Portland to trade a Blazer for me.

You were expected at a lower slot, with San Antonio.

It's true that that's the strategy we had put in place with my agent. We didn't really care about the place (exact draft position) because when I met the Spurs' staff, Greg Popovich proposed things which interested me. They told me that they wanted to put me in the rotation as soon as next year because there are aging wings. They really wanted to put me in the rotation so that I would be one of the principal wings in one or two years. My objective, it's really to go to San Antonio. It was just a pick away from happening and it's a bit of a shame.

One sensed you were disappointed when you heard your name.
A little, it's true. But now the game (situation) in Portland is very interesting. Portland is a very young team, with lots of players from my generation, and I think that there will be very good times (?) next year.

How did the draft happen for you, at the side of Alexis Ajinca?
The paradox for me in the draft is that at each pick, I was praying to not be taken...waiting for the 26th! It's paradoxical because everyone wants to be picked high, while personally I was praying to not be taken until 26... and I was taken at 25! It's too bad but oh well, it's not serious. For me now the important thing is that Portland is a good team, it's really interesting for young players. I believe that it's the second best choice for me.

What are you going to bring to the Blazers?
My energy, my general sense of the game. As it's a very young team, I'm going to try to fit in the mold (?) to truly take advantage of this experience.

 

August 19th

Since the end of last season, Nicolas Batum's future is in the NBA.  The player came to say goodbye to his old teammates. Nicolas Batum, now with Portland, spent yesterday at Antarès to say goodbye to his old friends at Le Mans Sarthe Basket. The young nineteen-year-old, who arrived at MSB in 2003 and has been a professional since 2006, will leave for the United States next Thursday [8/21].

What did you make of the draft?
I had very good workouts before the heart problem story. In fact, the tests were good but old familial concerns were at the heart of the problem (an incident which could have ruined Batum's future in the NBA). I envisaged pulling out of the draft and returning to France. In the end, I ended up 25th in the draft when I was thinking of being picked 15th. Now, the hardest part starts. The first year I'll have to bare my teeth and impose myself.

You opinion of Greg Oden, of Alexis Ajinça?
Greg is a very large player. Physically, he'll contribute a lot. In two years, he'll be one of the best post players in the NBA. As for Alexis, I hope the transition won't be too difficult for him. He has a very good coach. I'm not worried. He has the size and physique to manage.

Are you already in Portland?
No. I was over there for a week in July after the draft. Everyone was very welcoming. I chose my apartment, I'll move in next week.

Your judgment of the team?
Its weakness is its lack of experience. That makes you think about last year. The team was enthusiastic, there's a good coach. Last season, they just missed the playoffs.  It's up to us to show our fangs in the face of the big teams. The strength of the team is that it plays fearlessly, it's not afraid of anyone. We'll go all out every match.

You turned down the French team?
...I had to refuse. I felt guilty about not being there. I wanted to play, but I reluctantly refused because I had to prepare for the season; the first year in the NBA is essential.

Comment 90 comments  |  28 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

Three stoners reference equals +1 rec

Thanks for the translation. I a big fan of Batum and his development.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Oct 9, 2008 11:14 PM PDT reply actions  

definitely a REC

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Oct 10, 2008 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

Welcome!

Are you French? Your English is as good as just about anybody else’s here! Thanks for the great post.

[This space temporarily left blank.]

by CatMan2 on Oct 9, 2008 11:24 PM PDT reply actions  

nope, Portlander born and bred, so I should hope my english is just as good!

by #10 on Oct 9, 2008 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

actually

tres bon was the perfect translation, not tres bien…you`re translating very well, not very good.

Ati toi, fumier de lapin...

by kidiblaze on Oct 12, 2008 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Batum could be everything we need in a SF.

In about 3 years. He needs a deadly three point shot, and it sounds like he is working on that. He also seems to be a good rebounder… If he can rebound, shoot, and defend he is the perfect player for the starting lineup.

Again, this is all in three years.

by Cablinasian on Oct 9, 2008 11:40 PM PDT reply actions  

Thanks for the translation, this is great

I had ten years of French and wouldn’t be able to translate half of it. He also shows his mean side in the mag:

But the nice Nic wins in the end :)

Odenied: If you're given lemmings—make lemming-ade (Bow4Meow)

by Norsktroll on Oct 10, 2008 12:42 AM PDT reply actions  

I pretty much know you were thinking of me when you posted those pics

He’s so cute. Even with a slightly mishapen head.

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 10, 2008 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions  

He is thin, but i like that

Its totally my type. The only thing is he kind of looks like my son and that almost creepy. I noticed that with those pics up there.

Photobucket

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 10, 2008 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions  

Freud is calling...

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Oct 10, 2008 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

lol

Rudyculize: The act of Rudy making others look slow, dim and generally oafish.

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 16, 2008 7:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

Who got the baby picture

Of Nicola in the “air” band, back in the day?

by two4larue on Oct 10, 2008 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions  

Wow!

Spittin’ image.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Oct 10, 2008 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

how did I know....

Sophia was going to jump in on this thread! LOL

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Oct 10, 2008 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

I usually don't

like those boastful poses, but I gotta admit I’m a bit more tolerant when you do it with a blazers’ jersey on your back…

by Blenzer on Oct 11, 2008 5:36 AM PDT up reply actions  

Woah

Great post, #10.

I enjoy reading player interviews from their home countries. I feel like they’re more open when they’re speaking their own language. You can really get a glimpse of how they’re being affected by the NBA life.

Batum really impressed me in the past couple preseason games. It seems like he will be a premier defender, with the length and quickness to defend 3 positions. I think it definitely goes to show what kind of eyes KP and Co. have for talent.

Beaver believer!

by mannyfresh1 on Oct 10, 2008 1:00 AM PDT reply actions  

thanks for taking the time to translate the blog and interview

cheers

Well, Jane, it just goes to show you, it's always something! If it's not one thing, it's another! -Roseanne Roseannadanna

by naybobjoe on Oct 10, 2008 1:04 AM PDT reply actions  

Thanks. I like Batum´s personality.

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Oct 10, 2008 1:15 AM PDT reply actions  

Kid seems all squared together

The blog was a joy to read. I am usually willing to cut a fair amount of slack on translations, but this was stellar. +1 and stuff.

by FlyingOutlaw on Oct 10, 2008 2:32 AM PDT reply actions  

Time is short, Sophia
My mother hasn’t arrived yet because she’s waiting for her visa but it’s fine because we’ve gotten everything very quickly.

Recommendations:
1. Move in quickly before she gets here.
2. Look for contacts in the State Department to see if you can slow down the visa approval.
3. Start corresponding with Mama to get on her good side. Emphasize how much you are impressed by a close-knit family wanting to stay together, how glad you are that she’s coming (all’s fair in love and war, just lie to her), and that you’ll do anything you can when she gets here to help her adjust.
4. Tell her you are doing this because you are a Blazer fan and you like Nic’s personality and commitment. DON’T tell her you think he’s hot or cute or any of that stuff. She doesn’t need to know.
5. Warn her that there are unscrupulous women who would take advantage of Nic in Portland, and that you hope she can get here soon to keep an eye on things (she’s coming anyway, so there’s no harm in saying this). Maybe she’ll ask you to keep an eye on things until she comes.
6. Tell her about your kid’s cute moments, and your worries for him growing up. She’s got kid worries, too. Baby bonding.
7. Tell her about your dad. The family together thing. She’ll like that.

If you handle this right, she might be your biggest supporter, and if you work it right, she might even think it is her idea.

Move, girl, move, there’s no time to waste!

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 10, 2008 2:44 AM PDT reply actions   1 recs

A statement born in ignorance

No one would ever read all the rubbish I post here, so you can’t possibly say this was the best.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 11, 2008 1:26 AM PDT up reply actions  

Wow great ideas

i can be reallly charming when I need to be

:-)

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 10, 2008 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

now that is just plain funny!!!

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Oct 10, 2008 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

that's not funny, that's Sophia's game plan (in Sophia's Head..NIC ... NIC.... NIC... EAT SLEEP...NIC while dreaming..)

I on the other hand am trying to keep up my promise to talk about the Blazer Dacner’s evertime she we have to hear about this. Oh Mary Ellen (my favorite BlazerDancer) how you float like a butterfly and sting like Hydrogen Peroxide on an open wound. You soar graceful like a White Dove while putting even Rihanna’s looks to shame!

# 10 Top Charles Barkley Quote: On the Portland Trail Blazers (back when they were known as the Jail Blazers) serving Thanksgiving meals: "In between arrests they do community service."

by BlazermaniacAndy on Oct 10, 2008 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

Rihanna .. ok seriously

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 10, 2008 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

Great read.

Thank you.

"You just WATCHED history No need to study it! You LIVED it."
Mortimer

by faith on Oct 10, 2008 3:10 AM PDT reply actions  

Batum makes me think

He will be purty good, maybe a perfect fit down the road.

Who really knows though, he’s so young. BUT, he’s got the BBIQ and defensive ability and passing instincts that most athletic lanky 18/19 year olds don’t get for many years, and I think the Blazer coaches will really bring him along the right way.

I think we got sumthin’ in the kid, I tell ya! Not right now but… soon.

Mortimer

PS: Thanks for doing the translation!

by Mortimer on Oct 10, 2008 4:06 AM PDT reply actions  

Good analogy

And their specs are a lot higher than anything anyone else has.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 11, 2008 1:28 AM PDT up reply actions  

not that I'm complaining about batum or anything....

but really? this post made this list

does anyone smart have a criteria post some where about how and when a post is to be rec’d?

I’ve been fairly generous over the past few weeks, but I suppose I should buckle it down a bit and hand them out a little more sparingly.

what do you all think?

"You just WATCHED history No need to study it! You LIVED it."
Mortimer

by faith on Oct 10, 2008 6:58 AM PDT reply actions  

-1

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Oct 10, 2008 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

+1

And criteria for rec’s….how could this bother someone?

add: I thought it was a very good post….Batum never gets much talk and it looks, to me, like he deserves more…..It’s only a couple games, but this kid looks to be the real deal….He also looks to have a good BBIQ (which will go a long ways toward his development). By this interview, he also seems to have a great mindset…..I think we get him the minutes (especially since Web is out) He won’t hurt us a bit and he brings things to the 3 spot that we haven’t had….
    
 Again…thanks for the post # 10

by 67 on Oct 10, 2008 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

Well you ARE complaining about something

But in answer to your question … no, a smart person might have a criterion for deciding when to rec a post, but never a criteria.

[This space temporarily left blank.]

by CatMan2 on Oct 10, 2008 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions  

Dang, I didn't parse that correctly

Haven’t had my coffee this morning. But really, what timbo says.

[This space temporarily left blank.]

by CatMan2 on Oct 10, 2008 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

I rec posts

When it strikes me that they deserve it. The amount of work that went into translating this and the wealth of information about a player I really know nothing about gets my thumbs up. I don’t think we should worry about what ends up on some list. If I feel like the poster did a good job and contributed something valuable to the community, I click the little green arrow.

Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.

by sixth on Oct 10, 2008 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions  

thanks, and thanks....

really really, I wasn’t trying to complain. just wanted a bit of an explination about the silly rec’s.

but thanks anyway #10.

"You just WATCHED history No need to study it! You LIVED it."
Mortimer

by faith on Oct 10, 2008 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

I was debating,

but now I am going to rec this post.

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

NorrisHopper30: "someone injure pubert jones"

by rockingharder on Oct 10, 2008 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions   2 recs

I never rec anyone

so that kind of evens it out

by southern oregon on Oct 10, 2008 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions   2 recs

I didn't even know the list existed

and I’m at the top of it. But who cares?

People rec a post because they enjoy it, or appreciate the work that went into it, or because they learned something or it made them think differently. Some people may even rec a post just because they like the person who wrote it. Who cares?

There are some good posts on that list, but who actually goes back and reads them, anyway? What really matters is what is currently popular and appreciated. I’m not going to care if my post gets knocked all the way off the list someday. It was funny primarily at the point in time that it was written, and for a week or so thereafter. The thing that really made it was Dave’s post just a few days before. For someone reading it now, when Dave’s post isn’t on the main page anymore, it just won’t have the zing to it.

I suspect if you go over that list, most of them are like that — interesting and appreciated at the time, but not so great a month or two or three later.

That list is only useful for bragging rights, and braggarts will brag whether they have the right to or not.

Don’t buckle down. Rec the stuff you like.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 11, 2008 1:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

Wow.

Thanks for the translation.

His blog entry is great…lots of good info, including some specifics on workouts and the conditioning test that I don’t we’ve seen elsewhere. The kid seems pretty sharp.

I like the mention about Greg and him both born in 1988…yet one looks 40 and one looks 15.

The 3 stoners…heh heh heh.

superfluous

by lukeyhere on Oct 10, 2008 7:24 AM PDT reply actions  

Great job on this post

As for The Mantis: I’m very impressed by his work ethic and attitude. At 19 he’s able to grow and learn so fast. No wonder he’s like night and day compared to summer league.

Nate was asked about him getting minutes on courtside last night and his response was immediately something like “He’s very young, very young…” so obviously he has a ways to go but I think the kid gets it and will get there.

Spanish Main: The point of departure for enormous wealth in the form of gold, silver, gems, spices, hardwoods, hides, alley-oops, assists and three pointers.

by LaughingJon on Oct 10, 2008 8:55 AM PDT reply actions  

Thanks for the translation friend

Very interesting.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision and a poet's heart.

by tominhawaii on Oct 10, 2008 9:04 AM PDT reply actions  

this is a great post thank you so much

I <3 Nic and I <3 you for posting this #10 :)

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 10, 2008 9:55 AM PDT reply actions  

Your son really does look like Nic

If you saw him next to my grandson and didnt know the kids you would assume they were brothers.

by southern oregon on Oct 10, 2008 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

yea....

I noticed that also, kind of creeped me out…. Sophia, is there something you aren’t telling us? LOL

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Oct 10, 2008 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

Thank you

All the time spent in translation is appreciated. How would you describe Batum’s personality, intelliegence, etc. from his interview and the blog?

Again, thanks.

HoopsFan

by HoopsFan on Oct 10, 2008 10:54 AM PDT reply actions  

Hard to tell from just a couple interviews, and my french isn’t that great, but he seems like a normal 19 year old. According to a post on a french forum he’s very approachable, and that stoner joke shows he has a sense of humor (take note, Bayless).

by #10 on Oct 10, 2008 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

Your French is better

Than anybody else around here,except Nic,thanks

by southern oregon on Oct 10, 2008 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

I suspect Blenzer

being French and all, probably might have fairly solid French skills.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 11, 2008 1:38 AM PDT up reply actions  

Blenzer is really Mortimer

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision and a poet's heart.

by tominhawaii on Oct 11, 2008 2:39 AM PDT up reply actions  

pretty sure...

my french isn`t too bad either…whta with being french and all….are there really that few frenchies on Bedge???!!!

Ati toi, fumier de lapin...

by kidiblaze on Oct 12, 2008 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think Blenzer lives in France

Do you?

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision and a poet's heart.

by tominhawaii on Oct 13, 2008 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

I love the French, and I love Frahnz

the Spanish contributors on this board are hella cool

by G_dubs on Oct 14, 2008 4:44 AM PDT up reply actions  

I love their Fries

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision and a poet's heart.

by tominhawaii on Oct 14, 2008 5:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

I like their kisses

the Spanish contributors on this board are hella cool

by G_dubs on Oct 14, 2008 5:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

With their poodles

Ooo, burn!

Batum is nice, I’m glad he’s a Blazer. I think I’m supposed to hate him though. I forgot too.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision and a poet's heart.

by tominhawaii on Oct 14, 2008 6:10 AM PDT up reply actions  

excuse me

while I indulge myself in a Bayless-esque pouting tantrum. I’ll return to posting as soon as I am released from the OHSU burn ward

the Spanish contributors on this board are hella cool

by G_dubs on Oct 14, 2008 7:13 AM PDT up reply actions  

I was just kidding

Batum needs to do a lot of French Curls to buff up.

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision and a poet's heart.

by tominhawaii on Oct 14, 2008 7:23 AM PDT up reply actions  

U cool

Rookie mistake dang it. I’m done pouting now, and shall resume commenting post haste.

the Spanish contributors on this board are hella cool

by G_dubs on Oct 14, 2008 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions  

He comes off

Like a level headed guy, more mature than your average 19 year old.2 years of pro ball is a better preperation for the NBA than 1 year of NCAA

by southern oregon on Oct 10, 2008 11:07 AM PDT reply actions  

LaMarcus Aldridge

Alias: LA12. I kinda like that….

Word.

by joelor on Oct 10, 2008 11:11 AM PDT reply actions   1 recs

While we are at it, here are some scenes from the game that put him on the map of several NBA teams

Has been posted a few times I guess, but it’s still good. The international team lost, yet Nicola and Petteri impressed the Blazers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akr4jxCARXk

Here is another nice European compilation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT7SV6qAGGQ

Odenied: If you're given lemmings—make lemming-ade (Bow4Meow)

by Norsktroll on Oct 10, 2008 11:13 AM PDT reply actions  

You would have to think

That a lineup of LA,Greg,Batum,Rudy and Roy would have the longest combined wing span of any team ever

by southern oregon on Oct 10, 2008 11:24 AM PDT reply actions  

I like that lineup….

by 67 on Oct 10, 2008 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

the one with the five players

its easier to play with five than two….even though Travis is quite phenomenal, I usually never see him guarding anybody

by 67 on Oct 10, 2008 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

Nice post

Thanks for the effort. Interesting to read what Batum thinks.

“The game is a lot more individualistic than in Europe…” Yeah, it is and, I think it’s to the detriment of the game here. I’d much rather see good teamwork, good passing than all the one-on-one isolation stuff. It’s a TEAM game and it’s more exciting, more entertaining that way. Just look at the excitement generated by Rudy’s passing … and some of Sergio’s. Some of those assists were just SICK.

In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.

by TTRocks on Oct 10, 2008 1:08 PM PDT reply actions  

#10 GREAT first post!

# 10 Top Charles Barkley Quote: On the Portland Trail Blazers (back when they were known as the Jail Blazers) serving Thanksgiving meals: "In between arrests they do community service."

by BlazermaniacAndy on Oct 10, 2008 3:43 PM PDT reply actions  

Batman thinks next year....

With Webster’s injury…..

,,,, he will establish his worth in the next few months.

No D-League for him!

by spencerbutte on Oct 10, 2008 8:14 PM PDT reply actions  

I tend to agree

All reports indicate he can play D now. Supposedly he also has a semblane of a shot, albeit limited experience at the NBA arc. He seems to be effective in transition. NP manuvered to draft him. Martell is out. I’m guessing he gets some opportunities to show where he’s at.

the Spanish contributors on this board are hellah cool

by G_dubs on Oct 10, 2008 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hope he makes it.

Seems like a nice kid.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Oct 10, 2008 11:03 PM PDT reply actions  

Wow, last time I checked this thread

it had only 1 translated transcript up and that was nice on its own. But now, wow, that’s great work, especially for a first post. When I first saw the number of recs and thought about what I saw originally, I was going to question it, but after seeing all the addition interviews and whatnot, those recs are well deserved.

Bravo

"It was halfway through the fourth quarter of an exhibition game, a 30 point blowout, and I absolutely did not want it to end. Time: move slower so this moment stretches.

Dunk Parade.

Forever."

-Ben

"...our second unit is probably going to be a little better than your second unit…and by "probably going to be a little better than" I mean "is going to crush like a dump truck running over an empty beer can""

"YOU MOVE NOW! GREG DUNK BIG!"

-Dave

by Magnum on Oct 11, 2008 1:12 AM PDT reply actions  

What I like about

this interview is the fact that Batum doesn’t seem impatient (a sign of maturity in itself), saying that a 3 to 4 years development wouldn’t be dramatic…
One of the things I hate the most in pro-sports is to see young players go from a crowded team for playing time and then blossom somewhere else.

On a side note, I love deep teams, but I’m affraid we’re stacked, SF : Martell, TO, Batum…
SG : Roy, Rudy, or even Bayless and Martell…

Well, maybe injuries ain’t such a bad thing after all, that way we can have everyone play
.

by Blenzer on Oct 11, 2008 5:50 AM PDT reply actions  

You know

there is something to that, early in the season, i.e., everybody getting some PT.

the Spanish contributors on this board are hellah cool

by G_dubs on Oct 11, 2008 6:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

So

about this rec thing.
From a social psychology point of view, this is an interesting behavior, although easily explainable.
By the way, I liked the post.
 I had rec’ed it but now I took it back. lol

by Falcao on Oct 11, 2008 8:25 AM PDT reply actions  

that's hilarious

the Spanish contributors on this board are hellah cool

by G_dubs on Oct 11, 2008 11:15 AM PDT reply actions  

GOOD POST

To me Batum is the best european player of 88-89 generation. This generation is composed of players as Batum, Vaty, Diot, Gallinari, Macvan, Ajinca and Claver. Though this doesn’t prove he can be a NBA player.

He is, as Americans say, an all around player. His defense is incredible, his BBIQ is much better than the average basketball player. In fact most of the european players coming into NBA play basketball like a team and not individalistic. He can rebound and his court vision is excellent. Maybe the thing he has to improve more is his offense and long jump shots.

The difference between him and Gallinari is that Galllinari has more offensive weapons than Batum but if I had to choose I would pick Batum. To me Baum is better player at 19 yo than it was Rudy when he was 19 yo. My only concern is that he has got the NBA too early. To become a special player the best process, to achieve it, would be playing in Europe the next 3-4 yeas and get a dominant player in Europe. Once you are the best player in Europe, the NBA doors are fully open.

I really liked the following quote “I’m learning to shoot while tired”. This just shows how ambitious he is to be a better basketball player. These are the little details someone must be aware of to succeed.

Anyway I think he will be the SF of Blazers earlier than expected……..

by cbp on Oct 12, 2008 4:09 PM PDT reply actions  

Great Post.

Since my wife is French and tri-lingual (English and Spanish), and my kids are all American and bilingual and bicultural, and the French side of the family has a nice spot on the coast outside of Barcelona, I feel like I’m one of those perfect Blazer fans. Whether Rudy, Sergio or Batum, I’ve got them covered. And the more we look at them, the more we think they’ll all be around awhile. Batum is the stealth candidate. He came in under the radar, but KP never had any questions. Which is why KP is KP, and the rest of us are just fans. Yes, he’s very young. But in a couple of years, you could see this kid starting. After all, compare Batum today to Martel of Travis when they first came in. Seems to me that Batum has more game now, than they did.

by Eben Calder on Oct 13, 2008 12:39 PM PDT reply actions  

88's GREAT!

Rudyculize: The act of Rudy making others look slow, dim and generally oafish.

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 16, 2008 7:21 AM PDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

The ultimate coverage and analysis of the Portland Trail Blazers.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
Trade Drawer: The Big 5?
Kpavatar2_small
Not 5, not 6, not 7, not EVER - Junk with Heat poll
Small
Dissecting the Champions
Kitten_small
What Happened to the Junk Junk Drawer 5 12 12
Small
Batum and Salary - a Comp

Recent FanPosts

Duck_pot_small
View from Pounding the Rock
Duck_pot_small
View from Cannis Hoopus on Batum
450px-the_thinker__rodin_small
Top Free Agents: Centers
1_small
LMA or Dirk ?
Myvydas_small
Blazers Reportedly Interested in Any Current NBA GM/AGM. Anyone.

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

Quick: Stern Says Blazers Not For Sale; More GM Interviews Coming
Freeman: Blazers Want To Bring Over Joel Freeland, Victor Claver

Recent FanShots

If you liked my SABAS Arvydas Sabonis video, here's my 2nd highlight video: MAGIC vs BIRD. Songs...
Good news for Seattle?
Would Houston Do This Trade?
Schwan analyzes Dragic versus Jack
Haynes: Batum's Agent Says No Waiting For Blazers
Valencia's GM: Victor Claver Will Stay In Spain Next Season
OKC exploits Andrew Bynum’s weakness
Ben Golliver helped us out at SB Nation Studios in New York with some recap and analysis of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semis between the Heat and Pacers. Rumor has it he'll be our point of contact for the Lakers-Thunder series as well. Thanks Ben!

Also, BE denizens, am I correct to assume you all are pulling for the Thunder in that series?
OT, but the Onion does it again...

+ New FanShot All FanShots >


Editors

Kitten_small Dave

Headshotsmall_small Ben Golliver

Lead Moderators

Getfuzzy-satchel_small Timmay!

Bucky3_small Cablinasian

Authors

Plainlc_small Storyteller

Moderators

Lamb_small T Darkstar

Small douglast

Terryporter_small prezofdeath

Small usmcr3049

Lrg_magpie_small Corvid

Wallpaper_small geoffm