Meet Mr. Adorable
First things first: Nicolas Batum is a nice guy. After his last summer league game on Sunday night, he sported a huge smile -- ear to ear -- and the youthful wide eyes that we saw all weekend. For such a young man, he is well-travelled and his English, although thick with a French accent (he even says "ze" instead of "the"), is great.
While on-court he might be best described as "tentative," off the court the word was "courteous." Indeed he was not only excited to answer a few questions after the game but he quite merrily signed his shoes and jersey for Blazers fans. I got the impression that Nicolas would gladly have signed his arm and handed it out if he had an extra one to spare.
My brief post-game conversation with Mr. Batum is transcribed below. Please do not chalk up his short replies as those of the typical NBA player (over-caution, over-calculation, over-boredom). On the contrary. In some cases, he appeared to be struggling or grasping for the right word(s), but his spirit, which came across in this case as pleasant patience, spoke loudly for him.
Lady in Red: "OMG U R SO HOT!!!1111111"
Blazersedge: Summer league is over. How does it feel?
It was a great experience for me. The first few games for me were very difficult but I learned from it. In the last few games, this game, I had a great game.
Blazersedge: As you walked off the court at halftime, I saw Monty giving you some personal instructions. What was he saying?
Nothing special, just to keep playing my game.
Blazersedge: Who was the most difficult person to guard during this tournament?
To guard... I think the best player was.... maybe... I don't know... (apologetic grin)
Blazersedge: What was it like playing with Jerryd Bayless this week?
He's a very good player, very aggressive, very athletic. He has a great career in front of him.
Blazersedge: What was your role in relation to Jerryd? How did you fit in?
To help him when he drives. To try to give him the ball. To do everything to make him better.
What has Kevin Pritchard told you about what he saw from your performance this week?
Nothing yet. Because I haven't had a chance to talk with him yet. Coach McMillan wants to work with me all year and they want me on the team next year.
Blazersedge: What's next?
Now I go to France, I go back to France tomorrow morning... take some rest, relax, in 3 weeks I go back to Portland on August 15th.
Are you a little excited to be headed home?
For me it's very exciting. Because I go back to France as an NBA player! (Laughing)
Blazersedge: (Laughing) Ohhh. So you're a superhero back home?
No... I'm not Tony Parker.
But I think it changes everything in France.
Blazersedge: Have you talked to Tony Parker recently?
Yeah, yeah, yeah just after the draft. After the draft he said "welcome" and "go to work" and "good luck."
Blazersedge: The Portland fans wish you luck too. You know you already have a number of admirers in Portland.
I'm very excited because they like me. (sheepish grin)
Blazersedge: Have you been to Portland before travelling there earlier this month?
Just last week was my first time.
Blazersedge: Did you have a chance to look around? To do any sightseeing?
Oh no. Just practice and business.
If you'd like the full scoop on Nicolas, be sure to check out Joe Freeman over at the O, who really brought the heat in his Batum profile.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
0 recs |
30
comments
Comments
indeed!
sombody photoshop her into it…. paging philthyanimal!!
"You'd rather say 'whoa' than 'giddyup.'" ~ Dean Demopoulos
by Ben. on
Jul 21, 2008 9:42 PM PDT
up
0 recs
lol I love that pic
And good interview Ben.
A Time For Heroes,
It's not right for young lungs to be coughing up blood
And it's all
It's all in my hands
And its all up the walls
Well the stale chips were up and the hopes stakes were down
Until Kp came into Town!
'Sing it Petey!
by Dheepan on
Jul 21, 2008 9:49 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Make sure she has the same expression
that the lady in the red shirt has….or wrappped around one of his legs like VanGundy on Zo. That would be fitting
Mortimer: "It’ll be so nice I’ll need microfracture—ON MY WEINER."
by 92wastheyear on
Jul 21, 2008 10:57 PM PDT
up
0 recs
How do you know
the lady in the red shirt isn’t her? :D
by jamon51 on
Jul 21, 2008 11:54 PM PDT
up
0 recs
ummmm
That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes. - Marcus Fabius Quintilian (35-95AD) Roman Rhetorician, Critic
by BlazerFan1 on
Jul 22, 2008 9:16 AM PDT
up
0 recs
Batman thinks he will be on the team this season
Coach McMillan wants to work with me all year and they want me on the team next year.He did a very good job defensively. Now McMillan can help him work on his scoring consistency.
It was also interesting to hear what he felt his role was:
To help him (Bayless) when he drives. To try to give him the ball. To do everything to make him better.
by spencerbutte on Jul 21, 2008 11:21 PM PDT 0 recs
He did say that
in response to this question:
Blazersedge: What was your role in relation to Jerryd? How did you fit in?
I think he may have thought the question was what his role was specifically in relation to Bayless rather than a general role question.
by jamon51 on
Jul 21, 2008 11:55 PM PDT
up
0 recs
yes
this is correct.
"You'd rather say 'whoa' than 'giddyup.'" ~ Dean Demopoulos
by Ben. on
Jul 22, 2008 8:08 AM PDT
up
0 recs
What a cutie. No wonder Sophia is smitten.
"Besides, AnntheFan will be here any minute to #25 you." T Darkstar
by annthefan on Jul 21, 2008 11:37 PM PDT 0 recs
Whoo
If you need any French help with him, I’m your man. I believe I’m the only French speaker around here. Maybe you can get real answers in his native tongue.
by robrun2 on Jul 22, 2008 2:31 AM PDT 0 recs
Mais non, cher ami
[This space temporarily left blank.]
by CatMan2 on
Jul 22, 2008 2:49 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Je vais a la plage.
Ma stylo est laide. Ton crayon est tres magnifique!
—Dave
by Dave on
Jul 22, 2008 2:53 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Ne le dis pas a tominhawaii
Il serait jaloux!
[This space temporarily left blank.]
by CatMan2 on
Jul 22, 2008 3:13 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Me menacez-vous?
J’ai besoin du TP pour ma bonde.
--. --- | -... .-.. .- --.. . .-. ...
by tominhawaii on
Jul 23, 2008 4:42 AM PDT
up
0 recs
Only when you allude to Beavis and Butthead!
My wife and I almost got ourselves killed for laughing during their movie. We’d gone to see it while visiting my mom when she lived in Florida. The only other people in the theater seemed to be Cuban expats, and they were not highly amused—especially by all the nun jokes.
[This space temporarily left blank.]
by CatMan2 on
Jul 23, 2008 12:19 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Don´t miss this film. You will like it a lot.
The Midnight Rambler
by amlmart1 on
Jul 25, 2008 1:33 AM PDT
up
0 recs
Thanks Ben
I could make a dirty caption for that photo in three two words.
--. --- | -... .-.. .- --.. . .-. ...
by tominhawaii on Jul 22, 2008 5:58 AM PDT 0 recs
Um, I think there's little doubt
that Nic fits KP’s culture. I would love to seem him develop with us.
I remember telling him how impressed I was with a player during summer league. In Avery's unique voice, he replied, "Marc, it's summer league." I
by TwoDeep on Jul 22, 2008 7:37 AM PDT 0 recs
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
BEN YOU ARE SUCH A G ! Ok Sophia, deep breaths… your at work… calm woo sawww
Oh man, he is super hot! Im convinced he’ll be signed, after which Im moving directly to Idaho.
I heart you Nic.
-Sophia
That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes. - Marcus Fabius Quintilian (35-95AD) Roman Rhetorician, Critic
by BlazerFan1 on Jul 22, 2008 8:53 AM PDT 0 recs
"you already know"
that’s a good g response, right?
"You'd rather say 'whoa' than 'giddyup.'" ~ Dean Demopoulos
by Ben. on
Jul 22, 2008 3:09 PM PDT
up
0 recs
if you have to ask..
hehe
I remember the good old days. The Rasta Monsta days.
by GreatOden'sRaven on
Jul 22, 2008 3:22 PM PDT
up
0 recs
you got me
:)
"You'd rather say 'whoa' than 'giddyup.'" ~ Dean Demopoulos
by Ben. on
Jul 22, 2008 3:48 PM PDT
up
0 recs
forever a g for posting this masterpiece
otherwise know as an interview with Nic Batum.
That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes. - Marcus Fabius Quintilian (35-95AD) Roman Rhetorician, Critic
by BlazerFan1 on
Jul 22, 2008 3:53 PM PDT
up
0 recs
it shuld be noted that it was dave's idea
double g status
"You'd rather say 'whoa' than 'giddyup.'" ~ Dean Demopoulos
by Ben. on
Jul 22, 2008 3:58 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Shut Yo Mouth!
Dave is a g… I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!
That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes. - Marcus Fabius Quintilian (35-95AD) Roman Rhetorician, Critic
by BlazerFan1 on
Jul 22, 2008 4:09 PM PDT
up
0 recs
Wha?
Who, me?
So THAT’S why people say I run a G-rated blog!
—Dave
by Dave on
Jul 22, 2008 5:00 PM PDT
up
0 recs
At least it deserves to be...I mean.
The Midnight Rambler
by amlmart1 on
Jul 25, 2008 1:36 AM PDT
up
0 recs








