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Batum blog March 16

link

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via www.ouest-france.fr

Star-divide

 

I scored 20 points for the first time against New Jersey. There's something symbolic about reaching this mark. Doing it as soon as my first season makes a good impression. The most important thing was that I made the decisive shot, a three pointer, with 25 seconds left in the game. I was wide open so I took my chance. I didn't really have the time to reflect. Besides, on the replay you can see that I didn't hesitate. My teammates congratulated me but it stopped soon after. There are so many games during the season that you move on very quickly to the next one.

Dwyane Wade at the moment is playing at an unbelievable level. He scored 50 points once again against Utah. When I'm asked whom of Wade, LeBron James or Kobe Bryant will be chosen as MVP, I change my mind every five minutes. It is said that the fact that Wade is playing on a team a little weaker than the others should be counted against him. Personally, I think the opposite; it could help him.

Concerning the race to the playoffs, Phoenix is a bit behind but everything can change very quickly. I'm convinced that in Portland we will still be playing for our qualification the last week of the regular season. We still have big games against Denver, San Antonio, the Lakers, Houston, Utah, Cleveland... It's not over.

At the moment in the US, the only thing people talk about is March Madness. Before, I only followed the Final Four because I didn't really understand how it all worked before that point. The experts say that the level is less exciting this year. There was recently an unbelievable game that I watched on TV between Connecticut and Syracuse, who needed six overtimes to decide the game! Each time, Connecticut had easy shots to win at the buzzer but they never went in...

In France, the nomination of Vincent Collet as the head of the French national team must have made some headlines. I'm very happy about it, I know that it was a dream for him. He's the man of the hour. I know Vincent well, I know what type of basketball he wants to play. I had him on the phone recently and he told me that I wanted me on the "Bleus" this summer.

When I arrived in Portland, I told them that I wanted to play for France that summer. They agreed. But in the NBA, you have to be careful. They tell you one thing in June, and, a few months later, they've forgotten. But I got the impression that they were laying the groundwork [for arguing over whether he plays for France or not]. They know that I want to play for France. Besides, they know that Vincent is the one who had confidence in me at Le Mans. That could be in my favor. They're aware that if I go play for France, it will be to play, not to spend my time on the bench.

To be with the "Bleus" motivates me. I'm not afraid. On the contrary, it's a big challenge. The fact that we still have to qualify to make it to the Euros could be a good thing because we'll have some solid games under our belt beforehand. Provided that we qualify, of course. I talked about it with Tony [Parker] when we played against San Antonio. He already know that Vincent was going to be selected before it was official. He's very motivated. He has a very important place at the heart of the "Bleus." When you've won everything like he has, when you play 100 games every year and still you get your jersey dirty playing for France in the summer, you have the right to some influence. He doesn't have a big head, he doesn't act like the king. But he's a natural leader and I find it perfectly normal that he has his say.

14 recs  |  Comment 16 comments

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Comments

Display:

Hope they make him shoot the ball!

He needs to be more assertive… maybe he needs to develop more in order to do that but if he tries to be more of a force when we have the ball he will make it harder for Nate to take him out. He will build his confidence and then lookout!

He does seem complacent, have heard a few people comment on that being his rep before the draft. Saying that he was happy to get 20 in his first year as if he didn’t expect it… he has been starting all year and doesn’t want to be only a defensive player so I hope he takes those shots again!

by QuebecBlzrFan on Mar 16, 2009 2:49 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I should add that if the French team make him an important part of the offence

it could help him for next season. Regardless, playing for his national team can only help, they have a few really good players, more PT, more coaching and more experience.

by QuebecBlzrFan on Mar 16, 2009 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Olympics

certainly did positive things to ease Rudy’s transition.

by Air Norv on Mar 16, 2009 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks so much #10

I really appreciate it that you translate these into something I can read. I am always very interested in what Nic has to say. – Elgin

Blazers win BDL 2 on 2 tournament!
Skeets: i’ll close it down now … congrats. you bastards

by 22baylor on Mar 16, 2009 3:08 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

no problem

thanks for reading, and thanks for saying thank you every time, I don’t think you’ve forgotten a single time! Your mother must be so proud of your excellent manners! ;)

by #10 on Mar 16, 2009 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not sure Nic can rescue the sorry state of the French national team

Which is surprising since they have so many NBA player, but in the last championships they were bad even with TP. Hopefully they can qualify so he gets a bit of real game practice over the summer.

by Norsktroll on Mar 16, 2009 3:21 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

The only NBA players

they had were TP, Diawara and Turiaf…

by Blenzer on Mar 16, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Solid Lineup

PG Tony Parker
SG Michael Pietrus
SF Nicolas Batum
PF Boris Diaw
C Ronny Turiaf

With a bench of Joakim Noah, Diawara, Petro

"It's not who jumps the highest -- it's who wants it the most" Buck Williams

"and if EVERYONE confronted with a tough, disgusting situation pulled out, I don't think I would have been born." Mortimer

by Fund A Mental on Mar 16, 2009 4:23 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks #10

Who is the #10 you are referring too?

Karma

by Sabonis4Ever on Mar 16, 2009 5:00 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

my name is mostly because of Diego Maradona, and in general the “ten” aka the playmaker in whatever sport. A healthy dose of Prz man-love doesn’t hurt though.

by #10 on Mar 16, 2009 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maradona

is straight G.

One of the dopest personalities to every play sport

Then I rose, wiping the blunts ash from my clothes
Then froze only to blow the herb smoke through my nose

by Illmatic88 on Mar 16, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks #10

i read all these and love them like Sophia loves Batum.

Thanks for the excellent translations.

by prezofdeath on Mar 16, 2009 11:16 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks #10

I wish Batum was as excited about the playoffs as he is for playing for France.

by tominhawaii on Mar 17, 2009 3:21 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Rarely happens

I don’t know about all of them, but the sentiment from a lot of foreigners is that representing their country is an honor above all honor.

It would be nice though..

"Slum dunk? You just go to the rim, and crush.. crush the ball in the rim."
- Nic Batum

by idoltime on Mar 17, 2009 6:22 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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