Batum interview / France vs Italy, Friday (11am PST)
by #10 on Aug 12, 2009 6:34 PM PDT
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How is your shoulder, Nicolas?
It's fine, I'm rejoining practice this afternoon (Wednesday), the tests confirmed the "instability" of my shoulder, but I got the green light from the doctors. Yesterday, I didn't practice, but it was only a precaution, we didn't want to take a risk.
You've been playing with this pain for several months. How has it developed since the end of the season?
It's simple, five months ago I was playing with only one arm! I couldn't bend my right arm, I ran with my arm hanging at my side. Whereas today, I'm playing normally, I've never even felt so good! We'll just have to see: I'm jumping everywhere, I'm running everywhere, I'm shooting three-pointers, I'm trying to dunk the ball all the time...
What treatment have you had?
At the time, we just did a few treatments, but because NBA games are so close together, I didn't skip a single one. On the other hand, I've been lifting weights since the end of the season to reinforce my shoulder and I think that's why it hurts less or even not at all. The pain simply returned because I took a hit. But my shoulder hurts like my knee would hurt if I had taken the hit there.
How has Portland management reacted?
The French staff transmitted the medical results and we're waiting for their response. I have no idea how they're going to react. There's never been a precedent for this, contrary to San Antonio where we know how it works. So I don't know what to expect. I just hope that I'm not going to have to go there and back like Tony [Parker]. After that, if they want me to come back, there are a few options, maybe I'll be able to play Friday and leave for the U.S. Afterwards. Kevin Pritchard knows that I'm doing well, I had him on the phone yesterday (Tuesday) and he even talked to me about my good statistics.
Despite everything, have you managed to concentrate on the game on Friday?
Of course! That's all I think about, my priority at th e moment is the French team before everything else. It's a decisive game because after Italy's win in Finland, we know that we can't slip up. If we lose Friday it will be a catastrophe. We know what we have to do, and we'll have the fans behind us, we're going to have a great game.
How are you preparing for the game?
The same way we prepared for the game over there. Why change when we won? Simply, we'll have to concentrate even more because they know that they still have a chance and they'll give all they've got. Especially after the loss in Cagliari, they'll be looking for revenge, so we know what to expect. But I think that they're afraid of us. We'll have to start out just like we did in Italy, hit them hard, give them a good beating here, and go to the final.
How do you react to Carlo Recalcati, the Italian coach, who's spending his time stressing the athletic qualities of the French players?
It's getting really annoying. Especially for the older players, I think, because they've heard that for a long time. Basically, it means that we're poor basketball players and that we're just athletes. We want to show them that we also know how to play basketball together and that our win over there wasn't just luck.
The group has had to cope with quite a few little problems since preparations began, how do you deal with it?
By being united with each other. But don't worry. Little by little, the team will be at 100% and then if we win against Italy, that could trigger the rest, because we know that we'll be able to beat Belgium, Bosnia, and Portugal in the final. After the Euros, if we're serious, we know that we can go all the way. We're aware of that, but we have to work and we can't relax.
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Kick. Italy's. Butt.
Seriously, they are one of the most annoying teams I’ve ever watched.
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
Great Stuff! I love hearing that from Nicholas.
Thanks #10.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
My google ad is about sports injuries?
Is that just because this is a Blazer blog?
*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
Mine is for "Arm Injury Compensation"
When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.
Good stuff. Thanks for the translation.
Every time this kid opens his mouth, I’m liking him more and more.
Bulletin board material
But I think that they’re afraid of us. We’ll have to start out just like we did in Italy, hit them hard, give them a good beating here, and go to the final.
Could Nic get away with saying something like that about an NBA team?
Thanks for the translation #10.
Thanks #10
“Why change when we won?” Go forth and kick ass Nic! – Elgin
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
Oh Man!!!
Batum is going to be so stinkin’ good. The GM’s in the NBA know…that’s why they all wanted to get him included in a trade.
Fortunately, Pritch knows too.
This is Brandon’s Scottie Pippen.
Plus we have Oden, Aldridge, Fernandez, Webster, Miller….
Crap!
Found that too. Overlooked this thread and didn't want to make another one, so I took Amlmart's Spain vs. Cuba
http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/8/14/989300/spain-v-cuba-game-open-thread
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
What a start :)
strongf defense, only 2 points in 5 minutes for the italians
Nic monster baseline drive for the dunk
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
Shoulder seems to work fine. KP should be in the audience. If not, he would have said no.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
They will replay it. If not, Canal+ had highlights for every game so far.
It was a fake and baseline drive past his man for the two-handed dunk. Nothing extraordinary, but nice.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
Funny that Florent Pietrus was undrafted
He is a bit small for an NBA PF, but as a SF/PF tweener he could have played a role on an NBA team like his brother.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
Nico steals, goes across court for the dunk
Somewhere KP smiles
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
Wrist innjury in the playoffs, and Orlando didn’t give him free. Florent is his brother, 1 year older, plays for Valencia with Victor Claver and Nando De Colo next season.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
It doesn't play smooth for me
I’ll just read about it and watch the highlights later. I love this Nic fellow.
nic's penetration is very good
I hope he keeps that confidence next season
Time to trade Roy while his value is high
This is Nic’s team now.
by Mortimer on Aug 14, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
it's like a smooth slomo crossover
I like his style
i wish we had these announcers
so much more exciting than mike & mike
Trade for Luis Amundson!!Do it KP!!
Any plans attending EuroBasket games?
I’m thinking about France – Germany and Spain – UK to catch our guys. But I thought it was a weekend, and it’s middle of the week instead. Maybe I have to wait until later in the tournament, and see what develops.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
Nic driving to the rim can't be stopped by Italy
I hope Nate gets that tape
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
Nic has 12 points and 6 rebounds at the half
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
plus 5 steals !
on the way to triple double ?
Nic tries alley-oop to Turiaf but dunk doesn't work, then good defense, Tony Parker finds Turiaf who didn't come back
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
Nic slices through the defense like a knife through cheese
Or something like that
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
The announcer talked about cheese ;)
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
"comme on attaque un fromage"
that made me laugh too
The color commentator
sounds like Andre the Giant. This is cool, thanks for the link!
"CRUSH YOUR ENEMIES, SEE THEM DRIVEN BEFORE YOU, AND HEAR THE LAMENTATION OF THEIR WOMEN." CONAN
by SELFDESTRUCTABLE on Aug 14, 2009 12:17 PM PDT reply actions
Diaw has a quiet game
Parker is turning it up, 19 points now. Supported by Nic and Pietrus.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
hey norsk
how do you feel about Dirk not playing? wanna kill Cuban? or think it’s the better long-term decision?
That would have been a reason to watch Germany vs. France, so in that regard not so good. But I understand the Mavs, they have a lot riding on the next 2 years. And Germany has to learn to play without Dirk and Kaman, they will play bad with a very inexperienced team (= no direct qualification for world championship and Olympics) and that will force the clubs at home to play their young locals over time which right now they don’t (unlimited number of US players allows some teams to play almost without German players). At the moment there are only 2 young German players with a remote chance to play in the NBA (Olbrecht, Steiger) and maybe one vet, and that is too little.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
He is better than LaMarcus :)
Maybe their steal of the offseason was Belinelli. I always thought the Warriors wasted him, he is a very good shooter.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
so, assuming France faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final qualifying pairing...
… is my understanding correct that it would be 2 games, with the team with the better aggregate score advancing to the main draw?
they're singing la peña baionna !
beautiful anthem of bayonne’s rugby team
I HATE my computer.....I wish I could be seeing this all now.
Someone had better hook us up with a highlights link after the game, or I will be a sad panda.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
Somewhere in the audience KP texts Nate "Batum starts on 3!!!"
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
I'm very happy that the Blazers didn't pick up Jefferson or Turkoglu.
Batum’s upside is huge. I have a feeling people are gonna wonder where he came from after some break out performances next season.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
I'd be ok with bringing in a big time starting 3 (though not at the price Turkey got)
as long as Batum got consistent, significant backup minutes. I would not be ok with him losing minutes to players like Webster and Outlaw— decent talents and useful players, but players with nowhere near Batum’s upside.
Yeah, a plan having a player like Jefferson or Jamison or Wallace for 2 years wouldn't have been bad
But not for 5
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
And 1 assist, 0 fouls, 0 turnovers. Great game.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
Weren't 6 or 7 FG's dunks
I couldn’t get the live feed, but followed the boxscore and play-by-play. It seemed like only one FG was a jump shot, but I may be wrong.
I love that Toronto paid $50 million for a guy who isn't even the best player from Italy.
You could discuss if Hedo is the best player from Turkey, but that is more likely.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
I didn't watch the game
But Bargnani is certainly better and more useful than Marco Bellynelly.
Both of them are streak shooters though, prone to have one game where they can’t miss and another where you wonder why they’re in the NBA. Andrea is definitely overpaid, but with his size and more-consistent-then-Marco offense, he’s a better player than Marco.
If you were referring to another player on Italy, then I don’t know if Bargnani is the best ;-) (wink)
I predict Marco will have a career full of big games in international ball that makes people go “why can’t he hit shots like this in the NBA”, the random 25+ explosion game when he’s on a bad team that needs bench scoring, and then lots of 2 for 8 nights. The Italian Juan Dixon.
Bargs is at least a 15/6 guy, and both give it right back on defense with Bargnani’s bad defense being more damaging since he is an inside guy.
I have never been a Bellinelli fan since his pre-NBA days though. Takes bad shots, low percentage gunner.
Whenever I watch Belinelli with Bargnani he is the better player on the court. In this particular game, even Soragna, Mordente, Giachetti where better. And there are some youngsters coming up that are good, too. Overall Bargnani is probably the best, but he is so overpaid now that it’s not funny. And those were two big games vs. France against some NBA players (and the big guys are not exactly NBA superstars) where he should come through – and again didn’t. 2/7, 0/3, 1/2 for 5 pts 5 rbd is miserable.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
Yeah, I'm not a big Bargnani fan
He is a scoring role player who, if he has a major role on your team, he is overall hurting you because of his defense and non-exceptional streak shooting.
I just like Belinelli a lot less, but both are capable of big games.
Bargs contract is a joke. And a big reason he’s been able to put up the modest numbers he has put up is that the Raptors feel the understandable need to make it seem like they made a good draft pick, so they force feed him minutes and shots.
He’s not even on the same planet/galaxy/universe as Dirk, so I find those still-ongoing-comparisons racist :) One tall white dude who shoots from the outside doesn’t equal another, but Dirk got Bargnani drafted #1, and thus indirectly he got Bargnani paid 50 million bucks.
Dirk is generous!
M—
still on?
link?
"It was like some sort of crazy torture in the movies. How do people do that so long without taking a breath? I think my ears are still ringing."
-Adrian Peterson, describing Autzen
its over
France won 81-61. They clinched a spot in the final qualifying round, a 2 game aggregate series probably against Bosnia and Herzegovina, though Belgium still has a chance.
thanks
"It was like some sort of crazy torture in the movies. How do people do that so long without taking a breath? I think my ears are still ringing."
-Adrian Peterson, describing Autzen
I am exceptionally lazy
If anyone (coughNorsktrollMedmelonAmlmart1) finds the highlights of Nic’s game, I’d love a link to it so I can watch the highlights as well.
I will give you a warm hug in return.
Mortimer
Batum go to Portland
Like Tony Parker and the Spurs, Batum goes tomorrow to Portland to have his shoulder examined. I hope he will come back quick.
The link (in french) http://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/breves2009/20090814_221859_batum-retourne-a-portland.html
Makes some sense, the last game against Finland is meaningless now. Though I don’t really understand why the NBA teams can’t cheaper/easier fly their team doctors to the player, or have them examine the MRIs. An MRI taken in Portland or San Antonio won’t show something different than an MRI taken by a good doctor in Pau or Paris.
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
If someone is hurt
I assume they wanna have the added benefit of keeping them nearby where they can watch them more carefully, and not risk them continuing to play or being pressured by their team to play.
Ya make Nic come to Portland, when tip off comes he won’t be able to say “ahh, I feel good enough, let’s go”. We can imprison him in Paul Allen’s suite above the Rose Garden.
he did not look bothered at all tonight at least
Anyway here are the links (again) for those who wants some feedback & video in a while.
tournament website (stats available when you click on france’s game score as usual)
i got a nice pic of koponen driving against batum to scan, i will try to do it tomorrow.
Game recap from the Eurobasket site linked above
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
The Italians didn't even dare to look
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
defense by braille
Nic needs to grow more hair, that’s not a good look for him. – elgin
Without you out there, we're nowhere here
by 22baylor on Aug 14, 2009 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
apparently his shoulder wasn't even strapped
I’m not worried, he should play the finals. After all it’s in 2 weeks.
France Itally game video
http://player.canalplus.fr/#/267475/@
With some nice plays by nic’
And Nic’ comes back in France Monday but he’ll not plays in Finland.
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