Batum talks about his improvement

[illmatic99]

http://trailpost.blogspot.com/2010/08/batum-weve-matured.html

Cool quote:

Do you feel more sure than before in your offense?
I try to keep a cool head. I had the chance to evolve throughout the year with a player who masters composure, Brandon Roy. I watch a lot, and when I see his sureness and composure, I admire him. And when I play at the end of a game like today, I copy him. I have a good teacher, I think.

 

[barfo]

Great quote. Hope it is true.

barfo

 

[Tince]

I think we know where this thread is going to end up!

Good for Nic though. He's in a weird position on the French team, no real PG to get the offense going and he can't really create much on his own, but the great thing about his skill set is he can always find a way to help the team win. I'm looking forward to him having a healthy season. He's the type of guy you don't want being a #1 or #2 option, but if he gets down near that #4 option range, you've got yourself a deadly weapon who will burn defenses who don't play honest. I love this kid!

 

[Reep]

Nice read. People should read the whole thing. It shows nice leadership and maturity.

 

[Kaydow]

Am I the only one thinking "Sounds Great Nic, just don't get hurt over there"?

 

[Wheels]

Role Player!!! Homers Love him!! People like me see him for what he is!!!!

 

[HailBlazers]

Cool quote

To Say The Least.

 

[hasoos]

Am I the only one thinking "Sounds Great Nic, just don't get hurt over there"?

A little piece of me is always thinking that. But I am trying to get past last year. The more I think about last year, the more I think about the fact it was a total anomaly. I don't think I have seen an injury plagued year for any team, like that one.

 

[Haakzilla]

Role Player!!! Homers Love him!! People like me see him for what he is!!!!

...yeah, the type of "role player" that is CRUCIAL for the majority of the championship teams!

 

[Wheels]

...yeah, the type of "role player" that is CRUCIAL for the majority of the championship teams!

you know I agree with you right?

 

[THE HCP]

I'm watching the France v Canada game right now and he looked great in the first quarter. Very active on both ends. On a side note, this announcer is HORRIBLY good! Sounds like Jay Mohr! He's awful, but I love it...... BOOM goes the dynamite style!

 

[BGrantFan]

A little piece of me is always thinking that. But I am trying to get past last year. The more I think about last year, the more I think about the fact it was a total anomaly. I don't think I have seen an injury plagued year for any team, like that one.

Golden State had basically the same injury problems last year, at least in terms of games lost due to injury.

They won 26 games. Fire AssClown!!!

 

[THE HCP]

Man, Nic looks like a combo between Pip and the IceMan!

 

[MickZagger]

He's got all the tools. If he puts it all together is another thing. Say he tops out as a Tayshaun Prince type, I'm happy with that.

 

[Draco]

Hopefully one day he'll be a poor man's Trevor Ariza.

 

[THE HCP]

SHIT! He's already better then Ariza!

 

[idigyourpast]

SHIT! He's already better then Ariza!

No doubt. Plus he's calm and level-headed. If I had to pick two players out of the entire NBA that best fit the Blazers culture, it'd be Brandon and Nicolas. Incredibly talented and incredibly modest.

 

[illmatic99]

Nic fucked his team today. They were down 8 with about 21 seconds left, and he accidentally fouled a NZ player who was shooting a three. Bam. Four point play, FRA down 12.

That point differential dropped FRA to fourth in the division, and gives them a date with home team, Turkey.

He was awful today. Totally uncharacteristic performance.

EDIT. full first round matchups:

SRB vs CRO // ESP vs GRE // TUR vs FRA// SLO vs. AUS

USA vs ANG // RUS vs NZL (Nic and FRA wanted RUS)// LTU vs PUR // ARG vs BRA (prob the best matchup in the first round)

 

[MickZagger]

If they were down by 8 with 21 seconds to play, I doubt that foul really mattered anyways. They were going to lose.

 

[Tince]

If they were down by 8 with 21 seconds to play, I doubt that foul really mattered anyways. They were going to lose.

Did you read the rest of the post?

 

[illmatic99]

It wasn't as much about the loss, as it was about enabling NZ to get the point differential to pass them in the standings, and get a somewhat better matchup (vs. Greece or Russia). Playing Turkey at home in the first knockout round is exactly what Nic said they were trying to avoid.

 

[MickZagger]

I guess I didn't understand the point differential part. Now I get it.

 

[HailBlazers]

Ah-ha, that's what they get for sandbaggin