FRA vs CAN and ESP vs LTU

[MickZagger]

Nic destroyin defenders. I think that dude he just blew by is going to Gonzaga next year.

Nic with 22.

That would be Kelly Olynyk. He'll be a Sophomore.

 

[illmatic99]

Game 4s today.

Spain kicked Lebanon's ass. Rudy didn't need to play much, so nothing notable here.

France takes on Lithuania now. Both teams have been undefeated so far. Nic vs. Kleiza.

Watch on ESPN3.com or here: http://atdhe.net/19335/watch-lithuania-vs-france

 

[illmatic99]

Nic is playing very aggressively. Not much success yet (just missing shots), but I like what I'm seeing. He initiating the pick and roll, and running it to perfection.

 

[illmatic99]

France opens it up. 24-11 after one. (5/6 from 3) Nic with a nice finish to the quarter. He's got 9pts, 2rebs, 2asts, 1stl and a turnover in 10 minutes of play.

 

[mook]

Nic looks great! Some really nice dishes, especially that little behind the back to the corner. He just looks aggressive out there. It's finally starting to occur to him (and his teammates) that he's their best player.

 

[hasoos]

About time he had an agressive game. I had been starting to question his motor.

 

[illmatic99]

About time he had an agressive game. I had been starting to question his motor.

You must not have watched his games vs Spain and Canada.

 

[hasoos]

You must not have watched his games vs Spain and Canada.

He is always agressive defensively. Its the offensive end I worry about.

 

[illmatic99]

He had twice as many shot attempts as the second guy on the team against Canada, and scored 24pts. He was calling for the ball on every possession yesterday.

Did much of the same on opening night vs. Spain.

The only time he wasn't that aggressive was during the exhibition games, and the game against Lebanon, when his team didn't need it.

Edit: did you see that last drive??! wow. a cross over and dunk attempt over three players?! jeez.

 

[hasoos]

He had twice as many shot attempts as the second guy on the team against Canada, and score 24pts. He was calling for the ball on every possession yesterday.

Did much of the same on opening night vs. Spain.

The only time he wasn't that aggressive was during the exhibition games, and the game against Lebanon, when his team didn't need it.

So your idea of success is to compare him to a player on a canadian team that has really sucked so far? That isn't saying a whole lot. Batum coasted offensively for several games and then started to pick it up just recently. I am glad he is picking it up, but really, with a fat Boris Diaw and most the team hurt, he should have done it much earlier than that.

 

[illmatic99]

I don't really understand your bitching.

Out of four games so far, he's either been one of his team's top scorers or leading his team in FGAs in three of them. He's been really assertive when he needs to be.

 

[illmatic99]

Ah shit. Nic shaken up after a dunk attempt. LTU thug drops him. Looks like he's okay though.

 

[MadeFromDust]

France was up by like 12 last time I checked and now they're down by 11, wtf what happened??

 

[illmatic99]

France was up by like 12 last time I checked and now they're down by 11, wtf what happened??

Kleiza finally woke up. And Nic is on the bench with some sore ribs. And LTU's zone is screwing with FRA.

 

[MadeFromDust]

Kleiza finally woke up. And Nic is on the bench with some sore ribs.

Oh great does it seem bad?

 

[illmatic99]

I suppose not, because he's back in. Lithuania is playing much harder, and France hasn't hit a three since the first quarter.

 

[illmatic99]

I think France might be trying to avoid Turkey in the first knockout round. Batum mentioned as much in his previous interview. FRA coach benched put Nic on the bench in a crucial time in the third, and took out Diaw for pretty much all of the fourth. Nic is out now as well.

 

[mook]

I think France might be trying to avoid Turkey in the first knockout round. Batum mentioned as much in his previous interview. FRA coach benched put Nic on the bench in a crucial time in the third, and took out Diaw for pretty much all of the fourth. Nic is out now as well.

I hadn't thought of that. I just thought France completely imploded. Sometimes you have to remember there's a game within the game in the World Championships.

I hope you are right. Batum looked really passive in the second half, and his team stopped looking to him. I thought maybe it was the injury, but maybe not.