Great Q&A with Nicoli Batum on G.Wallace

[HailBlazers]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/gerald-wallace-nicolas-batum.html

What kind of stuff do you think you can pick up from him?

"Energy. Energy. His intensity is incredible. He just plays 100 percent every time, he never rests on the court. In practice, in the games, he plays the same intensity. That's what I need in my game, because sometimes I relax and don't play with the same intensity. The way he plays … like I said, he can be a model for me."

 

[Nikolokolus]

He said something similar at the time of the trade. It's a nice sentiment and hopefully Wallace rubs off on him, but ultimately that kind of intensity comes from inside you, and I'm not sure Nic has it in him. We'll see I guess.

 

[HailBlazers]

Has Nate McMillan talked to you guys about who's going to start and who will come off the bench?

"Not yet. I doesn't matter who's gonna start or not. All that matters is we want to win. We want to win. We want to be in the playoffs and get a good spot in the playoffs, maybe get home court advantage -- and we have a chance to get it. So we're going to play these last 23 games 100 percent … it doesn't matter about who starts, who finishes the game, playing time, doesn't matter. We just want to win."

I love this Team. So glad to have Gerald on it now, he fits right in, humble dude like the rest.

 

[illmatic99]

That's what I need in my game, because sometimes I relax and don't play with the same intensity.

The first step to fixing the problem is figuring out what it is. Kudos to Nic for recognizing his downfalls.

 

[illmatic99]

He said something similar at the time of the trade. It's a nice sentiment and hopefully Wallace rubs off on him, but ultimately that kind of intensity comes from inside you, and I'm not sure Nic has it in him. We'll see I guess.

Do you think that kind of intensity he brings will rub off?

"… On everybody. When (he's) is giving everything on the court, I think guys are gonna follow him. And we can be a huge defensive team with him."

 

[hasoos]

And after we win the championship, we will drink coffee and smoke cigarettes in Paris!

 

[Nikolokolus]

Like I said, hopefully it does rub off, but part of Nic's 'problem' goes back to his pre-draft scouting report -- he's had a tendency to be passive ever since his teenage days.

 

[maxiep]

Like I said, hopefully it does rub off, but part of Nic's 'problem' goes back to his pre-draft scouting report -- he's had a tendency to be passive ever since his teenage days.

If LA's unlearned it, then I have faith Nico can too.

 

[mook]

Hopefully it becomes a "culture" thing. Aldridge is definitely a hustler now. Hustle is the only reason Wesley Matthews is in the league. Wallace is the text book definition for the mentality. Miller isn't a "hustle guy" physically, but his mind never, ever stops.

Who were the team leaders before this year? Roy, the jump-shooting Aldridge, Outlaw, Webster, Blake....decent motors, but not exactly the picture book of intensity.

Batum is only in his third year. I think there's still an excellent chance that the new work ethic is going to rub off on him.

 

[barfo]

Hopefully it becomes a "culture" thing. Aldridge is definitely a hustler now. Hustle is the only reason Wesley Matthews is in the league. Wallace is the text book definition for the mentality. Miller isn't a "hustle guy" physically, but his mind never, ever stops.

Who were the team leaders before this year? Roy, the jump-shooting Aldridge, Outlaw, Webster, Blake....decent motors, but not exactly the picture book of intensity.

Batum is only in his third year. I think there's still an excellent chance that the new work ethic is going to rub off on him.

mook, the word is not "hustle". The word is "scrappy".

barfo

 

[BBert]

 

[GoBlazersGo]

... he's had a tendency to be passive ever since his teenage days.

LOL--dude just recently turned 22, didn't he?

 

[Nikolokolus]

LOL--dude just recently turned 22, didn't he?

LOL!!!!! yeah ... so that means ever since he started playing semi-pro ball in France around 15 or 16 he's had the rep of being very passive.

 

[STOMP]

He said something similar at the time of the trade. It's a nice sentiment and hopefully Wallace rubs off on him, but ultimately that kind of intensity comes from inside you, and I'm not sure Nic has it in him. We'll see I guess.

Pippen's intensity was often criticized early on in his career... might some of Mike's rubbed off on him?

I agree on the we'll see but I definitely think having more solid pros around a young talent is the way to go.

STOMP