Nic seems ok to be in Portland

[Mediocre Man]

Nicolas Batum ‏@nicolas88batum
Do you think we have to remake the international corner in the locker room with Joe Freeland and @VictorClaver9?

 

[Blazinaway]

Nicolas Batum ‏@nicolas88batum
Do you think we have to remake the international corner in the locker room with Joe Freeland and @VictorClaver9?

we replace the old Spainiard with a Spainiard and an Aussie with a Brit (stay within the empire). He should be fine

 

[HailBlazers]

Don't hold what happened against Nic, his agent coached him to do/say what it took to get the big payday.

Glad to hear he's happy to have some Euro's though.

 

[Natebishop3]

Do the French and English get along?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Do the French and English get along?

One retreats for some afternoon tea and the other just retreats. I think they are good

Then again

 

[Eastoff]

One retreats for some afternoon tea and the other just retreats. I think they are good

Then again

As long as Nic doesn't start building a trebuchet, I think the team chemistry is safe.

 

[Natebishop3]

As long as Nic doesn't start building a trebuchet, I think the team chemistry is safe.

Or a guillotine.

 

[Eastoff]

Joking aside, I don't think Nic can be allowed to continue to be a reclusive loner anymore. He needs to be very open with the whole team, he's now a leader.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Joking aside, I don't think Nic can be allowed to continue to be a reclusive loner anymore. He needs to be very open with the whole team, he's now a leader

Agreed and now is an easy time for him to assume that role with over 10 new (and young) players being added to the team. None of which have strong personalities that would prevent him from doing so.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Joking aside, I don't think Nic can be allowed to continue to be a reclusive loner anymore. He needs to be very open with the whole team, he's now a leader.

A reclusive loner? Where did you get that?

 

[Sedatedfork]

Hmmm, Brits, French, Spanish, and Americans... We are the NATO of the NBA.

 

[Natebishop3]

Joking aside, I don't think Nic can be allowed to continue to be a reclusive loner anymore. He needs to be very open with the whole team, he's now a leader.

If we've learned anything over the years, it's that a big contract does not make you a leader

 

[GoBlazersGo]

Hell... for $40M you could exile me to Siberia for four years and I'd be all smiles! That said, of course, I'm pumped that Nic' will be back.

 

[Spud147]

One retreats for some afternoon tea and the other just retreats. I think they are good

Then again

Hello English Pig Dogs

 

[Eastoff]

A reclusive loner? Where did you get that?

I guess I'm basing my statement on that he started out very quiet and Nate forced him to talk a lot. Hopefully, and probably, I am wrong. Didn't he spend most of his free time with Rudy and Patty? I suppose there's nothing wrong with having a little clique.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I guess I'm basing my statement on that he started out very quiet and Nate forced him to talk a lot. Hopefully, and probably, I am wrong. Didn't he spend most of his free time with Rudy and Patty? I suppose there's nothing wrong with having a little clique.

I think you mistakenly assume that all of these guys hang out together away from the team ... I mean certainly some of them do, but I wouldn't necessarily call him a "loner" just because he's not a demonstrative guy in public. Maybe it's just an issue of semantics? Because I agree that he gives the impression that he's a "background guy," (although he seems mostly well liked by his teammates).

For what it's worth, I definitely think he needs to take a more forceful and demonstrative role on the court.

 

[crandc]

Well, he could have been "quiet" because he was not fully English proficient. I'm not worried.

 

[Natebishop3]

Miller never hung out with the guys and he was a good player.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

That's code for 'I want to play with Kevin Love' so, so bad.

[/KFANrubes]

 

[magnifier661]

Joking aside, I don't think Nic can be allowed to continue to be a reclusive loner anymore. He needs to be very open with the whole team, he's now a leader.

He's getting paid like one, so he'd better!

 

[Eastoff]

Miller never hung out with the guys and he was a good player.

I was thinking about that when I wrote my comment. So perhaps I overstepped my bounds.

 

[magnifier661]

I was thinking about that when I wrote my comment. So perhaps I overstepped my bounds.

Yeah what it should have read was: Batum better step up and be a vocal leader on the court because he's getting paid to be one. Miller was reserved and to himself, but you saw his communication and energy on the court. That's what made him a leader.

What Batum does before or after games isn't my business. I want him to lead in the locker room, practice and in the game.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Batum didn't want to be in Ptd, but is accepting the process. Moods for any NBA player can change from season to season, Blazers start winning and he likes his teammates, he will be happy. Blazers suck, he will not be happy, IMO.

 

[Spud147]

Batum didn't want to be in Ptd, but is accepting the process. Moods for any NBA player can change from season to season, Blazers start winning and he likes his teammates, he will be happy. Blazers suck, he will not be happy, IMO.

I think he'll be happy if they follow through and hire a coach that will make him a bigger part of the offense. He was willing to sign with a team that shows some signs of life but hasn't been in the play offs in a while. I think the Blazers are at least that good next year. I'm seeing a team that is going to be fun to watch, will be able to hang with teams that are in the play off hunt but will lose a lot of close games at the end. Basically talented but young with growing pains. I hope LaMarcus and Wesley can be the leaders in staying motivated and Nicolas can work on becoming more assertive. I know he's getting paid but I don't expect his personality to change overnight. But it should make him feel a lot more comfortable and confident having the team say, we're so happy with you we want you to stay here and take on a more important role.

We are also really fortunate to have our All Star stepping up, put the team on his back, and lead. I have so much respect for LaMarcus right now. Think about what Orlando and Minnesota's star players are saying about them right now. Let's hope he's patient, Nicolas lives up to his money, and Damian and Meyers are fast learners!

 

[SantaDora]

As long as Nic doesn't start building a trebuchet, I think the team chemistry is safe.

Although an angry-bird like sling with the willingness to fly into the pig's castle (lane) would be appreciated.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Nic will be speaking with the media today at 10:00am. It will be live on www.trailblazers.tv

 

[Eastoff]

Although an angry-bird like sling with the willingness to fly into the pig's castle (lane) would be appreciated.

He's one step ahead of you!

link

 

[BBert]

Nicolas Batum ‏@nicolas88batum
Do you think we have to remake the international corner in the locker room with Joe Freeland and @VictorClaver9?

Now we just need to get Pavlovic, Papanikolaou, and Printezis on the roster, LOL. And bring back Patty. The Four P's.

 

[ironcrotch]

Anyone watch his presser?

I love that guy.

 

[noknobs]

Nic will be speaking with the media today at 10:00am. It will be live on www.trailblazers.tv

As suspected, it sounds like the truth was somewhere in the middle of Olshey & Kahn's comments. He did want to be in Minnesota due to the coaching staff, New Orleans he'd have liked as well. But he also wanted to be back here, feels like home, and if he was an UFA he said he's not sure he would have gone to Minnesota instead of Portland. Either situation would have been good, so he knew he was going to win either way.

Mentioned he was actually unsure that Portland would match because it was such a high number, but the fact they did shows they really believe in him. Better contract than he expected.

Wasn't unhappy with Nate, just the fact they were losing was frustrating. Nate is the one who put him on the court and believed in him his rookie year.

Knows he's now the #2 guy, just like he is w/ French team behind TP, and needs to be more of a leader. Trusts they'll bring in a good coach.


My opinion - We'll probably never know exactly what went on but I honestly don't care if we weren't his first choice or not, because he's not going to be a problem and he seems happy to be here.