Well, "Nic" some of us have always known what a special player you are. You have been my youngest daughter's favorite player ever since the first time she saw you play. It was a preseason game against Utah prior to your rookie year. Nate sat Brandon, LaMarcus and Oden (that was his rookie year too, and everyone was excited to finally see him play). So, I was disappointed that I wouldn't get to see any of the "Big 3" play, But, you were a pleasant surprise. It was your first NBA start. You scored 12 points and blocked three shots, including AK47 twice. He was going at you because you were a rookie. You totally denied him and swatted his weak shit twice.
My daughter, 9-years old at the time, immediately knew you were a special player. Unfortunately, no one in the Blazers sales and marketing departments (and very few here on this board) knew as much about basketball as a little 9-year old schoolgirl. There were no Batum jerseys to be found anywhere. So, at the next home game we attended, I had them custom make an XS black Batum 88 jersey for her. She still wears that jersey to every Blazers game we attend. It fits her better now. It was more like a dress when she first got it. She was distraught at the prospect of you leaving last summer and so relieved when the Blazers resigned you. So, was I. She's a pretty smart kid and knows her hoops.
BNM
