This just in: France won 80 to 77 in OT. Batum had 20 pts, 8 rebounds and one assist and seemed to play the entire fourth quarter and OT. Wish I could have watchedit. http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/default.asp
I hope he gets to play a lot more games like this. He only needs more confidence to move from emergency starter to take full ownership of that role. Would love to see him get 12 pts, 6 reb, 3 asst, 1.5 blk, 1.5 stl next year.
Watched the whole game. Nic played well, especially in the 4th and OT (outside of an airballed jumper off the dribble that would've won the game. Made 4-5 buckets at crucial junctures in the game. They were using him off the ball for most of the first three quarters, but in the 4th and OT he played more of a point forward role. Isolating or initiating the offense off the P&R from the top of the key. Actually showed off some advanced dribbling moves when isolated. Had nice left to right crossover and drew a blocking foul. Nice hestation dribble for a right handed layup and a suprising in and out dribble drive down the left lane in which he drew another foul. Went 3/6 from the line. Everytime missing the first then swishing the second. Only had one assist but made alot of good decisions off the pick and roll (skip passes) and when he had nothing on a drive to the basket. Had 8 rebounds.....little decieving. Some of them were tipped balls that just happened to come his way. Defense was ok, they put him on Belinelli for most of the game. Forced him to take tough shots but got burnt a few times off the dribble. Overall a very solid game after getting pulled early in the first with 2 quick fouls. Easily the most talented sf we have right now.
I got to watch the final 3-4 minutes in OT(?). Batum was being used as a point forward to initiate the offence. He did a good job of it too IMO. I just hope Nate watches how France uses Batum's skills so that Nate could trust him a little bit more and expand his roll on O. I hate watching the Blazers play 4on5 or 3on5 (when Pryz & Batum are in).
I noticed that at least 1 time at the end of the game. Batum was more than burnt - he was incenerated.
So apparently Nic is trying to mix in some Travis Outlaw into his game so Nate will play him more? I can hear him now.. "Je fais des coups, le fait de relier et le fait de lancer l'offense. Cela devrait impressionner l'entraîneur Nate." Oh la merde, j'ai oublié de recevoir torched sur la défense donc je peux jouer plus. Il travaille pour Travis"
That was by far his worst defensive possesion of the game. That was really only time he got beat of the dribble, mancenelli? scored on him in the post a couple times.
I would give my left nut for a small forward who averaged over 12 points a game every night consistently.
More reviews from posters on Realgm who apparently found a link to watch the game: http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=931982&start=45
Great recaps on Batum. Thanks for posting them. Hopefully he's allowed to do more than stand on the wing/corner this year on offense.
