LJUBLJANA, Slovenia -– They came in waves. Mantas Kalnietis, Renaldas Seibutis, even Linas Kleiza. Just as Tony Parker had expected. Just as everyone watching back in France had anticipated from Lithuania with the EuroBasket title on the line. The San Antonio Spurs guard, already feeling fatigue in every muscle, had prepared his teammates for this, right from when they went into the locker room some 46 hours earlier following an exhausting overtime win over Spain in the semifinal. He walked straight over to Nicolas Batum. The Trail Blazers forward had contributed just three points toward the conquest of the reigning champions. "I did everything I could today to win the game," Parker told him. "But I'm going to be tired. I need you to be The Man in the final." "So," said Batum, "I was ready to go, right from the start, to help the team." With an early block on Seibutis. Then a slash to the basket, grabbing a precise pass from Boris Diaw and driving it to the hoop. Then, with words not deeds, he berated Alexis Ajinca for a blown play. The margins, against an opponent in supreme form, did not allow for mistakes. Kleiza, the former Toronto Raptors forward, was throwing everything he could. Five shots, five makes, 11 of his eventual game-high 20 points in the opening quarter. "Both teams were scoring too easily," said Batum, who led France with 17 points while Boris Diaw added 15 in the 80-66 EuroBasket championship win Sunday. In a timeout during Lithuania's early run, the French started talking about defense. They practiced what was preached. "Then we started running, making some big shots," he said. Batum hit a three in the corner in a 7-0 run midway through the second. Then another, moments later, on the opposite side. For the last 4:02 of the first half, they shut down Lithuania, hitting 14 straight points. Up 50-34 at the break, they were in control. http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9...ts-big-hand-teammates-france-eurobasket-title
It's not about ability with Nic, it's consistency. Can he step up and have that mindset every night in an 82 game season? I'd say his body of work leaves me a little skeptical.
The guy has immense talent... He strikes me as one of those guys who has the game come to him too easily, so he doesn't push himself.
Although it probably the homer in me and giving him an easy out I think Lillard's emergence has caused me to transition from believing that Batum was about to take the "next step" to accepting and appreciating the all around game Batum has developed. I still believe he has the talent but if Lillard takes the next step (here I go again) then it would be almost impossible for Batum to do so with LMA too.
This had not occurred to me; mostly out of naivety. But I think you're right. I think this has almost always been the case since Batum's second season. After this first, it seems he had very little to prove.
Well, he's never had to battle for a starting job. He's never been shipped out to another team. Guys like LMA, Roy, Oden and Lillard always take the heat during losses while he sort of blends in. Compared to a lot of guys in the NBA, he has had it relatively easy. Good enough to make bank and a starting job, but under the radar so he avoids pressure. If I were the GM of another team I'd probably value him a little more highly than I do now. I think he's one of those guys who would probably step up his game if pushed out of his comfort zone and forced to compete for a starting job somewhere else. I'm not interested in trading him, necessarily. It's just that after 5 seasons I'm beginning to doubt we'll ever realize his potential in a Blazer uni.
Batum Started his Rookie season because Martell and Outlaw were hurt. He may have not won that battle if they were healthy. He battled (and lost) Wallace for the SF spot too.
Batum had a fairly long stretch last season where he looked like a top SF in the league, until he fell and injured his wrist. My only concern with him is whether he can stay healthy or will he play dinged up again all year. If he can stay healthy and average 15-5-5 as third fiddle on this team and play decent defense, that's pretty good in my book. After Euroleague, its questionable if he's even healthy now.
