For two years he was one of the primary playmakers on his French team. As a 17-18 y/o. Last summer he played PG while Parker was out in the Euro Championships. Don't mistake being handcuffed as a rookie with a lack of a skillset.
I wouldn't mind seeing how Nicolas would work out at PG, with everything being said here about him playing playmaker on the French team. I'd love to go big with a Nicolas/Roy/Jerryd or Rudy backcourt with LA and Greg up front one of these days. I'd have to be convinced that he could be a creator on offense though, but in terms of being a point forward like Scottie in his later years and what Tayshaun was for a bit, who just sets up the offense.. why not see if he could do it.
Definitely at the 1, between the options given. Batum hasn't really demonstrated an ability to get his own shot off, other than in transition situations. I think that would make it difficult for him to be very effective at exploiting a matchup against a bigger/stronger player on offense. On D I could see him guarding any but the quickest PGs, but his ball handling (although it appeared improved with the French team) would potentially be a liability, esp in setting up half court offense. The reason Travis has been effective offensively against some opposing PFs is that he CAN get his own shot, and is enough of a dribbler to easily create space against larger players. The only way I could see Batum being effective is to spread the floor for 3's, although opposing teams would probably cover him with a player other than their PF if that's all he (hypothetically) would do. I guess I would say 'either 1 or 4' could work if POR were a more uptempo team. The fact that this team hovers around the bottom of the league in pace makes me think he wouldn't be very effective at either position, unless we were playing a team without a ballhawking PG or a team running with an undersized 4. Mostly, Nic should only be defending at those positions given his current skillset. (IMO)
Tony Parker is a pretty quick PG, yet NB did have some impressive stretches guarding him last season. . Travis is taller longer heavier and jumps higher too. Batum is more agile has much better ballhandling/passing skills. Neither is a great option at guarding a frontline bruising PF, but there are more that Travis can handle then Nic. Heres a link to the best measurements on NB that I'm aware of. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2008-Nike-Hoop-Summit-Official-Measurements,-plus-2007-Analysis/ STOMP
