Good news for the French basketball team. Since his surprise arrival in Philadelphia at the end of October, Nicolas Batum seems to have found a new lease of life. His team, which faces Denver this Saturday evening (11:30 p.m. on BeIn Sports and NBA League Pass), is in the top 3 of the NBA East division and is a credible candidate for the title of champion. The captain of the Blues, who could bow out at the end of the Paris Games this summer, takes stock of various news during a private press briefing organized by the NBA.
Embiid, his 70 points and his choice to play for Team USA. “Participating in a match like that is pretty crazy (Editor’s note: 133-123 victory against Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs on January 23). It does not happen often ! It was pretty incredible. I realized it quite late, towards the end of the third quarter, when he scored a free throw and reached 50 points. I did not notice ! Seeing him do well like that is becoming almost commonplace… He’s having a huge season.
(Regarding his decision to play for the United States) He made his choice. We don’t talk about it, it’s useless. It doesn’t change anything about our friendship. We often play together on the pitch, we sit side by side in the locker room, we often talk to each other. I often say that the USA doesn’t need that! They’re going to be strong enough already. He is so impressive that it can only be a bonus for Team USA. Unfortunately for the others. »
Philadelphia, candidate for the title? “We have two big, high-level players, one confirmed with Joel (Embiid), the other who is making a name for himself with Tyrese Maxey, who I hope will be an All-Star. And others who surround it all very well, like Tobbias Harris, Kelly Oubre, Pat Beverley. We also have a coach who was champion not long ago. We have a fan base, a room where it is difficult to win. We have all the ingredients to have a good season but we are not the only ones. »
“Victor’s potential may be greater than Joel’s!” »
His season in Philadelphia. “I don’t have a very complicated game, I don’t ask for anything. I won’t be disappointed if I don’t line up the stats. My stats won’t look the same from one game to the next, some call it inconsistency, if you will. I rather depend on the match and what is happening around me. That’s why I play a lot. It’s appreciated here as it was at the Clippers. I’m trying to adapt and keep the machine running smoothly. I have this connection with Joel and with the others too. The coach makes me play a lot. I’m 35 years old and he trusts me in many areas of the game. We have a very good relationship. I know I’m at a point in my career where I can’t do the same things I used to. But I still know how to do things in the game.”
The Wembanyama – Embiid duel. “Not all 70 points were scored against Victor (Wembanyama), but it will be a good learning experience for him. It’s the kind of match that shows him the road he still has to go. He put up 33 in this match, but even though he’s incredible this year, what Joel showed is extraordinary. Victor’s potential may be greater than Joel’s! Joel is a monster physically and technically, but matches like these are valuable to Victor. When we play them again, in March in San Antonio, it will be a little revenge for him. It’s very good: he didn’t let himself get discouraged, he didn’t lower his head, not once. He went back every time. Many players would have backed down. Not him. This shows his strength of character and I respect him enormously for that. »
“Victor will very quickly have a very big role in the group”
Wembanyama, Rookie of the year? “He is in a class above the rest. I know we’re talking about the duel with Chet (Holmgren), I was watching their confrontation the other day. Chet is having a huge season, it’s true. But I choose Wemby because he has more responsibilities, load, pressure on his shoulders. What he shows is pretty crazy. In action creations, there are things that you rarely see at that age. In four or five years, what will it look like? It’s going to be amazing. It’s already crazy, and in limited playing time. We often compare him to former rookies, who played 36 or 38 minutes… If he was not limited in minutes, Victor would have the performance of a confirmed All-Star. Individually, he can claim to be selected, it is just collectively that he can be penalized. But it will go one day or another, and very quickly! This may be the only year he won’t be an All-Star. I’m not worried about him. »
The evolution of his personality. “I’m 35 years old, it’s my 16th year in the NBA, I’ve seen it all. Having a player like Joel next to me, and the staff who match all my minutes to those of Joel, 95%, is quite simple for me. I have been integrated so well that I have no pressure, I just play my game. I know that I don’t have to force anything, we don’t expect much in the direct stats from me, apart from in setting up the game, I just go into matches being collective. The stats, the figures, people comment if they want. At the end of the match, Joel and I sit down in the locker room and discuss what we could improve. Same with Nick Nurse. I have zero pressure. I’m at a point in my career where all that doesn’t matter to me anymore. I have this reputation in the NBA, and if tomorrow I change franchises, I will be asked to do the same thing. I am confident in who I am and what I can bring. »
His future retirement. “I’m not bothering about it today. I’m just focusing on my season. I have plenty of reasons that would push me to stop, but I keep them to myself. I prefer to focus on what I’m experiencing, on what I’m doing. Things are going really well here in Phillie. I don’t bother thinking about that. We’ll see later. »
The Paris Olympic Games. “We both talked about it a little with Victor. The way I play with Joel is going to be just as easy with Victor: find him inside. We talked about this connection that we could have, in spaces. I play with this a lot. We talked about how to set it up and play as a pair, because Victor will very quickly have a very big role in the group. He deserves it. »
2024-01-27 14:48:00
#class #rest #Nicolas #Batum #impressed #Wembys #NBA #debut
