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**JNice** · 04-28-2007, 01:38 PM

Surprising.

**MB30** · 04-29-2007, 06:14 PM

Draftexpress is reporting that Batum is now NOT entering the draft this year as he is not interested in sitting on the bench. He thinks he has a shot at #1 overall next year and will play in France again.

Thoughts?

starbonis · 10-15-2007, 04:40 AM

Batum is playing for MSB Lemans....and this season he was given the starting 3 spot. He might lose this to Bodgavac, not a NBA prospect of any kind, even if he is young (23).
For the moment he is really not feeling good : he looks lost, not contributing in any categories.

On 22th October, he will face his first euroleague start.

alex · 10-17-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starbonis

Batum is playing for MSB Lemans....and this season he was given the starting 3 spot. He might lose this to Bodgavac, not a NBA prospect of any kind, even if he is young (23).
For the moment he is really not feeling good : he looks lost, not contributing in any categories.

On 22th October, he will face his first euroleague start.

So you'd disagree with www.europeanprospects.com's summary?

Another question for you who have seen him. . .what do you feel his ceiling and floor be?

**cpawfan** · 12-19-2007, 05:46 PM

From DX's International Blog

Quote:

Player of the Week: Nicolas Batum

Although his team Le Mans couldn’t win any of the games played this past week, Nicolas Batum is back to showing his best face, running for a three-game streak where he scored over twenty points in each contest. Concerning only the last week, he started with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Euroleague, following with 21 points, 2 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks in the close road loss against Clermont in the domestic competition.

We had the chance to watch Batum against Maccabi, where his superb execution stood out. Indeed he stayed perfect from the field, a rare circumstance, especially if he shoots from long range. He connected on a couple of spot-up treys, but also netted an off-the-dribble bomb released over the head of a shorter opponent. All in all, he’s looking more reliable and comfortable from the arc these last couple of weeks, but there’s no assurance yet that this trend will continue.

Another interesting characteristic in his game against the Israeli powerhouse was his post game. Twice he took his match-up to the post, and twice he came up with excellent results. The first one, in the low post, finishing with a right-handed hook shot (not the most orthodox around, without much elevation, but still effective given the size differential he enjoys); the second one, in the mid post, using a pivot move to beat his opponent and deliver a layup after an excellent extension. There’s no need to stress the great potential a long guy like him enjoys playing with his back to the basket, especially if he’s evolving at the shooting guard position.

On the negative side, he didn’t look very effective trying to beat his opponents off the dribble, although he was usually guarded by much smaller and quicker players (Maccabi fills the backcourt with combo-guards very often this season). The problem continued on the other end of the court, as he couldn’t always stay in front of those small perimeter players he had to guard.

The rest was there, such as his excellent passing game (he threw a terrific assists across the lane, found his open teammates easily, and fed a bunch of cutters), ability to run the floor or his above-the-rim plays (a put-back dunk off an offensive rebound for example, and a couple of terrific blocks). He was also unusually active cutting towards the basket during the first half of the game, which provided him with a couple of easy baskets.

In the end, everything came effortless for Batum. He always transmits a feeling of ease while looking able of taking over almost at will. But that’s the key word, will. We’re going to see more of these performances this season. The question would be… how often?

**RebelSun** · 12-19-2007, 07:57 PM

Probably the most underrated among projected high 1st-rounders this year.

**WhoDaBest23** · 12-19-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelSun

Probably the most underrated among projected high 1st-rounders this year.

Agreed. A lot of teams are going to get caught up in the freshman fever and rightfully so, but don't forget about this guy. Someone's going to end up with a nice swingman.

**MemphisX** · 12-19-2007, 10:31 PM

He reminds me of a smoother Rudy Gay.

AlThornton · 02-11-2008, 07:13 AM

Any updates on him?

**croco** · 02-11-2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlThornton

Any updates on him?

Not much, he continues to play well in the French league, but Le Mans (his team) could not qualify for the next round in the Euro League which means that there aren't any games against very good competition left for him this season.

I think he will definitely end up somewhere between 10 and 20 in the draft, not much upside and not much downside for his draft stock until the Pre-Draft camp.

**MemphisX** · 02-11-2008, 04:53 PM

I think someone will fall in love with him and take him early. Especially with a very similar player (Rudy Gay) having such a big 2nd year. Copy cat GMs.

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