FIBA World Cup: Nicolas Batum in France

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Tuesday, September 02, 2014

Andrew Tonry, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Two Blazers are competing in the FIBA World Cup underway in Spain. One of those players, Nicolas Batum, is a significant cog in his team's wheel. (Sorry Victor Claver.) Here's how he's fared through three games:

Aug. 30 - France 63, Brazil 65

Batum led the French squad in minutes (35), but little else. He scored 13 points, but took 10 shots to get there, making just 2-of-7 from behind the arc. (It's probably worth noting that the international three-point line is a bit closer to the hoop than the NBA's). All in all, a rather ho-hum game from the Blazers' swingman.

Aug. 31 - France 74, Serbia 73

The second time around, France were on the winning end of a close game, thanks to a couple of clutch free throws. Batum, though, was again simply serviceable. Just as the day before he led the team in minutes (34) while struggling from behind the three-point line (making just 1-of-5). Batum finished with 11 points and grabbed six rebounds, which tied a team high.

Sept. 1 - France 94, Egypt 55

Monday's game was a relative day off not only for Batum, but the French team in general. Against vastly inferior competition, Batum and the rest of the starters handed the majority of their minutes to the reserves, who still dominated handily. In just 15 minutes Batum tallied nine points (on 4-of-5 shooting from the field), three rebounds, two assists and a block.

The French team have Tuesday off and resume Wednesday against Spain. It ought to be their toughest matchup in the group, though both figure to advance to the knockout round.

Photo Credit: PierreSelim

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