Tag: nicolas batum

Catching up with Clippers forward Nicolas Batum

Via the Los Angeles Times:

Clippers teammates were gathering in the key and coaches were talking in a circle at midcourt, but Nicolas Batum was in no hurry to leave his courtside chair and begin shootaround on a late November morning.

Only weeks from his 34th birthday, the wing turned his eyes toward the empty upper deck of Portland’s Moda Center and his memories of the younger version of himself that spent his first seven seasons with the Trail Blazers.

“It’s a special place,” Batum said. “I grew up here.”

Growing up in the NBA requires absorbing often painful lessons. Growing old in the league, however, is reserved for the few who can put what they’ve learned into action. Batum, with 1,006 games on his resume including the regular season and playoffs, counts as a survivor, a longevity he traces to the first, and perhaps the most enduring, career lesson he took in weeks before his first official game.

The Clippers are 19-14 this season, which is the 5th best record in the Western conference.

Their leading scorers so far in 2022-23 are Paul George at 23.4 PPG, Kawhi Leonard at 15.3 PPG, and Norman Powell, mostly off the bench, at 14.8 PPG.

Clippers re-sign Nicolas Batum

The LA Clippers have re-signed free agent Nicolas Batum, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank.

“Nico is a selfless vet and a winning player whose intelligence, versatility and skill have lifted our team for the past two years,” said Frank. “We wanted to keep building with him and are honored he wanted the same.”

Batum, 33, appeared in 59 games (54 starts) for the Clippers last season and averaged 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 40.0% from beyond the arc. The 6-foot-8 forward has appeared in 915 career games with averages of 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists over 14 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets and Clippers. Batum is one of eight active NBA players with 10,000 points, 4,500 rebounds and 1,400 three-pointers made.

From Lisieux, France, Batum has been a member of the French National Team since 2009, representing his country in the 2012 and 2021 Olympics, 2010 FIBA World Championship, 2014 FIBA World Cup, and 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA European Championships. He led France to a gold medal in the 2013 European Championship, silver medals in the 2011 European Championship and the 2021 Olympics, and bronze medals in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2015 European Championship.

Clippers re-sign Nicolas Batum

The LA Clippers have re-signed free agent Nicolas Batum.

Per the Los Angeles Times, “Batum agreed to take less money than he could have — a first-year salary projected to be around $3.2 million, instead of the team’s taxpayer mid-level exception worth $5.9 million.”

“Nico is a terrific player, a selfless teammate and a consummate professional, who lifts us in a lot of different ways,” Frank said. “He fit in perfectly from the beginning, and we’re grateful he’s chosen to return.”

Batum, 32, appeared in 67 games for the Clippers last season. The versatile veteran averaged 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 40.4 percent. During the Clippers run to the 2021 Western Conference Finals, Batum averaged 8.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 29.2 minutes. The 6-foot-8 forward has appeared in 856 career games with averages of 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over 13 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, and Clippers.

From Lisieux, France, Batum has been a member of the French National Team since 2009, representing his country in the 2012 and 2021 Olympics, 2010 FIBA World Championship, 2014 FIBA World Cup, and 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA European Championships. He led France to a gold medal in the 2013 European Championship, silver medals in the 2011 European Championship and the 2021 Olympics, and bronze medals in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2015 European Championship.

Clippers sign Nicolas Batum

The LA Clippers have signed free agent Nicolas Batum.

According to the Orange County Register, “the 6-foot-9 Batum brings height and length on the perimeter, multi-positional defense, ball-handling and playmaking abilities, 39 games of postseason experience and, of course, he’ll be available to be signed on a minimum deal.”

And per the Los Angeles Times, “Batum is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-low 3.6 points and played 23 minutes per game, his fewest since his rookie season in 2008-09. He shot 34% overall and a career-worst 28% on three-pointers in 22 games, missing Charlotte’s final 19. Batum is just one season removed from making 38% of his threes. Yet that was the first time in five years that Batum shot better than the league average from behind the arc.”

Batum, 31, has appeared in 789 career games with averages of 11.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists over 12 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets. He appeared in 22 games for the Hornets last season with averages of 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The versatile forward has nine career triple-doubles, which is currently tied for 16th among active players. The 25th overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft, Batum has appeared in 39 career playoff games with averages of 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 29.9 minutes.

From Lisieux, France, Batum has been a member of the French National Team since 2009, representing his country in the 2012 Olympics, 2010 FIBA World Championship, 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA European Championships. He led France to a gold medal in the 2013 European Championship, a silver medal in the 2011 European Championship and bronze medals in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2015 European Championship.

Batum will wear No. 33 for the Clippers.

Hornets waive Nicolas Batum

The Charlotte Hornets have waived forward Nicolas Batum.

Charlotte originally acquired Batum from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Gerald Henderson and forward Noah Vonleh on June 24, 2015.

Batum appeared in 22 games with the Hornets during the 2019-20 season, including three starts, averaging 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 23.0 minutes per game. The 25th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Batum has appeared in 789 career games (714 starts), averaging 11.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists over twelve NBA seasons. He has seen action in 39 total playoff games (29 starts) with averages of 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists, including five playoff games with Charlotte in 2015-16. The Lisseux, France product ranks fifth in Charlotte franchise history in three-point field goals made (496) and seventh in assists (1,521).

Nicolas Batum out with serious elbow injury

Nic Batum out with elbow injury

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Nicolas Batum underwent a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) exam today which revealed a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. The injury occurred with 11:26 remaining in the first quarter of Charlotte’s preseason road contest against the Detroit Pistons last night. Treatment options are still being evaluated, but Batum is expected to miss a minimum of six to eight weeks.

According to the Charlotte Observer, “Batum signed a five-year, $120 million contract with the Hornets in July 2016. He is scheduled to make nearly $21 million this season. He averaged 15.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists last season, but shot poorly (.403 from the field and .333 from 3-point range).”

The 6-8 veteran swingman from France has averaged new career highs in points in each of his first two seasons in Charlotte. During the 2016-17 season, Batum totaled 1,164 points, 481 rebounds and 455 assists, becoming the first Charlotte player to score over 1,000 points, grab 450 rebounds and hand out over 450 assists in a single season. After a seven-year stint with Portland, Batum has averaged 15.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 34.5 minutes per game over the course of 144 games the last two seasons with the Hornets.

More from the Observer: “With Batum out, Hornets coach Steve Clifford told the Observer late Thursday afternoon he plans to turn to Jeremy Lamb as a starter.”

Nicolas Batum out with hyperextended knee

Nicolas Batum out with hyperextended knee

Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum underwent a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) today which confirmed the previous diagnosis of a hyperextended right knee. The MRI also showed that Batum withstood no structural damage to his knee.

Batum will be out for Charlotte’s game tomorrow at San Antonio and his status moving forward will be day-to-day. He suffered the injury with 4:48 remaining in the third quarter of the Hornets game at Detroit last night.

The 6-8 shooting guard is averaging career highs of 15.1 points and 5.8 assists per game, along with 7.4 rebounds per game in 36 appearances (all starts) in the 2016-17 season. In nine seasons, Batum holds career averages of 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 587 contests (534 starts).

Hornets re-sign Nicolas Batum

Nic Batum has versatile basketball skills

Hornets re-sign Nicolas Batum

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has re-signed guard/forward Nicolas Batum to a multi-year deal. The deal is reportedly a $120 million dollar contract, over five years.

“Ensuring that Nic remained in Charlotte was a top priority for us this offseason and we are thrilled that he has re-signed with us,” Cho said. “Nic brings versatility, skill and playmaking to our roster that complements all of our players and played a significant role in our playoff berth in 2015-16. We are excited to continue to build on what we’ve accomplished with Nic as a Hornet.”

Batum appeared and started in 70 games with the Hornets in 2015-16, averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 35.0 minutes per game. In his eighth NBA season, he posted career highs in points per game, assists per game and field goals made per game and was one of only six qualified players in the NBA to average at least 14 points, six rebounds and five assists during the season, along with Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, James Harden, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. Batum earned his first Eastern Conference Player of the Week award last season, earning the accolade for games played from Nov. 9-15.

The guard/forward from Lisieux, France, totaled 1,046 points, 428 rebounds and 403 assists during the 2015-16 NBA season, becoming only the fourth player in Charlotte NBA history to tally 1,000 points, 400 rebounds and 400 assists in a single season (Baron Davis – 2000-01, Jamal Mashburn – 2000-01 and Anthony Mason – 1996-97). In addition, he became the first Charlotte player since Davis in 2000-01 to post multiple triple-doubles in a single season, doing so on Dec. 9 vs. Miami and March 29 vs. Philadelphia.

Charlotte originally acquired Batum from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Gerald Henderson and forward Noah Vonleh on June 24, 2015. The 25th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Batum has appeared in 551 games (498 starts), averaging 11.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists over eight NBA seasons. He has seen action in 39 total playoff games (29 starts) with averages of 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists, including five playoff games with Charlotte in 2015-16.

Batum has been a member of the French National Team since 2009, representing his country in the 2012 Olympics, 2010 FIBA World Championship, 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA European Championships. He led France to a gold medal in the 2013 European Championship, a silver medal in the 2011 European Championship and bronze medals in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2015 European Championship. He is currently competing with the national team in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Nic Batum gets triple-double vs Sixers

The Philadelphia 76ers are technically an NBA team, so no matter what you think of their roster, getting a triple-double against them is still a solid achievement. Here’s the Charlotte Observer reporting:

Nic Batum gets triple-double vs Sixers

Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford hasn’t always thought his team scored in the lane enough this season.

Tuesday they sure did, pummeling the shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers in the paint for a 100-85 victory at Wells Fargo Center.

This victory get the Hornets ever closer to their third playoff berth since the NBA returned to Charlotte in 2004.

Small forward Nic Batum (19 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists) completed his second triple-double as a Hornet and center Cody Zeller had a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article68919517.html#storylink=cpy