Sep 26

I wasn't able to fit everything into my story about Nicolas Batum's summer and subsequent return to Portland, so I thought I'd post some of the more interesting quotes from Nic that didn't make the cut.

On getting back to work at the team's practice facility:

"This morning, my first practice, I got here at 8 in the morning because I want to be ready for this year. I talk with Bobby Medina and try to program my routine for this season for the next five, six weeks. I know LA is going to be the go-to guy, but I know I have to be there with Damian and Wes. We've got to be those four guys you can count on all year long. I know I'll have to be the No. 2 guy, and when LA is down, I have to be the No. 1 guy sometimes."

On the arc of his career in Portland:

"I've been here four years now. I start as a rookie, I have to be the guy who just plays defense. Next year I got more things. That's the way it should be now. I've been four years now and I tried to work out every year to be here."

On what he expects from himself this season:

"To just say, 'I just want to make the NBA, sit on the bench, role player.' If I can be the No. 1, No. 2 option, yeah, why not? Why not? That's what I want to be. That's why I play this game. That's why I'm in the NBA. I've got to work harder every day to be better and to show to people, to this city and this organization that you can trust me and it was a good choice (to match Minnesota's offer)."

On the new additions to the Trail Blazers roster:

"Different this year because we've got a lot of new faces. I don't really know anybody! But it's fun. I kind of like it. It's exciting. I can't wait to start the season."

On the new rookies:

"Meyers is a tough guy, very strong guy, set some good screens. He reminds me of Joel Przybilla a little bit. The Euro guys, Victor and Joel, I know them already. I like this group. New start, fresh group. It's going to be different this year. I like it."