Batum Says He'll Play In World Championships this summer. Should he? - I Am A Trail Blazers Fan - Message Boards - Team

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caseyholdahl
Posts: 246

Posted 05/17/2010 11:13 AM
According to FIBA.com, Nicolas Batum is going to play for Team France this summer at the 2010 World Championships in Turkey. After conversations I had with Nic, I'm not really surprised by the decision, but I thought the combination of his shoulder injury and both Tony Parker and Ronny Turiaf not playing for Les Bleus might sway his decision. Sounds like he's going to go ahead and play anyway.

Hard to imagine the French being able to win the World Championships without Parker and Turiaf, but it's possible that they could still medal. Parker being out all but assures that Rodrigue Beaubois takes on a much greater role as he moves in as starting PG. Beaubois, who was stuck playing behind Jason Kidd and (for some unknown reason) Jose Barea this season in Dallas, is primed to blow up as soon as he gets minutes. I would expect this summer to be his official coming out party.

Not sure if Mickael Pietrus is going to play this time around, as he missed EuroBasket with a fractured wrist, but if he does, that helps counteract the absense of Parker and Turiaf. Beaubois, Batum, Pietrus, Boris Diaw and whoever takes Turiaf's minutes in the middle comprises a legit starting 5. Having Joakim Noah, who hasn't seemed all that interested in playing for Les Bleus, at center would give the French a starting 5 that would rival the Spanish (playing without Pau) for second best in the world behind Team USA. Assuming they all show up, the French also have NBAers Alexis Ajinca and Johan Petro to clog the middle, though they might be better off going with guys like Ali Tarore or Ali Koffi. Neither are as physically gifted as Ajinca or Petro, but both had nice runs of play in EuroBasket.

So even without Parker and Turiaf, the French have a chance. But my question to you is this: is it worth the risk to have Batum play? Nic was adamant that his shoulder would be fine by time the Worlds get started at the end of August and another summer of high-level competition would surely do him good, but the prospect of another season with Batum on the bench for the first 40 games is too scary to think about.

The French are serious longshot to win gold without Parker and Turiaf. Obviously Nic takes on a leadership role on Les Bleus with both those guys out of the picture, which is great for his maturation. But again, is the reward greater than the risk?

(I should point out that Nicolas is well within his rights to do whatever he chooses, and the team has already said they'll support whatever decision he makes.)

I am a fan of

DHawes22
Posts: 6481

Posted 05/17/2010 11:25 AM
I'm torn on this subject. On one hand, he'll come back to the Blazers better than ever, because he'll be "the guy" on the French team, meaning he'll get more plays ran for him and able to work on more aspects of his game against high-level competition, but there is the chance he gets banged up again, which happened last summer. I really don't want him playing unless his shoulder is 110% healed, because in my opinion at least, he is one of the top 3 most important Blazers on the floor. If he's out, there goes our perimeter defense and 3 point shooting. The potential for this kid is through the roof, so I think he could get better just playing in summer runs but you can't fault a player wanting to play for their country. It boils down to his shoulder. If the Doc says its good to go, its good enough for me.

I am a fan of

ClydeFrog
Posts: 975

Posted 05/17/2010 12:24 PM
No, No, and HECK NO! Do not even risk it Nico! This isn't even the Olympics. Please rest up and get healthy. The Blazers are the ones cutting your check, not France, so you must take care of your body in the offseason. If he gets hurt again, we will never hear the end of this. Batum is one of my favortie players and if he has to miss another half of a season, it will be a devastating loss.

I am a fan of Watching Elliot Williams Take Flight!

somanluna
Posts: 3

Posted 05/17/2010 1:24 PM
I get that both Nic and Rudy (he is still on the team, hasn't requested a trade and is playing in the World's also ...) want to play for their countries. I don't mind Rudy playing since he's fine physically but needs a serious confidence boost that playing with the Spanish National Team will provide but Nic is nursing a very similar injury to what he had last year going into the Eurobasket. I just worry a LOT that he's going to end up sitting on the bench in a suit with his arm in a sling just like at the beginning of this season and so I wish he wouldn't do it. If I were KP and McMillan I would make him get another MRI and make sure he's doing what he needs to do to take care of it and when the deadline to commit comes up decide based on his situation.

I am a fan of staying healthy

DHawes22
Posts: 6481

Posted 05/17/2010 3:27 PM
I just read somewhere that there is 3 months until the World Championships, so I definitely think his shoulder should be cleared and ready to go in 3 months. Plus he is well rested from not having to play half the year, so by all means, if you're shoulder is ready to go, go play ball for your country Nico! Ball players play ball during the summer, there's nothing that can stop them from getting hurt. The only thing you don't want is your guy going out there already banged and bruised up and re-aggravating it.

I am a fan of

RipCityRevival
Posts: 683

Posted 05/17/2010 5:14 PM
Yeah, I totally agree. I respect his decision a LOT. I personally have a lot of national pride, but true national pride isn't common in the USA so most sports fans don't understand what he's going through. He sees it as an honor, a priviledge, and a civic duty to go play ball for his country. It's amazing, we are the country that goes around claiming "democracy" but when it comes down to a true domocratic election we are one of the countries with the lowest turn out percentages. That just illustrates the low level of patriotism we really have. I commend Rudy and Batum for demonstrating the love they have for their country and I wish our kids had more examples of that from our US atheletes outside of Soccer.

I am a fan of #20 in the rafters, but #1 in our hearts and prayers...The Enforcer

RipCityRevival
Posts: 683

Posted 05/17/2010 5:14 PM
Yeah, I totally agree. I respect his decision a LOT. I personally have a lot of national pride, but true national pride isn't common in the USA so most sports fans don't understand what he's going through. He sees it as an honor, a priviledge, and a civic duty to go play ball for his country. It's amazing, we are the country that goes around claiming "democracy" but when it comes down to a true domocratic election we are one of the countries with the lowest turn out percentages. That just illustrates the low level of patriotism we really have. I commend Rudy and Batum for demonstrating the love they have for their country and I wish our kids had more examples of that from our US atheletes outside of Soccer.

I am a fan of #20 in the rafters, but #1 in our hearts and prayers...The Enforcer

EthanMoney
Posts: 301

Posted 05/17/2010 6:35 PM
I don't really follow your thoughts of nationalism in our country being low. Also Patriotism and political elections are very different topics and I for one don't think that is a valid correlation. But this is an NBA forum and more importantly a BLAZER forum so back on topic....I Would like to see Nico not play simply because he is coming off an injury and almost a re-injury. BUT I would not blame him for doing it and wont think badly of him in anyway.

I am a fan of

BriBri825
Posts: 17

Posted 05/17/2010 10:08 PM
i think that as long as Nic's shoulder is 100% by the time he starts playing then he should be fine. from what i remember, last summer he played on it hurt, which is what made it worse. so as long as he's healthy to start with, i say he should play! otherwise, cool it until training camp. but of course, it's up to Nic no matter what we say. :)

I am a fan of staying healthy and being a dark horse in the west!

shuttlesworth
Posts: 23

Posted 05/20/2010 7:18 AM
HE NEEDS TO PLAY. It is a great honor to play ball for your home country. I understand that some people worry about his shoulder, but like it was said before...he can also get injured in training, or playin in france with his friends on the court..you can't stop a ballplayer playin ball...so Nic - GO FOR IT!!!

another "pro batum for france"...I want to see him play in turkey, 'cause I'm going to be there as well!!!

I am a fan of this awesome development during the last years !!! GO BLAZERS !!!

Kassandra
Posts: 448

Posted 05/22/2010 2:03 PM
Nicolas is a basketball player. it's what he does and it's in his blood. yes, there is a risk of injury, but i also think playing in the championships will make him a better player. while the competition is not up to par with the nba, we want him to keep basketball on the forefront of his mind and keep him in the flow of the game. i think we also want him to to be in the best mindset possible going into next season. allowing him to play for his country will give him that. i only wish the world championships were televised on a network i received so i could watch him play.

~ Kassandra

I am a fan of my team fighting to win each and every game.

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