Posted 08/08/2012 12:02 PM

This was totally Batum, he disappears in the game and gets frustrated and throws a cheap shot. Not bad for our new $11m player.

Posted 08/08/2012 12:15 PM

Finally some toughness out of him. Plus he got ball before balls. 

Posted 08/08/2012 1:04 PM

Nice character guy. Real mature.

Posted 08/08/2012 1:28 PM

Apology tweet by Batum

 I want to apologize for my stupid act at the end, I showed a bad image of France and myself, Congrats to team Spain.

Posted 08/08/2012 2:00 PM

I am more mad that he appologized

Posted 08/08/2012 2:45 PM

Lol, cmeese. I kind of agree.

It was just a REALLY hard reaching foul, right? I'm sure he didn't care that he hit the jewels, but it doesn't look like he was specifically aiming for them either.

Didn't LaMarcus take a swing at Perkins last year? He missed, so he wasn't scrutinized... hell, he was praised for going toe-to-toe with a tough big. Just because Batum lands his punch, he's somehow a worse person than EVERY other NBA player that has tried to hit an opponent? That's fair.

Posted 08/08/2012 3:01 PM

Posted By D_pickett on 08/08/2012 2:45 PM
Lol, cmeese. I kind of agree.

It was just a REALLY hard reaching foul, right? I'm sure he didn't care that he hit the jewels, but it doesn't look like he was specifically aiming for them either.

Didn't LaMarcus take a swing at Perkins last year? He missed, so he wasn't scrutinized... hell, he was praised for going toe-to-toe with a tough big. Just because Batum lands his punch, he's somehow a worse person than EVERY other NBA player that has tried to hit an opponent? That's fair.

Yes LA did hit Perkns but he is a hell of a lot Ball Payer than Batum.  LA Plays & Scores consitently so he can get away with it and people call him a great player as he does not take crap from anyone.  Does Batum no?  Baum is going to be under the micropse this season more than anyone becuase of how he and his agent held Portland Hostage.

Posted 08/08/2012 3:27 PM

Honestly if there was ever a situation where something like this would even be close to acceptable, it would be in an international game against Spain... in any sport. As a Bayern Munich soccer fan and someone that watches a lot of international sports, I have watched Spanish players act softer than most international female sports players. The way the Spanish conduct their business on the pitch, court, or any other playing surface is downright disrespectful to the game. I have no idea how they maintain any sense of personal pride. To make it worse, much of their acting and flopping directly impacts the outcome of games. I should clarify and state that while Spain is the main culprit of this type of unsportsmanlike play, the fake-to-win mentality pervades almost every Spanish-speaking country. While it is never acceptable to hit someone below the belt, or to hit someone at all, I would much rather see my player lashing out in aggressive emotion than acting like a little b****. It's nice to see Batum actually giving a care, even if it was because he was provoked by a Spanish player with the sportsmanship qualities of a child. 

Posted 08/08/2012 3:45 PM

The Spanish are so good at flopping Batum probably got all ball and everyone makes him out to be a bad guy. Navarro flopped and if not at least Spain took one legit foul in this game. 

Posted 08/08/2012 5:07 PM

Posted By BlazerManiac on 08/08/2012 3:01 PM

Posted By D_pickett on 08/08/2012 2:45 PM
Lol, cmeese. I kind of agree.

It was just a REALLY hard reaching foul, right? I'm sure he didn't care that he hit the jewels, but it doesn't look like he was specifically aiming for them either.

Didn't LaMarcus take a swing at Perkins last year? He missed, so he wasn't scrutinized... hell, he was praised for going toe-to-toe with a tough big. Just because Batum lands his punch, he's somehow a worse person than EVERY other NBA player that has tried to hit an opponent? That's fair.

Yes LA did hit Perkns but he is a hell of a lot Ball Payer than Batum.  LA Plays & Scores consitently so he can get away with it and people call him a great player as he does not take crap from anyone.  Does Batum no?  Baum is going to be under the micropse this season more than anyone becuase of how he and his agent held Portland Hostage.

I'll agree that LA's game is way more respectable than Batum's. There's no comparison when it comes to basketball skill. But I fail to see how that applies to fighting on the court. Are you saying better players are allowed to hit opponents simply because they have a better stat line? That's fundamentally insane, man. By that logic, LeBron could stab someone in the kidney for a small fine, and Luke Walton would be lynched for a flagrant foul...

Posted 08/08/2012 5:40 PM

It actually is not that insane look at how many calls Lebron gets a game just aggressively running over someone there is a huge disparity in the league simple as that.

Posted 08/08/2012 5:50 PM

so how did spain's flopping keep france from scoring a basket in the last 5 minutes? that nut shot was pathetic. i could respect a hard shove but going for the jewels is too far. poor sportsmanship on nico's part.

Posted 08/08/2012 5:55 PM

Hard shove can cause serious injury nut shots fade after a few mins

Posted 08/08/2012 6:19 PM

i'd rather see something along the lines of when andre miller knocked blake griffin on his ass. even that would be an over-reaction in batum's case. frustration does not justify a nut punch.

Posted 08/08/2012 6:37 PM

Nic just got a new nickname: "The Squirrel" ... always protect your nuts. 

Posted 08/08/2012 6:47 PM

I do like the Squirrel

Posted 08/08/2012 6:47 PM

Posted By Tobyus Sanchezo on 08/08/2012 6:37 PM

Nic just got a new nickname: "The Squirrel" ... always protect your nuts. 

Yea I can hear the chants at the Rose Garden, Squirrel, Squirrel, Squirrel, Squirrel, Squirrel, Squirrel, Squirrel.





That would drive Nic Nuts.   Or how about this name 'NicNuts"?

Posted 08/08/2012 9:07 PM

I'm not even sure what to make of this...on one hand I like that he actually showed some emotion. On the other hand, another mans jewels? At least do a subtle tap or something!

Posted 08/08/2012 9:33 PM

That should be Nic's new thing for the first few games he should slap people in the junk. Then whenever he would go for steals people would get scared and cover up he could average 10 steals a game. Of course he would need to continue random nut taps throughout the year to keep up the fear.

Posted 08/08/2012 9:48 PM

if anybody deserved a punch in the nuts, it was spain.  my only regret is that rudy wasn't the recipient. what a tool.  i wanted to vomit watching slow mo of him getting tapped and flying in to the stands and making a big production out of it on the floor.  then the coaching staff going crazy calling for flagrants.  turiaff barely hip tapped him and he went flying in to the press table.  not impressed with spain or their antics. go russia. better yet. go spain so we can crush them.

Posted 08/08/2012 10:35 PM

What I liked...everything after the punch, particularly the scowl and left arm "get off a me" shove.  Toughness and emotion from ANY Blazer not named Joel, is long over due.  In all honesty, I never would have thought I'd see it from Nic.

What I didn't like...where the shot was delivered and how defenseless the target was when blow was delivered.

Posted 08/08/2012 10:44 PM

Anybody ever seen Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back? How about this for a new nick-name, Nicolas "Cocknocker" Batum. On a more serious note that was a cheap shot. There are ways to get a guy back that don't involve the reproductive organ. Like what Dre did to Blake Griffin a few years back. Or even better how about a Bruce Bowen flying ninja kick to face!Huh? That'd send a message.

Posted 08/08/2012 11:28 PM

I think Blazer fans would have loved if it had been RUDY, but honestly I am just glad Nick "tried" to make a fist before he got his new nickname "squirrel"! I would hate to see the kind of "nick" names he would have received had it been a "junk slap" instead of a punch.

And it was not a foul as he hit the big ball first! Next time swing up, hit the ball and punch to the face "Hitman" or "Squirrel"

Posted 08/09/2012 7:53 AM

i don't think its a cheap shot if he's going for the ball. and it looked to me like he was going for the ball but navarro's body was blocking his line of site.  i was very stoked to see nicolas show some emotion out there.  he could be a beast if he always played with that attitude and passion. anyway, what is cheap, is spain's attack on the integrity of the game by flying in to the stands everytime they were breathed on.  that, to me, is way more disturbing than nic borderline losing his cool and accidently punching that troll in the junk.

Posted 08/09/2012 10:16 AM

Let's be clear, he may have looked like he was going for the basketball, he may have even touched the basketball first, but his intent was to foul and foul hard. You don't swipe down with a closed first when you're trying to steal the ball. I wouldn't have minded a hard foul or even body check, similar to that of Dre vs. Blake, but you gots to stay away from that region Nic!

Posted 08/09/2012 10:26 AM

yet another reason why we should have resigned joel, he could have taught batum how to throw a punch. glad batum showed some emotion but he's always raved about playing for france, hope he brings some emotion to portland this year, and take a couple boxing lessons man.

Posted 08/09/2012 10:38 AM

Calm down Dustin the Spanish have enough children, punch away Nicolas punch away.

Posted 08/09/2012 12:03 PM

i think his primary intention was to punch the ball out of navarro's hands for the steal and if not that a foul.  they do it in football all the time to cause fumbles.  he was just throwing his fist out there with the intention to get a steal or a foul.  again, though, spain ought to be ashamed of themselves for playing such wuss ball. i can imagine the frustration batum must have been feeling by the end of that game.  he was, after all, called for a lot of those cheap fouls drawn by rudy as a result of being lightly brushed. so, really, all batum did was give them an actual reason to flop since they like flopping so much.  maybe batum's punch will deter spain from making a mockery out of the sport. 

Posted 08/10/2012 7:50 AM

Posted By jwood on 08/09/2012 12:03 PM
i think his primary intention was to punch the ball out of navarro's hands for the steal and if not that a foul.  they do it in football all the time to cause fumbles.  he was just throwing his fist out there with the intention to get a steal or a foul.  again, though, spain ought to be ashamed of themselves for playing such wuss ball. i can imagine the frustration batum must have been feeling by the end of that game.  he was, after all, called for a lot of those cheap fouls drawn by rudy as a result of being lightly brushed. so, really, all batum did was give them an actual reason to flop since they like flopping so much.  maybe batum's punch will deter spain from making a mockery out of the sport. 

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses.  Batum Lovers quit justifying a cheap shot and pathetic aploogy on twitter.  If we wants to be a leader, then he needs to step up and lead and set the exapmle.

Quit making excuses for potential. 

Posted 08/10/2012 10:08 AM

just making an observation. its amazing what slo mo on dvr will reveal, rudy flopping all over the place after zero contact,etc.  i'm not a big time batum lover. not a big fan of the contract. and his punch was excessive. just saying the spanish deserved whatever they got because of how they have cheapened the game with their cowardly, yet effective, style of play. and i like to see batum get pissed off.

Posted 08/13/2012 10:16 AM

Posted By jwood on 08/10/2012 10:08 AM
just making an observation. its amazing what slo mo on dvr will reveal, rudy flopping all over the place after zero contact,etc.  i'm not a big time batum lover. not a big fan of the contract. and his punch was excessive. just saying the spanish deserved whatever they got because of how they have cheapened the game with their cowardly, yet effective, style of play. and i like to see batum get pissed off.

completely agree, if refs dont clean up the flop calls i can't blame the players who respect the game for taking matters into their own hands. Dre was great at deciding when to take matters into his own hands.

Posted 08/13/2012 1:40 PM

I dont think anyone is defending Spain. The problem is that you can't punch dude in the junk. Is that really news to people? They teach should have taught everyone that on the schoolyard. Batum had every right to be angy, and I personally have no problem with a little retaliation. What else is going to keep players honest? There is an appropriate way to do it though. A punch to the groin of the ball handler at center court is a very poor decision, and yes A TOTAL CHEAP SHOT! I would have rather had Batum walk up and punch him in the mouth. However, flopping is completely out of control and there isn't a lot that can be done about it. The only two things I can think of is assessing T's when a ref sees a blatant flop, and players taking a little b*tch out when he wants to be all dramatic. That's what Batum did, but a 23 year old doesn't always make the best decisions in the heat of the moment when angry. I think that's something that everyone seems to forget. One thing that I really will blame on Nic is if this causes problems in the locker room. Don't forget we have a member of team Spain on our roster. 

Posted 08/13/2012 8:31 PM

Batum is straight up BOSS for what he did.  RESPECT.  The bottom line is, there is way to much flopping and bad officiating in the basketball sport.  This act by Batum was caused by frustration for too much flopping over the course of the game and he simply decided to give the officials something to blow their whistle for. Flopping ultimately takes away the creativity of a player because the referee simply sees an offensive foul...and BATUM is one of the most creative and agile players in the game..which is why BLAZERS fought so hard to keep him.  They recognize his talent.  BATUM doesn't have a history of acting out, so people should already know he is a model player, but anyone with his level of talent will eventually get tired of the unsportsmanlike conduct that most NBA players have learned to use to their advantage.  Players basically flop and manipulate the referee into giving them free calls.  Well Batum, I respect your ability to take a stance.

Posted 08/14/2012 6:29 PM

We should make a gold statu e of the notorious wang punchwith big words that say u wont like me when im angry and put it outside the rose garden to commemorate the event

Posted 08/18/2012 11:28 PM

It is ok to joke around about what Nick did but just to be the voice of honesty I have to say. Personally I hope Batum proves his worth and we win a couple titles before his current contract expires, but I am realistic, how well has he played in the Olympics? Nick has a lot to prove. I did not see what Portland paid for from Nick during his Olympic play, He played decent but average is not a max deal NBA player. I think the "punch" vs. Spain was partly the frustration of knowing he is not living up to fan and management expectations. I hope it is not true but lashing out violently is generally what players who are over matched do (Ron Artest aka M. W. P.). People say "we don't want the jailblazer era back", I think what Nick did in the Olympics was very "JAILBLAZER" and now he must overcome that act as well. I think his actions just keep putting more and more pressure on his shoulders. If the "punch" is what we paid for from Nick then wow, I will grab someone by the junk and punch what is in my fist every game of the season for that kind of a payday.

Posted 08/19/2012 2:34 PM

U guys are rediculous this was a french incident not a blazer incident

Posted 08/19/2012 2:49 PM

Posted By Sean Blaser on 08/19/2012 2:34 PM
U guys are rediculous this was a french incident not a blazer incident

It was an incident involving a current blazer, who just happened to sign a new (near max) deal. This is definitely an issue the blazers have to deal with. I will say that this is something that does happen in the Olympics but would most likely NEVER happen in the NBA. This was a closed fist punch. I cannot remember the last time that happened in the NBA. Even a few years back, right after Z-Bo's dad died, while he was in LA somebody said something to him. He cocked back and went to deck the guy. At the very last second he opened his had and basically just push his face. That is the closest thing a can remember to a punch in recent memory. Nic wasn't even ejected from that game. In the NBA that would have been and automatic ejection and a multiple game suspension. So, in that regard I'm not as concerned by his apparent lapse in judgement. Had it been in an NBA game it would have been a much, much worse decision. As it stands all he has to worry about is bad PR.

Posted 08/19/2012 4:32 PM

It was an international incident not an nba incident not condonig what he did but this is only one incident not string of many and theres been worse acts in an nba game

Posted 08/19/2012 8:40 PM

Nic allowed his agent to talk smack, Nic played along with the Timberwolves while they talked smack, Nic did not perform at a high level in the Olympics, Nic threw a punch without direct provocation, Nic had a problem with Rudy flopping and hit the wrong guy. Nic is a Portland Trailblazer and he needs to grow up and make up for the foolish actions of a 23 year old spoiled child.

Posted 08/19/2012 9:39 PM

Posted By mbmurr1 on 08/19/2012 8:40 PM
Nic allowed his agent to talk smack, Nic played along with the Timberwolves while they talked smack, Nic did not perform at a high level in the Olympics, Nic threw a punch without direct provocation, Nic had a problem with Rudy flopping and hit the wrong guy. Nic is a Portland Trailblazer and he needs to grow up and make up for the foolish actions of a 23 year old spoiled child.

POW mbmurr1 !!! Nic lost control. A clenched fist has never stolen a ball. And other than KG, who does that ? Thats just unprofessional. Nicky, you got some splainin to do. I dontt want some cheap apology, i want performance. Thats how you make it better Nic. Play your posterior off, and show us that you have a pair resembling the ones you went after. Mr. 40 whatever million dollar man. Suit up and man up boy.

Posted 08/20/2012 10:15 AM

Posted By mbmurr1 on 08/19/2012 8:40 PM
Nic allowed his agent to talk smack, Nic played along with the Timberwolves while they talked smack, Nic did not perform at a high level in the Olympics, Nic threw a punch without direct provocation, Nic had a problem with Rudy flopping and hit the wrong guy. Nic is a Portland Trailblazer and he needs to grow up and make up for the foolish actions of a 23 year old spoiled child.

If saying u preferred a place means bad mouthing then bro u gotta be probably the most sensitive dude and them reports probably werent a 100% accurate bro and he didnt punch rudy so how does a rudy confrontation have anything to do wirh this