Charlotte Hornets Round Table Discussion: Schedule Edition
5. Switching gears a bit, but what do you think of Nicolas Batum’s play in the Rio Olympics?
Jerry Stephens: Nic Batum has struggled mightily in Olympic play this summer. He may be playing within the team and helping them win but he has had trouble shooting the ball. Batum also got paid $125 million this offseason so I think that he should be dominating international players in Rio. He still has time to turn things around. The Olympics are no indication of regular season play. But I’m sure Charlotte Hornets’ fans would like to see him play better.
Luke Spencer: To be honest, it’s not all that surprising. Batum played pretty good against the United States, but has otherwise been a non-factor in Olympic games. With the Hornets, Batum would have two or three games in a row where he would look like a world-beater and then put up an absolute stinker in which he would commit multiple turnovers and miss seven out of eight shots. A lot of times it was a rinse-and-repeat type deal with him.
I am in no means trying to degrade Batum; I know that he dealt with a lingering toe injury through most of the season, so that played some part into it as well. On paper however, France has one of the more talent-stacked teams in the Olympic field along with Spain and Australia and maybe he’s just trying to get his groove back after the offseason. Batum’s a very talented player.
Laieke Abebe: Batum hasn’t been great in these Rio games but has time to bounce back. France qualified for the knockout round despite losing to the USA in their last preliminary game. It was a much better performance but it wasn’t enough for France to get a medal in the Olympics. Batum has to find his groove going into camp.
Gamaliel Panuyas: Batum’s play in the Rio Olympics is underwhelming. Even in the Olympic qualifiers, he was not a huge factor for France. He should be playing better basketball right now. He needs to re-establish himself as one of the better players on the international scene. Showcasing his talents in Rio would be huge for his country, him and the fanbase.
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Max Seng: Doug Collins said it best on the broadcast when France played the United States, Batum is a guy you have to keep involved, or else he’ll drift in and out of the game. That’s not to say that he’s a head case or a selfish player. His demeanor is so laid back that if he doesn’t get his touches, he often won’t seek out his own. In other words, him and Russell Westbrook are two very different dudes.
He’s not unlike his French teammate Boris Diaw, a guy who flopped in Charlotte earlier but has experienced a resurgence in San Antonio as a point forward. Batum needs to be a focal point, and when he is, he can be really good. He can do anything and everything on the court, but ask him to do just one, i.e. make him a spot up shooter, he’ll play far below his ability.