Barely three months after his transfer to Philadelphia, Nicolas Batum seems to have integrated perfectly into his new team. Saturday, he will already play his thirtieth game with the 76ers, in Denver. “I’m just trying to play my game, adapt and make sure the machine runs well”he explained this Friday, during a videoconference interview with several French media.
Before the Prime time poster between the Sixers of Joel Embiid to the Nuggets of Nikola Jokicat 11:30 p.m. in France, on BeIN Sports and NBA League Pass, the captain of the Blues opened up about his transition alongside the reigning MVP, about his potential retirement at the end of the year and about Victor Wembanyama.
BasketSession : Since you arrived in Philadelphia, you seem to be in your element. Can you tell us how your integration into your new team is going?
Nicolas Batum : It’s quite simple. My style of play is not very complicated, I don’t ask for anything. I’m not one to demand systems or plays, or complain if I don’t hit certain stats. My stats vary from match to match, my play depends on the match and what is happening around me. This is also why I play a lot. I’m that “glue guy”, as they say here. So I’m just trying to play my game, adapt and make sure the machine runs well.
I have a good connection with Joel Embiid, I also try to adapt to Tyrese Maxey, talk with them to see what they want and what I can do. I have a very good relationship with Nick Nurse. He trusts me and makes me play a lot in big matches. I’m still 35 years old, so he trusts me in many aspects of the game. I’m at a point in my career where I can’t do everything I used to do, but I can still do a lot of things to my age. It helps me fit into a team like this, especially since it’s very easy to play basketball when you’re surrounded by such good players.
The Sixers are considered a title contender this season. What are your strengths and what makes you a contender?
Already, we have a “one-two punch”, which is important for a team that wants to go far. Joel Embiid is an established player, while Tyrese Maxey is breaking out and should be an All-Star. In any case, I hope he is, he absolutely deserves it. We have a lot of good players around, substitutes who know their role, a coach who was recently an NBA champion and a large fanbase, who makes matches difficult for the opponents. We have all the ingredients to have a great season. Several teams can claim something, but we know that we are one of them. Now, it’s not about saying it, it’s about doing it on the ground. It needs to be confirmed.
” I’m not asking for anything. I’m not one to demand systems or plays, or complain if I don’t hit certain stats. »
On Monday, he scored 70 points. Can you tell us about this match that you experienced from the front row?
To be part of a match like this is incredible. 70 points doesn’t necessarily happen often. Seeing this in the foreground, at first, we don’t really realize it. Five minutes from the end of the third quarter, I saw he was at 50 points. I didn’t notice it was already there! It also shows how “ordinary” it becomes to see it hit like that. In this case, we had a certain lead and we tried to help him, because it’s an important brand, and he deserved it. It’s impressive to be on the right side of a performance like that. He’s having a huge season.
He decided to represent Team USA in international competitions. What does this mean for the France team and for the United States selection next summer?
He made his choice, so we never really talked about it. It doesn’t change in any way the relationship I have with him, the friendship between him and me, we get along very well. We often play together on the pitch, we sit side by side in the locker room, we often talk to each other. I often say that [les Américains] don’t need that, they’re strong enough as it is. But adding such a weapon can only be a bonus for the team – unfortunately for the others.
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Opposite Embiid, when he scored his 70 points, was Victor Wembanyama. How did you feel about putting yourself more on the French side?
He hasn’t taken all these points, but I think it’s a great learning experience for him, because it shows the path he still has to go. These kinds of matches also show his strength of character. A lot of players could have given up, but he didn’t. I didn’t see him lower his head once. I didn’t see him back down once. He went back every time. I really respect him for that. Joel is a physical and technical monster, but Victor’s potential is perhaps greater. It’s undeniable.
“Victor Wembanyama is in a class above the rest. »
Do you have any doubt that he is Rookie of the Year?
No. He is in a class above the rest. I know there’s the duel with Chet Holmgren, I watched the game against Oklahoma City. It’s true that he’s having a huge season, with a collective record well above that, it’s extraordinary. But as a Frenchman, I choose Wemby, because he has more pressure and what he shows is crazy. In five years, when he is 25, what will that look like? It’s going to be amazing. Even now it’s crazy, especially with limited play time. When we compare him with David Robinson or Blake Griffin, who played 36 or 38 minutes, I tell myself that if we left that much to Victor, he would have 25 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks. And here, we’re talking about the statistics of a confirmed All-Star.
You had hinted that you would retire at the end of the season. What are the reasons that would push you to stop?
I have plenty of reasons why I want to quit that I keep to myself. Today, I prefer to concentrate on what I do. It’s going very well here in Philadelphia, so I’m not going to worry about it.
I can already focus on tomorrow, in Denver, with a big match to play and win. It’s going to be a great battle between two more monsters (Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic) and two good teams. So that’s what I’m focusing on. [Ma retraite] we’ll see later.
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2024-01-26 23:42:00
#integration #Sixers #impressions #Victor #Wembanyama
