Official Thread: Nicolas Batum

[admin]

Nicolas Batum, SF
17 years old 6'7" 185 lbs.
Le Mans Sarthe Basket, International

Check out the complete profile at: Full Profile (http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=537)

[xtf]

check out a clip of him on my page

[coachjon]

i think batum will be a top 5 pick in 2008 and will become a good second star on a team. he is very agile, good wingspan, is very skilled, high basketball IQ, competitive, is a team oriented player, clutch, good court vision, able to create for others, good offensive player (can hit 3 and has midrange game), quick, athletic, lots of potential. he needs to add some weight/strength, needs more experience at a high level.

[wombat6802]

He's got to put it together first... He'll need a great year to hit top-5 by '08. however, he is young, and if he is able to start consistantly putting together big games. He'll definitely be there.

[xtf]

Batum with an MVP performance tonight in the first game of the Tournoi des As in France. He finished with 12pts 5rebs 4asts and 4stls

[ecuhus]

Well, it looks as though he will not elect to declare for this year's draft. Rumor, but I thought I'd share:

http://www.nbadraft.net/draftbuzz069.asp

He'd have been a great bargain to some team if he had fell outside of the top 10, which is probably what he was hearing from the majority of teams. Top 5 in '08? I don't know, with Gordon, Rose, Mayo, Beasley, Collison, Jordan, Budinger and others. He really could be spinning his wheels as far as draft position, but if his Club has assured him of lots of playing time, it may work in his favor over the long-term.

[coachjon]

i think he could improve his stock this year assuring himself a top 10 pick next year and depending on what he does and what these high school guys do in college move into the top 3 to 5 range. i mean if one of these high school guys gets exposed at the next level and people start thinking he is not as good as he was hyped up to be guys could slip down because right now on most mocks unproven high school guys are at the top in 2008.

[nextstar1019]

i think its a smart choice to stay in france one more year before entering the nba draft

[ghettosermon]

IMO he would have been the first SG taken this year if he stayed.

[wombat6802]

I think that also, but it is good that he's going to have a chance to work on his consistancy/let teams see that he is still a raw game player despite his incredible amount of talent. That will allow him to not be overrated going into the NBA and reduce the immense pressure that the NBA puts on high-rated/highly drafted foreign players. I really like his decision. The money will always be there for a guy like Batum.

[jwfish6]

but it is good that he's going to have a chance to work on his consistancy/let teams see that he is still a raw game player despite his incredible amount of talent.

I dont think there is anyway around it: Batum made a mistake by pulling out. There is no way he would of slipped out of the lottery. The perfect example is Bellineli. The only thing Batum needed was one special event to throw him into the lottery and he passed it up: the Hoop Summit. He was in the lottery for sure. Now, whether is flops or whether he becomes even better, he will be doing it without the money.

When I hear someone say he is with the French team in Douai and missing the Eurocamp because he doesnt want a bad performance there to ruin his stock, it has the raise questions and open the door for disaster.

He should have gotten drafted and then stayed in Europe for a few years. That way whether he turns out or if he doesn't, he has already been drafted.

By the way, what the hell is up with Fran Vasquez deciding he never wanted to come over to the states after being drafted. That is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard. The Magic GM that drafted him along with his agent both deserve to be banned from basketball. And they should gie Vasquez a much longer NBA ban than they have Donovan.

[NY78]

Nicolas Batum will be high lottery pick in 2008. Why would Batum want to particpate in the Treviso Eurocamp? Next year's draft class will have a ton of undeveloped sophmores and freshman at the top of the draft. Beasley, Mayo, and Rose are the top prospects with Batum; after them the other lottery pots are up for grabs. He doesn't have anyhthing to gain by going to the Eurocamp this year. If he stayed in the draft and looked terrible at the Eurocamp might have been a mid to late first round pick. Batum is not Bellinelli; I guarantee he will be drafted in the first round. His game is built for the NBA. He has great athleticism and wingspan. The NBA is built on athleticism. Expect for Nash, and a few other players, the majority of the best players in the NBA are great athletes. Batum will be one of Le Mans key players next year. He also should gain atleast 5 to 10 more pounds next year.
With his added experience and weight he should have a great Eurocamp.

[coachjon]

Looked good in Douai and could be a top 5 pick next year off potential he is still a ways from being ready to contribute at the NBA level (but a lot can change over a year). his basement should be a roleplaying starter and his cieling borderline franchise player/all star.

Should impact the NBA as a qucik athletic point wing that can shoot the ball.
Career 11pts 5reb 3ast 1stl 1blk Prime 16pts 6reb 5ast 2stl 1blk Rookie 4pts 2reb 1stl.

[NY78]

Almost all the prospects in the 2008 draft will be drafted on potential. He can easily average 10 to 12 points in his rookie season. It depends on how many minutes he gets in his first year. He should easily average 23 pts in his prime. Boris Diaw could average 16 pts a game; if he was on another team. His basement is being a number 3 option. I say again his game is built for the NBA. Batum has the talent to be a franchise player/superstar. If he works hard on his body conditioning. Batum should make an immediate impact. If he is a role playing starter or number 3 option; he will be a big disappointment. He will be a scorer in the NBA. His coach will make him a scorer. He can shoot the three, and can create his on shot any time he wants. He has a unguardable first step. When a GM drafts somone with his talent in the top 5 of the draft; they think thier pick will at worst become an allstar caliber player.

[Toxicity]

What's your point for Belinelli? I doubt Marco needed really to play in the Reebok Eurocamp... he's well known among scouts and he's the euro prospect with the most experience at high level (4 Euroleague seasons played since he was 17)... a totally different thing from Batum (whose game is based almost totally on potential right now). And despite this (few experience at pro level, etc), Nicolas is known as well among scouts. So i don't think he needed to join the Eurocamp... next year will likely be his year.

[nextstar1019]

i dont think that he made a mistake not being in the draft this year...he will be taken higher next year and make more money and he didnt get a whole lot of time with his team in france, le mans, a could definetly use another year to develop

[NY78]

Toxiccity's point is that Bellinelli should entered the draft several years ago. This year's class is strong and he would have got drafted higher in the past drafts. The Euroleague is not the NBA. Many people compare him to Manu we, will see. Batum dominates member's of his age group. You people don't get why Batum is so highly thought of by NBA types? It's his phyiscal gifts athleticism and wingspan. Adam Morrison was a top 5 pick a year; he cannot cut it as an NBA player offensively or defensively. He just doesn't have NBA level foot speed or quickeness to be effect. Batum has all the tools to be great player, but no Euro pro level experience. I think GMs want to mold him. They wouldn,t want him stay in Europe to long maybe a year. Diaw and Pietrus have pro league experience and they are disappointments. Diaw should be a better player than what he is. Pietrus is a good player, but he should better. He needs to be on a team that can show his talents.

[Toxicity]

Toxiccity's point is that Bellinelli should entered the draft several years ago. This year's class is strong and he would have got drafted higher in the past drafts. The Euroleague is not the NBA. Many people compare him to Manu we, will see.

Several? He has 4 Euroleague years of experience but just last year he was so high among scouts (he played well and as starter). So i could somewhat agree with you: if he entered last year he would have been a lottery pick (see Sefolosha who has less talent, picked at 13th)... BTW he's not like Manu, he's a better shooter but, although improved, he's not at Ginobili's level regarding slashing abilities and handles.

Batum dominates member's of his age group. You people don't get why Batum is so highly thought of by NBA types? It's his phyiscal gifts athleticism and wingspan. Adam Morrison was a top 5 pick a year; he cannot cut it as an NBA player offensively or defensively. He just doesn't have NBA level foot speed or quickeness to be effect. Batum has all the tools to be great player, but no Euro pro level experience. I think GMs want to mold him. They wouldn,t want him stay in Europe to long maybe a year. Diaw and Pietrus have pro league experience and they are disappointments. Diaw should be a better player than what he is. Pietrus is a good player, but he should better. He needs to be on a team that can show his talents.

Yeah, probably Batum is more suited for the NBA... who knows. Morrison was a top 3 pick in a draft (a wrong pick) with less talent than this year's... Batum could have gone in the lottery this year but if he'll play consistent minutes next year (like Gallinari will likely be in Milan) he can gain Top 10 consideration thanks to his upside and improved experience. Time will tell if he was right...

[NY78]

Batum will be one of Le Mans key players next year. His game is more suited for the NBA. He will probably get drafted in the a 3-5 range. GMs love him, they see him as a safe pick. He plays the game like a American player.
The NBA game involves a ton of isolation one on one play. I just don't see how he want be in the top ten next year. He is the top SF in the draft. He has much more footspeed than Chase Budinger. Budinger has a much better shot, but he will have trouble guarding NBA players. Batum game is moe advanced than Donte Greene's. Gallinari should be a top 15 pick. He will probably get drafted in the a 3-5 range. GMs love him, they see him as a safe pick. He plays the game like a American player. If he can get drafted in the top ten this year; he want drop out of the top 6 next year. This year's class is much stronger with more developed and experienced players at the college level. The word (potential) will said many times in next year's draft. Look at next year's prospects. Some of the top incoming freshman prospects could have bad years' and be drafted in the lottery.

[Yezsyr]

I think your underestimating how good this kid will be Coach. Based on potential he's a top 3 pick, with Rose and Beasley, but unlike Beasley, his attitude isn't in question. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and works hard and seems to make the right decisions when it comes to his future. His upper body strength need some help so that he can use his great leaping ability to finish around the rim more. Has fantastic passing ability and can handle the ball very well for a 6'8" guy. He could be one of the best European wings ever, his potential is that great.

His upside to me is TMac this year, not quite as explosive, but smooth, agile and able to find his teammates almost at will. Basement is Boris Diaw, with the midrange at about Jalen Rose.
Career: 16pt, 4reb, 4ass, 1.5st
High: 21pts, 6reb, 6ass, 2stl

[Sed]

The only thing he lacks is attitude.. sometimes you just want to hit him!

He is so well developed on all the other aspects of the game it's almost scary. Yesterday against the USA he could've done so much more but used every drive to kick it out to his teammates. his courtvision when it comes to passing is great. But on a couple occasions he should've gone for the simple lay-in. And still his statline is impressive.

On one occasion he snatched a rebound over the top of Michael Beasley, landed perfectly and scored the easy putback over the top of M.B.

[mintz-one]

lol why does it say worst case senario:andre igoudala lol andre is far from a bust

[coachjon]

if they have iggy as his basement then they must think batum is the real deal. basically they are saying with their comparisons that his cieling is a borderline franchise player and his basement is complimentary starter.

[wombat6802]

Iggy is a complimetary starter? He looked like the Sixers' franchise player most of the second half of last year. Especially when they decided they weren't going to tank.

[coachjon]

so far iggy's overall career can be averaged out to a complimentary starter level in my eyes.

[Hitster]

AI2 hasn't made an All Star game yet and the way the Coach rates players, complimentary starter is one level down from a borderline All Star then All Star then Franchise Player. So AI2 has got 3 rungs to go up to become a Franchise Player, if he gets an All Star game say once in the next couple of years he becomes a borderline All Star. A regular choice for the All Star game is classed as an All Star and a Franchise Player is a year in year out All Star who also pushes for first or 2nd Team NBA Honours or Best Defensive Player with the ultimate upside being voted MVP.

[mintz-one]

iggy i think could possibly make maybe 2-3 all star games in his career in my opinion

[Hitster]

He has the ability to get some All Star games no doubt but so do a lot of guys out East like Deng, Wallace, Butler etc. Assuming that LeBron will be a default All Star for most of his career as an undoubted Franchise Player and the likes of Carter, Pierce also likely to be considered for the SF role for the next few years with established borderline All Stars like Rashard Lewis and Richard Jefferson from the more established SF's. The younger generationhave yet to really sort out their long term pecking order from complimentary starter upwards but all have All Star potential until proven otherwise.

The one thing that AI2 could have in his favour is that with AI gone he has become the default best player on the team and so has no-one in his way to stop him making a run at being a Franchise Player. Butler has Arenas and possibly Jamison ahead of him, Wallace has Okafor, Deng has some very strong teammates, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams are surrounded by young talent. Philly now look as if they will rebuild around AI2 with Miller as the playmaker and Dalambert as the main frontcourter complimented by their younger recent draftees.

Even maxing out AI2 they will still have potentially around $20 million to play with before they hit luxury tax level next summer so Philly have got a chance to maybe bring in some more quality apart from what they can draft next year. With the 2008 draft being very PG heavy, they may take the chance to get a young guy in behind Miller who they can develop from the bench. Philly could sneak a play-off birth or be a mid to late lottery team so they may well pick in the 10 to 18 range can get a shot at a nice young talent. If they happen to struggle after the immediate post AI bounce they can regroup and maybe get one of the top talents on board who would compliment AI2 and the other youngsters.