While he announced he would likely put away his sneakers in 2024, Nicolas Batum is bracing himself for the last two years of insanity. A nominee for the NBA title with the Clippers and international medals with the Blues, the winger dreams of a successful end to his career.
“It will be the same for me”, said Nico, referring to the choice of Nando De Colo, also crossed out for the Euro. “I think Nando and I are old grandparents there. There, between the sequences of the seasons, the Olympics… This year I struggled physically. And I know there’s a great season ahead of me with the Clippers next year. […] Because we will play to get to the end. This may be my only chance where I have the opportunity to be able to do this. “
On 8 April Nicolas Batum announced to his colleagues in the First Team his intention not to participate in the EuroBasket 2022 with France. The reason ? A great recent chain between NBA seasons and international competitions and physical problems that interrupted his 2021-22 season with the Clippers. A summer off in Blue, a rare scenario for Nico Batum, who has only missed one international competition since 2009, it was EuroBasket 2017. But don’t tell the Italian captain that this low season is under the sign of rest. This period will be used to prepare for upcoming deadlines, both with its franchise and selection. So he said on May 4 to Antoine Bancharel of the newspaper l ‘Crew.
“I’m not tired, I know very well that I could play this summer. And I never said it was to rest, huh! But I want to be ready. I want to play another two years and ideally it would be: go far with the Clippers, the World Cup , go further with the Clippers, then the Paris Olympics and finish my career there. To do all this, non-stop, I want (he insists on this word) to prepare myself as best as possible. This is not idle on the beach! “
Extended this summer for two years by the Clippers, the winger now has a well-organized plan for his end of his career in mind and intends to put the odds on his side so he can help his team win. His defense, his ability to pull big shots, his leadership, his glue side and his slaps to all of Slovenia will be very useful in dreaming of success. The trophy cabinet has the potential to fill up with four new residents over the next two years. Two opportunities to look for an NBA title with Los Angeles, in the meantime a short spell with France at the World Cup and then the grand finale: the Paris Olympics in 2024. A milestone at home, with an audience fully committed to the cause of the Blues and the hope of winning an Olympic gold medal that the French have always eluded. Difficult to find a more beautiful scene for the end of a career.
The scenario of this Last dance starts and there are still many pages to write. Will Nico be able to dream of a perfect happy ending with an NBA title + a gold medal (or two) with France? And why don’t we want to say? With the return of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and forces already in place, the Clippers are clearly among the major underdogs for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Two stars to lead the group, great team depth, a defense that promises to be terrifying, a group of players capable of playing the X factors, yes, Los Angeles has a good head of potential 2023 champion.
Prospects are also promising in Blue. Criticized for their offensive limits, their irregularity and their ability to lose (too many) balls, the Blues nevertheless managed to snatch the silver medal at EuroBasket 2022. An unexpected goal that can be highlighted, especially when you see the end of the course of Luka Doncic’s Slovenia or Nikola Jokic’s Serbia. At the 2023 World Cup but also at the 2024 Olympics, Vincent Collet’s group should find Nando De Colo, obviously Nicolas Batum but also be able to count on the prodigy Victor Wembanyama and potentially Joel Embiid! Great contributions to strengthen an already solid and experienced group. Of course the ogre Team USA will remain the number one danger, certainly it will be necessary to closely monitor some challengers (Spain, Serbia, Slovenia, Germany?), But France will have the means to aim for gold in any competition. Perfect to offer your captain a worthy outing?
Barring any changes, Nicolas Batum will end his career at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 and intends to use these last two seasons to win everything in the NBA and in the selection. Without a doubt, a gold medal at home would be the perfect scenario to close the circle.
Source of the text: First team / l’Équipe
