An untethered Nicolas Batum, as opponents are learning, is dangerous. During 4 seasons playing for former Portland Trail Blazers Coach Nate McMillan, Batum made steady progress. Joining the Blazers as a 19-year-old, Batum increased his scoring from 5.4 ppg his rookie season to 13.9 ppg during the 2011-2012 season. As Batum’s game matured, Nate McMillan’s utilization of the budding star from France did not. McMillan’s death slog isolation offense often found Batum positioned in the corners of the court waiting for a spot up three. This role in the offense seemed to frustrate Batum and for good reason. McMillan was micro-managing him. This season in Terry Stotts’ free flowing motion offense, Batum is unleashed and his potential is being realized.
For his steady progress and loads of potential, the 23-year Batum was rewarded handsomely in the offseason. After a bidding war ensued between the Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Batum inked a 4 year, $45 million deal to re...
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November 19, 2012
