HoopsHype.com Rumors

Nicolas Batum: I want to apologize for my stupid act at the end, I showed a bad image of France and myself, Congrats to team Spain. Twitter

Spain, France, Nicolas Batum, Olympics 

Nicolas Batum: Still proud of my team and teamates, we gave the best from ourselves for our country. Now I cheers for the women bball team!#allezlesbleuEs Twitter

France, Nicolas Batum, Olympics 

After France's Nicolas Batum delivered a vicious punch to the groin of Spain guard Juan Carlos Navarro, Batum left no confusion over his intentions. "I wanted to give him a good reason to flop," Batum said. Batum was angry with the Spanish guards for falling to the floor for what he believed was incidental contact throughout Spain's 66-59 quarterfinal victory over France at North Greenwich Arena. Asked by Yahoo! Sports if he believed his punch to the groin had given Navarro "good reason," Batum smiled and said, "I hope so." Yahoo! Sports

Spain, France, Nicolas Batum, Olympics, Juan Carlos Navarro 

Asked if watching the Spain-Brazil game that he was convinced that Spain had taken a dive in the fourth quarter, Batum told Y!, "They did what they had to do." Told some won't think that a deliberate punch to the groin is in the 'Olympic spirit,' Batum told Yahoo! Sports: "Do you think if you lost a game on purpose, that's the Olympic spirit?" Yahoo! Sports

Spain, France, Nicolas Batum, Olympics, Juan Carlos Navarro 

Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum punched Juan Carlos Navarro in the crotch during a 2012 London Olympics quarterfinal game between France and Spain on Wednesday. Blazers Edge

Spain, France, Nicolas Batum, Olympics, Juan Carlos Navarro 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Told Batum some won't think groin shot is in Olympic spirit. Batum: "Do you think if you lost a game on purpose, that's the Olympic spirit?" Twitter

Spain, France, Nicolas Batum, Olympics, Juan Carlos Navarro 

Adrian Wojnarowski: I asked Nicolas Batum why he hit Juan-Carlos Navarro in the groin. "I wanted to give him a good reason to flop," Batum said. Twitter

Spain, France, Nicolas Batum, Olympics, Juan Carlos Navarro 

John Canzano: I asked Batum if he felt any additional pressure with the $45M contract... he said, "Not from my country, maybe in your country I will." Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Nicolas Batum 

John Canzano: Batum said his back is bothering him, and has been bothering him since the Opening Ceremony. "I'm not used to standing for 4-5 hours." Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Injuries, France, Nicolas Batum, Olympics 

John Canzano: Just spoke with Nic Batum... who said the US basketball team is beatable. "Someone can beat them," he said. #London2012 Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, France, Nicolas Batum, Olympics 

Chris Haynes: A little/a lot off topic: #Blazers Chad Buchanan confirms @Dwight Jaynes report on Nicolas Batum's 15% trade kicker. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Chad Buchanan, Nicolas Batum 

Chris Haynes: If Batum traded, the #Blazers must pay Batum 15% of what's left on deal. But Buchanan says they can negotiate w/trading team on who pays it. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Chad Buchanan, Nicolas Batum 

Nicolas Batum: So happy this all story is clear and I'm back in Rip City. Now I have to go back in France for the olympics Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, France, Nicolas Batum, Olympics 

The Portland Trail Blazers have re-signed forward Nicolas Batum, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Neil Olshey, Nicolas Batum 

"I'm excited for the opportunity to continue my career in Portland and look forward to getting together with my teammates after the Olympics to start preparing for the season," said Batum. "It feels right to be back with the Trail Blazers, playing in front of the best fans in the world." Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Nicolas Batum 

Jason Quick: Nicolas Batum said his top 2 choices were Minnesota and New Orleans because of the coaching staffs Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Nicolas Batum 

Jason Quick: Batum said he has been received warmly in Portland the last few days. "I think people understand it is a business." Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Nicolas Batum 

Jason Quick: Batum: "I trust Neil. I know he will get the best coach for us." Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Neil Olshey, Nicolas Batum 

Nicolas Batum: Do you think we have to remake the international corner in the locker room with Joe Freeland and @Victor Claver? Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Victor Claver, Nicolas Batum, Joel Freeland 

Batum arrived in Portland on Wednesday from Europe and is expected to take a physical and sign his contract Thursday, solidifying the Blazers' starting small forward position and cementing Batum's status as a cornerstone piece of a rebuilding franchise. "I'm happy about it," Batum said. "I knew I was going to be back here." Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Nicolas Batum