That didn’t mean that Giannis didn’t still believe in himself. Know his worth. The following year, before tip-off at Charlotte, Giannis sat on the sideline with Oppenheimer. They watched Charlotte’s Nicolas Batum, a 6-foot-8 forward having an all-star kind of season, warm up. “You see Batum?” Oppenheimer said to Giannis. Giannis nodded. “Look at him,” Oppenheimer said. “Really look at him. He’s a really good player. If you work really hard, you might be able to be a Nic Batum type of player.” Giannis stared at his coach for a second, not frowning but looking surprised. A bit offended. “Coach,” Giannis said, “if I become Nic Batum, I’m going back to Greece.”
Nicolas Batum Rumors
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Nicolas Batum
Position: -
Born: 12/14/88
Height: 6-9 / 2.06
Weight:210 lbs. / 95.3 kg.
Salary: $9,043,478
Born: 12/14/88
Height: 6-9 / 2.06
Weight:210 lbs. / 95.3 kg.
Salary: $9,043,478
The Jazz did not make a big push for Batum when he was bought out in Charlotte, and there is some regret in the building for not making a harder play on him. But, honestly, the Jazz shouldn’t be criticized for that. It’s hindsight. Batum was sensational this season for the Clippers, but many thought he was washed, which is why the Clippers basically got him for free.
Clippers fan support will impact Nicolas Batum free-agency decision
Mirjam Swanson: Nico Batum — so beloved by #ClipperNation — says the support will impact his free agency decision: “Of course, it wasn’t the case the last two years for me, to have some support like that... “The Batum Battalion, pretty cool, didn’t expect that.”
