Batum in the big leagues
Restricted free-agent in last summer, Nicolas Batum has signed a lucrative four-year contract for the Blazers. Remains whether it will prove up to his salary, making him one of the ten best wingers paid the entire NBA. This article tell you the story in detail.
Nicolas Batum is he overpaid? That is the question many have asked U.S. editorial last summer, when Norman has signed a $ 46.5 million over four years (about 36 million) with the Portland Trail Blazers. Slightly less than 12 million greenbacks per season. A substantial sum, which places Frenchy in the top 10 highest paid players in the NBA at his position behind Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Paul Pierce, Rudy Gay, Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, Luol Deng and Danny Granger. Batum has not yet statistics that allow it to compare with this kind of players, all except All Stars Gay. It turned indeed "only" 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 decisive pass per game 30.4 minutes in 2011-2012. This level of compensation, however, is neither a scandal nor an craziness. "Minny" pushed auction
First recall the context. The Blazers tried to sign an extension with Nicolas Batum last winter. Except that no agreement had been reached. The international tricolor has become restricted free-agent on July 1 of this year. Status implies that the player concerned may negotiate with teams of their choice. Except in case of agreement with one of them, his original team only has to align the proposal to "take" the song. In this case, Minnesota had both the financial capacity to offer an attractive salary Batum, while proposing a sports project attractive. Enough to turn the head of Frenchy, who accepted the offer of the T-Wolves and loudly proclaimed his ardent desire to join Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio to the Twin Cities. Necessarily offer a bit "inflated" financially in order to put pressure on Portland. But the franchise in Oregon has not relented and finally caught his player.A valuable asset in defense
In the end, this duel Portland-Minnesota will have benefited Nicolas Batum, who finds himself in possession of a contract star for stats "role player." Although ... Former player of Le Mans and Nancy still finished last season with a "Efficency" 13.9 which ranks just behind the top 10 positions in three NBA. It is also a player who rose significantly from year to year and is already very efficient: 45% field goal, 39% at three points, 84% in free throws ... It is also known as an advocate- Atlantic. It is not by chance that different coaches under whom he played in Portland have always "put" the best striker outside opposing defense. Its speed and long arms are indeed a valuable asset in this field. Add to that Batum is a serious player, and applied to clean hands, and you understand the choices Blazers. A choice, if perhaps pose questions to some today, will be obvious to everyone in a few years according to them. A bet on the future.Portland still far from the Play-offs
We must also understand that Portland team did not have much choice. Especially after missing Roy Hibbert, restricted free-agent, selected by the Indiana Pacers. If Batum was gone, LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews would have ended well ... The only message that was sent to LMA and local fans would not have been downright scary. While the rookie Damian Lillard seems to have a bright future ahead of him, but the team would have been more impoverished than it is today exist at present. "The Blazers will not be very good this season, but Damian Lillard will be very interesting to watch." A comment that pretty much sums up the situation and comes from one of our American colleagues to the fact most of the news Portland, Joe Freeman, The Oregonian. Imagine what it would have been without the French, who now finds himself in the position of the second best player in the roster behind Aldridge. If it supports the pressure of his new lease, Nicolas Batum will have all the freedom to make a huge season individually. Regarding collective success, he may regret for a long time of not being able to join the Minnesota Timberwolves.
