Tag: Nic Batum

Sixers’ Nick Nurse talks Kelly Oubre Jr. starting, new guys getting time

Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse discusses Kelly Oubre Jr. continuing to start as well as the new guys possibly joining the rotation.

PHILADELPHIA — As the Philadelphia 76ers move forward sans James Harden, questions about the starting lineup and playing rotation surround the Sixers.

The big pieces in the Harden deal are the picks acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the Sixers received four players from LA who can help them on the floor: Nic Batum, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris Sr. and KJ Martin.

Coach Nick Nurse has also found a lineup that works with Kelly Oubre Jr. stepping into the lineup to join Tyrese Maxey, De’Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid. Nurse recently said he’d like to have Oubre Jr. move back to the bench due to his offensive production for the second unit, but it looks like this will be a game-by-game evaluation for him.

“I’ve gotten some new information since I said that,” he said with a smile. “So I think I’ll just continue to evaluate it. I think that we were bringing him off the bench and I liked him there, and now we’re starting him and we like him there, too so I think we’re gonna have to see how it goes as we move forward.”

Then there’s the playing rotation. With Oubre Jr. starting and Nurse trying to integrate the new guys, he has to find ways to get them on the floor and into games.

“When you’re looking at this and trying to make these decisions, I always say I can only go off of what I see,” he explained. “Kelly, for example. Furk (Korkmaz), for example. We’ve given Furk a shot and he’s played good in both games, so that’s kind of our current information and Kelly’s started and played well. It’s kind of probably silly to make changes or use somebody else or change the rotation if the information’s good. On we go with evaluating it.”

In terms of the new guys, Nurse hinted Batum, Covington and possibly Morris could join the rotation as soon as Monday against the Washington Wizards.

“I think we’ll certainly play Covington and Batum tonight (Monday) and Marcus, probably,” he added. “We’ll see how it goes.”

[lawrence-related id=85976,85971,85963]

Nic Batum addresses speculation about retirement after return to Sixers

Nic Batum sets the record straight on retirement speculation in his return to the Philadelphia 76ers.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers welcomed Nic Batum back to the team on Monday as they prepared for the Washington Wizards. Batum was away from the team due to personal reasons, and the 34-year-old is  looking to integrate with the team.

Batum admitted he found out he had been traded to the Sixers when his wife woke him up to get their kids ready for school. She showed him the phone, which revealed he had been traded to the Sixers in the James Harden deal.

Batum’s wife took to social media to voice her displeasure with him being traded to the Sixers. However, Batum has been in the NBA for 16 years now, so he understands the business side of the league.

“This is a business,” he said. “It’s not easy to get traded in the middle of the season when you have a family. I’m gonna just do my job. I’m focused. I’m happy to be here and they wanted me so, I’m OK with that, and I’m focused with this team now.”

There were also whispers Batum might consider retirement. However, he quickly scoffed at that notion. There was something he had to deal with and he let coach Nick Nurse and the rest of the team know he had to take care of it.

“I got a very bad situation family-wise to handle so I had to step away,” he said bluntly. “I saw statements. A lot of people sent me that statement that the team didn’t know about it, and I was in constant communication with the team. With coach, with Daryl (Morey), with Elton (Brand), with everybody. They gave me their permission to go. There was a plan before I even took the plane last Tuesday.”

Now he is ready to get back to work and help the Sixers.

“Like something’s going on I gotta take care of so the team knew,” Batum added. “I don’t consider retirement. I don’t know where that (came) from. I mean, I don’t know who (says) that or the source is where, but nah. I’m here. I’m happy to be here. I’m not retiring or anything. I just had to take care of something. Sometimes stuff (is) bigger than basketball, so I have to deal with it and take care of it first.”

With Batum back, the challenge becomes learning Nurse’s system and becoming aware of what needs to be picked up.

“I’m trying to,” he smiled. “It’s not easy. When you’ve been through a whole training camp and then you learn a new system in 24 hours, so I know it’s gonna take me a couple practices maybe a couple of games just to get the system, get to know the new guys. … I’m going to try to learn quickly.”

[lawrence-related id=85931,85963,85928]

New addition Nic Batum discusses how he fits with Joel Embiid, Sixers

New addition Nic Batum discusses how he can fit in with Joel Embiid the Philadelphia 76ers.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers acquired Nic Batum from the Los Angeles Clippers in the big James Harden deal, and the veteran is expected to give the Sixers a boost to the bench unit.

Batum is a career 10.7 points per game scorer and a career 36.5% shooter from deep. He is in his 16th season in the league, and he can fit in seamlessly with almost any group he is with.

Before Batum left the team to deal with personal issues, the veteran discussed how he can fit in with the Sixers.

“It’s a great group,” he said. “Got great players, got the MVP as well. We are four great players. Me and the three other guys so it’s gonna be pretty easy to fit in. We got a great coaching staff, we know Nick Nurse has had great success in the past. This team has had great success. It will be pretty easy.”

That MVP, of course, is Joel Embiid who has a good relationship with Batum. The two will play off each other, and Batum already understands how to play with star players. He did so with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

“When you play with a guy with that magnitude, that good,” Batum started. “I’ve played with guys like Kawhi and PG, when you play with like — they make the game so easy for you to play around because he’s so smart. So I just try to adjust myself to him. I will share the court with him sometimes so I just have to find out like where he likes the ball, when I can move with the ball, without the ball, and we’ll see what happens.”

Batum is back with the Sixers and is expected to be available to make his debut on Monday against the Washington Wizards. Does that mean Batum will play? Likely not; coach Nick Nurse would like to get him integrated fully.

[lawrence-related id=85926,85918,85915]

Haynes: Nic Batum is ‘expected to be available to make his debut Monday’ vs. Wizards

The 15-season veteran has appeared in a total of 3 games for Los Angeles this season for L.A.

Fans of the Philadelphia 76ers will soon see in action one of the players obtained from the Los Angeles Clippers for James Harden. Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reports veteran forward Nic Batum is rejoining the team after being away from the team to tend to a personal matter.

Per Haynes, Batum “is expected to be available to make his debut Monday against the Washington Wizards” after arriving at the team’s facilities earlier in the week to complete the trade involving Batum, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris and KJ Martin. Martin and Covington have already made their Sixers debut. Morris and Batum have yet to take the floor for Philly.

The 15-season veteran appeared in three games for Los Angeles this season, putting up 2.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, a block and a steal per 18 minutes a game.

[lawrence-related id=85911,85908,85905]

Nick Nurse gives update on status of Nic Batum, other Sixers additions

Nick Nurse provides an update on Nic Batum and the other additions for the Philadelphia 76ers.

CAMDEN, N.J. — As the Philadelphia 76ers move forward following the James Harden trade, the attention shifts to what happens with the team’s new additions.

While potential moves are in the hands of President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, the Sixers are looking to work in their new additions into the rotation.

Nic Batum, Marcus Morris Sr., Robert Covington and KJ Martin did not play major minutes in Thursday’s win over the Toronto Raptors. Batum is away from the team due to personal reasons. Morris is looking to ramp up activity before getting into a game. Covington and Martin played 1:15 of garbage time on Thursday.

At Friday’s practice, the new additions, other than Batum, played in a scrimmage to get ready for game action.

“Just trying to check general conditioning and rhythm of where they’re at and then just what they can pick up,” Nurse said of his expectations for them. “How much stuff they’ve got under their belt. They’ve spent a good two or three sessions now learning some of the sets and stuff. Just seeing their fit, but it’s good for them.”

As for Batum, it remains to be seen when he will return to the team. That is something Nurse is trying to find out.

“He’s not back, but I think — I’m not totally clear on that,” he said. “So I better not answer it right now. So I guess I need to check right after this. I have some meetings this afternoon to see where we’re at.”

As for Morris, he hasn’t played in a game since April 25 against the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs. Nurse is looking to ramp him up a bit before throwing him out in any live action.

“He hasn’t played at all in any — I don’t even think he played a preseason game or regular season games,” he explained. “So he’s more in the ramp-up phase of trying to get him going like you guys can see over there. He’s playing 5-on-5 full-court right now trying to get him going. He looks good individually working out. Looks pretty good in the scrimmage here today, so he shouldn’t be too far away.”

As the Sixers prepare to take on the Phoenix Suns on Saturday at home, Nurse isn’t sure if any of those players will be ready to go, but Nurse also acknowledges they have to play at some point.

“Maybe,” he pondered. “I think that probably still kind of don’t mind the rotation where it’s at right now and just probably don’t want to disrupt the rhythm and things like that, but we’ll see. I gotta think about that, discuss it with the staff a little bit. We got to work them in. It isn’t like the schedule is going to ease (up) like there’s a big break coming or something. So we got to get them in there sometime.”

[lawrence-related id=85823,85816,85813]

Report: Celtics among teams interested in signing Los Angeles Clippers’ Nic Batum

The veteran forward is the sort of bench help Boston should be looking into adding to the team.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, the Boston Celtics are among a number of teams interested in signing veteran Los Angeles Clippers forward Nic Batum. The Frenchman recently declined a $3.3 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent after a solid pair of seasons with the Clippers that saw him average 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal per game while shooting a very solid 40.2% from beyond the arc.

The Celtics will have to compete with the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, and Utah Jazz in addition to the Clippers for the 14-season veteran’s services.

Batum is likely to be in demand among contenders this season given his ability to impact the game in a smaller role, something Boston desperately needs to add to its young bench.

Whether or not Batum and Boston link up may well have as much to do with how the forward sees his role and odds of winning a ring worth as much as it does with compensation for his play, one of many threads to keep tabs on for Celtics fans in the coming weeks.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

[mm-video type=video id=01g65nk51t6s0jzg8esx playlist_id=01eqbzegwgnrje4tv2 player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g65nk51t6s0jzg8esx/01g65nk51t6s0jzg8esx-73151f5e8a79c88fcf676d6547189aad.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=104707,104696,104694,104692]

[listicle id=104703]

[vertical-gallery id=104522]

[listicle id=104697]

Which Clippers players will become free agents 2022?

Which current Clippers players are set to become free agents during the 2022 offseason?

Basketball excellence and Los Angeles go hand in hand. But usually for folks wearing purple and gold. The Clippers have long been afterthoughts, even for a city that loves hoops more than most. Steve Ballmer sought to change this when he bought the team back in 2014.

LAC has gotten close to the mountaintop, though bad injury luck has kept the dream out of reach. The 2021-2022 campaign is no exception. As such, it’s important to note which Clippers players will be free agents in summer ’22 to assess if Ballmer’s club can contend moving forward.

Importantly for LAC, All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are locked up for the next few years. Apropos of nothing else, the Clippers foundation is secure and – when healthy – among the best in the Association. Key role players like Norman Powell and Reggie Jackson are also under contract next season. As such, LAC could run it back with a pretty solid core in 22-23, or be poised for a pretty big splash given their dearth of tradeable contracts.

So, which Clippers players will become free agents in the summer of 22?

Nic Batum had a classy message for Luka Doncic after Olympic win against Slovenia

All class.

Luka Doncic entered Thursday’s Olympic men’s basketball semifinal matchup with France having never suffered a loss in international play with Slovenia’s senior national team. That changed thanks to a familiar opponent.

Just as Nicolas Batum and the Clippers ended the Mavericks’ NBA season, Batum — and his game-saving block in France’s 90-89 win — put an end to Doncic’s gold medal hopes. Doncic, who was limited after hurting his wrist, still put up the first Olympic men’s triple-double since LeBron James in 2012. But the Mavs star was understandably devastated to suffer that first Slovenia loss.

That was where Batum came in with a classy show of sportsmanship.

Batum sought out Doncic after the game to offer words of encouragement. Luka appreciated the gesture.

And after the game, Batum shared a photo of him shaking hands with a disappointed Doncic. He wrote in the caption:

Nothing but respect brother, this sport is yours! @lukadoncic

France will take on Team USA in the gold medal game at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday. Doncic and Slovenia will face Australia for the bronze medal.

[mm-video type=video id=01fc3g4gg8s2fbfzpc46 playlist_id=01f09p3bf720d8rg02 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fc3g4gg8s2fbfzpc46/01fc3g4gg8s2fbfzpc46-ed482e8e116e0380510d9600c80f94bd.jpg]

See Nic Batum’s monster block that sealed France’s spot in gold-medal game vs. Team USA

What a block!

The men’s basketball semifinal game at the Olympics between Slovenia and France came down to one moment.

With France up 90-89, Slovenia’s Luka Doncic was doubled at the three-point line with just over five seconds left, so he gave up the ball to Klemen Prepelic. The guard drove to the hoop and saw an opening.

And in came Nic Batum, who swatted the layup away. The horn sounded, and Doncic’s run with Slovenia came to a heartbreaking end.

That means France will face a USA team that it beat earlier in Tokyo. What a matchup that’s going to be.

But first, let’s look back one more time at this amazing block:

The Clippers celebrating Terance Mann’s career night was just the best thing ever

Sports are great, man.

Terance Mann just played the biggest game of his life in game 6 against the Utah Jazz.

He showed every bit of star potential he had against one of the league’s best defenses with 39 points and 7 made 3-pointers. He was absolutely phenomenal.

But what made his night truly special was how genuinely happy his teammates were for him. They all really seemed to enjoy Mann absolutely cooking the Jazz.

We saw exactly what that looked like after the win when Mann finally entered the Clippers’ locker room after his postgame interview.

They absolutely showered Mann with love…and champagne. It was such an incredible moment.

Nic Batum shared the moment on Twitter.

That’s just amazing, man. This is what sports is all about.

Mann better soak all of this up, though. As Batum said, though, he has 24 hours to enjoy it. The Conference Finals start on Sunday.

Watch our sneaker unboxing series, Special Delivery 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOBrXkjW2PQ&list=PL89E_SzPNzLqXug9ytQ_TRLxehRIDfI52