120 Guarantees: the Nic Batum thread

[fatlever]

Would Hornets do a Deng for Batum swap?

What would be the point of that trade for the Hornets? Doesn't make much sense.

Guess just seeing which fans may prefer. What are the Hornets in search of right now?

The Hornets need Batum for his playmaking because it allow Kemba to play off the ball and focus more on scoring. Deng just doesn't offer that needed skillset. Also, Batum is 3-4 years younger, so his age fits the core age of the team better than Deng. Deng, headed towards more of a smallball PF role going foward and we have that covered with Marvin.

[fatlever]

Not to mention, we just resigned Batum and he has chemistry with the team, is well liked by his teammates and seems to like it here in Charlotte, so it would be ridiculous to entertain trading him this year.

Also, Batum has more value than Deng (evidenced by contracts signed this summer), so even if a deal was discussed, once both are eligible to be traded, Lakers would have to add more to the trade to make it even.

[yosemiteben]

Would Hornets do a Deng for Batum swap?

What would be the point of that trade for the Hornets? Doesn't make much sense.

Guess just seeing which fans may prefer. What are the Hornets in search of right now?

Not much. Wing depth maybe, but we're rolling with our starting lineup as is right now. We still don't really know what we have when healthy.

[RKL]

Got it. Appreciate the replies guys!

[fatlever]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-charlotte-was-the-only-choice-for-nicolas-batum-174958326.html

Why Charlotte was the only choice for Nicolas Batum

Shams Charania of The Vertical

[yosemiteben]

Good piece, nothing ground breaking but speaks to the ability of our staff and players to connect with new guys.

[fatlever]

http://nbpa.com/nicolas-batums-love-for-charlotte-being-a-main-playmaker-new-father-community-leader-and-more/

Great interview with Batum

- Says he had 22 teams contact is agent at start of free agency
- Several teams offered max contract
- Kemba and MKG came to his meeting in Dallas
- Loves Clifford
- Favorite player growing up was Pippen (wonder how MJ feels that his team's highest paid player grew up idolizing Pippen, not MJ)
- Wants to put Kemba in ASG, knows its Kemba's team, says his biggest goal is getting into top 3 in East and getting Kemba to ASG.
- Built a house in Charlotte
- Seems he really loves Charlotte

[Mystical Apples]

28 teams are kicking themselves. Meanwhile the fascination with LMA continues (but not for long).

[bravor]

Nice interview (thanks for the link, i will translate & put some part in one of our french forum if you don't mind), except that the season is not over when the regular season ends. Some would say that the season really starts when the play offs begin.
Without injury, this team has to reach - at least - the second round in eastern conference.

Funny that the journalist/interviewer did not ask what he thought about his struggles since the olympics. I would be interested to know what he is trying to do/change to recover his shooting strike. And not just from range, he almost missed every post up i saw him attempt (apparently he was more successful against the bucks, but i have not seen the game). It's just mind blowing to see him fail posting up Dragic and alike (not 100% sure, but i guess he had one fail against Thomas againts the celtics too).

I wish he was doing less interviews, tweets and alike, and speaks on the court. He still did not realize people would have high expectations with his new contract.

[LamarMatic7]

a new Lowe Post with Nicolas Batum just appeared on my podcast feed. there doesn't appear to be an ESPN link at this point.

Zach talks to Nicolas Batum about staying in Charlotte, his time in Portland, the best player he's ever played with, fatherhood, and more.

[fatlever]

a new Lowe Post with Nicolas Batum just appeared on my podcast feed. there doesn't appear to be an ESPN link at this point.

Zach talks to Nicolas Batum about staying in Charlotte, his time in Portland, the best player he's ever played with, fatherhood, and more.

Read on Twitter

Zach Lowe ‏@ZachLowe_NBA 6m6 minutes ago

Batum (@nicolas88batum) and I also talked: Oden, fatherhood, that infamous Juan Carlos Navarro moment, MKG, more:

Listening now... will report anything interesting.

[fatlever]

- MJ on phone in free agent meeting
- Kemba and MKG there, Kemba talked first. Hell yeah Kemba.
- Showed a video of Batum's hometown in France, interviewed a bunch of people he grew up with, Batum had no idea.
- Batum watched GS/OKC in hotel room last night alone. Batum watched a ton of League Pass and Euroleague, does not watch college, not a fan of college. LOL.
- Watched finals game 7 at 4AM live, with whole French Natl team.
- Does nothing but basketball, watch basketball and be with son
- Batum's wife is 5'11" - expect a tall son.
- He bought new house - I just looked up his address (stalker alert).
https://vimeo.com/127147954 - video of his house. It's pretty sick. On Lake Norman. 3mil.
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/18394-Nantz-Rd-Cornelius-NC-28031/51524863_zpid/
- Kemba/Marvin leaders, Marvin one of best teammates he's ever had. Always happy. He new Marvin would be back.
- Lin, great guy.
- Talks about game 6, Rockets Blazers when Lillard hit series winner, play was for LMA.
- Back to that house, I am watching video while I listen. Holy crap, I can't even fathom why a family of 3 would need a house that big. The master bathroom is bigger than an apartment.
- Brandon Roy best player he's ever played with, no question. MKG shocked he was that good when Batum told him.
- Wants to tell MKG to calm down
- MKG only played 7 games, says MKG saved the season in those 7 games.
- Batum of only 9 players with 5x5 game in history.
- "Have you ever talked politics with Spencer Hawes?" - Batum sighs
- Talks more about idolizing Pippen
- Says Hibbert will surprise people
- Says his goal is to put Kemba in ASG
- Gets asked about punching Juan Carlos Navarro, Batum says he's apologized a bunch of times
- Says he might finally take a summer off of playing for France

[Flip Murray]

The open kitchen to the fireplace with the deck right off it is so nice

[Flip Murray]

Walk in closet with an island with granite countertop. my god

[Flip Murray]

the girl's room is so much nicer because of the view off the back deck

[Flip Murray]

that wine rack...

[Flip Murray]

If I just had the downstairs rec room/kitchen area I'd be content for the rest of my life. Just smash a bed into the corner

[Flip Murray]

Needs a ton of babyproofing. I could see a kid going right over the edge of that waterfall

[fatlever]

Seriously, what do 2 people and a baby do in a house that big, especially when one is on the road half the year. Maybe they plan on having 5 more kids, or maybe they always have family staying with them. I'm not sure I'd want a house that big even if I was loaded. So many rooms to furnish, so many closets to look in for monsters.

That being said, I saw the sickest house that gold sold in San Fran last week. It was 21 mil and amazing.

check out the views of San Fran and Golden Gate bridge, love that modern style as well.
https://www.theopenhouse.com/homes/2250-vallejo-st-san-francisco-ca-94123-4764

I spend way too much time on Zillow these days (thanks loud neighbors and unnamed noisy "Religious" Corporation that insists on live concerts every Sunday morning at 8am, loud enough to wake everyone within a 2 mile radius. You'd think with all the money they spent on that place they could have soundproofed just a little)

[Flip Murray]

Seriously, what do 2 people and a baby do in a house that big, especially when one is on the road half the year. Maybe they plan on having 5 more kids, or maybe they always have family staying with them. I'm not sure I'd want a house that big even if I was loaded. So many rooms to furnish, so many closets to look in for monsters.

That being said, I saw the sickest house that gold sold in San Fran last week. It was 21 mil and amazing.

check out the views of San Fran and Golden Gate bridge, love that modern style as well.
https://www.theopenhouse.com/homes/2250-vallejo-st-san-francisco-ca-94123-4764

I spend way too much time on Zillow these days (thanks loud neighbors and unnamed noisy "Religious" Corporation that insists on live concerts every Sunday morning at 8am, loud enough to wake everyone within a 2 mile radius. You'd think with all the money they spent on that place they could have soundproofed just a little)

20k taxes per month lol

I'd give my left nut for that deck/view. Money doesn't make you happy bullchit me on that porch with a drink in hand sheeeeit.

I'd wager 10 million of that cost is for the view alone. I'm going to start looking at houses now. I went through a phase of just looking at luxury apartments for a while i'm not sure why.

Asking 25 only got 21. Pretty close to my price range