NBA – Beaten, Nikola Jokic gives his thoughts on Nico Batum: “With him, their team changes”

Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif

Nicolas Batum once again proved invaluable to the Clippers, helping his team survive to a Game 7 victory over the Nuggets on Thursday. Witnessing his prowess, Nikola Jokic was invited to talk about the Frenchman’s impact in a press conference.

As during most of the regular season, he has been content with a reserve role since the start of this series. However, his status could change in the coming hours. While we wait to find out, Nicolas Batum can be satisfied with his performance in Game 6 between the Clippers and the Nuggets on Thursday. His performance was synonymous with victory, and was praised by his coach Tyronn Lue.

Nikola Jokic still raves about Nico Batum

Batum was rewarded for his efforts by starting the second half of the game in the starting line-up. A change which obviously did not escape the notice of Nikola Jokic, whose esteem for the Frenchman had already been evident a few days ago. So it came as no surprise for him to see the latest take Kris Dunn’s place in L.A.’s starting five:

Nikola Jokic: Batum is a much better shooter than Kris Dunn.

Clumsy in the first half (4/22 3-pointers), the Clippers benefited from Nico’s spacing in the second half. Not to mention his defense, about which Jokic also expressed his admiration before looking ahead to the decisive Game 7:

Nikola Jokic: Batum is an excellent defender. He can defend in all positions and that makes him a remarkable player in that area. With him, their team is changing, it’s no longer lacking in defense. As a result, I think they’ll probably start Batum for the next game.

Although yet to be confirmed, this tactical choice would nonetheless make sense.

After all, Batman has shown that he has what it takes to trouble Denver, and Jamal Murray in particular. The Canadian point guard therefore also complimented the performance and profile of the former Les Bleus captain, as he had done previously in this first round:

Jamal Murray: That adjustment disorganized us. I think that’s the right word. (…) Nico Batum is a very good shooter. He brings spacing and has a very high basketball IQ. He knows how to play, how to defend well and he can read different actions well. All in all, he’s a great veteran in my eyes. He can make an impact in any game and on any team.

Murray, Jokic and the Nuggets are therefore warned ahead of Saturday’s Game 7.