NBA: “I didn’t expect to be traded at all,” admits Batum after his 1000th game

Nicolas Batum right in the 1000! At 34, “Batman” planned to finish the season and potentially his career with the L.A. Clippers. However, the leaders of the Los Angeles club traded him to Philadelphia a few weeks ago, in order to obtain James Harden. A surprise for the person concerned. “I'll be honest with you, even if it sometimes cost me to be honest in front of the media (laughs). I didn't expect to be traded at all and didn't know what to expect. I was almost certain to end my career there (in Los Angeles, Editor's note), in a "glue guy" role. And it was cool,” said the Blues captain, who joined L.A. in 2020 and extended in 2021.

And to continue: “There, it’s a bit of the same thing but more, for example I had 33 minutes of playing time this evening (Sunday). I wasn't expecting that to be honest, but it's cool! I am a basketball player first and foremost. We win matches, great coach, great energy... That's what you want when you play: to win and have fun. So far, so cool.” Since his transfer, the 76ers have won their four games, including Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center against Indiana. Victory 137-126, including 50 points from Tyrese Maxey, on fire since Harden's departure.

Last season's MVP and future French international Joel Embiid scored 37 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists in this meeting. Batum? Holder, the former Portland (2008-15) and Charlotte (2015-20) compiled 9 points, 7 rebounds, 1 interception and 3 blocks in 33 minutes, his most playing time of the season, whether with the Clippers or the Sixers. “I used to do all of this in the past, in the first 10 years of my career, point forward. You just have to get back into it, but I have this confidence in myself. The staff, the players encourage me. When you have the MVP told me to take the ball,” explained “Batman”, who played his 1000th game in the regular season on Sunday evening.

Nicolas Batum is only the third French player to reach this mark in the NBA after Tony Parker (1254 matches) and Boris Diaw (1064), his two former teammates, with whom he notably won Euro 2013 in Slovenia. In his career, the Norman winger has averages of 10.7 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. He also played 62 play-off matches (9.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists), having worn the French team jersey 166 times. Barring injury, he will be in Lille and Paris next summer for the Olympic Games.