His decision should generate a number of reactions within French authorities. The choice of Joel Embiidto opt for “Team USA” for the Paris Olympic Games, rather than the French team, is already commented by one of the executives of the French team, Nicolas Batum.
The Clippers player start by admitting not having spent much time trying to convince the 76ers pivot to join France.
“ I didn’t do much work on the issue because he actually came to us and applied for citizenship. When I heard about it, he came to see me and we talked about it. I was very happy to welcome him to the team, and then he made the best decision for him », Judges the native of Lisieux.
Nicolas Batum is neither “surprised” nor “angry”
Nicolas Batum assures that he would have “ made the same decision. When you see all the guys who have committed, they say it’s the missing piece inside. If they want the perfect five, they need one of the best, if not the best interior. When I saw that, I said to myself that it was right. »
The idea of associating the player of Cameroonian origin with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and LeBron James is indeed enough to make the entire international scene tremble. Such a squad will make the Americans the absolute favorites of the competition, to retain Olympic gold and wash away the insult of the last World Cup.
So Nicolas Batum is not “ surprised ” Or ” angry » by the choice of Joel Embiid.
“ Because from a basketball fan’s point of view, this can be really, truly something incredible like we’ve never seen before. Maybe 1992 or 2008, but you don’t see things like that often. As a basketball fan, it’s crazy “, he enthuses, thinking of the numbers of the “Dream Team”, then the “Redeem Team”.
But as a potential adversary? His response is joking: “ It’s like, you don’t need all that. You already had a lot (talented), so you need Embiid? But good for them. Either way, it will be an interesting tournament, so we’ll see. »
