There are actions that stand out more than others. Usually these are offensive actions but sometimes they can also be defensive actions.
Instinctively, we think of LeBron James' block (2016 Finals), Michael Jordan's interception (1998 Finals), Larry Bird's interception (1987 Eastern Conference Finals), Hakeem Olajuwon's block ( 1994) or the interception of John Havlicek (1965 Eastern Conference final).
Without forgetting, for us French, this mythical counter of Nicolas Batumsucceeded in Tokyo on August 5, 2021. Which, unlike the other actions cited, did not take place in the NBA but at the Olympic Games, during an unbreathable semi-final between France and Slovenia.
Like in a dream…
That day, “Batman” probably never lived up to his nickname so well as when he flew away and spread his large wings to mack poor Klemen Prepelic. Very precisely 2.5 seconds from the end of the match and while the Blues “only” led 90-89 against Luka Doncic’s teammates…
“ I had to succeed in an action like that », Explained the main person afterwards. “ I have already participated in the Olympics twice and suffered twice. I've dreamed of playing in the final all my life. […] I always dreamed of playing these kinds of matches. I knew I hadn't been good on offense, but I had to make this move to get my team to the final. And that's what I did. »
Then Nicolas Batum added, regarding his feelings at the time of the counter: “ I knew I was going to get it, that I was going to take it on the board. This is the action I did when I was younger and it came back. It must have been five years since I last managed a counter like that. »
In a single action (and what an action!), the Frenchman was able to forget his complicated performance on the offensive level (3 points, 1/5 on the shoot). At the same time qualifying Vincent Collet's men for the third Olympic final in their history, after London 1948 and Sydney 2000.
A Warrior's Revenge
Above all, Nicolas Batum took the opportunity to sign his revenge, he who had experienced a rather difficult period with the Hornets in 2019/20, before reborn with the Clippers and remaining indestructible in the selection.
“ This action sums up my entire year and puts a lot of things back into place, compared to what I experienced the previous 18 months. », he reported a month later. “ That is to say: 'This is where I am, I'm not necessarily burned out, I still have good years ahead of me'. Plus, to have done that for the French team, at the Olympic Games, in a match like that, it’s just… »
Unfortunately for the Blues and for himself, Nicolas Batum was not able to follow his dream, since the United States of Kevin Durant brought everyone back to earth in the final. The fact remains that this Japanese epic, certainly ending on a bad note but with a beautiful silver medal in the suitcase, will have left the French people with an unforgettable memory, thanks to this sublime Olympic semi-final.
The full match summary
| Nicolas Batum | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2008-09 | POR | 79 | 18 | 44.6 | 36.9 | 80.8 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 5.4 |
| 2009-10 | POR | 37 | 25 | 51.9 | 40.9 | 84.3 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 10.1 |
| 2010-11 | POR | 80 | 32 | 45.5 | 34.5 | 84.1 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 12.4 |
| 2011-12 | POR | 59 | 30 | 45.1 | 39.1 | 83.6 | 1.4 | 3.2 | 4.6 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 13.9 |
| 2012-13 | POR | 73 | 38 | 42.3 | 37.2 | 84.8 | 1.3 | 4.3 | 5.6 | 4.9 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 14.3 |
| 2013-14 | POR | 82 | 36 | 46.5 | 36.1 | 80.3 | 1.4 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 5.1 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 13.0 |
| 2014-15 | POR | 71 | 34 | 40.0 | 32.4 | 85.7 | 0.9 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 4.8 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 9.4 |
| 2015-16 | CHA | 70 | 35 | 42.6 | 34.8 | 84.9 | 0.8 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 5.8 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 14.9 |
| 2016-17 | CHA | 77 | 34 | 40.3 | 33.3 | 85.6 | 0.6 | 5.6 | 6.2 | 5.9 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 15.1 |
| 2017-18 | CHA | 64 | 31 | 41.5 | 33.6 | 83.1 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 11.6 |
| 2018-19 | CHA | 75 | 31 | 45.0 | 38.9 | 86.5 | 0.9 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 9.3 |
| 2019-20 | CHA | 22 | 23 | 34.6 | 28.6 | 90.0 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 3.6 |
| 2020-21 | LAKE | 67 | 27 | 46.4 | 40.4 | 82.8 | 0.7 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 8.1 |
| 2021-22 | LAKE | 59 | 25 | 46.3 | 40.0 | 65.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 8.3 |
| 2022-23 | LAKE | 78 | 22 | 42.0 | 39.1 | 70.8 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 6.1 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 60 | 26 | 45.3 | 39.5 | 71.4 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 4.1 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 5.3 |
| 2023-24 * | PHL | 57 | 26 | 45.6 | 39.9 | 71.4 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 5.5 |
| 2023-24 * | LAKE | 3 | 18 | 37.5 | 28.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 2.7 |
| 2024-25 | LAKE | 25 | 18 | 36.6 | 35.9 | 75.0 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 3.6 |
| Total | 1078 | 29 | 43.6 | 36.6 | 83.1 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 10.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
Article originally published in 2022
