Latest news with #NicolasBatum
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Long-Time NBA Forward Has Clear Stance on Carmelo Anthony's Nuggets Tenure
Long-Time NBA Forward Has Clear Stance on Carmelo Anthony's Nuggets Tenure originally appeared on Athlon Sports. From his peak from 2005 to 2017, during stints with both the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony was one of the best scorers in the NBA. Advertisement One of the true three-level scorers in the league, he could get a bucket from anywhere. Nicolas Batum has long been one of the best defenders in the NBA, and has guarded players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, and other elite scorers. However, Anthony's offensive versatility gave Batum more trouble than anyone else. Mar 29, 2010; Dallas, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony (15) smiles after a foul during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Arena. The Mavs beat the Nuggets 109-93© Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images Between 2005 and 2010, in Denver, Anthony averaged 26.4 points on 47.1 percent shooting from the floor. "Denver Melo was crazy, like at the beginning of my career," detailed Nicolas Batum. "So I was young, I was skinny, and my job was starting, but I had to guard the best opponent and Denver Melo, I always said, he had everything. He was strong first but post up, drive, 3s, pull up, iso, jab, like turnaround, bully ball, like everything." Advertisement Out of everyone Batum had to guard, Melo was the biggest handful. "I always say he's the toughest guy I had to guard in my career." Batum, unlike Anthony, is still playing and expects to suit up for the Los Angeles Clippers this season. He and Anthony played against each other in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, although Anthony and Team USA got the best of France in both matchups. Check out the Inside the Nuggets homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. Related: Nuggets Listed as Favorites to Land All-Defensive Wing Behind Lakers, Mavericks Related: Nuggets Predicted to Trade Star Forward in 3-Team Mock Trade Involving Lakers, Nets This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nikola Jokic Makes Surprising Game 7 Prediction for Clippers
The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers are going to the top of the hill in their first-round series, as a Game 7 is coming right up following the latter's 111-105 win at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, LA, Thursday night. One player who made a difference in Game 6 for the Clippers was veteran forward Nicolas Batum, who scored just six points on 2-for-5 shooting to go with six assists. But he made a much bigger impact on the defensive side of the floor, coming away with three blocks and two steals. Advertisement Batum also gave Clippers center Ivica Zubac a big hand in trying to slow down Denver superstar Nikola Jokic in the second half. With Batum playing heavy minutes in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets managed to hold Jokic to just two points on a salty 1-for-4 shooting from the field in the period. Jokic seemingly acknowledged Batum's effectiveness on both ends of the floor for the Clippers when he said after Game 6 that he expects the versatile French to start in Game 7 in lieu of Kris Dunn. The ability to defend against multiple positions is one of Batum's most notable assets. While Dunn is also an effective stopper, his questionable jumper and poor outside shooting prevent Los Angeles from having the ideal space on offense, something that Batum can give his team when he's on the floor. Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) blocks a shot by Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15).Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Dunn shot just 33.5 percent from the floor and 33.5 percent from deep in the regular season. Batum, on the other hand, made just 43.7 percent of his field goal attempts but was a 43.3 percent 3-point shooter. Advertisement But the decision will be in Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue's hands, as LA and the Nuggets prepare for the winner-take-all Game 7 at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday. Related: James Harden Makes NBA History During Clippers-Nuggets Game 6
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft scouting report: Noa Essengue, F, Ratiopharm Ulm
Summary: Essengue is a toolsy forward with a fluid handle, dynamic finishing package, and highly versatile defense. But his long-term upside hinges on the jumper clicking. And if it doesn't, his defense must reach a level that prevents coaches from keeping him off the floor. Comparisons: Nicolas Batum, Al-Farouq Aminu Fluid athleticism: Essengue just looks like an NBA player with enormous arms and graceful movements on the floor, whether he's using an off-ball screen to slingshot toward the basket or sprinting in transition to ready for a lob dunk. Drive game: He's such a natural with the ball in his hands, using spin moves, euro-steps, and other fluid maneuvers to get into the paint. There, he can take off-balanced, wrong-footed layups and use either hand, or get flashy with Giannis-style scoop layups to score. And if he has room to leap, he can loudly dunk. All of these skills give him major face-up scoring potential, especially if he can successfully develop a perimeter jumper. Shooting progress: Over three consecutive years, he's gone from a hackable nonshooter to a player making 24.4% of his 3s and 70.1% of his free throws. The numbers aren't great, but they're a notable improvement. His form looks smooth, and he has good touch on layups and floaters near the basket. Maybe his upward trajectory continues in the years to come. Passing: Essengue has a strong feel for the game. He pings the ball around the floor with decisive passes within the flow of the offense. He shows creativity with interior wrap-arounds and over-the-head passes out of the post to shooters across the court. Versatile defense: Multi-positional defender who can switch onto smaller, quicker players or hold his own against larger ones. He can also be plugged into different positions, whether he needs to chase someone off screens and close out on shooters, or focus on offering help defense at the rim. He's extremely active off-ball, showing strong focus rotating at the rim or getting his long arms in the passing lanes to rack up deflections. Shooting: He has made progress but still hasn't proven he can be an effective floor spacer. Developing into a reliable shooter would unlock so many of his talents. It's the key to his future. Strength: He needs to fill out his lean frame, which would make him even more of a threat scoring at the rim and further enhance his defensive versatility. As of now, he can get overpowered on defense or get forced to take layups shying away from contact. Fundamentals: He drives into traffic too often, which shows how his game still lacks polish. Unsurprising considering his youth, but an area that he needs to address in the years to come.
