Batum: "We've matured."

With the win today, France won a chance to advance from its group in the World Championships. Sports.fr spoke to Batum about the tournament so far and his future. I translated.

Sparkling against Canada (68-63) Tuesday night in Izmir, Nicolas Batum has taken matters into his own hands to enable the French team to qualify for the knockout stages of the World 2010. But, instead of looking backward, the tricolors look ahead. "Want we want is to finish first in the group," he assured, even if the next game against Lithuania is "still more difficult."

Nicolas, you are already in the fourth round. Is that your dream scenario?
Dream, I don't know. Let's say it's a good first step, the best start, even. We had a great performance. It wasn't the best way, for sure, but the win is what counts. Now, we are not going to be satisfied with that. What we want is to finish first in the group and we will continue like this until the end of the first round. We really want to show that we must be counted on in the future

In any case, Team France can count on you! You were able to take your responsibilities this evening ...
My self confidence helped me a lot.  I was able to adjust to what Canada gave us, I had to take matters into my own hands because I knew babaca (Boris Diaw) and Mike (Gelabale) were a little tired from the first two games. I tried to get the game to my style in the second half and I was decently helped by the interior players. They defended Joel Anthony well, and kept him from getting rebounds. It was scary, we had a lot of luck, but, for once, it's on our side, and we won't complain.

Personally, we imagine that it is very satisfying ...
It's true that it reassures me a little. In preparation, particularly in Villeurbanne, I tried to do stuff like that but it wouldn't work. The fact that I succeeded this evening makes me feel good about my game and allows me to be even more confident next time. 

Do you feel more sure than before in your offense?
I try to keep a cool head. I had the chance to evolve throughout the year with a player who masters composure, Brandon Roy. I watch a lot, and when I see his sureness and composure, I admire him. And when I play at the end of a game like today, I copy him. I have a good teacher, I think. 

Can this kind of game become a reference for this team?
Yes. Last week, a game like this, we probably lose by twenty points. If we had played like this against Canada two weeks ago, it would have been thirty. We've reached a new level, we've matured a lot in one week. We didn't panic, we played our defense, they made a run at the end, and we stole the victory. That's the most important part.

Did you think you would start so well before arriving in Turkey?

We did. You didn't. Compared to what we showed during the practice, we aren't too surprised. 

Was the intensity that Canada showed you surprising?
They were missing Andy Rautins but it wasn't obvious. For them, the game was the last chance.  With the outcome of Lebanon-New Zealand, they were screwed if they lost, so their lives were on the line this game. Now, they'll be going home, it's pretty much mathematic. It was complicated for us. 

Les Bleus (the nickname for team France) have had trouble with free throws. How can you explain it?
I don't know, there maybe was a slight lack of concentration, a feeling of complacency. The rest day ruined our flow a little bit. There was a lack of rhythm, a lack of legs compared to the first games. Today, we weren't very rigorous, whether it was offense or defense. But we obtained the essential: the win. We have to forget that and think only of what awaits us tomorrow (Wednesday against Lithuania, ed.). We have to get back to "Spain mode."

What type of game are you expecting against Lithuania?
It may be more difficult because Lithuania is still more organized. They have experienced players, Linas Kleiza really is a great scorer. We will really have to be careful. We know them, the Lithuanians, they shoot from everywhere and it's a three pointer every time. We will have to be very serious to be able to beat them. But if we want to finish first in the pool, we have to beat them.

Have you looked at Group C?
Logically, it will end with Russia and Puerto Rico. But I do not want to calculate, to think about the future. As long as I avoid Turkey, that's fine with me. I'm not looking forward to playing against them. As late as possible.

So, that's all. You have to love Nico's swagger.