Nicolas Batum on Reviving His Career, Guarding Prime Kobe, Melo, and LeBron, and the NBA Finals. Plus, Cam Johnson Talks Thibs and the Finals

The Young Man and the Three

On this week’s episode we welcome Nicolas Batum of the Los Angeles Clippers and Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets. Cam joins at the start of the episode to discuss the New York Knicks firing head coach Tom Thibodeau and his thoughts on the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. Then, Batum joins the show to preview the Finals as well before talking us through the rest of his career, including what it was like growing up in France and his experiences guarding prime Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and LeBron James at the beginning of his career. He also shares what he learned from Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge at the start of his career on the Blazers. Then, he discusses how the 2015 Warriors changed the game, and why he feels their small ball lineup extended his NBA career. He also shares very candidly why his Charlotte Hornets stint was difficult, the criticisms about his contract at the time, and how he feels Ty Lue and the Clippers saved his career. Lastly, he discusses his career on the French national team, the Olympics, and meeting Victor Wembanyama at the young age. Let’s go!

0:00 Intro

0:17 Cam Johnson

14:20 Nicolas Batum

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