FRA – Batum mad and determined to get better [video]

PORTLAND (NBA/EuroBasket) - When Nicolas Batum shows up at France’s training camp this summer to get ready for the EuroBasket, there’s a good chance he’ll be spitting fire.

Batum says he is “very mad” following another early exit from the NBA playoffs with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Dallas beat Batum & Co in six games to advance to the Western Conference semi-finals.

Batum, 22, has now lost in the first round with Portland in each of his three campaigns.

“I wasn't ready to go back to France so early,” he said.

“I don't want to watch NBA games anymore, because I'm pretty mad and sad.

“I'm very mad and disappointed.

“I just want to go home and relax two or three weeks and start working out again.

“This team was for me the best team I've played on since I got here.

“Next year, we have to pass the first round.”

Batum says what he is looking forward to doing most is getting in the gym.

He says he will be with Les Bleus when they gather to get ready for the EuroBasket in Lithuania.

The aim is to reach the Final and qualify for the Olympics.

At bare minimum, the French want to earn a trip to next year’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“Yes, training camp starts July 21,” Batum said.

Batum has a very good idea about what he needs to do before the start of next season in the NBA.

“My main focus is to get stronger this summer,” he said.

“On offense, (I want to) be more complete - I improved a lot this year but can do much more.

“It was a pretty good season. We had some injuries but we stuck together. We won 48 games, and could have won more.”

Batum, who was speaking to journalists as he prepared to leave Portland for Europe, said he expects to hire a personal trainer, just as Trail Blazers center LaMarcus Aldridge has.

“I'm going to talk to my agent and get it (a personal trainer),” he said.

As for what Portland coach Nate McMillan said to the players?

“He said it was a good season, but too bad to finish too soon,” Batum said.

“He said to be careful this summer.”

Batum said he is looking forward to getting together with some of his NBA compatriots back home.

“I'm going to be working out in France with Tony Parker, Boris Diaw and be with the national team in July,” he said.

Check out what Batum had to say as he looked back on the NBA season and forward to this summer

FIBA