FRA - Noah still a wanted man

PARIS (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - There are no ifs, buts or maybes for France coach Vincent Collet when it comes to the issue of Joakim Noah and his place in the national team.

Noah is a starting center in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls and has the tools to make France a better national side, something that was evident when he made his bow at EuroBasket 2011 and helped Les Bleus reach the Final to qualify for the Olympics.

He didn't recover from an injury suffered earlier this year, though, in time to play for the French at the London Games.

While France did extremely well without Noah and barely lost to Spain in the Quarter-Finals, Collet wants the big man back.

"I want Joakim Noah to return to the French national team," Collet said.

"For me, he is an undisputed starter, that is, if he comes.

"He proved two years ago that despite having limited training, he brought energy, size and changed our play.

"We can see at the start of Joakim's (2012-13) season that he has increased his offensive play and that is a good thing for us."

Noah is averaging 14.8 points and 10 rebounds per game for Chicago, who are off to a 5-5 start.

The player that has everyone buzzing in France, and Oregon, is Nicolas Batum of Portland.

The Trail Blazers (5-5) invested heavily in Batum over the summer and he has repaid the faith by averaging 20 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals.

"I am personally happy with Nicolas Batum's start to the season," Collet said.

"This is also very good news for the French national team.

"The players bring to the national team what they do throughout the season in their clubs.

"For Nicolas, it is certainly positive. He is an important player for the national team but we expect him to take more responsibility.

"He needs continuity, which is always difficult to maintain."

There is no question about the desire of the French players, who reached the Quarter-Finals of the Olympics, to win the gold medal next year.

France finished one win shy of a title in 2011 and they were better than Spain for much of their showdown in London.

Collet will also go to Slovenia as determined as ever.

"This is the year where France has the best opportunity to win the EuroBasket," Collet said.

"The young matured players and Tony's (Parker) generation of players are in the best age.

"I await the competition with interest and I hope we can have a lot of weapons, that is players.

"We will have to prepare the best we can.

"We will need a high level preparation and a lot of work. To win a tournament is something big but you can't make mistakes."

FIBA