Thumbs-up to France for trying to get their Superman

PARIS (Jeff Taylor's Eurovision) - There are two ways to look at France's refusal to give up hope of having Nicolas Batum at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Manila.

On the one hand, you have to wonder why a talent-rich basketball country like France can't simply give the 27-year-old Batum the month off and let him join the team if they win the OQT in time for the Olympics. The French would have enough weapons to get the job done without Batum, right?

On the other hand, you might think, Batum has become 'Mr Indispensable' the past couple of summers. Maybe he is the one player that France can ill afford not to have, especially in the big games, because of what he can do on both ends of the floor.

Think about it. Is there a better player on defense in the French squad than Batum? You can't compare the Charlotte Hornets star to France's rim protector Rudy Gobert because they play different positions. But the versatile Batum brings a lot of things to the table for France on defense, including experience. And if he does show up in Manila? The Philippines, who likely wouldn't see him in their opening clash with the French, would get a chance to watch one of the great high-fliers in the game. Batum plays the game above the rim.

France are going to like their chances of winning in the Philippines and reaching the Olympics if their linchpin from Lisieux, Batum, is present, if only for the Semi-Final and Final.

And if you take that on board, then you have to applaud the French Basketball Federation, the director of national teams, Patrick Beesley, and coach Vincent Collet for pulling out all stops to have Batum in Manila.

You have to at least tip your hat to them for refusing to take no for an answer when it seems like it is the only answer. It shows the federation's commitment to the cause in very difficult circumstances.

The OQT and NBA free agency period are not a match made in heaven. France would have preferred the OQT to be a week or two later. But the OQT date is what it is, and France have to deal with the reality. You need to also salute Batum because he could rule himself out but hasn't. He wears the French shirt with pride and he wants to play in Rio.

Imagine how the situation might turn out for him if he does indeed travel to Philippines. He will need to sign his contract in the NBA, with a new deal in Charlotte the most likely scenario, and hope the paperwork is finished as quickly as possible so he can hop on a plane to Manila, which is going to be half a world away. Last time I checked there were no direct flights to Manila from the Queen City, although FIBA Hall of Famer and Hornets owner Michael Jordan could always loan Batum a jet.

Having Batum on board, even for a couple of games, is worth it for France. He has morphed into Superman the past couple of summers, starting at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain where France appeared to have no business getting to the podium.

After helping his team upset hosts Spain in the Quarter-Finals, Batum had a couple of amazing games and guaranteed his presence in the All-Star Five.

He had 35 points to help France nearly claw back a 17-point, third-quarter deficit against Serbia in the Semi-Finals. Batum and Co pulled to within 84-82 but lost, 90-85.

Then in the battle for third place 24 hour later, Lithuania led 73-66 early in the fourth quarter but Batum, who had 27 points, and France won, 95-93.

Last year, who can forget Batum hitting the fadeaway 3-pointer from the left corner in Lille to force overtime against Spain? It was an incredible moment and one that French fans would rank among the all-time greatest in their national team history had they not lost in the extra period.

So yes, a lot of time and energy has been spent on trying to find a way to get Batum to Manila, and for me, France are doing the right thing.

FIBA

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