Deja vu. Just as the Spurs sent for Tony Parker and his turned ankle earlier this month, the Blazers have recalled their own French star, Nicolas Batum. The young wing has been incredible for Les Bleus in Eurobasket qualifying, turning in the defensive performance Blazer fans have seen and adding some signficant (and heretofore invisible) offensive arsenal in the Old World.Batum has had a bad shoulder for some five months. Le Monde reports that earlier this week the Blazers requested Batum come back to Portland for a check-up following Friday's critical match against Italy. France crushed the Azzurri, thanks in part to Batum's 18 points, eight rebounds and six steals. Batum hopes to return to the French team soon. Les Bleus, however, won't play a meaningful game until August 27, which is the first leg of the home-and-home which will decide whether the team makes the Eurobasket cut.
Via The Oregonian.
UPDATE: The Blazers have already cleared Batum to return to France. That was fast.
