Nicolas Batum defends Greg Oden: “He just had the worst luck in the world”

Nicolas Batum had the chance to evolve with teammates particulhighly talented during his career. But among them, there is one who never had the chance to prove his worth due to injuries. 15 years later, the captain of the France team sent a cash message to Greg Oden, the biggest bust in history according to some.

In his beautiful and long career, Nicolas Batum had the chance to play with some exceptional talents. Already in Portland, he made his debut for a team led by Brandon Roy, who is perhaps one of the most underrated players of his generation. He then made the transition over the years Damian Lillard / LaMarcus Aldridge, two more than confirmed All-Stars.

In his second franchise, the Hornets, the captain of the France team had a front row seat to witness the emergence of Kemba Walker, one of the best leaders in the Eastern Conference for several seasons. And what about Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, his current Clippers teammates? He has seen beautiful people and knows how to recognize talent when he sees it.

Nicolas Batum to the rescue of Greg Oden

And that’s why he will never speak ill of a player like Greg Oden. Considered by some fans to be the biggest bust in league history, the injury-plagued center received unconditional support from Nicolas Batum. In a podcast excerpt reposted on social networks, he was quite clear on the subject.

I’ve been saying it for 15 years and I’m going to keep saying it until my last breath on earth: Greg Oden is not a bust, he just had the worst luck in the world. His knees didn’t hold up. He was very, very strong. When he played with us… I saw things in training, we were neighbors in the locker room, I will defend him until the end.

Greg Oden in career is 8 points and 6.5 rebounds on average, for only 105 games played, too little for a Draft No. 1 selected ahead Kevin Durant. But for Nicolas Batum, it’s hard to talk about a bust for a man who was mostly let down by his body, not his game. For those who don’t know him, here’s what the pivot looked like before he arrived in the league and the beginning of his problems. He martyred Al Horford and Joakim Noah easily, the same evening!

A reminder Greg Oden made Al Horford, Joakim Noah and Marreese Speights look like children with ONE good hand in the national title game and was totally worthy of the No. 1 pick pic.twitter.com/N0kqStrsUJ

— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) June 28, 2020

Nicolas Batum saw Greg Oden in training, he spoke to him regularly in the locker room, he knows how his career was hanging by a thread. Without injuries, the pivot would be known much differently than a bust.