It’s been a grueling season for Nic Batum.
He led the Clippers in regular-season minutes and was the primary defender on opposing perimeter threats. Then in the playoffs, Batum was unleashed as a small-ball big and forced to battle in the paint. He was never listed on the injury report, but he was clearly banged up at the end of the postseason.
Instead of getting a well-deserved rest, Batum jetted off to play with France in the Olympics, where he has once again led his team in minutes during the tournament at 29.2 per game.