Everything is fine. This is more or less the message sent by Nicolas Batum, a few days before France-Canada, the Blues’ first match at the World Cup (August 25-September 10). There was however reason to worry a little, or at least to ask questions, knowing that the captain of the France team did not play at all against Japan (victory 88-70) and that it was little used against Australia (74-78 defeat), the last two warm-up matches. “I was used a lot, more than expected, during the first preparation matches. We had traveled a long way to get to Tokyo, so the Japan match was something we had set up with the staff to avoid pulling it out. I had not missed any training, any match before that, ”recalls Batum, 34, who will play his 11th final phase of an international tournament with the national team.
And the Clippers player to continue: “Against Australia, the idea was to keep a rhythm, knowing that I will have big responsibilities, especially with the absence of Frank (Ntilikina). Defensively, we took turns a little on certain things. Now I still have to do more. The most important thing is to be ready for Friday. And everything is fine, I have no sores, I have nothing at all. Zero worries or zero alerts.” Of which act. Captain Batum and the Blues start their World Cup on Friday (3:30 p.m.) with a tough duel against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Canada in Jakarta.