Batum grateful for time with L.A.
BOX SCORE
LOS ANGELES >> Nicolas Batum looked up Sunday at the scoreboard, where a montage of images welcomed him and two other 76ers teammates back to Crypto.com Arena. The former Clippers forward didn't smile or cry. He simply gave the appreciative crowd a slight wave before getting back to the huddle.
Batum was part of the trade with Philadelphia that brought James Harden to Los Angeles, a move he neither expected nor wanted. He had indicated that he wanted to retire in a Clippers jersey.
So, he wasn't sure what to expect emotionally before playing in the place he called home for three seasons, but only that it was “weird” to be in the opposing locker room.
The veteran French player said that when the Clippers signed him after he was waived by Charlotte, he intended to play only one season then retire. He figured he wasn't going to have much of a role with the Clippers.
“My goal was maybe to just be around the team. That's it. Be on a winning team,” Batum said before the 76ers handed the Clippers a 121-107 defeat. “Then this dude (coach Tyronn Lue) pretty much started me in game one.
“I mean they told me that when they were recruiting (that I would have a significant role), but I didn't really believe it because in my mind I was like, `OK, I'm done. I (stink), whatever,' ”
Batum said. “But I mean, yeah, he said we're going to use you and you're going to play for me. And he did.
“I mean, for three years with him in this task, I told him I'll do pretty much whatever you want from me, I'm going to do it.”
In his three seasons with the Clippers, Batum averaged 7.5 points and started 111 of 207 games. This season with the 76ers, Batum is averaging 5.3 points and 4.2 assists in 25.2 minutes off the bench. He did not see any minutes against the Clippers.
Batum said the move to Philadelphia has shown he can still contribute to a team at 37. What happens after this season is still up in the air.
“I got a couple more games left to play this year, so we will see after that,” Batum said. “But no, I mean we (Clippers and 76ers) extended my career for four more years at least and I'll be thankful for that for the rest of my career, rest of my life, for sure.”
Other ex-Clippers day
Robert Covington missed Sunday's return because of a bone bruise in his left knee but K.J. Martin, who played just two games with the Clippers before being traded, posted 8 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists in 24 minutes against his former team.
Westbrook expected to play tonight
Russell Westbrook, who was again on the sideline Sunday, is expected to return to the Clippers' backcourt for today's home game against the Indiana Pacers.
The former MVP point guard will probably have a minute restriction as he regains his form after missing 12 games because of a fractured his left hand. He averaged 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 38 assists and 12 steals off the bench before suffering the injury.