Nicolas Batum (Photo : Photo: NBA.com)
Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford looks to take a page out of Stan Van Gundy's 2009 Orlando Magic book.
Clifford's plan is to use newly acquired wingman Nicolas Batum in the same vein as a point-forward like Hedo Turkoglu.
"He's in a similar place to where Turkoglu was in Orlando as far as size and exceptional feel for the game," the coach told reporters.
In the eyes of his new coach, Batum has a knack of creating impact on different areas of the court and the natural talent to perform at the highest level.
"If he's open, he shoots it. If he's not, he'll drive," Clifford said. "He's as instinctual as you can ask of a player, and you can't coach that."
The 26-year-old Frenchman packed his bags this summer and went from Portland to Charlotte in an attempt to add depth and versatility to a struggling Hornets frontline.
Other than a classic post player in Al Jefferson and a pick-and-roll operator in Kemba Walker, the Hornets lack players who can step up to the plate when opponents deny scoring opportunities down the block.
As a result, Charlotte's offense was ranked third-worst behind Philadelphia and New York.
Here's where Nicolas Batum's innate gifts becomes a factor.
Listed at 6'8", Batum can easily see over defenders, as well as create passing or scoring angles for himself. It helps that he's a knockdown three-point shooter as well.
On defense, he has superb nose for the ball thanks to his long wingspan and quick feet, as reflected by his capacity to guard anyone from the No. 1 to the No. 4 position.
Essentially, he can - and will - help carry the load off the broad shoulders of Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker.
In an offense that usually resorts to coming up something out of nothing, Nicolas Batum provides one-of-a-kind flexibility to a team that often lacks creativity.
