Nicolas Batum spent most of his seven seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers deferring to stars. In Charlotte he’s been told to be a star.
From the day Batum arrived in Charlotte in June, coach Steve Clifford described an expanded role that will put the ball in his hands as much as any Hornet.
“Nic has always been third or fourth option,” Clifford said at Friday’s media day. “Now he’s going to be second or first option.”