INGLEWOOD — Clippers forward Nicolas Batum was truly surprised. He couldn’t fathom why he was being singled out for something that comes naturally to the 16-year veteran.
“Why me?” he asked of being selected as one of 12 finalists for the 2024-25 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award.
The annual honor is awarded to the player who is deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on- and off-court leadership, a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and displays commitment and dedication to the team. Chauncey Billups won the inaugural award following the 2012-2013 season and is the only Clipper to have won it.
“I had no idea. I got some texts today from friends, like (saying) congrats, congrats and I’m like congrats for what, what did I do?” he said.
As it turns out, Batum does plenty for his teammates.
At 6-foot-8, Batum is a formidable player on the court whose savvy defense and 3-point shooting helps spread the floor for superstars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
He also is a humble leader off the floor, always deferring to others whether it costs him minutes or attention. Although quiet, his teammates listen to him, gleaning advice, support and sound coaching tips.
“I just try to be a good teammate technically. Really be there on time, be there for my teammates, just the basic stuff as a teammate,” Batum, 36, said. “So being recognized as one of the 12 best teammates in the NBA is cool, though.”
Batum’s kindness goes deeper than the “basic stuff.” Guard Norman Powell called Batum “super selfless,” someone who cares more about helping the team win than playing time.
“He makes sure guys are confident, comfortable on the floor. He sacrifices himself to win games offensively, defensively, and does whatever’s required,” Powell said. “He doesn’t have an attitude or doesn’t care about himself. He just cares about the team and the team being in position to win games.
“He talks to the young guys, he talks to everybody, makes sure they know where they’re at and he gets everybody in line when things are slipping off or we’re not playing the way we need to play.”
Even Powell?
“Me included,” Powell said, adding that Batum was an advocate for him when he was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Clippers in 2022.
“He had confidence in me early on when I first got traded here, what my role was going to be and how I could best help the team,” Powell said. “He really pushed me to be aggressive and play with confidence.”
Batum returned to the Clippers this season after being part of the trade that brought Harden to Los Angeles in the fall of 2023. The French forward and fan favorite fully intended to retire a Clipper, but he found himself in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform for a season and when he could, he signed a free agent deal to rejoin the Clippers.
At the preseason media day, Batum said he wanted to reunite with Coach Tyronn Lue, who had resurrected his career after a sour ending with the Charlotte Hornets. Lue was happy to welcome him back.
“He’s the ultimate team guy, whether he needs to play 26 minutes or he needs to play 35 minutes or if he needs to play six minutes,” Lue said. “He’s always going to be the ultimate team guy. He’s going to cheer for his teammates and he’s just a great connector.
“So, if I had to say one word (about why Batum is a good teammate) I would say (he’s a) connector, whether it’s on the floor just keeping guys engaged, or keeping the guys on the bench engaged, and then also putting out fires on the bench when he needs to.
“Also, when he plays on the floor, we are a better team.”
And a better teammate.
MAVERICKS AT CLIPPERS
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood
TV/radio: FDSN SoCal/1150 AM