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Philippines, 26 Apr 2024 |
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NBA --- With heavy hearts thinking back home, Batum and Noah play on By Adeline Deladisma PhilBoxing.com Sun, 15 Nov 2015 CHICAGO -- Postgame, standing in his street clothes in the wide hallway outside the visitor's locker room at the United Center, Nicolas Batum had his eyes trained on his cell phone. Just a few steps away, CNN coverage of the terrorist attacks in Paris played on a television monitor. At least 127 people have been killed in a series of attacks on the French capital city and the reverberations have been felt throughout the world. Basketball has become an international game and many players from around the world now call the NBA home. But their hearts and their heads are never far from their homelands. On Friday night (Saturday morning Manila time), the Chicago Bulls (6-3) defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets 102-97 in front of a sell out crowd of 21,749. Batum, a small forward for the Charlotte Hornets, hails from Lisieux, France and was a member of the French national team that won the bronze at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and bronze at the 2015 EuroBasket. He led all scorers with 28 points, shooting 5 of 6 from three point range. It was clear that his mind was on his family and friends. Speaking after the game, he described the challenge of compartmentalizing and focusing on the game. "You know, until the last minute before the game began I was on my phone checking on everybody in my family. My sister lives close by where one of the attacks happened?. And the first thing I did when we got back to the locker room is check my phone again to see if everything is good? I think about it all game." Joakim Noah, the Bulls' energy ball whose fire is well-known to Chicago fans and foes alike, is the son of Yannick Noah, the French tennis star who also won the French Open in 1983. He has also proudly donned the French national team uniform and was part of the French team that won the silver at EuroBasket 2011. Bulls center Pau Gasol, who is from neighboring Spain, commented on the situation in France, saying, "It's sad, very sad, what's happened in Paris. You try to focus and do what you have to do. At the same time your mind is there, your heart is there. You know a lot of people are suffering at this moment. Overall, devastating news." He lauded his teammate's effort in the win crediting Noah "with a lot of energy coming off (the bench) with 18 boards, 6 assists." Noah proved to be the motor his team is used to seeing and inspired the effort to close the game. Beyond the court, their priorities are clear. "I talked to Joakim Noah about it on the court," said Batum. "The first thing when I see him on the court- is your family okay. And it's the first thing he told me too- are your family okay?" According to both, their families are safe. Batum hopes, in his own way, that his performance on the court sends a message. "That is a tough day for us. But we're strong. We're tough. We're going to stay tough and we're going to be alright." Click here to view a list of other articles written by Adeline Deladisma.  |
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