Batum: "It will never replace Tony Parker"

Villeneuve d'Ascq - "It will never replace Tony Parker," said Nicolas Batum, who is not seen to be "the only leader" of the France team basketball the day when "TP" will stop his career.

"There will not necessarily be appointed leader but a real band. The game will be different, but equally exciting," said Charlotte winger, on the eve of the quarter finals of the Euro against Latvia Tuesday ( 9:00 p.m.) in Villeneuve d'Ascq.

Q: You will be big favorites against Latvia. This status it can be dangerous'

A: "Yes, but we already had experiences like last year (in the World), where we have not needed to be favorites to win a game it will be up to us to respect the instructions of Vincent. (Collet, coach) to be concentrated for forty minutes and respecting the opponent. Latvia is strong. It has not happened in the quarterfinals by chance. It is a team that defends well and discomfort his opponents. It showed good things. For us to stay focused to win and move forward. "

Q: Many fans follow you. How do you handle this aspect of the competition '

A: "We try to open people are trying to spend four or five minutes with the people ahead of us at the hotel before leaving for training It's not much but it's.. important. We need them. To feel this support there, it's great. "

Q: You had ended World last year cannonball. Do you feel able to repeat it '

A:.. "To score 62 points in less than 24 hours' Maybe, but that's not my main focus What I did last year was not ordered It was done on instinct. . This year, the workforce is totally different. It was recovered Tony (Parker) and Nando (De Colo), two high caliber players, which were not there in 2014. So mark 35 points (against Serbia half) and 27 points (against Lithuania for 3rd place) in two days, I do not think I'll do it because we have so many players. I hope that we will continue to distribute the forces. If I have to do, it means that the team is in penury + + and I took a hot shot! "

Q: Do you feel ready to one day become the leader of this team '

A: "I do not think I'll be the only leader, because we are fortunate to have many talented players A small Ch'ti (Nando de Colo) is not bad at all right now. . It further shows his talent. The (players born in) 91-92 emerge. When the 82-23 generation (Tony Parker, Boris Diaw) leave, there will not necessarily appointed leader but a real band. The game will be different, but just as exciting. "

Q: You do not like to have the same influence as Tony Parker '

A: "We are not like Tony is a guy except he his game, its features, its leadership ... It will never replace Tony Parker must not think that it must necessarily be replaced.... This will not happen in all cases not right away. "