Batum, Battier Reflect on Guarding NBA Legends

Nicolas Batum, a veteran NBA and French national team forward, has reflected on guarding basketball legends, highlighting Stephen Curry's clutch performance that secured a gold medal for Team USA over France at the Paris Olympics. Batum described witnessing Curry's late-game surge as an honor, despite France's loss. He also praised Alex Caruso's impactful defense in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, notably for his ability to disrupt NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Batum credited his EuroLeague experience for preparing him to face NBA stars like Kobe Bryant without intimidation. Shane Battier, another renowned defender, has discussed the intense preparation and psychological challenges of guarding elite scorers such as Bryant. These accounts collectively highlight the strategic and mental demands of defending basketball's top players on both international and NBA stages.