Ranking The NBA’s Top Glue Guys

5.) Nicolas Batum

Much doubt spurred from the poor play of Nicolas Batum in the 2014-15 campaign, but the French forward has bounced back nicely with his new Charlotte Hornets team. Though injuries have taken a toll on Batum’s consistency, the 27-year-old is still posting impressive averages of 14.2 points, 5.5 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game.

With Kemba Walker stepping up as the unquestioned go-to scorer for the Hornets, Batum finds himself in a position in which he can control the offense without dominating it. Though a very capable scorer, Batum works best as a point-forward and facilitator who picks his spots to score when the defense doesn’t expect it.

Nic stands at a lengthy 6-foot-8, which allows him to get off his high-release jumper against even the tightest of defenders. He is a fantastic spot-up shooter with very solid mechanics, and his off-the-dribble jumper is an effective weapon when he’s in or around the paint, especially when he uses the backboard.

He is only shooting about 41 percent from the field this year, but just under half of his field goal attempts are three-pointers, of which he’s knocking down 34 percent.

Batum’s playmaking has been stellar this year as well. His assists-per-game average of 5.5 is a career best. What’s more is that Batum assists on 24.9 percent of his teams field goals, indicative of how involved he is in the offense.

Defensively, Batum is certainly above average, if not better. His length makes him effective at guarding three positions, and he is fast enough laterally to contain some point guards as well. Overall, he is holding opponents to an average field goal percentage that is 2.5 percent lower than their normal marks. His help side defense comes and goes, but when he is attentive he is quite capable.

Batum won’t steal the show every night, but he’s a guy you’d want to have on your squad.

Next: No. 4: Tim Duncan