MEMPHIS - Nicolas Batum knows what kind of season he had for the Trail Blazers.

"Bad,'' he said. "My worst year.''

And he knows when the smoke clears from the Blazers' disappointing 4-1 series loss to Memphis that he will take the brunt of the criticism.

"I understand that,'' Batum said. "There were huge expectations. I felt we could do something special this season, collectively and personally. So I understand. Since I signed this contract, the first two years I was OK. This one, like I said, was my first bad one. But I understand why people get mad. I'm the first one to get mad at myself.''

Batum, the Blazers' second-highest paid player this season at nearly $12 million, averaged 9.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 40 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from three point range. It was his lowest scoring average since his rookie season and lowest shooting percentages of his seven-year career.

In the five game playoff series, he averaged 14.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 34 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range. In the season-ending Game 5 loss, he went 2-for-12 from the field.

"All I know is everybody has one bad year,'' Batum said. "You have to learn from it. Why? And how can I get better?''

Batum said the first change will be how he manages his time in the offseason. He said his late decision to join the French National team last summer ended up over-extending him.

"Last year, I didn't manage my offseason well,'' Batum said. "I didn't plan to go with the national team last summer, and when I did, I had already made plans to make appearances and camps. I didn't rest.''

This summer, he said he will play for the French National Team, but he will rest before he reports in August.

In the meantime, he will watch from afar at the restructuring of the Blazers' roster, which includes free agents such as LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez.

"I'm one of the rare guys on contract,'' Batum said. "But I hope we get the same team back.''

--Jason Quick | email | @jwquick