Nicolas Batum has shown great improvement this summer and will enter training camp as the favorite to start at small forward in Portland.

Batum's main competition will be veteran forward Martell Webster, who missed virtually all of last season with a foot injury.

The young forward has excelled alongside NBA stars such as Tony Parker, Ronny Turiaf and Boris Diaw on the French national team this offseason.

"The best players in the league are always trying to add something to their games (in the offseason)," Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard told the Oregonian. "You're either getting better or getting worse. Well, I really feel like he's gotten better."

Portland coach Nate McMillan admitted to the paper that Batum is the favorite to start at small forward, one of three positions that figure to be up for grabs in training camp.