Chron: Battier on the mark with 3s

[onreego]

After struggling with his shot through much of the season, Rockets forward Shane Battier has hit eight of 13 3-pointers in the last three games, including four of seven in Tuesday’s loss to the Jazz. “It’s part of the season,” Battier said. “You have ups and downs. You just keep shooting. You have nights like this. They sort of offset the nights you go 1-for-10. You keep shooting it, and eventually it turns around. “It doesn’t matter now by the numbers. It will be my worst shooting year of my career. I’m beyond that. I take the ego out of it. Shots are free now.” Battier has made 39.6 percent of his shots this season —35.6 percent from beyond the arc — to average 6.6 points. He has averaged 10 points per game in his eight-season career, making 44.7 percent of his shots, including 38.6 percent of his 3-pointers. Thinking playoffs With another first-round matchup of the Rockets and Jazz possible, Utah guard Deron Williams said he’d welcome such a pairing. “We’re confident in us, no matter who we play,” Williams said. “We have beat them the last (two) years in the first round of the playoffs. So if we had to go up (against) them again, we like our chances.”

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6342580.html

I know that some would rather not play the JIZZ in the first round (and I'm not too sure if I'd want to either after the last game) but if we get them and have home court adv., I'd like to see the Rox make Deron eat his words.

[ccada]

Originally Posted by JunkYardDawg http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6342580.html I know that some would rather not play the JIZZ in the first round (and I'm not too sure if I'd want to either after the last game) but if we get them and have home court adv., I'd like to see the Rox make Deron eat his words.

Let's just hope that the old Shane is back for good. Shane doesn't score more consistently, we don't win in the playoffs. Period.

[Kracka0476]

It's about time Shane damn.

[BucMan55]

He had a couple hot streaks earlier in the season, last one coming with "The Tan" after the all star break.

Hopefully he can keep it going thru the play-offs.

[MisterPink]

I don't even care about him going on a hot streak. His 3pt% this season is nearly a career low, and his FG% is the lowest its ever been. I would settle for last season's Shane at this point.

[GBRocket]

I like the Jazz's chances too - they're our bogey team. Let's take on someone else this year.

[Kracka0476]

Originally Posted by MisterPink I don't even care about him going on a hot streak. His 3pt% this season is nearly a career low, and his FG% is the lowest its ever been. I would settle for last season's Shane at this point.

Season stats dont mean squat in the playoffs. If he can just get hot right now going into the playoffs is all that matters.

[kaleidosky]

props to shane for not saying a word about his ankle when talking about his early-season struggles

[pmac]

Originally Posted by kaleidosky props to shane for not saying a word about his ankle when talking about his early-season struggles

Why?...it's the most logical reason for him struggling earlier in the season. If he would have mentioned it, he would have been correct.

[Rockets2K]

Originally Posted by kaleidosky props to shane for not saying a word about his ankle when talking about his early-season struggles

He has never been the type for excuses...even when it is a valid one.

when your wheels are weak, its tough to motor(play) like normal...the feet were an issue for him early on, which led to below normal defensive rotations(his specialty) and his shot being off. Especially so from outside, you must have your legs firmly under you to have a reliable threeball shot.

I'm still not so sure that him playing wounded last year wasnt a major factor in the series loss....the guy shouldnt even have been playing then.

[Depressio]

Originally Posted by JunkYardDawg I'd like to see the Rox make Deron eat his words.

He certainly gave material to post up in the locker room, that's for sure. Thanks, Deron!

Though I wonder if that will get Ron Ron going and he'll start doing more 1 on 5's against the Jazz...

[ShutURBiG!]

Originally Posted by Rockets2K He has never been the type for excuses...even when it is a valid one. when your wheels are weak, its tough to motor(play) like normal...the feet were an issue for him early on, which led to below normal defensive rotations(his specialty) and his shot being off. Especially so from outside, you must have your legs firmly under you to have a reliable threeball shot. I'm still not so sure that him playing wounded last year wasnt a major factor in the series loss....the guy shouldnt even have been playing then.

He was our best defender at the time.

[Deckard]

Shane ought to be playing about 20 minutes a game, all out. Maybe his wheels would hold up better (or his clutch!).

[RV6]

Originally Posted by Deckard Shane ought to be playing about 20 minutes a game, all out. Maybe his wheels would hold up better (or his clutch!).

what makes you think he doesn't play all out in 30 minutes or more?


And even though the chronicle only mentioned his past three games, he's actually been shooting well for about 6 games now. I know it's still a small sample size, but 3 games is "oh maybe he just got hot", while 6 -7 games is more like "he's starting to show some consistency".

[kaleidosky]

Originally Posted by pmac Why?...it's the most logical reason for him struggling earlier in the season. If he would have mentioned it, he would have been correct.

Because he's not about excuses. He's about results. He won't put the blame on something or someone besides himself, even if it's logical.

So I personally wouldn't have faulted him for bringing up the injury (though I think some others would have said it's a BS excuse)...but him just taking ownership and not saying anything else shows his personality and pretty much what he's all about on the court--bring all you got all the time, no matter what.

[Deckard]

Originally Posted by RV6 what makes you think he doesn't play all out in 30 minutes or more? And even though the chronicle only mentioned his past three games, he's actually been shooting well for about 6 games now. I know it's still a small sample size, but 3 games is "oh maybe he just got hot", while 6 -7 games is more like "he's starting to show some consistency".

That wasn't an implication on my part. He's been having problems with his ankles for a while and has looked half a step slow at times, IMO. If fewer minutes enable Shane to play at a higher level when he's on the court, I would consider that a plus.

[Rockets2K]

Originally Posted by ShutURBiG! He was our best defender at the time.

I would argue that he is our best defender NOW.

Don't get me wrong, when Ronron decides he is gonna get a steal, he can hound the ball holder and cause a turnover with the best of them......but he gambles FAR too often and when it doesn't work, he takes way too long getting back into position to impact the play.

Shane takes less chances and as a result is normally always in a position to affect the play in a positive manner.

When it comes down to it, we are damn fortunate to have two of the best perimeter defenders in the league on our team.

[henGoOink]

I hope he can keep knocking down the 3's

[CrazyDave]

Battier is looking like his shot is falling better since the all-star break, but especially lately. He also seems to be a bit more willing to attack the basket at times.

As for Deron... let me fix that

Originally Posted by D-Wilt with some clarification "We have somehow gotten over on them the last (two) years in the first round of the playoffs. So they're due. If we had to go up (against) them again, we like our chances to lose and therefore continue our tradition of never bringing a championship to Utah.”

[dachuda86]

Originally Posted by ccada Let's just hope that the old Shane is back for good. Shane doesn't score more consistently, we don't win in the playoffs. Period.

No pressure Shane... no pressure...