"same thing every time... they out-quicked us, they outworked us, they out-toughed us

Battier is a good piece for playoff teams, did the Rockets look like a playoff team this year?

A change of scenery was needed on both sides, although trading him for Thabeet did leave a bitter taste in my mouth.

 

Tony Allen is the heart of the Grizzlies toughness and defense, not Battier.

 

Glad somebdy posted this before i did.

 

Please. Like it or not, the Rockets were a better team without him. Sorry if that kills your "amazing intangibles argument." And I don't mean it as a knock on Shane -- he's a good role player. But he didn't fit in our offensive scheme and without him we looked MUCH better.

 

imagine if they had chuck coming off the bench? they might make it to the finals!

 

They'd win the Finals. We can't afford to give them the Real Shane Battier after giving them Shane Battier.

 

Don't leave out Landry, who has been playing the Fakers really tough. I also like how Ariza is dogging Kobe. This NOH-LA series has been pretty good so far.

But also you have to look at the relative age of the Spurs. Yes, they had the regular season record, but their age and general health are causing them to run out of steam.

 

Actually, I think we looked so much better was because we got rid of Brooks.