At the time we had 2 All-star players who needed help right away. Battier was a proven player that was supposed to help lead the team in the lockeroom and on defense (since we had no vocal leader even with Yao/Tracy).
sooo selfish of him to say that.. we got better after he was gone. Bud played well as his replacement.
Things should be looking up for the Rockets then if a less talented team can sweep a "more talented" team 4-0 last season. I can't believe I read a Solomon article.
Exactly, especially coming from a good guy like Battier who's been in the L for 10 years. Not everybody here is high on DM so it's good to hear it from somebody else.
Knowing what a competitor Battier is, I totally understand why he would feel that way and make those comments. That said, it wouldn't surprise me AT ALL if he immediately followed up those comments with something along the lines of "But I know it's a business, and I know I no longer really fit with where the Rockets are going. Obviously, trading me for some value is better for that franchise long term than just letting me walk away for nothing" Again, to be clear, I ain't saying he DID say that - only that it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he did and Solomon chose to leave it out. p.s. I suspect that trade increased the demand for Battier's services in the free agent market. Everyone saw how he stepped right in and helped lead that team to the second round.
Battier, what an unprofessional thing to say. I'm tired of his antics. He in every way represents what is wrong with the league today.
I think that might be the first time anyone has said that about Battier. IMO, I don't think he said anything remotely out-of-line.
I'm being completely sarcastic. He is the model for every role player in the NBA. He deserves to express his feelings.
...and that is the reason the Rockets traded him for Rudy Gay. I'd love to watch shut Lebron out in the playoffs. Please don't go to Miami!!
We traded the guy back to the team that feels fondly towards him and vice versa who were in contention to make the playoffs over us, who were behind them and he's complaining?!? We could have traded him to the Wolves for better "assets" probably.
He's not going to get shut out lol. East is no competition for Miami. They 4-1'd every single team. If those other contenders don't build to counter Miami, they're going to lose. Celtics are old, Rose going 1-3 is not going to work, Orlando... uncertain.
Still at odds with the battier trade. but kinda happy that morey was able to use that bad first round draft pick in a trade during the draft. bitter sweet really