I know there is a lot of talk about Battier's defense on the down, but it seems to me that as Jordan Hill is getting more comfortable, battier's defense is improving. Maybe its just a fluke but he is doing a pretty good job these last few games. Does Battier live and die on team defense? As players get old, they loose there speed, jump, and power. Not many lose their shot. Is it that his offensive confidence comes from good defense? I know, I know, this is a reaction thread to the win. Just can't help it.
all players will benefit from a big that defends...technically everyone's D should go up a notch if Hill is back there getting defensive rebounds and challenging shots.
Dont be such a Debbie Downer. We havent had much to cheer about this season so let the positive "knee-jerks" come in. All I ask for is consistency in fight from this team, win or lose. At least show an effort. And the effort has been there these past few games.
Jeez, you don't give enough credit to the Beige Mamba's learned, gentlemanly, and diplomatic attitude. He would say something more along the lines of "I say, your comments are quite nugatory. Perhaps you would like my hand in your face whilst I make you shoot a career-low percentage of insults?" And after he set the tea cup down and adjusted his top hat, then he'd say: "Blow me."
Considering Battier has never been athletic (by NBA standards since he can school any of us any day), of course his D depends a lot of team D. I am surprised so many people here thinks that Battier can play any type of lock down D. His style of defense has always been to stay a step ahead of his opponent through pre-game preparations and funnel or guide the opponents into spots where they are statistically worse at shooting the ball or where there is additional help by staying in front of them. When they do shoot, since he is usually too slow or athletically disinclined to rise up for a block, he will stick his hand in their face to limit their vision or tap them on the head to distract them. When he does get blocks, it is due to prior positioning and proper timing. The better the team D, the easier he can focus on funneling around opponents towards help or, at the very least, not worry about someone else setting picks or getting open.
You couldn't be more right. Without the big man down low the team as a whole has to step it up. They played tightly the entire game and honestly just outran the lakers up and down the court. I didn't see this one coming, but I'll gladly take it.
Insulting people? I did not drop any names, I simply said the homers need to be objective with their analyses. Battier is still not the lock down D player everyone believes him to be and will never be that guy. Like I mentioned in the other Battier thread, I still believe he should be traded before his value diminishes further. Package him with Brooks/picks and see what bites...
The Beige Mamba thing was a JOKE. Just because you hate the guy doesn't make me a homer. And the REAL Beige Mamba would insist you settle this little feud by beating him at a game of checkers. Winner buys scones.
One thing you notice is that Battier is inconsistent, which is true to an extent. One thing you haven't seen is that tonight Battier stepped it up and in turn it seemed like the whole team stepped it up as well. Its not being a homer, its being a fan because sometimes players go through slumps in their game too, and as of late Battier has been finding his rhythm on the court.
Battier is smart and disciplined without much athleticism. This kind of players are always better team defender than individual defender.
