Battier a pal, but Gasol knows deal Story Tools E-mail this story | Print Grizzlies All-Star realizes moves had to be made By Ronald Tillery Contact July 3, 2006 That the news traveled farther and slower didn't affect Pau Gasol's opinion. The Grizzlies' draft-day dealings didn't shock their all-star forward/center. Advertisement Gasol is on board. It's already sunk in that he's no longer teammates with Shane Battier. The return of Stromile Swift -- a close friend -- is appealing to the Spaniard. Ultimately, Gasol said the organization did what's necessary to move full-steam ahead. "This league is about making these kind of decisions and these kind of moves," Gasol said via telephone from Spain. "It could happen to me when I least expect it." Gasol said he immediately called Battier and left a message. It's been difficult for the pair to connect because of the time difference. The Griz shipped Battier to Houston and acquired Swift and the rights to the draft's No. 8 pick, Rudy Gay. The deal won't become official until July 12 but Gasol said June 28 marked the end of a distinguished era. "We came along together, hand by hand. It kind of seemed like we would retire together," Gasol said, referring to Battier. "Trades are always a tough thing to deal with especially when there's a friend involved. Shane's done so much for our team. It's tough. We have to see how Rudy Gay plays and what he can give us. I'm happy to have Stro back but we're losing a big part of our team for five seasons." Battier and Gasol ushered in the inaugural Memphis Grizzlies after moving from Vancouver and bidding farewell to Mike Bibby and Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 2001. Swift left Memphis last summer as the only holdover from those Vancouver days. "We're really cool," Gasol said of his relationship with Swift. "If he ends up staying I'd like to see good, quality minutes from Stro. We're going to need that." Gasol insisted that the organization will rely on fan patience, too, realizing the roster was in for a shakeup. "Hopefully this all works out for the best," Gasol said. "That's all we can look forward to." -- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353 http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_4819002,00.html
Gasol went on to say he'd also like to see a tax-free America, world peace and an offensively potent Adam Everett.
just for the last one?? It occurs to me that I have yet to see anyone in the NBA community (players/coaches/or analysts) say anything bad about Battier's quality as a person or a player....why is it that so many fans think they know better than those that make a living in the NBA? I havent gave my thoughts on the trade(except in chat that night)...but I am more than willing to give Battier the benefit of the doubt until I see him play with the team. Stro wasnt doing crap for us anyway...and Im not about to get upset over a kid who is not guaranteed to be a stud. If time proves me wrong...fine...Ill take my lumps like a man...but the unending negativity on this board is really making it not fun to read anymore. god I hope the ROckets manage to put together a winning team so people will quit b****ing about them with every post they make.
And that is why Memphis won't make the playoffs next year. People don't realize how much that team is going to lose by trading Battier away.
saying that is as premature as folks around here claiming that the Rockets are f*cked because we traded for Battier. These are very preliminary moves in this offseason...we still have a long way to go and you never know what moves a organization may make in the next 4 months. People like to claim that such and such trades cant happen cause it dont make sense to them...but as we have seen time and time again, sometimes teams make moves that the fans dont understand that work out just fine.
Is that what they are saying?? I know they are saying we are short-sighted. But I believe everyone agrees this is the right move in the short term. His defense, and his little bit of offense......... if we get a point gaurd that everyone can get behind, I think we'll be fine for the season, and into the playoffs..... these are exciting times indeed. What I want to know.... how does Battier feel about the trade..... does he think he's better off in Houston, or would he have rather stayed in Memphis.... They were in the playoffs, as a fith seed no less...... But he's stated that he'd much rather be here.......that says a lot to me.
R2K, i tried emailing you through the BBS but i'm not sure of you got it. I have the '86 Celtics-Rockets series on dvd and i'd like to get them out to the peeps here, any chance you could torrent them?
I'll agree that there's still a long offseason ahead, but I think Memphis has definitely become weaker, especially defensively. AND they've lost Bobby Jackson. AND the Western conference competition has gotten tougher. I don't see them making the playoffs with their current roster -- that was not an off-the-cuff remark at all.
I've slowly started to change my mind about the trade and support Battier. As long as we fill in our other missing pieces I'm going to be happy, atleast for this season. Now to wait and see..
It's kinda like when Van Halen replaced David Lee Roth with Sammy Hagar. You know, the old Van Halen was much better on record, but they were better live with Hagar. So, even though on paper and statistically they might have been better with Gay, they're probably going to be better on the floor with Battier. Very similar situation. Or maybe not.
