Shane Battier on His Role and Contribution to the Rockets

pryuen · Jul 25, 2006

Shane Battier talked about how he can contribute to the Houston Rockets in an interview with Yang Yi of Basketball Pionners in Las Vegas.

http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2006-07-25/09452359212.shtml

Special correspondent Yang Yi reported from Las Vegas July 23.

If not for the trade to the Houston Rockets and therefore becoming the target for Chinese reporters, perhaps Shane Battier will be the most relaxed player right after the training. Lebron James and Dwyane Wade were still on the court, surrounded by US reporters; the rest of the All Stars were dispersed all over the courtside, fronted by cameras and recorders. Found a shirtless Shane Battier at a corner of the field, sitting on the bench, busily tidying up his personal stuffs. Sensing a reporter approaching, Battier immediately put on his T-Shirt, put on a broad smile, shook hands, put aside his knapsack, and vacanted out the bench for the reporter; every sign of a typical graduate from Duke.

Basketball Pioneers: I come from China, and obviously, I care more about the Houston Rockets.

Battier: Ha Ha, understandable. It is all because of Ming Yao (In the impression of the reporter, Battier seems to be still one of those rare US players that still refer Yao Ming as Ming Yao. So it is true that they are not familiar with each other.)

Basketball Pioneers: What was your first reaction after learning that you have been traded to the Rockets ?

Battier: Well, I felt okay. You know there are 2 super stars on the Rockets in Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. I am very happy; I think I have to play to the best of my capabilities to repay the Rockets wanting me.

Basketball Pioneers: What were you doing at that time (of learning about the trade) ?

Battier: I was on the basketball court in a training camp that I organized. I was instructing the players while watching the draft from the TV. And suddenly my agent called me and told me that I had been traded. I immediately called my wife. She seemed shocked over the phone and asked me: "Houston ??" Then in less than 2 minutes, the news about the trade was announced on the TV.

Basketball Pioneers: I thought definitely you have mixed feelings about the trade. It is definitely sad to be traded away (from Memphis), but at the same time, it could be a good thing to be in the same team with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. So which feeling takes over ?

Battier: Of course I was sad (about being traded away from Memphis). I spent 5 years there, and I have alot of friends there, and my wife likes that city very much. On the other hand, I don't think I need to reiterate how excited I am. Purely speaking from the viewpoint of a professional, I guess I am more excited about the trade; firstly, this is something (i.e. the trade) out of my control, and secondly, very obviously, there is a better chance that Houston Rockets can advance further than the Memphis Grizzlies (in the Championship playoff).

Basketball Pioneers: So have you settled down in Houston yet ?

Battier: Not yet. I just took a stroll there, looked around for a house, and then I was summoned to come here. My wife is still there looking for a house.

Basektball Pioneers: Have you met Jeff Van Gundy yet ?

Battier: I have not yet the opportunity to talk with him face to face. He is a good coach, very experienced, and has led the New York Knicks into the Final. I think he suits me very much. He seems to me a coach that pays extreme attention to details. I am also a player that pays alot of attention to details. He emphasizes alot on defense, and I also empahsize alot on defense. I really think we can work together amicably.

Basketball Pioneers: In your own opinion, what will be your greatest contribution to the Houston Rockets ?

Battier: I thought I am an extremely good team player. I think in offense, I have this ability to let Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady play more comfortably. In defense, I will spend much of my energy shutting down the best shooters from the opposing teams. In summary, I think I can offer more stability to this team.

Basteball Pioneers: Houston Rockets did not make the playoff last season. What is your guess for the new season ?

Battier: First and utmost, it is crucial that we have a healthy team. The reason we did not make the playoff last season was largely due to injuries and sicknesses. If barring injuries and sicknesses, we are going to be amongst championship contenders. The Western Conference is vey tough with many strong teams, but we are going to make alot of noises. I think hopefully we can win 55 games.

Basketball Pioneers: Have you ever talked with Yao Ming on the court ?

Battier: I think so, not on official occasion. You know my duty then was to give him a hard time.

Basketball Pioneers: When you were playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, you always demonstrated your tenacious defense in double-teaming and converging on Yao Ming, and alot of Chinese fans hate you very much. (HA HA, I hope they will not want to kill me when I visit China this time (Note: USA national team will play with Chinese national team in Guangzhou on August 7).. But right now, you become a Rockets, and the Chinese fans will start to like you (That's good; that's good). So do you want to say something to the Chinese fans ?

Battier: I am really excited to be with Yao on the same team. I know in China, everybody loves Yao. I promise I will give my best to do my part well, and this will be the biggest help I can give to Yao. And I firmly believe Yao will do his part well too.

Basketball Pioneers: So the USA national team will go to Guangzhou next month. Will this be your first visit to China ?

Battier: No. I spent my vacation in Hong Kong and Shenzhen last summer, and very few people knew about it. Well those cities are so populous. Hong Kong is such a nice city. And in Shenzhen, because I am so tall, I just stand out amongst them and appear very special amongst the crowd; they all gazed at me with strange looks.

Basketball Pioneers: So no one recognizes you and exclaimed: Hey, is that Shane Battier of the Memphis Grizzlies ?

Battier: No. But I guess right now people will say: Hey that is Shane Battier of the Houston Rockets. If opportunities warrant, I really want to visit more of Chinese cities. Just wish I can play in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Click to expand...

Amel · Jul 25, 2006

thanks for the work

appreciate it!

Hippieloser · Jul 25, 2006

Who needs the chronicle? We got pryuen!

gotrock? · Jul 25, 2006

Great work, as always, pryuen! Thanks for the insight!

ccjj · Jul 25, 2006

Hippieloser said:

Who needs the chronicle? We got pryuen!
Click to expand...

The chronicle needs pryuen....

Invisible Fan · Jul 25, 2006

Awsome translation as usual, pryuen.

Old Man Rock · Jul 25, 2006

Thanks for the post. Great article... Good info though I am still waiting for someone to ask Shane if he believes he can play PF full time.

wnes · Jul 25, 2006

pryuen, you are the sole reason I don't feel the need to sift through Chinese websites looking for articles on Yao and Rockets.

daywalker02 · Jul 25, 2006

.....and make use of babbelfish or google translator

u forgot to say haha

pickymen · Jul 25, 2006

Thanks again!

Champ06 · Jul 25, 2006

Well pryuen, what can I say. I enjoyed reading your excellent translation of the articles about Rockets. If not for your articles, this offseason will be quite boring. Great works. Thanks.

DaDakota · Jul 25, 2006

Again.....THANK YOU !!!

DD

okierock · Jul 25, 2006

pryuen ROCKS!!

I can see why they call him Citizen Shane. I am gonna like this guy.

saleem · Jul 25, 2006

Great work pryuen.

ymc · Jul 25, 2006

So Yang Yi flied to Las Vegas just to interview Shane? Why doesn't he wait until Shane comes to Guangzhou?

Champ06 · Jul 25, 2006

I thought I am an extremely good team player. I think in offense, I have this ability to let Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady play more comfortably. In defense, I will spend much of my energy shutting down the best shooters from the opposing teams. In summary, I think I can offer more stability to this team.-Shane Battier
If Battier can do what he said above which I believe he can, next season will one hell of a season. CD will be a hero.

Yetti · Jul 25, 2006

Thank you Pryuen! You could teach our newspapers a thing or two as they are so poor at Rocket Reporting!!

arno_ed · Jul 25, 2006

Thanks Pryuen, that was a nice article.

Funny how when asked about the play-offs Battier said: The reason we did not make the playoff last season was largely due to injuries and sicknesses.

He already feels like a rocket

ak47 · Jul 25, 2006

Thanks for the translation and the post . I can't wait till the season starts.
I hope shane battier can be a 17-8-4 player.

RocketForever · Jul 25, 2006

Sensing a reporter approaching, Battier immediately put on his T-Shirt, put on a broad smile, shook hands, put aside his knapsack, and vacanted out the bench for the reporter; every sign of a typical graduate from Duke.
Click to expand...

I thought Dick Vitale was the writer of this article when I read that.

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Shane Battier on His Role and Contribution to the Rockets

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