I don't think this subject is valid. We are not even in full strength for most part and we are 0.658 after 38 games, #4 in the League. Who do you think in the entire last draft that can help us better than Battier? Forget about Guy. He has no heart and low BB IQ, which I think is more important than anything to become a superstar.
As someone who booed at the draft party, I am man enough to admit when I'm wrong. Getting his head busted open taking a charge in what was essentially the game winning play almost brought tears to my eyes. The guy is better than advertised and we are starting to see that his intangibles are actually pretty tangible if you watch the guy every night. If you're just checking the box scores every night and watching him when we play four times a year you cannot understand how good he is. Furthermore, it seems that our system is better suited for him than Hubie's or Fratello's. Thabo could end up being good but obviously not NBA ready, after that I can't even name anyone else that was drafted 8-12.
Future talent (Gay)and a bust (Swift) for Battier was well executed by the Rockets management and JVG did the rigt thing to get rid of Swift.
Nothing againt Battier I just think that we should have gotten a future pick as well as Battier. CD just didn't want to do the work and was just happy for Memphis to take him off our hands.
The San Antonio Spurs were among the other teams after Shane Battier, so CD had to move fast. Think of him on that team and shudder! He's a Bruce Bowen who can still shoot!
Haha I still remember sitting there with moes19, MadMax, RM95, and RunninRaven at BW3s and being PISSED as HELL we traded Gay for Battier. Now looking back on it, it was an awesome move. I love Shane. We better never let him go. Ever. I have a feeling as long as JVG is at the helm, that won't happen.
That is not accurate and likely False CD lazy? You think he went to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead of talking to Jerry West? I am sure he tried his best to get a pick. What makes or breaks sports deals is one minor detail. The pick was the difference between us getting Battier or not. If West couldn't keep all his picks to rebuild, he could have kept Battier as a positive influence for a your Grizz team and REFUSED to make the trade We still got the best out of the deal. Besides, let's say we got their pick. That pick will probably be working at Burger King. Only about 10% of draftees make an impact in the NBA. Trying to get an impact player from the second round of the draft who can contribute to a team with championship aspirations is less likely than hitting the lotto.
I was able to see both the Rox games this weekend and man, I love Shane...This guy just has a motor that doesn't quit...Hustling on D, taking a charge, poping a 3...Definitely glad he's a rock...For a long time I hope...
To point out how important Battier is to this team just compare last year and this year's team. Last year when T-mac or Yao were out, we lost many times. Now with Yao out, the only new part of our rotation is Battier because Billy and Novak barely play. Snyder was injured and so was Bonzi. And JL3 plays from time to time. So with Battier as the only new part look how much better we are. So all I have to say is getting Battier was one of the smartest things our management could have done because he is perfect for our team because of what he brings night in and night out.
Why this thread only got 1 star? I started a " Battier > Gay + Swift" thread several weeks ago and got 2.
and we got rid of a millstone around our neck in Swift... that makes a huge difference right there. I wasn't completely shocked at the trade but then I am a newbie to the whole draft night festivities. Batt is a grade A quality stock!
I still think the Rockets got short-changed; they didn't get enough in return. I like Battier, but they should have at least gotten a pick if not a bench player. Swift is officially a bust; Gay could become an upper tier player.
He only could be an upper tier player... that is why the value of Gay was driven down by the Grizz. When you are trading a known commodity in Shane for a draft player in Gay, that unknown commodity loses value. At least that's how I would look at it.
And Gay could also become the next Swift. Based on his player lately, that is more likely then the upper tier player.
I agree. I think Jerry West wanted Gay more badly than we wanted Battier. So we could have gotten more out of it. I wanted Stromile to stay. But it seems Rockets management thought he was overpaid. Battier rules!
There are too many people in this thread who are ignoring history. More top 10 picks fail than fulfill their potential. And this trade is a good one for us unless Gay becomes a real star. If he's merely a good scorer, we still win. The odds of Gay actually becoming a star are rather low. And as for Swift - really, who cares? I thought he sucked and had negative value.
Shane is the guy we really need, with his talent and hard work, we will build this team a real contender for the title, and we will win the title in the next several seasons, may be this season. He is never gonna be a superstar, even a star neither, but he is the guy we need. Guy has the potential to be a star and even a superstar, but it's gonna be happen in the next 4-5 years if possible. He may grow up as another T-Mac, but we have Yao and T-Mac, they are in their prime for the next 4-5 years, so Gay is not the guy we need.
I don't know why people compare him to McGrady. It isn't a good comparison, imho. His athleticism isnt' close to how Tracy was back then.
