I like Battier but...

I would trade Battier for Haslem, even though Battier is a better individual player. I would hope that the Heat throw in something extra, and I don't know what that is, but Haslem would be great for this team.

 

My thoughts are I'm glad you're not our GM. Pavlovic? Really?

Of course, I should give you some credit. At least this is a trade the other team would do. It isn't Battier + Alston for Garnett or something equally ridiculous.

 

First and foremost, Battier SHOULD NOT be traded until he's had at least one year in Adelman's system.

Those of you judging Battier as being "limited" or "having the same game as in college" are poor judges of B-ball talent and B-ball IQ.

Battier's got the B-ball IQ in spades!!!! He's also more talented than he's given credit for because he's never been asked to do more offensively than he was last year.

Battier is an NBA chameleon, and I believe has value precisely because he can go into ANY NBA team/system, learn it, and excel in it where as it takes others far more time to accomplish the same kinds of things.

Battier handles the ball better than Luther freakin' Head for God's sake!!!!

Having made my case for Battier over ANYONE but Lebron (at least on the Cavs), I'd like to point out that several of you have made the exact same point I got flamed for when I pointed out that several of the EXACT kind of player some are now calling for (either in exchange for Battier or in my case, I was suggesting a simple addition, not trade [except for our 46 PG stock).

If you'll recall I pointed out that Mo Pete and Luke Walton were briefly on the Free Agent market, and while I was not specific in saying "we should spend every dime" on any of those particular guys, I was making the same point that we have NOT addressed our pitiful offensive woes (re: while TMAC's on the Bench or tired).

Now with Rashard gone (that was a foregone conclusion IMHO) though the pickings are getting slimmer and slimmer. Now with V-Span telling EVERY team in the league that's his "rights" aren't worth squat, that limits our trade options even more. We're now down to trading Rafer, Luther, and JL3 unless we kick in Snyder and/or future picks....

It's really going to be tough to find the right guy. Personally, of those left, my only real interest is in Darko (despite the disgusting "j*zz" comment made earlier).

Although Darko may not be EVERYTHING we want in a PF, he's got enough potential as both PF and backup C to be our version of the Tiago Splitter we missed out on in the draft!!!!

 

I don't understand why everyone is so quick to view Battier as expendable. Now, certainly if a worthy deal popped up, pull the trigger... but I've yet to see anyone offered (someone we can viably attain anyway) that's worth dumping Battier. He did a good job for us defensively, sure he had his off nites on the perimeter... but he has knocked down some pretty big shots as well. For me, his defense and hustle on both ends of the floor make up for any offensive weaknesses he has. He does have a place in this system, he should remain with the Rockets. Should we get rid of him and other teams start lighting us up, you'll all be changing your tune.

 

Sasha Pavlovic is a player that at times this year I've liked what I saw (mostly from the past playoffs) He's that quintessential "Why can't the Rockets ever pick up guys like that" kind of guy for real.

He has length, is athletic (offensively), is young, and CAN create his own shot. He very well could be a 12-14 per game scorer in Adelman's system and might be that next year anyway in Cleveland if he goes back (Battier CAN be that, he was his rookie year but for whatever reason is all D and intangibles now). Pavlovic is doing in Cleveland what Boki Nachbar should have been doing as a Rocket. On 2nd thought can see why his name was brought up....

For me, just not at the cost of Battier is all...repeating what I already said, want to use Battiers valued name and rep to pick up someone good at the PF if possible.

 

This dude obviously doesn't get it. 3/4 of the league has more physical tools than Shane Battier. But at the same time Battier has a better head than 9/10 of the league. What good are the physical tools of a body if there isn't a head to control them?? What exactly is this fascination of Pavlovic?? What exactly has he done to be worthy of being traded for Shane?? Like someone else said, Kirk Snyder has far more physical tools, so why is he behind Battier?? Pavlovic had a small coming out party mostly due to the fact that Vince Carter disappeared.

Would you trade Chuck Hayes for Stromile Swift?? Swift is far better than Hayes from an athletic aspect. How about Hayes for Tskitishvili, he's taller, faster, quicker, and a far better shooter than Hayes will ever be.


What about guys like Ndubi Ebi, Trevor Ariza, James White, Gerald Green, Tony Allen, Rodney Carney, Shannon Brown, and Travis Outlaw?? All these dudes are more athletic, and younger than Shane. Why not throw these dudes in the mix?

This is the reason fans aren't GM's. Not even Isiah would consider such a move.

 

Battier for Pavlovic straight up?? LOL Cleveland robs us like taking candy from a little kid. Even if the thread starter thinks Pavlovic > Battier, their MARKET VALUE is DEFINITELY NOT EQUAL.

I also hoped that Battier could contribute more offensively, and I think he will in Adelman's system. Under JVG, there are basically 3 offensive moves 1) Dump the ball to Yao, and let him back down. 2) Mcgrady PnR with Yao. 3) Wait for double team on either Yao or Tmac, and dish out for 3 pt shot. Battier is one of the guys asked to camp at the 3pt line and wait for a shot. No plays were designed for Battier at all. Under Adelman, I expect more people cutting and slashing to the hole for easy baskets.

 

Unless you are getting a real upgrade, I would be very reluctant to trade Battier considering his professionalism, defense and three point shot. Even more significant is that we have him for a bargain salary.

 

ABSOLUTE NO TO PAPLOVIC!!! His D is horrible, and he's the reason Tony Parker won this year's Finals MVP. He's so slow for a guard, that other people need to rotate off. People really undervalue Battier's impact on the game.

Let's look at this a bit more objectively. Basketball can be split into two equal halves, offense and defense. On defense, Battier is our most important player, and probably our best. On offense, Battier is highly efficient; low turnovers, high FG%, unselfish, another solid 3pt shooter. So, excellent defense along with solid offense, that's about 75% of a complete NBA player.

Now, let's look at Paplovic. His defense is pretty much nonexistent. His offense is above average. So he's about 40% of a complete NBA player.

I personally am inclined to go with the 75 rather than the 40.

 

I love Pavlovic's offensive game, athleticism, and upside, and think he would be a great addition to our roster, but not at the expense of Battier. Shane is a better perimeter defender and, because he is nothing more than a spot shooter on the offensive end, he can also give you everything on the defensive end of the court. If you replace him with Pavlovic. then you have what Cleveland faces: you either put a fairly average to below average defender on the opposing team's best perimeter threat or your put your star wing on him and I don't like that combination.

I like Pavlovic, but I don't like him more than Battier.

 

First of all Pavlovic is not even a threat to block a shot as evidenced by his .2 blocks per game, whereas Battier does get the occasional block and mans up on the other teams best players admirably. I'm also willing to bet that Battier is likely a much stronger player in the post. Why trade him at all? The guy was a major contributor this year, but why would you trade him for borderline rubbish like Pavolvic? Come on man, make sense, per 48 minutes Battier's offensive stats were even pretty much on par in every statistic despite being a "glue guy."

 

Battier is a very important role player and should not be traded!!
Unless we are able to obtain a significant player who is needed by the team!!

 

um your first suggestion was to trade battier...dont back down...its ok that your wrong though we all have opinions..YOUNG MAN

 

Any player under Van Gundy's slowed down offense will seem less athletic than he really is. Keep Battier.

 

If we can start Battier with a 4 that's better than Hayes, that's automatically an upgrade, there is no need to change the SF spot to an unproven player like Pavlovic.. Pavlovic is nothing more than a backup for the Rockets..

Battier with a PF who could block or Pavlovic with a 4 who can block? I take the Battier combo anytime of the day..

 

i the rox were to move shane, to me it would have to be the right deal. Sasha isn't the one, but a guy like artest who can change and really make the rox contenders make more sense. everyone thinks now that adelman is here, the tempo is always fast and the rox will out fast break everyone. The truth is that while in sacramento, the kings got alot of easy baskets from their sets and cuts. The only problem is that when you play the spurs, you eventually need guys who can make a play in the half court. They shut down 3 of the higher scoring teams in the league and the rox will be no different. If the rox had a ron artest though, it would force the spurs to play bowen on artest and manu on tracy. This is the big advantage the rox would have by having ron artest. Sasha will get better, but he will never be on artest level of basketball play. I will trade shane for artest, not pavolic.

 

Not as smart.

 

Kirk Snyder is ever more so a better athlete than Pavlovic and he can create his own shot as well, but I still think Battier is better at the SF spot.

Right, it's obvious Pavlovic doesn't have the desire to play defense from the way he plays, at least for his last 4 years in NBA.

I disagree. Even though you can't really stop legit scorer from scoring, but you could still make the game harder for them with good defense. Like I mentioned before, Kobe could still shoot the lights out regardless if it's Battier or Pavlovic guarding, the big difference is, Kobe might only get 40 points on Battier, but might get 55 points on Pavlovic.

Anyway, let's compare Pavlovic to someone who is more of the same level, i.e. Kirk Snyder... Other than the three point percentage, I really do think Kirk Snyder is better than Pavlovic in all other aspect of the game. Kirk is faster, stronger, more atheletic, tougher mentality, better rebounder, better shot blocker, better defense, better slasher...

P.S. I honest think a post about Pavlovic could run this long is ridiculous.

 

Hm....

OK, if I understand you correctly, you are saying that Sasha Pavlovic would be the better SF than Battier for the Rockets, right? You argue that Sasha brings a better offense in terms of being able to create his own shot, and that he would (if he puts effort into it) be able to defend as well as Battier. He would thus be an upgrade over Battier and solve our second perimeter scoring option.

I have to respectfully disagree with you.

First and foremost, defence is an art and skill onto itself. Effort helps, but is insufficient. If all 5 Rocket players put in the effort of Bruce Bowen, could they defend like Bruce Bowen? Don't think so. Sasha Pavlovic does not display any defensive skill at all in all the times I have seen him play (and I have watched every Cavaliers game in the playoffs).

Secondly, you are severely underestimating Battier's offensive ability. Battier has demonstrated a solid post game (although he tends to take it against players shorter than him). Secondly, when he is determined to do it (and he is only determined if he feels there is no better option to go to), he has demonstrated an ability to beat other players off the dribble. There were games this season in which he firmly took the ball to the hole and was fouled when scoring (I think it was in one of the Denver games). Furthermore, do not forget the system he was playing in... his role was that of a spot up shooter, not shot creator. Perhaps, under the new coach's system, he may give us a wider demonstration of his offensive abilities.

Finally, Battier is one of those rare people who can make game changing / determining plays. I remember some of the charges he took in which blood was drawn (one was against Corliss Williamson) and last minute steals and blocks. Pundits and reporters alike agree that it was those plays that won a VERY CLOSE game for the Rockets. Has Sasha Pavlovic ever made a game changing / determining play? Does he have the heart, the head and the determination to do so?

In my personal opinion, Battier is nearly as close to untouchable as Yao and T-Mac are. I definitely think that Sasha Pavlovic would be cheap change to Battier.