Battier: "Celtics, Lakers, Cavs aren't giving up leads"

Battier, as a part of the starting line-up, is usually playing with starters. What you are basically saying is that our starters are better than our bench.

 

1. Battier missed much of the season so far. The starters have played better since Battier became a starter.

2. Yes, the starters are better than the bench. And it was often the bench (or, rather, lineups with a few bench players mixed in) that was losing leads. Generally, these lineups have not contained Battier.

 

Actually, when their backups are on the court, Celtics do give up their lead. Celtics simply have no much deeps. Meanwhile, Rockets are a Deke away from almost perfect.

 

I'm not disputing the contributions of Battier. And yes, I do see the intangibles and that we are better with him. I also think he's genuinely a nice guy.

What I don't get is the Battier fans' obsession with him. For the record, I still think we gave too much for him, even though we got rid of Stromile Swift. Rudy Gay has star potential and the fact we didn't want him merely is the exclamation mark on the incompetence of our previous trade desk.

 

What's the arguement here?

We criticize Yao for not being agressive enough, Ron and Tracy for taking poor shots but, of course, our pet player Battier can do no harm.

He can do better just like the rest of the team. For one he passes up alot of good open shots. Two, he doesn't dribble past the defender when they close out on him out of control (which is all the time). Three, he doesn't take the smaller man in the post like he has done in the past. And, while he does a great job of boxing out for his teammates he doesn't get on the boards enough himself.

Yes our team is +11.9 when he is on the court, that's impressive but just like many other statistics it doesn't tell the whole story. We are +7.2 with Rafer on the court, that's the same as with Tracy on the court. Is Rafer helping us just as much as Tracy? The bulls are -11.4 when Derrick Rose on the court (the worst +/- on their team). Is he their worst player?

As Kwame alluded to +/- stats, if anything, are LESS indicative to on court production than boxscore stats because so much of it has to do with who else is on the court at the same time. In Shane's case that means he's in with the starters.

Shane is definitely not our biggest problem but he has faults just like everyone else. I'm sure he knows that.

 

You are right, Shane can be criticized and is by a lot of people on here. But look at the start of the thread all he said was Cleveland, LA and Boston dont give up leads and if the Rox want to get to that level they have to stop doing so. He didnt single out anyone or say it wasnt his fault. Yet, Kwame chimed in that Battier did something wrong by calling people out.

All he said was the Rox were not at the level of the elite three and I think we all can agree on that for now. Criticize his game all you want, but to somehow say he treated teammates wrong by saying something is the very last thing Battier should be accused of.

 

no...could it happen?! could the rockets acquire the 2nd best center in the league while retaining the best center in the league?! dampier for mvp anyone?

 

I have been saying this for sometime now: stop playing down to the level of competition. The Rockets must give up that attitude, it is a losing attitude. It is not the heart of a champion to do the least possible to win. There is a reason this bunch hasn't been past the first round, and it has a great deal to do with what's between their ears.

 

Get rid of Francis and sign Deke.
So he can block everyone near the glass.
Let's see if we can keep the lead like that.

 

He did have one good game defending Kobe when the Rockets won their 22nd game in a row, but go look up all the other times Kobe's played against Shane and it's not pretty. Battier has gotten lit up pretty bad.

Wow so Artest is basically a scrub in your view. I disagree with your characterization. Ron Artest almost immediately took on a leadership role with this team which he backed up with his play. Most importantly he's been playing w/ 2 torn ligaments in his foot while Battier sat out most of the season for inflammation from a surgery he had a long time ago. I'm sure he's getting a pass from most of the fans and the players because he's a veteran. But, again, a guy who hasn't played most of the season is not in a position to call out the team.

I never said that I was, which is why I think watching the actual games is important.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=0976

probably our most solid player thus far.

 

bench players usually play against the other team's bench as well. keep that in mind.

 

We need to get rid of our amazing attitude, effecient shooter, terrific defender glue guy....JUST STOP.

 

Shane vs. Rudy, value of +/- aside ... His statement was correct about the team needing a finishing mentality and to stay in the game all 48 minutes. And, Shane doesn't particularly strike me as a guy who would point the finger at his teammates without including himself as well. It might be a ridiculous assumption, but I'm thinking that when he says, "we" he is including himself.

 

I thought the word "we" did a pretty good job of indicating that he WAS including himself.

 

I never said Artest is a scrub. I love that he is a Rocket. I said he has not been as good as I think we expected him to be. Are you realistically telling me you expected him to be shooting 37 percent from the field after this many games. And prior to the last few games, it was down in the low 30s. He has had a bunch of games where he has just seemed lost and a non factor. My point was I dont see how you bash Shane for his play but bypass Artest's poor play so far.

As for the surgery, Shane pushed too hard to early and hurt it again so he sat out. Artest has two minor tears in his ankle, but everyone has said the damage is nothing out of the ordinary for an athlete his age. Im not excusing either, but stop making it seem like Artest has been superman on a bum leg and Shane and Tmac for that matter have been wussies and faking the pain on their bum legs.

 

Again, tell me how he called out the team while you somehow believe he didnt include himself when he said we.

Yao said yesterday that "Maybe next time we have to double team Al Jefferson". Do you think he called out his teammates for not doubling Al last game? Was he blaming Artest, Scola, Tmac, and Battier for Al going off? No he said as a team they might have to double Al next time. Same as Battier saying as a team they need to stop blowing leads.

 

What is the difference between those 3 teams and us. Injuries, consistent level of high play. Better D, except for LA who I think will come back to the pack. 2 losses in a row to teams we beat (Orlando and Miami).

When you have Kendrick P. dominating Yao it's going to take a lot to beat the C's.

 

He needs to concentrate on improving his poor play this season and should call himself out first. Artest has had no probles admitting when he's played poorly. Also, stop making excuses for Battier since you're downplaying Artest's injuries. To some of you, Battier is infallible.

 

wow. your ridiculous. We have 3 legitimate scorers. WE WANT HIM TO DO THE INTANGIBLES. WE WANT HIM TO GO TO THE CORNER TO SHOOT A 3. ITS CALLED SPREADING THE FLOOR. BE SMART.