That's like complaining about Brooks for not getting rebounds. Its not Battiers role to score. Also, Im sure that the deviation from the mean as far as Battiers scoring isn't as significant as youre trying to make it out to be. If some guy is scoring 9 or 10 ppg as opposed to 7 is it really that big of a difference? its one shot. I'll live with a guy who doesn't score if he can play great defensivly and space the floor well on offense and knock down open shots.
While what you say points out Battier's deficiencies, it is equally if not more damning of Wafer's. Despite his scoring efficiency and Battier's miniscule offensive production, Wafer still couldn't beat out Battier for more playing time. In fact most of Wafer's minutes came when either Battier or Artest were out injured. The fact that Adelman would rather play 2 defensive small forwards at the same time instead of giving Wafer, a true SG more minutes is the biggest indication of Battier's value relative to Wafer, at least from a on-court production standpoint.
He might be a bench scorer, but his attitude doesn't reflect that. His ego is way too big for this team and so are his demands, IMO.
Logically, Battier fans are smarter than Wafer fans. The rockets will not be better if Morey listened to the Wafer fans's request to give him a $3-4M/year contact.
Two different type of players. Battier type is kinda mainstone in view of his stability and persistence throug the whole season, while Wafer type tenders eye-feat and superstar performances sporadically. BUT, Battier is extremely good of his kind, while Wafer is just in the middle. Is Wafer super-atheletical? Absolutely no.
Compared to the Oscar Torres, Juaquin Hawkins, Terence Morris, Derek Anderson, Eric Piatkowski, Adrian Griffin, Brent Barry types Rockets have taken a chance on, you'd think people would accept a little lack of smarts along with getting actual production for once. Compared to NO production.
I don't see why it wasn't to be a line of demarcation when it comes to having productive players. The fire that burns on this board is a very athletic guy being dumb as a rock and a non athletic guy being smart and savvy. I guess its against the rules that a athletic guy can have a good bbiq. Battier has a high bbiq on defense and is polar opposite on offense. Wafer has a good bbiq, but a poor def iq. His effort is inconsistent defensively just as shanes offensive production and effort is inconsistent. 2m for Von is a far better value than shane for 7.6m. That's not even close especially when guys like posey and bowen are making 5m per for the same thing.
You're taking the same illogical leap that others have taken. Wafer fans aren't proclaiming him the next great starter in the league. He is a bench player. As in, he comes off the bench and gets backup minutes. Which he got, regularly, throughout the season, and especially later in the season. When there were injury issues, Wafer then got starter minutes, because someone was injured...which makes sense. It isn't about whether Wafer can beat out Battier. It is about whether he is a productive bench player, AND whether Battier is a productive starter. The argument I think Bob was trying to make, and I'd agree with, is that on the whole, Battier is relative lacking in productivity compared to other starters in the NBA. He does make up for it to a large degree with the defense and intangibles, though...but I'd argue that his salary then takes him back down a little bit.
I'll admit I don't know exactly what Bob's intentions are, but he does make a direct comparison between Battier's shooting and Wafer's shooting in the post before the one I quoted. Thus my response that I think Battier is the better player overall despite his deficiencies and it isn't because of his or Wafer's playing style, which was what I got from the OP. If you want to argue about production relative to their status as a starter or bench player, Wafer probably comes out ahead, my point was there's a reason Wafer is a bench player, and it's not just because one playing style is better than the other. If you're talking about production per dollar, absolutely agree, Wafer outperformed his contract last season by a very wide margin, and Battier performed around his contract value or slightly below that. I don't think many Battier defenders would argue against that though.
Thought i'd post this in the last von thread i could find: FREE AGENCY: Knicks eye Wafer Von Wafer | Rockets The New York Post reports Donnie Walsh has had advanced discussions regarding Rockets shooting guard Von Wafer, according to his agent Raymond Brothers. The Knicks hope to bring him in for a visit.
Would probably put up great scoring numbers, and subsequently be the death of DD. The Knicks still won't win 40 games next season.
Is it just me, or does it seem the Knicks have pursued...everyone. Its like the desperately want to get back to the Glorious days of Ewings, but really have no assets to do so. They are having troubles with D.Lee as is. Tough time to be a Knicks fan....wait a second, I'm a Rockets fan. I have zero sympathy.
I think it is easier to teach defense to offensive players than it is to teach offense to defensive players. Scoring the ball is still the most important thing in the game. DD
Let's look at it this way(as a coach), in reflection the way the season and playoffs were. One player has a nice contract, is a starter, plays big minutes and a big role, went to a top college and wins wherever he gos. One player is a good scorer, athletically gifted, hasn't but 1 year of college, bounced around the league a while and is still trying to find a team, contract and minutes. One player played a big role in the playoffs, is a team leader and defended arguably the best player in the league. One player comes off the bench, lack defensively and got sent the the locker room during a playoff game. Do you stay with the player a coach relies on? or go with the player that is young and gets sent to the locker room? I'll take Shane any day!! Simply this guy has proven to be a winner. Coaches know it, GM's know it.
Why does it have to be one or the other? Get them both, contrast is great, it offers flexibility in your roster. DD
