And the 93-95 Rockets couldn't defeat the Sonics, whats your point? Just because a player struggle to defend a guy doesn't make him a sorry player.
I just think Bosh in general is a better defender & shot blocker than Scola. Not to mention he is a lot younger and makes more sense in the long term...
He's a better scorer, a better rebounder, a more efficient scorer, a better ft shooter, draws more fouls, draws 2.5 times more FT attempts, 0.7 more blocks, more athletic, taller, faster, his foul drawing ability puts you in the penalty earlier, where Yao is one of the most effective players in the NBA.
Yao Bosh Battier (my preference over Ariza with the other personnel) Martin Brooks Is a really good and potentially great starting 5. I think the length that Bosh and Yao provide, along with Battiers defense could amount in that being a solid defensive unit. Ariza Budinger Lowry Scola off the bench is a great mixture of skills, lacking only a front court defensive player and shot blocker (Chuck Hayes and some other 7 foot stiff) on the back end of the bench. I really am liking the idea of Yao/Bosh. Those two are going to get great looks considering our skill on perimeter. I would probably give up Hill+Jeffries+Budinger+2 first rounders to get Bosh. I really like Chase, but I would go all out for Bosh.
Could you imagine Martin and Bosh both grabbing all the FTAs? And Bosh isn't a bad FT shooter isn't he? I think he's at least in the 75% range right (without checking nba.com)? Imagine next year when you have Brooks, Yao, Martin, Bosh, Scola and Lowry. Those would be your main guys getting to the line (some more than others obviously), and none of these guys you would say are bad FT shooters.
In what world is Ariza better at anything than Battier other than flashy dunks? I swear to god, you people need to stop the ESPN highlights and actually watch the games. Better shot selection: Battier Better 3pt shooter: Battier Better 2pt shooter: Battier Better FT shooter: Battier better decision maker: Battier Better passer: Battier Better post up game: Battier Better Ast/TO ratio: Battier Better dribbler: both terrible Flashier dunks: Ariza
Uh, how about scoring: Ariza 14.9 Battier 8.0 Better shot selection: Battier -Morey has repeatedly said the directive for Ariza to shoot more came from the organization as this was a developmental season; there is no way Ariza is not much more efficient with better players around him next year- just check his percentages with just Martin added, now imagine Yao plus at least one other star Better 3pt shooter: Battier Better 2pt shooter: Battier incorrect- check your math Better FT shooter: Battier except Ariza took more than TWICE as many, which means he was able to draw twice as many fouls than Battier better decision maker: Battier Better passer: Battier Better post up game: Battier Battier's post game is nonexistent. he uses it like once a month and his shot is always rushed or awkward and rarely works Better Ast/TO ratio: Battier Better dribbler: both terrible Flashier dunks: Ariza It just so happens dunks are the highest percentage shots and easiest points to get, which Battier never even makes while Ariza makes them time after time If you want to list contrived categories to boost your argument then two can play that game: Better fast break player: Ariza Better slasher: Ariza better finisher at the rim: Ariza etc. etc. Even with his limited responsibilities on offense, Battier still doesn't have great percentages to go along with his paltry 8.0 points a game. Ariza's percentages will improve significantly next season, even if his 14.9 PPG dips a bit, while still being able to do things Battier can't.
After this JCDenton esque statistical analysis I shouldnt even bother trying to explain anything to you, but Shane deserves it. You are putting all your eggs into the usage basket, which means nothing. Morey said they told him to be aggressive. Being aggresive does not mean jacking up terrible shots over and over again. Wrong Battier 77-168 = 45.8% Ariza 258-592 = 43.5% Wrong (usage) Battier .23 FTs per shot attempt Ariza .22 FTs per shot attempt Wrong (usage) He posts up his man when he has a mismatch and its the appropriate time to do so. Ariza has zero post up game It just so happens a dunk is 2 points no matter how athletic or thundering it is. If it was such a high percentage shot and he has so many per game then his already terrible 2pt % is even worse. Very true, when he gets the ball on a breakaway or a 3 on 1 situation he is terrific at finishing....as long as no dribbling or actual decision making is involved. If you mean cutting without the ball, you are wrong, Battier is much better. If you mean slashing with the ball you may be true, Ive never seen Battier even try. Ariza will definately get to the rim after three or four tries resulting in turnovers. Right! Im happy you were able to find one!!!!! Battier 57-111 51.4% Ariza 195-367 53.1% The fact that you are trying to use percentages as argument for Ariza is frankly appalling. I do agree with you though that Ariza definately takes way more shots than Battier, which means absolutely nothing.
Dude seriously... Battier is a "has been" and old as hell, and plus y'all forgot to mention the two most important things: Championship: Battier= 0 Ariza= 1 Age: Battier= 32 Ariza= 25 "If" Ariza isn't traded he will be the starting small forward of our team, dude you just got to learn to accept it... --RB
Get that championship crap outta here. They are both role players. Lakers are looking like they will steam roll to another title without him. I dont care how old either of them are, age alone doesnt make one better than the other. As of this very minute, today, Battier is a much better player than Ariza on both sides of the ball. Until the day that he isnt, thats when Ariza should start.
FYI, Chris Bosh averages a whopping ONE (1) block shot a game. I think people look at Bosh's frame and assume a lot of things about his game but if you've actually watched him play over the years, you'd know that he wouldn't add much to our interior "D". Add to that that's he's basically a 6'10" jump shooter and isn't known for being a low post presence...... Even the GM called him out in the media for taking so many 18 foot jump shots. In saying all of that, I'm not against the trade and contrary to the belief of many on the boards, it wouldn't take a heck of a lot to get him based on sign and trade history (Hill + Jeffries + picks sounds about right) but I'm not sure about signing someone who isn't a game changing type of player to a max contract. I'd be more open to trading Hill + Jeffries and a 2nd rounder to Golden State for Beidris and Anthony Randolph honestly. When you look at a lot of the games that we lost this past year, just having a defensive presence in the middle would have helped out a ton.
Gosh if you're talking championships does that mean a guy like sun yue is the best player to come out of China since he won a championship. When you are building a team you need balance you just can't get 5 guys who can only shoot the ball and Battier with Yao, Martin, Brooks and Scola make a good balanced starting 5 and Battier is still a very good defender and a smart player even though his aging he still pocesses a very good Bball IQ
No I'm talking about championship experience, while being an important factor for that championship run(which Ariza was for the Lakers)... and on Battier, did you see him this past season every one was blowing by the guy like nothing! Battier is a "has been" on defense and a "never was" on offense... I would include him in the bosh trade in a heart beat; the dude is overrated! --RB
