And the point being? Battier's numbers are a product of Van Gundy's system. He is not a creator. His job is not to get off shots as when he likes. If Battier is shackled so tight that he can't even get a 3 up, it probably means there is less coverage for Yao and McGrady. Both of whom then, by all accounts, should be able to score easy on their man. Either that, or they rotate off some other guy, most likely Rafer Alston. There're a lot to blame for losing the Jazz series, but none of it should fall on Battier. If you want to fault Battier for not being able to get shots up, you should doubly fault McGrady for his broken jumpshot in the playoffs, for not being able to dominate when they put Derek Fisher on him, and Yao for playing like a robot against Memo Okur. Triple that for Rafer Alston for shooting worse than he did in the regular season, and Luther head who went MIA.
Whatever happend to win it all or it's a bust trade? Hell I'd lower the standards for him and say getting past first round would be good enough... Did Battier even improve on his playoff performaces besides finally winning a playoff game?
Why does he want to leave Jazz in the forst place?? It's not like he loves to do dirty work on the court, the guy want the ball. With T-Mac,Yao,Mike James/SF3,Scola on the court, how many touches do you think he's gonna get? BTW, his percentage was BAD last year. For those who want him here and expect him to focus mostly on defense like Battier does just b/c he has good defensive skills, wake up.
