Lol at people who think Battier would put the Rockets over the top and was the final piece to the puzzle. Some of you will say anything to defend this extremely poor trade.
It's not that Battier would put us over the top. It's whether Battier was worth the #8 pick. Picks are all just potentials. As some have already pointed out. Many #8 picks have turned out worse than Battier (who was a #6 pick). Some turned out better. When you deal with draft picks, it's always a calculated gamble. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Battier was a sure thing. Gay or any of the guys available at #8 was not. They may have higher potential than Battier. But they may also turn out to be bust. Some people like to buy high risk high return stocks. Some people prefer safe blue chips. I just don't get why the hangover about this trade.
My personal opinion of Rudy Gay is that because of the trade he's playing better then what he was expected to be. The trade and being passed by 7 other teams is his chip on his shoulder, I'm sure he's heard of his college rep of being not dedicated to the game and coasting sometimes. I think he said himself he was going to make all the teams that passed on him pay. I kind of think also he would have just deferred to Tmac like the rest of the team and be the coasting most of the time with the occasional great game if the Rockets kept him and not draft Sefelosha instead, hypothetically speaking. 7 other teams passed up on Gay, that is very telling to me. If Gay was being mentioned in the same breath as Chris Paul and Brandon Roy as the budding young stars of the NBA, then I'd have a problem with the trade. It's alot easier to reach your potential and showcase your talent when Memphis builds around you instead of playing in the shadow of Yao and TMac.
If you have a top 3 pick, you want to get a franchise player. If you have a mid-lottery pick, you may want to get a guy with star potential but if he turns out to be a solid starter for a career, you'd be very happy. Battier is a solid starter for as long as he plays for you.
