I say Artest because he's a better offensive player then Battier and I want that coming off the bench to maximize the bench power. And Artest can still get 30-35 minutes from the bench. Explain your choice.
Likewise. I also think that Battier has proven to be an excellent starter these past two seasons, and I don't know how well he'd perform coming off the bench.
I'm going to assume Battier would be fine as a solid contributor off the bench ala Grizzlies playoffs. Battier/Artest on Kobe for 48 minutes.
I honestly think Artest should come off the bench (unless Francis can play). You need an offensive spark off the bench. Consistency from your starters. When you factor Artest's mindset you have no choice though, gotta start Artest.
At the start of teh season I want to keep the same starting line-up. Then as Artest develops chemistry with the team, he will be moved into the starting line-up. Artest and battier will still get plenty of minutes as Artest is a flexible player. T-Mac can rest on the bench with Battier at SF and Artest at SG. Yao can rest with Scola at C, and Artest at PF. We have so many different combinations, it is scary. The best thing about it though, is having Adelman at the helm.
Battier of course. We need the best players to start the game. Are we polling again questions like Scola vs Hayes? We saw that the better player needs to start.
I definitely think the scariest part about the trade is the defensive options it gives us. We can really wear the crap out of Kobe throwing Battier AND Artest at him all game long. Talk about relentless. And their defensive styles are different enough to throw him all out of whack.
Ok peeps, if you start Artest he most likely plays 3rd fiddle in offense beside Tmac and Yao. You really think Artest will be happy deferring to Tmac and dumping the ball to Yao repeatedly? Or he comes off the bench and lead the bench brigade and can freelance more on offense? Battier is not the offensive stiff like Hayes. He spaces the floor with his 3 point ability when playing beside Tmac and Yao.
Artest gets the start, ez choice. I can see parts of the game where Batt/Artest are both on the floor
Funny how most of the people who think who voted for Battier of the bench haven't given their reasons. Im on the Artest coming off the bench side. I'd rather have someone who can create there own shot to come in when either T-mac or Yao is out of the game.
Battier doesn't seem like that type of player, but Artest can play alot of mins & that could be the problem. (I like those type of problems)
Bob or r****d off the bench? (Oh wait, you used polar opposites examples while I used similar example...ooops, sorry...)
Why wouldn't he want to share the ball with two other great players? Artest is a willing passer. This is easily the best team that Ronny has played on.
What's best for the Rockets is to have Artest play the Ginobli role off the bench. What's best for Artest in his mind is anybody's guess.
