Kobe is going to get his 20+ points usually no matter what. The difference is if your defense makes that 20 points on 20-25 shots or 10-14 shots. If he is getting 20 points with very little shot attempts, either you are fouling him a ton or you are not doing very good on defense. If he is taking 20 some shots, as a defender against someone like Kobe, you are doing a damn fine job.
Battier is a defensive fiend and a good 3 point shooter. He is like Bruce Bowen without the dirty play. I still I'm glad to this day we traded Rudy Gay for him (getting rid of a horrible FA signing along the way too). I think people on this board still underrate him after all this time.
As much as members of CF disrespect Battier, they always forget to mention that we do so horrible without him.
I'm glad you posted this, because in Lewis's "No Stats All-Star" article in the NY Times I believe he brings up this exact play. However, Lewis strangely uses it to exalt Shane Battier's prowess as a defender even though, as you said, Kobe just raises up and drains it as if Battier is not even there. I'm going to go ahead and say that Battier is one the most over-hyped players in the NBA. Not to mention he's overpaid in terms of salary and the Rockets overpaid in terms of acquiring him. None of those things are Battier's fault though. The hype is more a reflection of the times we live in. I blame the internet, mass media, and the proliferation of technology for manufacturing and promoting the various myths and hype surrounding Battier.
Do you not get that Battier forced him into a low percentage shot? Geez. If Kobe makes that, you just tip your hat. It's better than letting him get to the rim easily, like your favorite wing Matt Barnes would do. Heck, if Matt Barnes was guarding him the game would have been over in the 3rd. Hakeem made David Robinson look like Matt Bullard on defense that one playoff series. That doesn't mean David Robinson is overhyped and sucks.
jesus, don't near-death experiences usually make people more peaceful? some battier fans seem to look for any win they can get. let's assume kobe does have to "work harder" for his shots vs. battier. ok, uh...who cares? as was pointed out in this thread, kobe's ppg vs. battier is higher than his career avg while shooting a slightly and insignificantly lower fg%. shane battier isn't even a blip on kobe bryant's radar, plain and simple. but if you battier lovers want to hang your hat on and admire how much harder battier makes kobe bryant work while he's torching him, more power to you.
some folks just don't get basketball. simple as it is, it confounds them. you can try to explain basic nuances ... but the attempt will be futile. ^nice post, but your target speaks a different tongue.
With the antics that kobe throws around when guarded by shane, It makes me wish shane had a little more bruce bowen in him, so he can knock kobe on his arse. But that's what makes shane special, the way he carries himself in victory or defeat. Viva battier.
this is just an awful analogy. first of all, we aren't talking about one series, we are talking about every game they've played against eachother. but more importantly, david robinson can be mentioned in the same breath as hakeem. for the love of god, i hope none of you honestly believe the same can be said about shane battier in relation to kobe bryant.
So I see. You still don't get it. If you don't understand why that clip shows exactly how valuable Battier is, then anything said to you is a waste of time.
actually, i dont think any of us is denying battier plays solid defence on kobe. but its the effect thats been exaggerated.
I think the clip is more about the greatness of Kobe Bryant as a player than Shane as a defender. Kobe, whether you like it or not, is going to end up as one of the all time greats. Shane did all you're supposed to do on that play and that's get up in the man's face. How many other players in this league are going to be able to drain that shot?
PPG Yea cause being able to keep Bryant off the free throw line and shoot under his average all while only using solo coverage is not HUGE. Ignorance must be bliss
Kobe has averaged 8.8 FTA over 30 games versus Battier: http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=battish01&p2=bryanko01 That's above his career average and not far off his average over the course of those seasons. I wouldn't say he's keeping him off the line.
You do know McGrady came into the league as a defensive specialst?. He was touted as the next Scottie Pippen. Infact when he tried on defense, he looked really, really good.
