I didn't say he would push the ball better than Alston but I said he does push the ball. I think I've seen more outlet fast breaks to a wide open Barry than I've seen Alston this year. So you concede the pick and roll. Big deal. Is Alston that effective at it? I'd like to see a chart like CCR made with Yao with Alston and what happens on his pick and rolls. I'm sure it doesn't make up for the other negatives that Alston brings. The reason I see Barry playing with the starters more (i'm not saying starter's minutes) is because the point guard for this team is nothing more than a spot up shooter. We have simply lived and died it seems a lot of the time by Alston's shot. We blow teams out when he shoots well and struggle when he misses because you already have a volume shooter in Tmac that shoots a low percentage. Luckily Scola has been taking more shots this season but aside from the 5 games that Alston manages to play well in a row, he's an offensive liability. The rockets just need a solution for Alston. Period.
Battier's defense has never been a great 1 on 1 defender. He got blown by Rose and Duhon these past weeks whenever he had to switch on them. So guarding point guards is definitely not a Battier's strength. Barry starting is great for offense, but just horrible for D. I guess I can see him starting depending on matchup.
You're about ten years too late with that idea. Trying to put Battier on the other team's point guard takes 3 defenders out of position because that would mean Tracy is guarding the other team's primary perimeter scorer. Battier's strength isn't guarding small guards, and a game like last night against the Bulls would've been brutal. Who does Barry get burned by in that game, Deng, Rose, or Gordon? Tonight against the Grizzles who would he defend, Gay, Mayo, or Lowry? At this stage in his career it is best that Barry be used in a limited role. You don't want to have to depend on a player on the wrong side of 35 for an extended role on the team.
