Some here questioned (legitimately, I think) whether Battier has declined due to age because his numbers are down this year and he seems a step slow. I guess the post-game comments from yesterday suggests that Battier was simply recovering from injury rather than having permanently lost his game. It also answer the mystery about why he attempted that dunk vs. the Clips. Story from the paper below: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6754282.html Good to hear, all men eventually lose their vertical game and it's a sad day for each guy when he loses it. It's good to hear that Shane still has the ability to get up with the younger guys.
Awesome. If he's truly recovered, I think Battier's a good bet to be traded to a contender by the trade deadline.
People so underestimate this fact......he is the smartest player on the floor every single night, him and Chuck Hayes. Battier makes our defense work.......he organizes it, he could do more on offense but he is the key to our D. DD
That story was copyrighted 12/5/2009 @ 12:55am and we were discussing it on the post game analysis 12/4/2009 @ 12:46am. I think the Chron gets their stories from the GARM! :grin:
I'd love to see Shane retire as a Rocket and take a place on the bench as an assistant. (wait for it... ) Having said that, if he were key to a deal that would impact the team in a positive way, not a deal for chump change, but a needed part in a major trade that really inproves the team, the Rocks would have to seriously consider pulling the trigger. And in reply to the OP, it took Battier long enough to discover Flubber!! If he can put together a string of games like the last one, it'll be huge for the Rockets. The first real test is tonight. The Blazers will be tough as nails on their home court. Time to bring them down a peg again and Shane can be the difference. I hope so.
Hahaha. Unfortunately, rockets.com already had a story up about this subject by 8am on 12/4. http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets_rally_for_111109_win__2009_12_04.html
In the past I would have been all for trading him, but I truly believe if we traded him this team would fall apart. I think he may be better used as trade bait this offseason to return "the guy" that Morey goes after maybe in a sign and trade. Joe Johnson maybe?
To all the people who want to trade battier, please read this... http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/magazine/15Battier-t.html
I noticed Battier's "vertical game" Thursday night when he tried to dunk lol. But really I he got up.
I think it will just be a temporary thing. It doesn't make much sense for him to all of a sudden recover his vertical game, as a 30 year old, midway through a season.
I dont understand the "trade Battier" crowd... he is an awesome player that doesn't cost a fortune that every team wants... trading him would be ridiculous
Wait, WHAT?????? Aren't you the guy trumpeting TMac getting healthy? Come on Durv, this is the same thing, a guy gets back from injury and recovers his abilities? You have to be able to see that. DD
I figured Battier's defense would slip without the big man back there for him to shovel offensive players in to, but after watching him the last 2 games, he looks as good as ever. He's not exactly an old man.
Touche. It seems a little different, because McGrady has been focusing his rehab on regaining at least some of his explosiveness post micro-fracture. So there's a reasonable expectation he'll be better in that regard than last season. With Battier, I believe he was saying a few weeks ago that the ankle was just something he would have to deal with the rest of the way, like last year. Now he abruptly gets it back, during a road trip? Maybe the recent couple stretches of 3 off days gave him a chance to rehab his ankle, and get some temporary relief. But I don't think it will last over the season.
Battier is a class act. I think he has to be a lifetime Rockets, a lot of people undervalue him on this team and under appreciate. I'm glad he is regaining his form.
