[Chron] Martin: Shane is going to keep us together

Yeah, Battier is great in the locker room, but he's good on the floor too. A little insight into the mind of Shane: He shoots 41 percent from the floor, while the second worst fg% is Brooks at 43 and the best is Scola at 52. Therefore, in his opinion, the fewer shots he takes, the more shots we make as a team, assuming there is enough time and a unit capable of generating another good shot. That's why with a full team he's passive and people hate on him for "looking awful", but when someone goes out with an injury he gets more aggressive and people say he "looks great".

p.s. By the same methodology, Brooks should be deferring more to Martin, Yao, and Scola.

 

I'm a diehard Shane hater, but I will respect Martin's take on the situation. That being said, it will take more than two games, one against the Twolves, and the other against a similarly aging Spurs team to convince me that he still has value out there.

He is still the weakest link, and while it's certain he brings value off the court, it doesn't justify his position as starter.

I have always been more than willing to see him as a situational bench player, a great lockerroom guy, etc., but much like Brad Ausmus, sometimes needing to have a coach on the field isn't always the best thing for a team.


All this being said, I do hope that Shane keeps playing more like his last two games over the course of the season so we can get some more wins, just don't color me convinced that this will happen.

 

Coaches do get credit for wins. Thats a silly argument. Battier can coach from the bench like Adelman does..

 

It's not a silly argument because you said you'll only give him the credit for wins when he scores points in crucial situations. Basketball isn't all about points or about points in crucial situations, just ask kevin martin.

 

Considering he is worse coming OFF the bench, the Rox don't have much choice.

 

I kept wondering whether Shane called the team meeting after the 0-4. As the captain and the diplomat as he is, Shane does have players' respect. His smartness on and off the court, professionalism, and cool head, are important, and very tangible to this team.

He's not the most athletic guy, and age is not on his side either. But he used to yield to other players in offense, while taking the toughest defensive task night in and night out. But I think people underestimate his offensive skills. Didn't his coach at Duke always pushed him to do more at offense, and told him that he could be that 20 points guy if he wanted to?

Our team is still in transition period, and Shane's leadership on and off the court is needed. I am glad young players recognize that too.

 

Exactly his value coaching from the bench is very high. I have seen the light RV6. You have proved his intangibles can work just as good coaching our team and lifting their souls!!!!!

































From the bench.

 

Unfortunately there's something called crowd noise, so he'll have to do it from the starting lineup, where he'll play next to yao in the post. Sorry!

 

Ok Shane. When you are in the game hit the open three is all I am asking. Can you make one open three next time? Thats it.

 

Truthfully, i think Smith being on the floor has something to do with Battier's sudden emergence from mediocrity.

 

because Smith can't score?

 

Not sure why this year, but it seems like the offense is creating more shots for Shane at the elbow than in his comfort zone in the corner. He also looks like his shot is rushed from that spot. Would like him to get more shots from the corner and I think he will start converting at a higher clip.

 

No. Because he can distribute.

 

So he distributed the ball to battier...who then stood in the corner for a few seconds jabbed step and then went to the rim.

Then he distributed to Scola, who made some moves, spun around, faked a little, watched his hair fly in the sky, then swooped a pass to battier in the corner, who made a three.

Yes, clearly Ish is the reason for battier playing better offensively...



C'mon now. Battier is probably the one who benefited the least. He was scoring on set shots and by catching his man off guard, not because he received great passes from Ish.

2 days and 2 games and Ish Smith has turned into Lebron james around here...

 

Shane Battier and his leadership skills did a tremendous job of keeping the Memphis Grizzlies together during the playoffs on multiple occasions.

 

I think its good shane has gotten involved. There are some easy points out there for him, all he has to do is take them. You don't have to jump through the roof or have jordans first step to be effective in this offense. Just move,set up your man on cuts, and just be active.

 

No, he step up because injuries force him to be involve in the offense and be a leader. He love to just hide on that corner and save his energy for playing defense but always when someone gets injury he step up his game.

He was getting wide open shoot and missing it the before and being a step back on defense . Now his is attacking, posting. going for rebounds, hustling on defense. Making plays on offense, just being active and that have nothing to with Ish, this is not the first time he does this after and injured team mate.