Here is the Mug Shot- unless he chose to wear heels he is definitely taller than 6-6" http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/barkleymug1.html
Eh, I don't know, I just don't like this idea. I still think we should move TMac back to the 2 and play Shane at the 3. Then get a PF who can rebound, defend, and keep Yao out of foul trouble. That's not why we brought Shane here. Finding a way to keep Yao in the game longer should be a huge offseason priority.
RocketsDynasty CONSTANTLY pulls measurements and weights out of his ass. I've seriously never seen him give a source or link to any of his claims.
How exactly do you know that isn't why he was brought here? I have a sneaking suspicion it was exactly why he was brought here. Before we traded for Shane Battier, JVG talked about how we needed to add a power forward who could shoot the three and space the floor as well as two more point guards. Now we've traded for Battier and what are the Rockets doing? Talking to Mike James, Marcus Banks and Fred Jones. Suddenly the need for a three shooting power forward that can space the floor isn't the priority. I'm sure we'd all love to believe that's because we picked up Steve Novak in the second round and he's looking so great he'll be our starting powerforward, but somehow I doubt that. No, it seems to me that Shane Battier is going to be our power forward more often than not. I don't think McGrady pulled that out of his ass either. I'm sure that's what he's hearing from management. Incidentally, I do believe the Rockets expect to play Mike James at shooting guard quite a bit too. (should we sign him) As for the real size of Tracy McGrady, I read that article in SLAM where KG and Duncan were talking about how big T-Mac is. They were both trying to say he's 7 foot tall, but he denied that and instead admitted to being 6'10.
I guess I worded it wrong, I meant I hope that's not why we brought him here. But you make a compelling case as to why they did. I don't think he's the answer at the 4, but maybe I'm just old school. I can't get past thinking a 4 is supposed to do the things that Otis Thorpe used to do, not spread the floor and take 3 pointers. But then again, look at Robert Horry during our 2nd championship run. But that was because of the matchups in the playoffs. Horry didn't play the 4 until the playoffs. I still think we need a banger down low who can keep Yao out of foul trouble.
i think we signed battier to be our own antoine walker after the rockets watched the finals. yao didnt get in foul trouble at all in the second half of the season, so i dont think thats a problem.
PREACH! I've been echoing these sentiments for the longest....even when he was healthy...he wasnt that great...he was a matador...but damn....somepeople seem to think he carried the rockets into the playoffs...lol
Yeah, I'd prefer an Otis Thorpe clone myself, but that doesn't seem to be what we're going to have this season, so let's hope Battier works out there. (If I'm correct and that's what they intend to do)
Finally someone who understands the game! I have been yelling this out on the board since the first day i got here (like a month ago ) that the Rockets need to spread the floor for Yao. You need PFs who can shoot unlike Stro who can barely hit the backboard. Battier gives us that range we need and so does MJ.
I have actually been wondering about T-Mac's TRUE height and weight for hella long. Can we get a good source link or side-by-side player comparison?
Playing Battier at PF is only T-Macs opinion. Battier moving to the PF doesn't make sense. He never played PF at Memphis, he's not a great rebounder, he is a perimeter player and not a post player, he doesn't match up well with all the big PFs in the league, he is our best perimeter defender. I guess T-Mac doesn't want to go back to the SG position but I think putting Battier at his natural SF position and moving T-Mac to SG is a better lineup. Now we do need a better starting PF than Juwan but I think he is still better suited to that position than Battier.
I missed this post until OGKashMoney quoted it. I agree that this is the way it should work on the offensive end of the floor. I'm just concerned about the defensive end with Yao being the only post defender. We've seen him pick up 2 first quarter fouls too many times because he's the only guy on the court contesting shots. But you can't have it both ways. Like Calvin used to say "if the right one don't getcha, the left one will." I'd still like to see a banger at the 4 for when we need to adjust the gameplan when Yao is in foul trouble.
Exactly !! This will work only if the shooters put the ball in the basket at a decent rate and gain respect.If they don't then this spreading won't work under the latest set of NBA Rules.If we have four players on the court that can put it in the basket and our passing has improved we could possibly go without the traditional PF. Howard might become quite useful being that his best attribute is being a spot up shooter.
I'd be willing to bet you that it doesn't go down that way. If we sign Mike James, I will not be surprised at all to see an opening day starting lineup of PG- Alston SG- James SF- McGrady PF- Battier C- Yao It's unconventional, but if you read between the lines on everything that's being said and not being said when JVG and CD speak out, that seems to be the direction it's going. I'm also curious as to how it is you know that McGrady saying Battier will play power forward is just his opinion. I'd think he'd be more in touch with the plans of the organization than you or I.
