We should try to move in the top 5 and grab either Richardson or Griffin. And sign Jackson after we sign Webber. Jackson/Cato Webber Griffin Mobley Francis ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
Sure, we all like Battier, especially in a Rockets uniform, but you guys are missing a very important point: a lot of other teams like Battier too. Trading up and getting him is easier said than done. ------------------ I'd rather be MC Hammer than Nine Inch Nails
writhe-Yet not quite as hard as you put it. No one expects Battier to be a superstar. Most all of the teams in front of us lack the personel to be winners, and as such usually place an extra value on a high ceiling player. Seattle is the only one that doesn't fit that mold, but they're about to blow up their team. He will be a career 12-6 player, as a defensive stopper, who can hit the spot up 3. We won't be able to get Battier at 13, but he's not exactly out of reach with our plethora of picks, and means. Many say Battier top 5, but I think the top 5 teams have greater needs, though he will not last past 10 though. #7-8 is reasonable. ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure.
In the mid to late-80's, teams used to pass up more talented players in favor of big, immobile stiffs who became busts. Skilled players could drop to the middle or even the end of the first round because they weren't big enough, even though they had more talent and would eventually be more successful. Everything in sports operates in cycles. Instead of size being the major fixation of NBA general managers the key word is potential. Good players may slip in the draft because they might not have as high a ceiling as otherplayers. I think Shane Battier is one of those players, and I think the Rockets can get him anywhere from 9-13, and not have to trade up so high. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
Oh geez, I just remembered - disregard my entire post, as long as Cleveland is picking in front of us, we won't get a chance at Battier. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
I think the Grizzles will pick Battier,and then trade Abdur-Rahim for a power forward or s center. ------------------
Did Feigy Feigan mention the first round picks? Did he make it sound as if the Rockets truly get the #18? ------------------ women love me, fish fear me.
Why does everyone dislike Feigan? Its not like he is the second coming of Peter Vescey or David Aldridge. ------------------
I did not hear the show, my friend did. I'll ask him and see if heard anything like that. ------------------
I guess we'll have to let Shane Battier prove himself in camps and pre-draft workouts. If I have any question about him, it's his mobility. If he can move all right, if he can defend as well as we hope, if he can play inside or out...well, I guess that's just about everything that a player can do, so I'll quit listing "for examples." But my gut says (and I don't think this is from the mediocre pizza I had for lunch)that Rudy wants to land Battier, especially if we get Webber. And this follows from Clutch's last-game post-game comments heard from Rudy and Rockets' personnel. No one knows exactly what kind of player Shane'll be in the NBA, but he stayed in school 4 years, he's smart, he's coachable, hey, he's 6'8", he'll work hard, he'll do what it takes to win. I know I sound like his agent, but we do know about Battier is that what he can't do now he'll work on and improve, and he won't be a grumpy head case like Cato, and he won't take a swing at you like Griffin. Will it be enough in the NBA? I say yes, especially with the zone defenses coming (although he'll need a learning curve; so keeping Shandon or Walt might be another priority). Bringing in the zone defense was a way of saying the NBA wants players to develop their game before going pro, that freakish athleticism alone won't cut it. Hence the importance of Shane Battier. That said, he isn't the only answer out there. But if we draft him, good. ------------------
Exactly Roxtxia... I'd rather have a Battier on the team than a "what if" hs player. But (everybody I know has a big but, let's talk about your big but), if we traded up for a Diop or Curry I wouldn't exactly complain. ------------------ women love me, fish fear me.
The tourny turned me into a battie fan. He's a perfect for the Rockets. Plays D, rebounds, can hit the outside shot, Mature, not a "if he gets his head together" player. If we get Web or keep MO he's what we need now from the SF position. ------------------
i cannot believe that anyone would reject a line up that included dream and battier. did you watch the tourny at all??? battier is a damn solid player and a good kid that will thrive in the new nba. he gets down on defense, can bang, plus he hits the outside shot. a line up of wink, cat, battier, c-webb, and dream would go deep in the playoffs. fo' sure. ------------------
Why would the grizz pick Battier? They need defenders! (And I wouldn't buy those awards alone as evidence of Batt's defensive skills...watching him, he seems a little Van Hornesque) As for Cleveland, do they want him so they can relive/redo their Ferry experience? I think Jefferson is a little riskier but has much more upside. Further, Battier may be available down the road if some lottery team picks him, thinking his "championship" skills will equal that level of success in the pros, and then gets disappointed. I think his best skill is is smarts, myself, but have doubts that his brains alone will be enough to make him an impact player. ------------------ "Considering Mobley for His First Son's Name"
I dont know where all these question marks about Shane Battier's defense are coming from. Battier is a stud at the defensive end, thats one of the strong points of his game. Just because a player does not jump through the gym does not make him a bad defender. Battier does an excellent job of playing aggressive, hard nosed defense, is very good in help defense situations and brings tons of intangibles to the table ie work ethic, diving for loose balls etc. Also, Battier is a very capable spot up shooter on the offensive end and should really fit in to this team. Obviously, if the Rockets can move up into the top 3 of this draft to get Curry or Griffin, they should do it, but that is easier said than done, otherwise moving up from 13 to 7 or 8 would be an intelligent move to get a player that can contribute immediately. As far as Jason Richardson goes, I just dont see it, Rudy wants a big SF or a tough center, Richardson is a natural 2 guard. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
We're a ways away M&M, and we don't know the final draftlist, but don't you think that Battier is going to creep up in draft workouts? His skills seem as if they would highlight him over an on again/off again high school player or underclassman such as Randolph or Richardson. Battier will do everything and anything... so he's always going to look good. Then again, I don't know what the workouts are like. Do they play against team players other draft picks? Do they just do drills? ------------------ women love me, fish fear me.
I dont see Shane Battier rising into top 5 level b/c he is not the type of player you can build your team around. Battier is ideal for a team that has its core components in place like the Rockets do and needs a hard working tough minded player to be an auxiliary piece and just fit in on offense. What prevents him from being a top 5 pick is that his offensive game doesnt consist of breaking people down consistently or creating shots off the dribble; its mostly spotting up. Considering that he is being discussed in the top 10 tho should signal to folks how good his intangibles, defense etc are. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Amen, defense is played on the floor with concentration, determination, good footwork, and anticipation. Battier or bust! He is perfect for us at the 3. Anyone remember the Duke signal for a tight round of defense? They smack the floor with the palms of their hands. ------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils. PowerbizOnline.com [This message has been edited by RichRocket (edited April 26, 2001).]
Rocket Rich why is Battier Liberal? Anyways the guy looks like a class act. He plays hard. And he is a good leader for any team. Even great general have sgt.'s!!!! ------------------
probably b/c he went to college and got an education, but that's not important right now. ------------------ women love me, fish fear me.
