FYI Shane Battier will be participating in a live chat via NBA.com this afternoon. His impact on our team this year has been tremendous. A true pro, and a humble leader.
Here's the transcript from the chat http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatNBA?event_id=14353 Thabit (Houston): Hey Shane, I want to ask how that head is with those stitches? that was a bold play... Shane Battier: My head is fine. It's healing. Unfortunately basketball is a rough sport and sometimes you have to take some stitches to get the job done. Pflugerville: How important is defense in today's NBA scheme. We see teams like Phoenix, Dallas, etc. winning with offense, but is defense something that will outweigh offense particularly come playoff time? Shane Battier: Traditionally defense has won championships. But, even the high powered offenses like Phoenix and Dallas actually play decent defense, it's just not as physical as the Spurs or the Bulls defense. Onlylwq (China): you are known by many as a great defender, can you tell us which player is the hardest to guard? Shane Battier: The most difficult players to defend are Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, because all of those guys are skilled, aggressive offensive players. Very difficult to defend. The good part is, I only see Tracy in practice now. Ben (Houston): Hey Shane, Besides setting your feet, what would you say is the key to drawing an offensive foul? Shane Battier: You must have great anticipation and awareness and you need to be able to foresee the play developing, before it actually happens. Kevin, Berlin germany: yo shane, can you remember your first dunk? Shane Battier: I was in seventh grade, and a bunch of us were messing around before basketball practice and there were a bunch of girls in the gym that we were all trying to impress, which got me all pumped up. So, all pumped up in front of the girls, I was able to throw one down for the first time in the school gym in seventh grade. Wojiaoming (China): why you picked the number ?31?? Shane Battier: When I went to Duke, Nos. 32, 33 and 35. Christian Laettner, Grant Hill and Danny Ferry have those hanging in the rafters and they are unavailable to us. So, my goal was to have my jersey retired after leaving Duke, so I thought that No. 31 would be a good one to try and keep that streak going. Lawrence (NYC): Shane, Have you had a chance to see your bobblehead that's coming out, does it look like you ? Shane Battier: I have see my bobblehead and it's a pretty good likeness. It's strange to be immortalized in ceramic. Marius, Klaipeda, Lithuania: If you had a chance, what legendary NBA player would you like to play with? Shane Battier: I think every player who ever played the game growing up, watching Michael Jordan, wishes they would have the chance to play with him. In my book, he's the greatest player ever and it was an honor to play against him in the NBA during my rookie year. Michael in Houston: Shane, if you weren't playing NBA basketball, what would you be doing? Shane Battier: I would probably be working with kids in some capacity. Either as a teacher or mentor. I hope to be the same sort of mentor as those I had growing up. That's important to me. Steve (Houston): Since Jeff Van Gundy took over as coach in Houston, quite a few veteran players who have signed here have commented on how great of a coach he is, and how much they like playing for him. Why do you think JVG gets the respect from NBA vets, and what influence has he had on your game since you arrived? Shane Battier: Players respect Coaches who have a philosophy that can be backed up in specific basketball situations. Coach Van Gundy has a great basketball mind and most importantly he can convey that message to his players, which is more difficult to do than some people may think. I believe he has allowed me to understand the NBA game better, and he's accentuated my strengths of concentration and efficiency on the court. Zhuziye (China): Why can you always make critical shots during the clutch time? What keeps you calm in those situations? Shane Battier: I always try to stay in the moment. I try to focus on the task at hand, instead of whatever bad or good things that happened in the game prior to that moment. I stay focused on the task at hand. That's key. solomon NY: Hey,I want to know how does your team seem to survive and to be one of the best teams in the west,without Yao Ming? Shane Battier: We have a belief as a team that if we play good defense and stay together as a unit, we can win basketball games. When you believe in yourself and your team, good things can happen. Nate,FT. Wayne IN.: What was your best moument with the rockets? Shane Battier: Hmmm. Good question. My best moment would have to be .....hmmm....I think guarding Kobe Bryant in a big win we had at home in the Toyota Center. Vuong(Houston): How do you like Houston so far? What are some of the biggest difference between Houston and Memphis? I would also like to say I'm a big fan of yours especially the energy you bring on every single play and every single game. Shane Battier: Thank you. I really enjoy living in Houston, the people have been nothing but friendly to my wife and I. I've enjoyed becoming a Texan. Justin Tipton,Wichita Falls: When did you first start playing ball, and then how long did it take till you realized it was what you wanted to do for a living? Shane Battier: I played sports my whole life. My earliest memories are playing basketball, baseball and football, going back to when I was five years old. Even back then, I wanted to be a Major League pitcher and NBA player. Then in sixth or seventh grade, when I was about 6-foot-4, I decided, maybe basketball should be the primary focus, this might work. Thompson (Louisville): Hey, Shane, I can't express enough how much I've enjoyed following your career and your progress with the Rockets this season. Now that we have reached the season's mid-point, how satisfied are you with the current Rockets campaign, both individually and as a team? Shane Battier: I'm happy with the way the season has started, considering how many games we've been without Tracy and/or Yao. I'm excited about the second half, although we have a long way to go to get to where we want to be. It will take a great effort to keep pace with the teams in the West, but as long as we stay together and continue to improve, I think we'll be OK. Shane Battier: I want to thank everyone for sending in their questions, they were very astute questions. I want to thank everyone for cheering on the Rockets - and me personally - and I hope you'll keep supporting us as we do our best to make a run at the NBA title this season.
Thanks Omer This was my question, and I was glad to see it made the cut. If JVG can allow a player of Shane's abilities to understand the game better and improve his strengths, then why not give him an extension. Yes Shane does fit into Jeff's system better than most players, but maybe the problem is not with the coach, its finding mature enough players to realize that the game is played best in the confines of a system. Two schools of thought: (relative to C Fans) Coach to the players strength -- Rudy T Coach to the coache's system -- JVG I don't believe that I actually prefer one of the above over the another, (perhaps a new thread topic?) but it begs the question as to which one is more effective in today's NBA. Good luck Daryl, for this is a question you'll soon have to answer...
