Because he came here as a huge investment based on a #8 pick off of a really dissapointing season?? If I get a brand new Honda Civic for $8000, I am ecstatic!! If I get it for $15,000, I will be happy knowing that I got a fair deal. If I get the same car for $50,000, I will drive it, but I will be miserable knowing that I should have done better. Rockets paid $50,000 and gave away a Tri-cycle in S. Swift for Battier.
Thank you! "Fire JVG" is so incredibly old. 6-3 ain't a bad record, and if you are going to blame JVG for collapses you have to give him credit for big leads as well. He is a coach who wins games, check his records. Last years abomination was his first losing season (I think???), but I'd like to see a coach who could pull a winning record with those injuries and that NBDL roster.
Apparently some people weren't watching the game. I thought he was stellar tonight -- drawing charges, playing good defense, hitting clutch free throws, and on that last shot, he had his wits about him enough to not bite on Nocioni's attempt to draw a foul. He is not overrated by any means -- you'd be hard pressed to find a better role player in this league. He and Chuck Hayes are going to be two key reasons why this team will win an NBA championship in the next two years.
Battier did a good job on defending Gordon's J except the that 3p in 4Q. But he couldn't effectively prevent him penatrating, though made some charges. But honestly, when Gordon is hot, no one can stop him in this league. It was just unlucky to see him do this tonight. Come on man, we hung on with a win!
Ben Gordon is a lightning fast 6' 0" shoot first PG. That the 6' 8" 220lb Battier was even able to play some defense on him at all is a credit to his defensive ability.
Yes, Agree. It seems to me that those battier haters started measuring his contribution based on stats, the wrong. Our defense is owesome in the first half. Why nobody praised Battier at that time?
If people want stats, they should watch the GS-SAC game on right now. AWFUL defense....Its "exciting" but I think its disgusted. It's run and throw yourself at the basket since nobody is there to block you.
(1) We gave the #8 pick for Battier. The idea that #8 picks are all that valuable is absurd. Can you draft a star there? Sure. You can also draft a real dud. Maybe Rudy Gay will be great. Maybe he'll be terrible. Regardless, Battier isn't a bad value for that pick. And you get his full value now, while McGrady/Yao are in their primes. (2) I agree with Will and DaDakota. The entire idea is that he doesn't need points, etc., to produce. The Rockets have had a habit the last few years of filling up roster spots w/warm bodies. Just guys who can stand around and watch McGrady and Yao try to win the game singlehandedly. Maybe they can play a little D. Maybe knock down a 3. Battier can play D, provide a little offense, pass, and whatever else it takes. There isn't a single hole in his game for a SF. Ask him to play PF, and he'll have some problems - but he'll be ok. Ask him to play SG, ditto. I'm thrilled to have Battier. Give the Rockets Yao, McGrady, and 10 Shane Battier's - and you'll have a championship-caliber team.
Battier isn't even a core player for this team right now. He has less impact than Rafer Alston and Chuck Hayes. His value is inflated as a core player because the Rockets and fans need to justify the trade. Kirk Snyder can take his minutes without the Rockets missing a beat, but Snyder's minutes is eaten away by Battier to make the trade looks better, if not Battier's production will look pathetic compared to what the Rockets gave up for him. I don't know if he's Mr. Intangibles or Mr. Invisible, he seems to switch between the two seamlessly.
If people actually think that Snyder would easily replace Battier, then the discussion should just end here. No point in going any further.
What's this infatuation with a hustle role player? Does Snyder not play defense? Does Snyder not hustle?
It's pretty obvious a lot of you guys aren't watching the games closely. How many points do we get off Battier's taken charges? What about all his tipped balls? He's also great on help defense. His stats look like crap, but he has a definite impact out there. He just needs to shore up his 3 point shooting
