I'd like to see us go after Lorenzen Wright with our TE. He'd be a great compliment to Juwan Howard - he hits the boards and plays solid defense. He also works as a backup center, which would be great considering Mutumbo's age. Thoughts?
Agreed, but why do we always go after ex Grizzlies? And why are they always goin after our targets. But yea Lorenzon is ready and Id be happy if he could push Juwan to the bench.
I'm hoping we start Battier at the 4 and Juwan is right behind Lorenzen (potentially) and Chuck Hayes on the depth chart.
NO. You can't use a TE to sign a free agent. He would have to be signed by the Grizzlies and then traded to us in exchange for the TE. That means dealing with Jerry West again. We all know how that went on draft day... If we are going to to jump back into those same shark infested waters, I'd prefer to attempt a S & T for Jake Tsakalidis instead. He's younger (27), bigger (7'2" 290), and has better averages per minute (5/4 on 61%FG in 14 minutes) than Wright. He would solve our backup center problems very well. I'm talking about the small (1.2) TE, by the way. EDIT: According to my original source, Tsakalidis was a free agent, but he's not. If he's still making roughly the same as last year (2.9 mil) then neither TE would cut it. Blah.
Why anyone in their right mind would think that Shane Battier will ever start at the 4 as the rule and not the very rare exception, is beyond me completely.
Anybody that thinks Robert Horry is going to play the 4 is being ridiculous. You need to go back and learn about basketball thinking such a skinny, high flying athlete like Horry will be able to handle the power.....oh wait nevermind.
Don't give me that crap about going back and learning the game. Horry had the size, length, and athleticism to create a mismatch in FAVOR of the Rockets at the 4. By your argument, anyone 6'8" or taller can play power forward because Robert Horry did. Last time I checked, Shane Battier wasn't Robert Horry.
While I agree that the Horry-Battier comparisons are not good and that Battier will get the lion's share of his time at the three, it's not like the guy would be at a significant disadvantage there. Some have floated around the idea of playing of him playing the two, but I think he can defend the four just as well and his mid-range and perimeter game would create the space we want in the paint. I actually would love to see Lorenzen Wright, Battier, Hayes, and Novak getting time at the four. Wright can play either post spot, gives us a legit center when teams speed up the tempo, and defends the post well. Novak needs a year, but Hayes will give us some decent bench minutes this year. Throw in minutes from Battier against weaker fours and when teams go small, and you have a very solid rotation. Now, what to do with Howard. Got me on that one.
Well, I don't think it's that hard to understand. Before we acquired Shane Battier, CD and JVG were talking about acquiring a sweet shooting power forward. Since we have acquired him, however, they have talked exclusively of adding shooting guards and point guards. Now, if McGrady were sliding over to the 2, shooting guard wouldn't be that big of a need. Clearly, we'd have our starting shooting guard spot covered. Yet CD has been talking like we don't have a two guard at all. Do the math. Either they consider Shane Battier a back up forward OR they expect him to spend most of his time at power forward and are leaving McGrady at the three spot. I think if they were looking at Battier as our small forward and McGrady as our shooting guard, they'd be talking about adding another power forward and a point guard. This isn't to say I'm thrilled with the idea of Battier playing power forward, but when you read between the lines of the statements CD is making, it seems to be the case that he will be playing lots of power forward.
The way Horry created mismatches at the 4 was by pulling post players out to guard him, forcing them to chase him around the court-- in that regard Battier is similar in creating mismatches. But Horry had as much trouble against true power 4's as Battier has/will. But then again, its not as if Howard is our solution there either. I would not be surprised to see Battier play the 4 almost half the time depending on matchup, but this is all contigent on getting a starting SG such as James.
Horry was much longer, taller and more athletic to gaurd 4's. Battier isnt in the same class but he will see some minutes at the 4. His true natural position is SF no need to make him a full time 4. It would only hurt the team.
I haven't seen alot of him. Has he guarded PF's in the past? Does he play bigger than 6'8''? I hope he can because I'd much rather have Tracy at SF than SG. Also,considering the Rox are only looking at guards, it seems they are content with their PFs. Battier at the 4 with Hayes and Howard and Novak backing him up would allow us to pursue a starting SG.Bonzi Wells would be brilliant. Big, physical SG phenominal rebounder for his size, posts up guys, a great fit at the 2, lots of playoff experience. PG - James, Alston, Head SG - Wells, Bogans SF - McGrady, Battier, Novak PF - Battier, Hayes, Howard C - Yao Do sign and trade for either Wells or James, offer the MLE to the other, and lets go get em'!!!
Haslem plays bigger than 6'8'', he's got 15 lbs on Shane is stronger. Also I hope Shane can play the 4, it would make us a lot more flexible.
I agree, CD would probably trade Yao for Wright but I'm sure CD could get West to throw in Stro make the deal more even.
I am a Florida grad and love Haslem, but he is nowhere near 6'8" (6'7" tops) and while he is stronger and has more experience defending the low post, Batter has much better length and can add a little weight and strength (remember that he has kept the weight down since playing the three). I think Battier can and will play the four, but how much depends upon who else we can obtain there. I would love getting Wright since he can play either post position, while Battier can play either forward spot. Throw in McGrady at either wing and we all of a sudden have great versatility and matchup potential.
Shane Battier Udonis Haslem They're both 6'8''. However the point of my posts was exploring Bonzi Wells as our SG, TMac at SF and Battier at 4. Any thought on Bonzi?
