Bonzi is not going to cause Battier to be traded, seeing as how Bonzi is in the last year of his contract with the Rockets. It would be crazy to count on his presence for more than a season, and more crazy to get rid of Shane for one season of Bonzi.
I can't imagine Battier not starting either. On this team, Battier might have the biggest drop-off in terms of production from being a starter and a bench player. As a starter, he doesn't demand Yao/T-Mac touches, locks down the opposing star wing player, and spreads the floor on offense. Coming off the bench, he gets to guard lesser players, can't create any instant offense, and gets guarded more closely without our all-stars demanding the attention. I personally prefer to keep him on this team now that we have much more firepower. But if we can package him for a better player who also plays good defense(can't think of anyone right now that fits the description and available...), no reason not to ship him out.
battier will start every single game he's on this roster. unless we're knocked out in a trade i see no point in letting him go considering how much we've upgraded thus far.
I dont know what youre sippin on but battier will start and why would we trade him he is our defensive stopper just like bruce bowen in san antonio
Battier has to be on the court when both Yao and T-Mac are on the court. A winning formula is that you need two high posession guys and a low posession guy who is efficient that can play defense (sounds familiar?).
I think Yao Tmac and Battier is the guaranteed starters!! You got to have Battier in there ...i mean he does everything well and is the glue of the team's defense along with Yao. Probably the team's best 3 point shooter along with Head. Scola is veryyyy likely to start then follow by Francis. Francis might not start and might be in favor of Mike James or even Brook depend on how the chemistry is...
I dont think people remember that our team would fall apart a lot when Battier went to the bench. Until further notice, he is a lock to be a starter
one thing for sure is mike james will be a better fit w/ tmac and yao than francis with tmac and yao because mike james can shoot the 3 ball.
Battier is a lock to start because he can fit in with any style, doesn't need shots to play hard and will guard anybody you tell him to pretty well. On a team with more than a few knuckleheads, Battier is a true pro who makes a reasonable salary and is a perfect complimentary player for McGrady and Yao.
another position that will clear up could be pg. if rafer's traded i think mike james is a lock to start. i just don't see francis as the starting pg on this team, though i may be wrong.
I agree. I think Francis is the better player out of he and James. However, James can spread the floor better. I am thinking Francis will come off the bench as the PG by himself and as a SG with Brooks in the game. I also think it will be James/Francis/TMac/Scola/Yao finishing off games. Alston just does not fit in the picture. He should definitely be traded for some insurance at PF/C. Jeff Foster looks better and better every day.
