A starting line-up of Alston (PG), James (SG), McGrady (SF), Battier (PF), and Yao (C) would be fine offensively. We would be able to spread the floor. Our shooting would be much improved. Double/triple-teaming Yao would expose perimeter shooters more, thereby likely providing Yao a great deal more room to operate in the lane. T-Mac would have more weapons to whom to kick out upon penetration. Our perimeter speed would be greatly enhanced. The problems, however, would relate to our defensive match-ups and depth. James would have it tough dealing with a number of opposing SGs, Alston's defensive skills at the point were exposed last year, and Battier is too undersized to stop a number of PFs in this league. Our bench, particularly on the perimeter, would be a little gamey.
Yep, that pretty much makes it a certainty that he won't be back at Toronto next season. Let's hope it works out our way, James + Battier makes me feel a lot better about losing Rudy -- though the trade is still horrendous. James brings in the speed and athleticism, Battier gives us the hustle plays and solid defense, and both can knock down the three... VERY good for the Rockets.
honestly..we'll be fine with whoever..as long as tmac and yao are healthy...if either of them is out...lottery once again
am i the only one concerned about battier playing the four? i mean, don't get me wrong, i know he's good, but is that the PF that we need next to yao? the perfect PF for us would be brand (not that we will EVER get him, i am just saying), and battier is pretty much the opposite of brand in every way. the hustle is there, but what do we do when we play san antonio? (or detroit, utah, LAC...etc, anyone with a big body PF)
So you think he can guard the like of Kobe, Jason Terry, Ginoboli? I seriously doubt Battier has that kind of quickness.
To me, the perfect PF for us is a younger Horry. He is strong that he can defend TD, Dirk, Amare and Brand. He is fast that he can defend guards if needed. And he can shoot 3s.
I'm also worried that Battier is our PF. I think he isn't that strong in rebounding and maybe a little bit undersized in height and not that athletic to compensate for his height. I dunno, i STILL would LOVE to see Rudy Gay do that for us. or maybe even Stro coz i think he had progress last yr albeit small steps only.
My idea how the 2006-2007 line up will be PG: Rafer / Mike James SG: T-MAC / Head SF: Battier/ Novak PF: Howard/ Nene , Gooden, Jared Jeffries , Melvin ely, or Wilcox C : Yao , deke Sign mike james with MLE , traded Sura for some other player , and sign a PF with the TE
He is not the fastest guy but he can flat out defend he can guard kobe and manu he is just that good of a defender and all you people thinking that we got completly housed you should know that earlier this year their were talks of him for lamar odom and west really valued the guy he is a terrific defender kind of like our version of Bruce Bowen but he can also score a little bit! You would all agree that Bowen is not the quickest guy but he is still a lock down guy!
That would be awesome although unlikely because we know jvg can get ANY ONE to play decent D so we need to load up with offensive players! Im telling yall if we can get mj and gooden we will be an awesome team i would be so elated at the depth and even decent athleticism we would display!
PG: RA SG: T-Mac SF: Shane Battier PF: ???Jared Jeffries or Nene or Nick Collison C: Yao six: Mike James seven: Howard Eight: Novak Nine: Greek Guard Ten: who is the second center next to Yao?
PG: MJ, RA, Washington SG: T-Mac, Bogans, Head SF: Battier, Tmac, Bogans,Novak PF: JH, Battier, Hayes,Novak C: Yao, Mutombo Maybe JH will be traded for another atheletic PF...
