I think Battier is a terrific player who will help the Rockets improve dramatically. I like him so much that I would perfectly satisfied with a deal of: The Rockets 8th pick, Stromile Swift, and oh, perhaps their 32nd overall for Battier, the Grizzlies 24th pick and next year's first rounder—which won't be a very pick. Next year's draft is supposed to talent-rich and very deep, thanks to the no high schoolers policy. That said, this is a lousy deal. I'm a huge fan of Battier and I think it's quite possible that Gay will be a bust, and Battier might be the most underrated player in the league...but I can't believe they couldn't have gotten more in return. I just really, really hope that there are more elements to this trade that haven't been reported. I hate to speculate on specifics (though I have some specifics in mind), but there are a number of players on the Grizzles who would fit the Rockets need perfectly. I'm going to go read Simmons and hope he can calm me down by bashing Gay.
82games .com says Battier is the best defensive small foward in the NBA. go down to the small foward rankings http://82games.com/rosenbaum3.htm
I wish they would have gotten more back in return instead of just Shane Battier like Memphis's 1st or 2nd rd pick or dozen basketballs.
what a great post. i haven't heard anyone say anything bad about battier. just that he's not worth all this. not worth giving up a #8 pick and a player. no way. the rockets aren't THAT close to being a championship team.
Battier averaged 14.4 ppg in his rookie season. He dropped off cause the Griz were good and they didn't need him to. He is capable of 15PPG
Justice says that the Sperms considered him their kind of guy? Memo to Dick Justice, we are not the Spurs.
yeah..they were awesome in his second season. his ppg dropped to 9.7 and his team won a whole 28 games!!!! i'm sure they couldn't have used his points that year. he just turns it on when his team needs it. he's THAT kind of player.
No serious poster is questioning Shane Battier's ability. The outrage is over the heavy price the Rockets paid for his acquistion.
it was a terrible trade for us but i guess it could be worse, we could all be Knick fans. how bad would that suck? Ronaldo Balkman? lol.
it wnet somthing like this... "C.D?" "Jerry West here" "if you pick Gay... for the 8th pick, ill trade you Battier for him, and you can throw in Swift to sweeten the package" "deal?" "deal"
Justice knows even less about Basketball than he does baseball. He didn't even get the arguement right in his reporting because he is not accounting for the fact that we gave up Stro too, and now only have Howard and Hayes (the worst pf combo in the NBA). You can't take anything this guy write seriously. I'm still waiting for confirmation that Alex Johnson is not part of the trade. Clutch?
