I don't think you can say that. If that were true, Scola would've been the starter over Hayes. I think Artest would be more effective with the same minutes as a starter, but just coming off the bench. Not that it matters now, even IF Battier comes back 100%, he would've missed training camp and most of preseason, I'd rather just start Artest and let Battier work his way back into the line-up slowly.
My goodness, we just cannot get a break, hopefully he's in shape and back for the start of the regular season.
the only good thing about this is he's only going to miss preseason, and adelman won't have to decide whether to start battier or artest.
I wonder if Battier would have just kept on playing had this been April. It just sounds like the team isn't taking any chances given all that's coming up is training camp and preseason rather than actual games. Of course, it's better if he participates and practices with the new teammates, but Shane is a vet and has spent a year within Adelman's system so I'm not worried about his readiness come opening night. It would have been more of an issue if your rookie misses camp. Besides, Battier's record for durability has been great all career, he should be able to recover.
A lot of people have gotten too excited on the board. Sure it's a lot of fun to hear Ron coming to town and the return of our core being intact,however we have to take into consideration of Yao's slow recovery,T-Mac,Rafer and Battier rehabilitating and Landry's knee concerns. Francis too seems to be months away from being a productive player. There is going to be a lot of disappointment and frustration when we start out. It's going to take time before we see our team being near it's full potential.
I never really put it all together like that. Yao, T-Mac, Battier, Rafer, Landry, Francis and Hayes are all injured or coming off injuries. This is ridiculous. Even Barry isn't too far removed from his calf injury. That's more than half our frickin' team.
As long as he's full speed by late November or early December, it'll be OK. They proved last year that basketball in Oct/Nov isn't nearly as critical as it is in Feb/Mar.
JCF: Okay, last question. I know you're not a complacent person and there are always going to be things floating around your mind that you're dissatisfied with or that are troubling to you. What's your biggest concern now - regarding the Rockets, that is, and not the fact that you're still without power from the hurricane? DM: (laughs) I can't say. I'll just keep it as my worry and let everyone speculate. Whatever Morey's biggest concern was a week ago, I think we know for sure what it is now: Half his team is injured or recovering from injury!
This is no big deal, we have Artest now, and he would be the starter anyway....Battier should take his time and heal up. Missing preseason.....is not that big of a deal. DD
somewhat good news to me......last year i felt scola was the clear canidate to be starting over hayes, but scola being not accustomed to america doesnt drill as well as chuck and is then benched half of the season.... i can deff see battier and artest battling for that starting position and im somewhat glad that artest is now the obvious starter (at least in preseason)to show why he belongs in the starting lineup. i love battier and he will come back strong(i have amazing confidence in battiers heart, just not his offense) and will be playing that 6th man role by the start of the season, let battier rest. start ron the ENTIRE season..
