He makes them better only because they are so talent poor because of the inept job this organization has done in finding players. So in that sense, he makes them better but only marginally so. He certainly doesn't enable them to create mismatches on the floor. He gives them versatility in their schemes but he doesn't give them the same type of versatility that the Mavs, Spurs & Phoenix have in their ability to put multiple lineups on the floor. Nor does he give them any type of competative advantage against the better teams in their division let alone their conference. Despite the spin job going on about the him being "better than his numbers", I feel that his numbers describe him quite accurately. I watched him play when the Grizz played the Mavericks and Howard & Terry absolutely abused him and there's just no reason to believe that things will be different simply by moving him over to the Rockets.
The fact that he's sharing a backcourt with Tracy McGrady rather than Mike Miller makes everything different. Mike Miller might as well not play defense. He's worse at the 2 than Juwan at the 4.
Would someone please address the following? (Particularly Memphis X) Can Battier do a competent defensive job on Jerry Stackhouse? How about Josh Howard? (IMO, we are one decent, long defender short of giving Dallas a hard time (assuming of course that we sign a good guard, like Mike James) Can Battier do a competent job on Manu Ginobli? (I suspect the answer is no, but want to ask. Ginobli isn't a speed merchant as much as he is crafty and strong.) Can Battier stay in front of Boris Diaw? Tim Thomas? Shawn Marion? Thanks for the insight. And people, please treat MemX with some respect. He is a welcomed guest around here. MemX - one last question. What's your feel on whether Swift is negative trade value? I suspect he is but don't know the feeling in Memphis.[/QUOTE]
Battier sounds like a more skilled Chuck Hayes. We can get these guys anywhere. Intangibles can be found in the second round, like with P.J. Tucker.
Bold prediction: P.J. Tucker will be out of the NBA in less than 3 years. He is 6'5" with moderate PF skills and no SF skills. He has nothing that translates to the NBA.
[/QUOTE] Battier will be a much better player in Houston where we have 2 star players that he can play off of. DD
Dada, I agree that Battier is an excellent fit, but MemX's comments have me concerned. I'm actually in favor of the trade if Battier can do a competent job of containing Howard, Stack, Diaw, Marion, Ginobli. The truth is that with Tmac and Yao healthy, we're a 4-7 seed. If Battier can do the above, we have a shot (not favored, but a shot) at beating Dal, SA and PHX.
Howard and Terry got their points against everybody this year in the playoffs, including defensive stalwarts Marion and Bowen.
GO TMAC "When they told me that's the deal we made, I was so happy," McGrady said. "Shane is a solid player and the type of player we need, a player that can inspire the team with hustle plays, a defensive presence. He's smart and can shoot outside. But I really like that when we match up with Phoenix or Dallas, we can match up with Shane at the four. "From what I'm hearing, people are (angry). They don't understand; we're trying to win now. We don't want a guy that will take three years to develop. We're trying to win this season. I think Rudy's going to be a pretty good player. But what we need right now, this season, is Shane Battier. This is definitely a good trade."
This comparison makes me sick "a glorified Adrian Griffin", and I hope to God that it doesnt turn out that way. My quam isnt with the trade, its that we didnt get something else along with Battier (their pick, or another player).
But he's being "sold" as a defensive stopper who fits into JVG's philosophy. From what I've seen, his defense, while very good, still isn't going to help elevate this team's fortunes. Also, will he be backing up TMac at the 3 or will he be the starting SG? If he plays SG, his numbers aren't good enough to match up against the other SGs in the West.
And having Yao under the goal should make anyone better...... If production has gone down when you put players on the court with Yao & McGrady, then we've been getting the wrong guys period....... I think Battier will give us what we need defensively, and just looking at what he's done in Memphis, we should be able to get 20 out of him when we need it. The more I think about it, the more I like the move.... the only thing I don't like, is that if it's common knowledge that RudyGaye is the next Michael Jordan, why didn't we get more in return??
You don't need to read too much into MemphisX's assessment. Take his comments with a grain of salt- he's a Grizzlie fan after all.
I would assume that Battier starts at the 3 and McGrady at the 2. McGrady would guard the quicker swing player, while Battier guards the bigger one. Against a team with a perimeter-minded PF (Dallas), Battier would play the 4, and McGrady the 3. On offense, he'll be mostly a perimeter shooter and a screener in the pick-and-roll.
I like and agree with Memphis X's assessment. At this stage in his career T-Mac is not a SG anymore. Physically, his skills, physical condition, and importance to the team offensively make him better suited to be slated as a SF. He shouldn't be running all over the place, getting bumped off screens. His back can't take it. And while he's a great streak jump shooter, his FG% the last 3 years indicates that he should be shooting less from the outside and using his height and length closer to the rim, which is what your "classic" SF does more of. And the idea of T-Mac playing big minutes at the 4 with Battier at the 3... this will only happen for the 12 minutes when Yao is out of the game. Otherwise, the Rockets should want to slow it down and play big, maybe play a lot of zone, crash the boards and work their offense through Yao the majority of the time. He showed last season he is the MAN. The Rockets should want to dictate the style of the game. I really don't like this trade because although Swift had the basketball IQ of a small nut, he could play backup C for Yao and is an excellent weak side shot blocker inside. Who will play that role now? He is the only one I have ever seen block a turn-around jumpshot by KG. My scouting report on Battier is that he would be a top backup on a really good team. 25-30 minutes a game, solid contributor in all parts of the game. Watching him the last few years, my impression is that he's a great positional defender, but not great on the ball. Very tenacious. He works hard to not let his man establish good position on the block. And he'll front his man to deny an entry pass. Really good at that. Offensively he is a really good offensive rebounder, as you'd expect for someone who is smart and plays hard. He shoots a good percentage, but he is strictly a spot up shooter. He CANNOT shoot off the dribble. He is not a pure shooter like Mike Miller is. When his feet are set he can knock down shots, but anything on the move is asking too much of him. He is also not a catch and shoot guy who can come off screens. He does have some really good post up moves which is where he can punish smaller defenders. Plus he hardly ever turns the ball over, always playing smart basketball.
there is only one solution to this problem.....everyone chip in some change to bribe the doctor in charge of Battier's physical! "I hope West wore a condom"-sportsradio 610 host,matt jackson-
Try winning a playoff game. And since Mr West has been in Memphis, they traded for Mike Miller and traded Posey and Williams who who a title while they Grizz have NEVER WON A PLAYOFF GAME!!!!!!!!!
Its time for... WHOSE YOUR DADDY...BATTIER...WHOSE YOUR DADDY...BATTIER...WHOSE YOUR DADDY...BATTIER...WHOSE YOUR DADDY...BATTIER...WHOSE YOUR DADDY...BATTIER...WHOSE YOUR DADDY...BATTIER...WHOSE YOUR DADDY...BATTIER Best college chant ever!
Yes Go Rockets! But, Gay in 3 years will a starter on any team if not one of their two/three stars. Battier on the other hand will be 31 and declining at a FAST pace(along with Tmac). So we will have these two for our SF with still no caproom and essentially little hope(unless we have won a championship already which I honestly think is unlikely with our current lineup).
