Let me get this straight. If we trade the guy, that's because we don't want him. If we keep him, that's because other teams don't want him? Great reasoning.
So, if Battier gets traded, it proves Rockets don't like him. If Battier is not traded, it proves all the other team hates him. Is that how it works? If they dislike him so much, why keep giving him minutes year after year? I do agree about Iguodala, though. Well rounded on both ends of the floor. Would like him.
@Easy & Carl Herrera: Nice attempt at putting words in my mouth, but my comment wasn't about the the Rockets "not wanting" or "not liking" Battier. Let me clear: I think he's a role player that is overpaid, overrated, and overhyped by the fans and the media; not so much by other teams. I'm sure he's been mentioned in trade talks, but I don't think there's much interest from other teams and I have a hard time believing that teams are approaching the Rockets and inquiring about the services of a physically deteriorating role player. Who do you think NO really wanted - Battier or Ariza? If they wanted a Battier type player, all they had to do was keep Posey. I'm hoping that once we get closer to the trade deadline and teams start seeking cap relief, he and his expiring contract (which, as far as an asset goes, is his main value) can be included in a larger deal to get this team a proto-star. Not sure why anyone would want this guy playing significant mins for the Rockets unless they're satisfied with mediocrity. All things included, I would take Ariza any day over Battier
The day after the triple overtime game against Minny this past year, Morey was a guest on 610 and he actually took questions from a few callers. A guy called in and shared with DM what seems to be a popular sentiment on this board. Obviously, since I heard this months ago, I don't remember the conversation word for word, but it went something like this: Caller: ...what are ya'll going to do about Battier. Basically he sucks. He can't get it done anymore. Thanks for taking my call, and I'll hang up and listen DM: Yeah... Well, first off I would like to think you for being a fan. I appreciate all Rocket fans, but if you watched last night's game, or any game, and you don't see all the things Battier does to help this team win, then, with all due respect, you don't know what you are watching. You don't understand basketball. Was the above retort simply PR? I guess it could be; however, I doubt it. What he said is way more than just a 'we are happy with Shane' to cover for him. Morey isn't a 'fluff' type of guy. He is, at least as much as his position will allow, a straight shooter. Plus, DM called out a fan. That is definitely not like him. He may be the most fan friendly and accessible GM in NBA history. What's the point? Clearly DM, much more so than many of the fans and many posters on this board, values the on the court contributions of Battier. This board is full of 'Battier Sucks' threads and posts. Some are more clever than others and some actually attempt to make a cogent argument, but the overall premise is the same. What is fascinating to me is at the same time you can also find a ridiculous amount of 'Morey is God' threads and posts. The guy has been deified on this board. He is bandied about on CF like he is infallible. Hey, the dude is a good GM, but... Now, I must admit I haven't done the research, conducted a cross-reference, collected the data, or even set up a t-chart, but I wonder how many of the 'Battier Sucks' posters are also the 'Morey is God' posters. And how would that person justify their positions: Morey is infallible in all basketball situations, except those that involve Battier. Maybe Shane is his Achilles Heel. Maybe Shane is a Warlock and he has cast a spell over DM. Maybe Battier really does it for DM, and he loses all sense of judgment when thinking about him because his heart is all a flutter. Or is it just simply hyperbole in one or both cases? What's the explanation? If Shane sucks, then why does MIT/Moneyball Morey hold him in such high regard? Sure, it's an unfair question. It's maybe even a little philosophical. It's a little like the old 'Can God create a pitcher that throws so hard he could even strikeout God?' question, but I want answers damn it! Personally, I'm not mired in this quandary because I think Battier is solid and a key to the Rox success, and I think Morey is doing a great job.
Nice job beating up a straw man. The post you quoted never even argued that trading Battier would be an indication the Rockets don't like him. Teams trade players they like all the time. The facts are that Battier has been shopped just about every year since he came here. At first he was primarily in talks individually, but as he deteriorated and became more of a scrub than he already was, his name became constantly bandied about as a potential worthless throw-in to match salary on an expensive player with the real assets being our young players. By your own metric even, the Rockets prefer Ariza. He played 2629 minutes last year, Battier played 2168. Ariza started all but one game that he played, Battier had five games where he did not start. You're insane if you think the Rockets wouldn't have jumped at the chance to replace TA with SB in the trade as a pure basketball move. Battier was washed up two seasons ago and this year is just going to be sad. Ariza already outproduces him handily and is just entering his prime. As a money move, maybe they'd rather include Ariza since he has more years. Nobody is going to trade for Shane Battier the player. His only value is as an expiring. An expiring wasn't enough to get this trade done, so the Rockets had to give up the player they liked more.
Nice post, but I think you got this part wrong. The people who understand how smart Morey is also appreciate Battier, for the most part. The people who do not like Battier (leebigez, Kwame) are also the same people who don't really like Morey. Morey likes Battier type players. leebigez and Kwame like Isiah Rider, Ricky Davis, J.R. Smith, Stephen Jackson type players.
Sorry, I don't blindly support individuals. I've given Morey credit where credit is due (see the Ron Artest trade & resigning Scola & Lowry) and I've criticized him when he's made poor choices (see Brent Barry signing). Also, please show me where I have advocated for Isiah Rider lol, Ricky Davis, or JR Smith. I doubt that you'll respond, but you spewing nonsense in the GARM and then running off and hiding is nothing new. On multiple occasions I have posted that I wanted Stephen Jackson on the Rockets. At first people said that there is no way GState would trade him for Battier straight up because of the talent differential. Then when Jax was in Nelly's doghouse, people said that Jackson is a cancer, has a horrible contract, ball hog, etc... Go look at Charlotte's record before Jackson arrived and then look at it after he got there. I don't see why anyone wouldn't want a proven winner like Jax on their team. He's a better offensive and defensive player than Battier. He doesn't miss many games due to injury. He has a knack for hitting big shots. He steps it up when it counts the most. He's got a ring (3rd leading scorer on a championship team iirc), played a key role in a historic upset of a 67 win #1 seed Dallas team in the 1st round of the playoffs (just go watch how he destroyed the Mavs in the elimination game), and he led the freaking Bobcats to the playoffs. The "no-stats all-star" only wishes he had a resume like Jackson's. In sum, AroundTheWorld knows AroundNothing about basketball.
You have never seen me ever make a post about rider. Ricky davis the 3m bench player,yes. JR Smith the recently cut 21 yr old,yes. S. Jackson, of course because he produces when it counts most. Jackson is better than any wing player we have right now and thats not even disputable. That includes the effecient,disappearing in the 4th qt martin, chase will be great buddinger,and the no stats,non threatning,on the road playoff warrior battier. I dont have a personal vice against morey or some of his moves, but i dont see the results in a results oriented business. Know what, the crowd dont see it either in a town where we like to be shown. Thats why the rockets rank in the middle in terms of attendance. So we will see as we do every year.If shane battier is starting and playing 30 mins a night, your team is fraud and a fake bound for middle of the road success. Lump him in with rafer and chuck hayes. If battier is playing that many minutes, your team is going nowhere fast.
