Shane Battier has 0 upside. We need more talent, not just a body. Even if Rudy Gay is not a superstar, if he was at least Josh Howard type good, he wouldve made the Rockets better. Before next season, Battier will be 28 with about 4 good seasons left. The Rockets are over the cap and have 0 depth. We're screwed.
While it is not sexy, the Battier deal is not as bad as some make it sound, especially if there is another piece to the puzzle. What if we get Chucky Atkins or Bobby Jackson in a sign and trade? Not sure about the cap numbers there, but you have to think we could get more for Swift than this. If it's just Battier, then I would say it's a bad move. But if we can find another complementary player along with it, then Battier plus Novak would give us a pair of combo forwards who can hit their jumpers and FTs. The problem remains that we need a longer wing and a reserve point with only the MLE to do it. That doesn't look good unless we get another guy in the Gay deal.
I am certainly in the minority here, but i don't see this as a bad trade. Everything that Gay could become, he could also not become. Those of you who are guaanteeing he will be a something points and something rebounds player or a future star (super star, all star, fill in for an injured TMac) are clearly guessing. There is absolutely no way to know if he will grow into his press clipping. Yes he has a high upside, but the statements about disapearing have to scare you. With Battier we clearly know what we are getting. He brings a hustle and grit that we have been missing since Bobby Sura fainted. Man I wish that guy was coming back! Also Battier can hit the open J, and I have to think he will get plenty of looks if 111 is healthy. All this talk about Logo doing it again, he has not done a particularly good job with Memphis lately. He did do a good job at LA, and came in with a bang at Memphis. But they leveled out to a mediocre team and have several questionable contracts. Getting rid of Swift is bittersweet. I really supported getting him at the time. But looking back, I guess I liked him because it was exciting and he was a Rocket. Bottom line is he underperformed all of his career and for a good coach in Hubie who had the whole team on a hot streak. I know a lot of you don't like Howard, but he is competent. Getting old and declining each year, Ill admit, but not the waste many seem to think. There is a reason he gets minutes over Swift. Between JH three years left (?) on his contract and even longer for Swift, something has to give. Clearely we need a PF, just as we did before this draft. Now we have to do something about it. I was happy to draft Gay (I really want a GAY tshirt) and if somehow we keep him, I will be happy. But if the trade goes through as reported, I am ok with that also. i guess I just don't worship potential the way many of you do. A bird in the hand, so to speak.
when i heard the trade, my first impression was, we are getting their 1st rounder plus shane, so i was quite happy; like a lot of you said, i doubt it's a straight up trade or plus swift; i'm sure more information will come out in the next few days; i hope i don't offend anyone, do you guys really want to have head and gay on the same team? everybody in the league will laugh at the names; just imagine what TNT or ESPN crew would say; i wouldn't keep both of them on the same team; 'gay for head', 'head for gay' whatever... that being said, i hope we get someone valuable in return; shane himself is a waste of 1st round pick; anyways, we'll see what happens
But now H-Dub you are hinging alot on a 34 year old unathletic PF in Juwon with an undersized PF as a backup.
And I made fun of Morrison when he cried during the NCAA's... I am certainly relating at an unexpected level now.
Well said. Not that it'll stop these other posters from continuing to shriek like a bunch of hairdressers who found a split end.
Exactly. Not even Zeke is dumb enough to pull a deal like this. The Gay for Battier deal already seemed really lopsided, a Gay/Swift for Battier makes it almost seem unbelievable. I can see JVG wanting Battier, I understand the need to win now. But I just can't see Les/CD/Morey all signing off on a deal this bad. THERE HAS TO BE MORE TO THIS!!
