Shane Battier scores 18 vs. Thunder, helps contain Kevin Durant <object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_dhOwhxW1Po&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_dhOwhxW1Po&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
He was part of this highlight :grin: <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DNhDf9hEpfE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DNhDf9hEpfE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> notice Jeffries get out of his chair.
Thanks for the vid, but if ever one called for an editorial comment it was this one... Something like....Battier is going along smoothly, and then the Westbrook teabagging and Battier activating BEAST mode. DD
The sad thing is this is how he used to play straight out of Duke. He joined the league in 2001 with compliments from then Wizards coach Doug Collins and average this type of scoring and numbers with Memphis. So the real question is "What happened"? This should be Battier's normal type of night day in and day out.
I can't tell who it is, but when Battier gets dunked on, one of the Rockets players jumps out of his seat.
Battier was the franchise player for them. He had a bunch of plays run for him because they had little else at the time. Coaches loved how he played because he was NBA ready with his basketball IQ. He's always been limited in his athleticism--more so recently. As they added better players, his role shifted. He's now solely a role player who at his best is able to facilitate higher percentage shots for his teammates, take high TS% shots w/ his corner 3 and play good D on elite wings. Recently he's had to take up more of the offensive load because AB and Yao are out. At times he takes too passive of a role in facilitating offense for others, but if we ask him to assert himself too much, it's not going to lead to efficient production out of him. He's got one move, which isn't that impressive--I hope he remains aggressive and can average 10ppg. Any additional marginal scoring out of him may come at a cost of the team's efficiency.
I think that was Courtney Lee. Actually, on the last shot by Durant, I dont think Battier played good defense at all..just lucky that Durant missed. If you want watch it, Battier hesitates for a split second as Durant dribbles to the side which allowed KD to create some space and pull up. Sure Battier came in last second to put a hand in the face, but he was still slow to guard KD all the way. Not complaining though :grin:
Poor Shane. Only in his highlight thread would you get so many sarcastic comments, veiled complaints, and a video posting of him getting dunked on. I guess after five seasons with the team, it's hard to impress the crowd.
