Probably Battier. Kobe doesn't drive as much as Roy does. I like Battier's methodical approach and ability to read Kobe's eyes on all the pull up's, fadeways and elbow jumpers he takes nowadays. Let's not forget this is Kobe Bryant we're dealing with. The officials aren't going to let Artest beat him up and play all that physical on him.
I agree with letting Ron Artest guard Kobe because of the physicallity that he can get away with; then we get get battier to help on him.
Laker fan here.. The rockets best chance of slowing Kobe down would be having Battier as the primary defender the 1st 3quarters and then when players get tired(less driving, more jumpshooting), and refs allowing more physicality a strong hound like Artest would be the best option for you guys.* *If Kobe is on it really doesn't matter who you put on him.
I like Artest's on the ball defense a bit more, and I like Battier's off the ball defense much more. On the flip side, if Artest is guarding him that might motivate Kobe more, and it might screw up Artest's offense pretty bad (due to fatigue and him being a "competitor").
Battier: 1. More honest defense. 2. Less likely to get into foul trouble; and foul trouble on Battier won't mess up the offense. 3. Artest can save his energy for offense. 4. Artest might be less tempted to get into a personal showdown with Kobe that he's destined to lose. That last one still has me shaking my head. 5. Artest can guard the bigger guys, particularly Odom.
Also agree with Shane. I think Shane defends him better and it will allow more for Ron to do on offense.
Battier. the last time battier was on kobe (dont remember which game that was in the season).. kobe made a lot of clutch baskets.. but battier was doing a great job on D.. battier was almost poking kobe's eyes every time he took a shot.. but just that it was a day all of kobe's shots went in.. won't happen everytime.. not artest.. kobe makes it a point to kill artest everytime.. and we need Artest on offense for sure.. I agree with Adande here..
I agree.. we are surely going to see a lot of superstar fouls being called against us.. Stern wil make sure of that..
Brian Cook! sweep the leg Brian! J/k. It's going to be defense by committee. mostly going to be a combo of battier/artest with a sprinkle of wafer
I am hoping that with the renewed image of Ron that this will be a redemption story that everyone can get behind. Maybe Stern will like it and allow us to have some superstar calls to. =).
I think Artest should guard Kobe if he doesnt gamble. Paul Pierce demonstrated how to guard Kobe effectively last year during the finals. Just stay in front of Kobe and be physical, it will wear on Kobe as the series goes along.
I think Battier, but I trust Coach Rick. Regardless, we should be thankful... as JVG said the other day, the Rockets have two guys that aren't afraid of guarding Kobe and want to compete with him. That's two more than most teams.
Thank goodness we have these 2 guys to choose from. I don't know what the stats are, but I'd have to pick Shane. He's got better lateral movement and always gets a hand in the face. The problem is Shane is also our best team defender, and that can help a lot in disturbing the flow if/when Kobe kicks out.
This is my analysis: Artest seems to do better with stronger people. He can guard the Lebron James' of the world. Battier, though, seems to guard sleeker, more skilled people. Kobe, DWade, Carmelo, etc. Artest relies on brute strength and tenacity, while Battier relies on bball IQ, and footwork. If we face the Cavs, I would want Artest to guard James. If we face the Lakers, I would want Battier to guard Bryant.
Good post. This is mostly what I was thinking, too. Battier has quicker feet than Artest, IMO, and is more of a perimeter defender. Don't fool yourself into thinking that Kobe doesn't drive, though! The man can do it all.
