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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 13, 2007
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I remember back when this trade went down. I was so happy we did it. I hated Shane Battie when he was at Duke and i hated him when he was a Grizzz. I hated him because he played fundamental basketball and did the small things a team needs to win.....kinda littler Tim Duncan. He is not a flashy player and never would boast and I have always liked FLASH but when the trade went down I was happy.
I have remaind happy as we have seen Rudy Gay improve to one of the Grizzes top men, while Shane just did what he does, quietly. People have said that Gay would so much improve our offence but i look at all sports kinda the same way and that is "defense wins Championships".
Today was a great game he played against the Lakers holding Kobe to 24 pts on 11-33 shooting. I loved it and still do. Now this is what really excites me about Shane....if you go and read on the Lakers fans sites they are talking bout T-Mac didn't show up either and Kobe outplayed him, that is a diff subject, but they say Kobe out played T-Mac b/c Kobe also guarded T-Mac. Well wow that is great for Kobe that he has to expend all that energy to play defense while McGrady "rests on D". This is why we have Shane, he does let Tracy guard a lesser opponent and yes, mabey get a little rest on defense. All our offence goes through T-Mac now and he played 48 min the game before, you could tell he was tired today. Kudos to our front office for the trade and seeing what we really needed for our team to be good even if it was not the popular of flashy choice.
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 22, 2008
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Who's your daddy? BATTIER. That's what our stadium cheers or used to cheer before he shot free throws. I think real basketball fans like this guy, he's an excellent defender and he's doing his roll on our team, make 3s. Rudy Gay is a great player but he can't do what Shane Battier does night in and night out.
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Reputation:72
Level:Pro
Since:Mar 2, 2007
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you guys are absolutely correct Shane Battier is a great fit in the style the Rockets play and people say Rudy Gay should never have been traded but the rockets dont need anyone to put up stats like he does we needed shane because he comes out and plays defence and knocks down the occasional three i think if we would have kept rudy gay it would have just stunted his growth as a player and he would never be a good player in the nba as he is developing into right now
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 11, 2007
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Shane Battier is a good player to have on your team,but not for Rudy Gay!Gay looks like he will be an explosive player in the league for some time.He is 6-9 and can play the guard or forward position.I dont think I'd trade a guy like him for Shane Battier.Thats part of the reason the Rockets struggle today.They dont have enough athleticism.
Rudy Gay couldve brought that and some.And with T Mac always willing to share the rock,he wouldve been a great fit.Just because Shane is fitting in,doesnt make this a good trade.Especially when the other guy you traded is averaging 20 ppg early in his career!They need more scoring from the 3 spot.A third option that can step into the spotlight when the stars are struggling.
Shane Battier nor anyone else on that team can fill that role,which is why the Rockets will be at home watching the playoffs early.
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 13, 2007
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You do make valid points Tripp. I think you like alot of scoring in your games, mabey shootouts. Yea they are fun to watch but Shane Battier should win defensive player of the year this year in my opinion. I would not trade that for 20 ppg. We have Yao and T-Mac with solid role players who fit into the system and play defense. Yes it would be nice to have another solid scorer since Yao is out but I think the team is awesome with two Allstars and a defensive stopper, not to mention our power forward by commitee with Carl Landry and Luis Scola. I am excited to see what we can do next year with our rookies growing along with the rest of our team. It is a great thing to have Battier on the team so that Tracy McGrady doesn't have to guard Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, Gilbert Arenas, and Peja's the league has. I think we will ball even harder next year than we did this year. Plus don't forget the reports that Rick Adelman hasn't even put in 50% of his offence yet. We will grow and it is great to have a defensive stopper on our team. When you play team ball like we do the scoring will come!
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 22, 2008
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I can guarantee that we wouldnt of had a 22 game win streak with Rudy Gay and not Shane Battier. It's kind of like what happened to the Suns when they lost Shawn Marion, they're defense was gone and guess what they lost a lot of games. If we had Rudy Gay this season, we wouldn't be in the playoffs at all.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 11, 2007
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Whats stunning is the Rockets defense has been good before Shane Battier arrived.They just have a good defensive system and he happens to fit in well.But it wouldnt be a coach in the league who if they had known Rudy Gay would be so talented,wouldve traded him for Shane Battier.He's not the type of player you acquire for a future all star.The Rockets had T Mac and Yao carrying the scoring load and what happens every year?They get eliminated in the playoffs in the 1st round.
They need more athelicism and someone to create their own shot besides T Mac and Yao.Shane Battier is a smart basketball player and I would love to have him on my team.But now way I give Rudy Gay up for him.Just think if Gay can develop his defensvive skills at 6"9?I really dont care about high scoring games.When it comes down to the playoffs this style of play is exposed.
I like the Rockets but unless they get a third consistent player then they'll be home in the first round next year too.Think of all the successful teams in the west and some in the east.You have to have at least 3 players that you know can bring it every night.Boston has the PGA tour,Detroit has Billups,Rip Hamilton,Sheed,and Prince,the Lakers have Kobe,Gasol,Odom,and Bynum if he can return.What I'm saying is you need a 3 headed monster nowadays.The Rockets have Yao and T Mac and its hard to get it done with just 2 consistent players on your team,which is why they struggle in the playoffs.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 27, 2006
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I like the Rockets but unless they get a third consistent player then they'll be home in the first round next year too.
Are you familiar with Luis Scola? He is that third consistent player, and he's the biggest reason this team is so much better than last year's. Scola, Landry, Chuck wagon, Bobby Jackson, and Luther Head have all shown up this year whenever we needed them to. Last year, none of that was the case. Well, except Chuck Hayes, yet this year he's our 3rd option at PF.
Van Gundy didn't use Luther Head right, we didn't have a solid back-up PG in Jackson, and our power forward situation was miserable. Everybody rags on T-Mac because he's never gotten out of the first round despite the fact that he's the only player on the Rockets who actually showed up the past few years. If we get any semblance of bench production like we're getting in the regular season, this team will make a playoff run.
The Rockets doesn't need to go out and do anything in the off-season besides resign Carl Landry. And I wouldn't write the off for this season either after the thrashing they just gave Phoenix.
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