2011 Free Agent: Shane Battier

[Bruno]

http://www.nba.com/media/act_shane_battier.jpg
Born: Sep 9, 1978
Height: 6-8 / 2.03
Weight: 220 lbs. / 99.8 kg.
College: Duke
Years Pro: 9

Info (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/shane_battier/career_stats.html)

[yavozerb]

Same boat as kirilinko, I think both are out of the spurs range but here's hoping...Can you imagine how many charging fouls the spurs would accumulate with this guy and Tiago, scary..

[benefactor]

Over/under on number of pages this thread will run when GNSF finds it?

[TimmehC]

Over/under on number of pages this thread will run when GNSF finds it?


omgomgomgBattieromgomgomg

On the one hand, Battier would be an excellent pickup. On the other hand, any change of ever developing Anderson/Butler/Green(lol) goes out the window if Spurs get him.

[ChuckD]

He would have been a good "get" like 3 years ago, but that boat has sailed.

[yavozerb]

He would have been a good "get" like 3 years ago, but that boat has sailed.

Guess you missed the last 3 seasons and sunday for that matter...:lol

[ChuckD]

Guess you missed the last 3 seasons and sunday for that matter...:lol

Three point shooters, we've got. The indisputable fact is that his defense has pretty much fallen off a cliff.

[yavozerb]

Three point shooters, we've got. The indisputable fact is that his defense has pretty much fallen off a cliff.

He is still better than any perimeter defender on the spurs currently by a wide margin, thats indisputable...

[ChuckD]

He is still better than any perimeter defender on the spurs currently by a wide margin, thats indisputable...

That's not saying a lot. We don't need to bump up our perimeter defense a notch, we need to bump it up about 3-4 notches. Battier doesn't even come close.

[yavozerb]

That's not saying a lot. We don't need to bump up our perimeter defense a notch, we need to bump it up about 3-4 notches. Battier doesn't even come close.

With minimal $ at the spurs disposal they are going to do this how? So from your posts it sounds like you want a player in his prime in FA to take probably the least amount offered for the sake of being a spur....good luck with that

[spursbird]

What about Matt Barnes? He's always got minimum salary and I wonder why.

[Bill_Brasky]

Don't need another SF. The position is currently logjammed with RJ, James, Green, Butler.....and one of those guys is gonna have to be the odd man out eventually, most likely either Green/Butler. James has potential to be better than Battier anyway, we'll just have to see how it works out next season.

I would have liked to have him a couple of years ago though.

[ChuckD]

With minimal $ at the spurs disposal they are going to do this how? So from your posts it sounds like you want a player in his prime in FA to take probably the least amount offered for the sake of being a spur....good luck with that

Honestly? Plug in Danny Green. He's a defensive PEST and can shoot the three, and the closest thing to Bowen since Bowen. Green is only going to get better. Battier is only going to get worse. I'm tired of The Finley Maneuver. No more old wings.

[outmap]

I'd rather get either aMoute or Thronton, both are younger and better defensive players. Class act though, great locker room guy, would be perfect for the Spurs a few years back.

[yavozerb]

Honestly? Plug in Danny Green. He's a defensive PEST and can shoot the three, and the closest thing to Bowen since Bowen. Green is only going to get better. Battier is only going to get worse. I'm tired of The Finley Maneuver. No more old wings.

Please never compare Green and Bowen ever again if u want people to think you even have a slight amount of knowledge about the NBA...

[mountainballer]

great player and was a great idea three years back. not now. Spurs should look for a younger version of Battier. (make a run for Landry Fields in 2012?)

[ChuckD]

Please never compare Green and Bowen ever again if u want people to think you even have a slight amount of knowledge about the NBA...

Pop is playing Danny Green in the playoffs. The kid has potential lockdown defender written all over him.

Bruce Bowen wasn't even in the league at Green's age. He was bouncing around minor leagues and Europe. He arrived here at age 30 with exactly one second team All D on his resume. He had the heart and desire, but the Spurs turned him into what he became.

Comparing Green to what Bowen became? Probably ridiculous. Comparing Green to the 30 YO ragamuffin journeyman who showed up on the Spurs doorstep in the summer of 2001? Not nearly so ridiculous.

[DrSteffo]

Don't need another SF. The position is currently logjammed with RJ, James, Green, Butler.....and one of those guys is gonna have to be the odd man out eventually, most likely either Green/Butler. James has potential to be better than Battier anyway, we'll just have to see how it works out next season.

I would have liked to have him a couple of years ago though.

Completely disagree. As I see it we only have one legit SF.

[Bill_Brasky]

Completely disagree. As I see it we only have one legit SF.

Well we're stuck with RJ for the time being, and next year you have to think that James will get a lot of backup minutes at that position....do you think we keep Green/Butler, or maybe release one or both if they don't pan out?

[yavozerb]

Pop is playing Danny Green in the playoffs. The kid has potential lockdown defender written all over him.

Bruce Bowen wasn't even in the league at Green's age. He was bouncing around minor leagues and Europe. He arrived here at age 30 with exactly one second team All D on his resume. He had the heart and desire, but the Spurs turned him into what he became.

Comparing Green to what Bowen became? Probably ridiculous. Comparing Green to the 30 YO ragamuffin journeyman who showed up on the Spurs doorstep in the summer of 2001? Not nearly so ridiculous.

Green has played an average of about 35 seconds in the 1st 2 games, so lets not get too crazy about his PT in the playoffs..If I remember right another player had similar backers and got around the same amount of PT last season in the playoffs and is now not even in the NBA, his name was Malik Hairston.

[Cane]

I think the Grizzlies are going to try and keep Battier unless he nosedives in the playoffs. He was drafted by them, has connections there, etc.

But just about every team that needs a veteran defender/3 point shooter would want him. Spurs would undoubtedly be interested if the price was right especially since the current Spurs project SF's might end up washing out.

[TDMVPDPOY]

imo draft a big and look for backup PG?

lol quin

[ChuckD]

I think the Grizzlies are going to try and keep Battier unless he nosedives in the playoffs. He was drafted by them, has connections there, etc.


Unless he takes vet min, he's probably gone. They are a small market team, paid Gay last summer, just had to pay Randolph, and Gasol's FA is coming up next summer.

[Muser]

Why would the Spurs want the corpse of Shane Battier?

[TE]

Why would the Spurs want the corpse of Shane Battier?

:lmao

[Marcus Bryant]

There are worse ideas.

[DesignatedT]

He's gettin up there in age but would still fit great here. Of course RJ is standing in the way though.

[TimmehC]

Yep. If RJ gets shipped out, this is the perfect guy to start in front of (and act as mentor to) Kawhi.

[SenorSpur]

Yep. If RJ gets shipped out, this is the perfect guy to start in front of (and act as mentor to) Kawhi.

Agreed.

[5in10]

He's got the exact kind of mentality our team needs rubbed off on it. I'm tired of seeing RJs mentality, softness, and brain farts rub corrupt the rest of the team.

[k_nguyen93]

Depends what fans expect of him. Offensively, those stats... 32 is getting up there to play top notch defense as well.

[SenorSpur]

Honestly? Plug in Danny Green. He's a defensive PEST and can shoot the three, and the closest thing to Bowen since Bowen. Green is only going to get better. Battier is only going to get worse. I'm tired of The Finley Maneuver. No more old wings.

Agree and agree some more.

I don't think there are enough folks that get just how good Green can be. The small sample size we saw last year should've been a clue. He is a good 3-ball shooter and is a very competent defender. In fact, he's already one of the better defenders on this team. I don't see how he's not on this team next year.

As for Battier, he's still a very good player, but on the serious decline. Besides, as you stated earlier, the Spurs don't need any more SFs. They need a big forward. Battier doesn't qualify - and if he did, the Spurs don't need any more older players. They've already started an impressive youth movement. No need to compromise that.

[yavozerb]

Agree and agree some more.

I don't think there are enough folks that get just how good Green can be. The small sample size we saw last year should've been a clue. He is a good 3-ball shooter and is a very competent defender. In fact, he's already one of the better defenders on this team. I don't see how he's not on this team next year.

As for Battier, he's still a very good player, but on the serious decline. Besides, as you stated earlier, the Spurs don't need any more SFs. They need a big forward. Battier doesn't qualify - and if he did, the Spurs don't need any more older players. They've already started an impressive youth movement. No need to compromise that.

Green is an ok player who at most will be a 10-15 mpg energy type player. If the spurs still think they have a chance to win in the next 2-3 seasons then Battier is a very good choice with his experience and intangibles he brings. Not sure where this serious decline is that you speak of but you need re-watch some playoff games between the spurs and Griz. No doubt he is a little slower than in his younger days but is still a very good player at the 3. Not sure whay are you are pushing for Green then mentioning the spurs needs for a big 3? Only reason I do not mind Green is cause he is so cheap..

[SenorSpur]

Green is an ok player who at most will be a 10-15 mpg energy type player. If the spurs still think they have a chance to win in the next 2-3 seasons then Battier is a very good choice with his experience and intangibles he brings. Not sure where this serious decline is that you speak of but you need re-watch some playoff games between the spurs and Griz. No doubt he is a little slower than in his younger days but is still a very good player at the 3. Not sure whay are you are pushing for Green then mentioning the spurs needs for a big 3? Only reason I do not mind Green is cause he is so cheap..

You're making my point. Because of their financial constraints, the Spurs can only afford young, cheap talent. That's why conversations about FA targets like Kenyon Martin and David West are moot. If Battier could be had for the minimum, and if the Spurs could somehow rid themselves of RJ first, they should swap Battier in right now. Needless to say, he would be a much better fit than RJ.

As I stated earlier, Battier is a very, very good player and a pro's pro. He certainly could fit now, yet he would've made much better sense for this team three years ago. However this isn't 3 years ago when Duncan was still an elite-level post player. With their best player and HOF big man in decline, the Spurs championship window is likely closed. No one appreciated Parker's comments, but the fact is, he was correct. This team has only ever been able to go as far Duncan could take them. That's a fact that has not changed.

They're still a very good team that will make the playoffs. However, there's no need continue adding declining players to this roster. The Spurs should continue on the path that they're on now - investing in young, cheap talent that be a foundation for not only the present, but also its future.

[Bruno]

I don't think there are enough folks that get just how good Green can be. The small sample size we saw last year should've been a clue. He is a good 3-ball shooter and is a very competent defender. In fact, he's already one of the better defenders on this team. I don't see how he's not on this team next year.

A year ago, you could have said:



I don't think there are enough folks that get just how good Temple can be. The small sample size we saw last year should've been a clue. He is a good 3-ball shooter and is a very competent defender. In fact, he's already one of the better defenders on this team. I don't see how he's not on this team next year.

My point is that you had to be cautious with these marginal prospects even if they look good in limited minutes.

[Nathan89]

Spurs aren't going after him now that we drafted a sf and Memphis won't resign him now that Gay is coming back.

If I was Mark Jackson I would bring this guy to the Warriors.

[Buddy Holly]

32 is getting up there to play top notch defense as well.

Bruce Bowen was 32 his second year as a Spurs player when we won the 2003 title.

[GSH]

I konw he's getting older, and I know basketball is a business. But you've got to have some respect for a guy who has some loyalty to a team, and actually feels a sense of commitment.
Battier was disappointed, bothered really, that the Rockets traded him at midseason. With as much as he had put into the organization, he left thinking the job wasn't done. "I was disappointed that I couldn't see to the finish what I started out," he said. "It would have been nice to go through one more stretch run with those guys. If it didn't work out, I would have been happy with time I put in over the five years."

Battier would always have been a good fit here. And the fact that he's older and wants to take a shot at getting a ring still makes him a natural fit. I'm not sure this team can give him what he wants anymore, but he has a lot of the characteristics of the role players that have helped the Spurs win the first 4 titles.

[ChuckD]

No more old guys. Really. None.