Believe me, I'd love to have Battier. There's something to be said for a player who was as accomplished as Battier in college and received as many accolades as Battier did, despite not being the most talented player on the team.
Having said that, I like Diaw because his size and skill set are the exact counter to what the Lakers have in Odom. Having Diaw would level the playing field when Odom is out there, and would give the Spurs a big frontline to contend with the Lakers frontline of Bynum, Gasol and Odom, should the Lakers choose to do so.
I'd go as far as to say that the only team that could matchup better against the Lakers than the Spurs (with Diaw) is Boston with a frontline of Perkins, Sheed, and KG.
Battier is a much more consistent player by far though.
I guess Diaw is option 1 and Battier is option 1A in my book. Now, if we could convince Charlotte or Houston's front office to do business then it's a go.
As for backup point, I think that can be handled by a combination of Hill and Manu. And you never know, maybe Williams is in the race for a few minutes there too given that he ran the Toros towards the end of last season.
Backup points aren't hard to find, so I'm far more focussed on grabbing Battier!
Yeah, I don't see Houston doing us any favors by trading Battier to us.
Unless the rockets just plan to tank the season, why would they make that trade?
I wouldn't mind Finley/Bonner for Posey. What about Dalembert? Doesn't Philly want to dump his salary, not sure what we would need to do to get him, but getting salaries could move bodies to fill some holes with the minimum.
Morey wouldn't consider trading Battier to the Spurs.
I'd love a pass-first back up point guard. But who is that player?
One more thing about Diaw, if needed, he can pull a little point-forward action the way KG used to do back in Minny and Odom does every now and then. You know, just for a different look.
I've been I WISHING the Spurs had Battier for years: he's a legit two way threat, professional and classy, and NO ONE DEFENDS BRYANT BETTER.
If the Spurs somehow traded expirings for Battier, the Spurs would DESTROY THE LAKERS. Bryant would seriously need to 20 shots to get 20 points with Battier guarding him, and that's a recipe for victory for the Spurs.
Jared Jordan....
Given that they aren't going to contend next year, trading a good player who is over 30 within the division isn't going to hurt them. What's more, 2010 capspace (6.8mil from Bonner and Finley) and a pick, probably mean more to them than keeping him. Make the deal sweet enough and you might be able to get it done.
Battier has the knack Bowen used to have of hitting key three pointers at pivotal moments of the game. His intangibles are through the roof -- he'll get you plays that don't show up on the stat sheet. He may not be at Bowen's level defensively in total, but he's pretty awesome. I'd love to have him.I think Battier is probably the most overrated defender in the league. He had one good game against Kobe two years ago and it became legendary. That said, of course you trade Finley and Bonner for him.
I think they might trade for a point guard though. We have a bunch of guys who can play backup point in a pinch, but the Spurs may want more than that.
Pop likes shoot-first PG.
Oh, I think he fits really well for the Spurs. I just think his D is grossly overrated.
On the free agent market, Anthony Carter makes some sense. He's like a bigger Vaughn with more left in the tank. He's a pretty damn good passer and his range is improving.
Boring name but as a third point guard for minimum, I don't see a better option.
If the Spurs are serious about Battier, it'd probably take something like Finley, Bonner, Splitter and a pick. Spurs fans might implode if the Rockets end up with both S**** and Splitter.
I've admired Carter's game for a long time: he is the BENCHMARK FOR THE BACK UP POINT GUARD.
However, if the Spurs could trade for a big, ie Gadzuric, or elite two way wing, ie Bell or Battier, then I'd do those trades first.
I think Hill will continue to improve at the back up point, so it is not as pressing a need as the others.
Yao is probably out, T-Mac is probably gone, so they aren't going anywhere next year. They have to know that. They also need to make time for Ariza at the 3 (if he ends of goin there, which seems like it's not a done deal). A pick and 2010 capspace would be looking good to them right now, surely?
They owe us one for Scola.
We have Parker and maybe McClinton. With the mark of this roster becoming a diverse group of talents, getting a passer could help.
I'm sure Trevor Ariza would agree with you on that one.
And Carter used to play for the Spurs, before the Spurs found out he was hiding an injury when they signed (or was it traded) for him. Plus, like Vaughn, Carter's jumper is useless.
If a perimeter defender is what is missing, just wait out Bowen. I think we already have to many new guys on the team, not to mention a couple that haven't really played all that much (Hill and Ian). I like the idea of having new blood on the team but lets not over do it either. Don't forget that most players new to the Spurs always have a hard time adjusting to the way Pop runs things on the court.
He was a Spur in 03-04, and he only played 5 games. Maybe Pop knows something we don't.
If you can get Battier for Splitter's rights, Bonner, Finley, and a first round 2010 pick Spurs don't won't to pay for, YOU DO IT.
YOU DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.
The Rockets may roll with Ariza at the 2 and Battier at the 3. Ariza is of similar build as TMac. If TMac is gone, then I'd definitely see Ariza taking up the 2 spot, leaving a defensive tandem similar to Artest and Battier of last year.
Plus, can you imagine the Rockets throwing Battier and Ariza at Kobe for the next few years?
I just don't think getting Battier is possible, but you never know.
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