Shane Battier to Boston Celtics? Celtics, Rockets have talked
UPDATE: Aw, shucks. Battier’s not coming to Boston, according to Chris Mannix and A. Sherrod Blakely. You can still read the post if you wish.
The Boston Celtics have discussed a deal that would send Shane Battier to Boston, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
After the name of Cleveland’s Anthony Parker surfaced Friday as a player that Boston has joined conference rival Chicago in pursuing, sources said Monday that the Celtics and Rockets have likewise discussed the prospect of Battier moving East.
Yet it’s too soon to say whether the teams can reach an agreement on a deal to send Battier to the Celtics, given that Boston’s trade chips are limited and since Houston is regarded as one of the most aggressive teams in a conservative market and might need Battier’s expiring $7.4 million salary for a bigger move.
It’s safe to say Boston wouldn’t send a player like Kendrick Perkins for Battier, and I highly doubt the Rockets want Jermaine O’Neal. As such, any deal would likely include a package of Nate Robinson, Marquis Daniels, and some combination of draft picks/cash.
If I could dream of a perfect addition to Boston’s bench, it would probably be Shane Battier. (Or Lebron James, but that’s probably a little unrealistic.) He’s 6’8, defends like the second coming of James Posey, shoots the three-ball with accuracy (38.5% career), and knows his limitations. The thought of Battier and Glen Davis both taking charges gives coaches sweet dreams of rhythm and dancing, and — oh yeah — an entire New York Times essay was written about Battier’s diligent work in defending Kobe Bryant.
But it’s going to be tough for Danny Ainge and the Celtics to work their magic on this one. They just don’t have very many assets to acquire Battier’s expiring contract. Nate Robinson would be the fourth Lilliputian (shout out to Walt “Clyde” Frazier) point guard on Houston’s roster, Daniels may or may not play the rest of this season, and Boston’s draft pick would likely be at the very end of the first round.
I’m sure Ainge wants this trade as desperately as I do. But the Celtics might not have enough to offer.
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Celtics Blog | Jay King | February 21, 2011
What a fuckin letdown. That woulda given me so much confidence about these C’s going into the second half of the year.
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Since we are talking fantasy trades, I suddenly have a new one: Chris Bosh! I mean, after all that talk about Dwight Howard playing with the Big Four at the All Star Game, it turned out that Bosh was the best fit!!
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would love to get Shane battier he would be an unbelievable fit… even without him i look for the Celts to have a huge second half of the year record wise. they play NY twice the heat, Atalanta, spurs and Chicago all other games are against not so good teams. they have been talking about home court and i think they will get serious about beating teams they should be beating…. stay healthy, or get healthy for the playoffs i really like the Celts chances even without replacing Daniels…….. 25-3 the rest the way… with alot of help from delonte and the second unit. go Celts. what u think??
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I’ll believe when I see it
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25-3 is a lot to ask. I say 23-5. Hopefully the Heat keep fluctuating between great and ok so that we can still pull out home court with 63 wins.
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http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6etujw2 too good to be true? i know the rockets want to part with brooks and battier. but jordan hill is a long shot and i think he can be valuable to the celtics
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The C’s need to pick up someone substantial before the trade deadline or they are in trouble. The injuries have piled up and let’s face it — the bench has been horrible of late. Look at the last game against NJ. If the starters are required to carry the load, they may win but it’s going to wear them out before the playoffs, and even then, I can’t see them winning consistently if they are tired. If they can get the 2 seed, I’d be happy.
Chicago scares me more than anyone; they are young and energetic and nobody has figured out how to slow down Rose. When Noah comes back, they are downright scary.
It will take a lot for the C’s to win a championship this year — how bad do they want it?
That’s what it will come down to.
Go Celts. Let’s hope for some leprachaun magic; they really need that little fucker right now.
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How can Robinson be traded with only rookie Bradley and injured West as backup at PG?
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The Celtics are number rated 1 in defense but only 20th in offensive. Wouldn’t an offensive player like Rip Hamilton make more sense than Battier?
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Championships are won with defense. The Cs lost last year due to KP’s injury, Laker refs and the lack of rebounding (defense) in Game 7. I’d trade SE for Battier in a heartbeat. We can win the next two titles with him on-board. Go Cs…and please no Posey.
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It is the team with the highest score that wins. The Celtics defense is already rated number one in the NBA. Their defense is not an area of weakness. Their offense is rated 20th and could use improvement especially off the bench.
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len… The Cs are 29th in rebounding out of 30 teams. They were -13 overall and gave up 23 offensive boards in that Game 7. Yes, KP was out but that is no excuse for letting Kobe get 15 rebs that night. KG had 3 rebs. TA/RA/NR combined for 2 rebs (by RA) total in 55 minutes of play. When the Cs won in 2008 they were 3rd in the league in rebounding. Currently the Bulls are #2, Lakers #4, Miami #7, and Spurs #8. Yes, when our injured players get back they will help but if you don’t believe rebounding is important then go look at the stats in the games the Cs have lost this season – just look at the sub .500 teams they’ve blown games to. It’s horrendous.
Yes, the team that scores the most points wins, but when you can limit shots taken, put backs, and control the boards then defense ends up winning the games – as it always does. Remember Riley’s mantra when the Lakers kept winning in the ’80s? He said “no rebounds, no rings”. He was a pretty great coach and certainly understood the value of controlling the boards. Go Cs…
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You have great points but any move you make is a gamble. With existing players ala the healthy return of the O’Neals by the playoffs, we have the potential to improve our rebounding along with a hopefully healthy KP. We have no such potential with existing players in the scoring department, which is why I hope we get Rip Hamilton.
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When the Celtics rebound well then their fast break works better and the whole offense works better. They also are more focused come the playoffs and the offense works better because they don’t take as many stupid shots. Rip would be nice but I not for it if we have to give up players (other than NR). I would give up SE for Battier though. Go Cs….
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