[Rockets.com] The Odd Couple

durvasa · Oct 18, 2008

Artest and Battier: The Odd Couple

Read the Rockets.com piece here:

HOUSTON - Most NBA fans probably wouldn't expect Shane Battier and Ron Artest to be fast friends. In fact, considering Battier's reputation as the league's model spokesman and Ron's rep as the volatile player with a checkered past, many probably assumed they'd get along like oil and water.

It's an understandable assumption. It's also one which is woefully wrong.

Connected by a shared affinity for hard work and the respect which comes from more than a decade of head-to-head wars, the defensive duo is hitting it off in Houston. Rockets GM Daryl Morey has even gone so far as to say that Artest looks at Battier as a role model of sorts.

"Definitely, because [Shane] carries himself so well," agrees Artest. "He's always been a hard worker and that's how we've connected - we've always had competitive battles against each other."

Battier remembers those battles well: "I've known Ron for a long time and I have a lot of respect for him, and I think he has a lot of respect for me because the first time we played against each other, we were both 13-years old. So we've both watched our careers from afar.

"Ron's a nice guy. He's a family guy who cares about his kids and he's like everybody else; if he comes in the locker room with some terrible clothes on, he's gonna get grief about it. And, you know, he said something about my red jacket - which I fully expect from my teammates - so he's just one of the guys."

Sartorial splendor aside, both players are itching to find out how their chemistry off the court translates once they finally get a chance to step on the floor together as teammates for the first time.

"I told Shane the other day, 'I can't wait until you get back, so we can finally get out on the floor together,'" says Artest. "Whether he's starting or I'm starting, it's going to be a great opportunity for us. It will let me rest some nights when I don't have to guard the toughest guy every night. And when he gets tired of chasing people around, I can come in and start chasing the best offensive players."

Says Battier: "I'll tell you what, he's the only guy I've ever seen who's able to guard an Aaron Brooks and then turn around two minutes later and guard Yao Ming. No one does that. And I've seen a lot of great defenders, so that's probably the highest compliment I can pay him."

Needless to say, Battier doesn't buy in to the suggestion that Artest is no longer an elite defender.

"Funny thing about defense is you're only as good as your help-side," explains Battier. "There are a lot of great defenders in this league and those defenders have great help beside them - usually a pretty good shot-blocker - and when the so-called reputation slips, it's usually because the help-side defense isn't as strong or the shot blocker may leave, so I think Ron will return to an elite level with the guys behind him this year."

There's no question the Rockets' potential for defensive domination is off-the-charts right now - at least on paper. But first things first: everyone has to get healthy and Battier is a big part of that. He'll undergo an MRI next Wednesday and if the doctors see that the inflammation in his foot has subsided, he'll be on the court with his teammates shortly thereafter.

At that point, the chemistry experiment can finally move on to the next stage, allowing coach Adelman and Co. to see how all these elements get along within the centrifuge that is the NBA regular season. And for those who worry about Artest's volatility, Battier says his buddy will be fine because he's at the right place - at the right time.

"It's a brotherhood. We all know we're on the same team here and, no matter where you come from, it's about putting the best product on the floor. And Ron's been around long enough, he understand that.

"He's in the same boat a lot of us are; it's not about individual accolades - we all want to win. We look at the Boston Celtics last year - Garnett, Allen, Pierce - they'd been All-Stars and All-everything, but none of that mattered 'til they won a championship. They checked their egos at the door to reach that goal and hopefully we can say the same thing next year."

And 1's: Tracy McGrady will not play tonight as he continues to recover from offseason knee and shoulder surgery. He talked about his progress today after shootaround: "[My knee] won't allow me right now. After that Boston game, I just felt like I've got to get it stronger and I'm not ready to go out there and compete at a high level. So the best thing to do is just take this time off and rehab, and be ready to go come opening night.

"I'm far ahead of schedule and I'm just eager to get it out there. I hate going through this process, but it is what it is. But I'm just anxious to get out there with my guys and play. Mentally, it's been hard on me, but that's why I'm working my butt off to try to get to the point where I don't have to worry about it."

And as for the shoulder, McGrady says it's no longer an issue: "Ever since I stopped lifting weights, my shoulder's been fine."

Highlight of this morning's shootaround: During a free-throw drill, Rafer Alston playfully chanted, "Let's go Kansas!" every time Joey Dorsey stepped to the line, no doubt eliciting painful memories of this year's NCAA championship game which saw Kansas top Dorsey's Memphis Tigers team in overtime. Dorsey only hit 1-of-2, but in truth was probably thrown off more by his laughter than anything else.

Tip-off time for tonight's game against Sacramento is 7:30. For ticket information, visit ticket central or call 713.627.DUNK.

Have a question for Rockets.com? Send it to Jason Friedman via email at: jasonf@rocketball.com.
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DynastYWarrioR6 · Oct 18, 2008

Really great read, seems like the team is getting along fine and can be really special this year.

Save for injuries.

LoneStarReb · Oct 20, 2008

Great Read.

Now all we have to do....is keep our key players healthy....for at least 70 games.

Jontro · Oct 21, 2008

Good stuff!

I wasn't aware Shane was that much taller than Ron. Shane looks shorter on TV.

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[Rockets.com] The Odd Couple

durvasa JBB Rockets Fan

DynastYWarrioR6 JBB SmurfY

LoneStarReb Clutch City to New Jersey

Jontro What?

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[Rockets.com] The Odd Couple

durvasa JBB Rockets Fan

DynastYWarrioR6 JBB SmurfY

LoneStarReb Clutch City to New Jersey

Jontro What?

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