Shane Battier: "One day I want to grow up and play defense like Chuck Hayes."

durvasa · Dec 9, 2009

After tonight's Cavs game, when 6'5 Chuck "The Chuck Wagon" Hayes held aging 7'1 behemoth Shaq "Diesel" to 2-8 shooting in the post:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6762520.html

"Chuck Hayes is my personal hero," Shane Battier said. "One day I want to grow up and play defense like Chuck Hayes. He’s awesome. He’s awesome. I’ve run out of words for how good he is."
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Shane didn't have too bad a night himself guarding LeBron James.

Lost One · Dec 9, 2009

Yes, Chuck Hayes is very impressive. I respect him a lot after watching him during the Lakers/Rockets series last year.

durvasa · Dec 9, 2009

Lost One said: ↑

Yes, Chuck Hayes is very impressive. I respect him a lot after watching him during the Lakers/Rockets series last year.
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Chuck's apparently the shortest starting center in NBA history.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1163735/index.htm

Hayes, the Rockets' strongest player (including Yao), uses his sturdy base to move taller opponents out of the paint. "If they make a turnaround [on me]," says Hayes, "they deserve it." In two games against the Lakers this season Hayes played 7-foot, 285-pound Andrew Bynum so well that Phil Jackson abandoned post-ups because, as the coach put it, Hayes was "rooted to the ground."

Hayes's muscle is complemented by quickness. His coach at Kentucky, Tubby Smith, notes that for four seasons Hayes led the Wildcats in deflections, a stat usually dominated by guards. It's a reason he's among the best at defending the pick-and-roll, a play Yao struggled with. Says the Lakers' Ron Artest, "You're not going to get around him, you're not going to outquick him and you're definitely not going to outsmart him."

Hayes's offense is a work in progress—he was averaging 5.4 points through Sunday—but he grabs a team-leading 2.8 offensive rebounds per game and sets wall-like screens. And even in small doses he can make a big difference. After sitting for most of the fourth quarter last Thursday at Golden State, Hayes checked in with 2.1 seconds left and Houston clinging to a two-point lead. When the Warriors set a pick for Monta Ellis, Hayes switched out and forced the speedy guard into a game-clinching travel. "With Chuck, we're looking for a defensive impact," says Houston G.M. Daryl Morey. "And he's making it."
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Run BJM · Dec 10, 2009

Hayes is a fucking stud.

Another funny quote Battier said regarding Hayes (via W's broadcaster Bob Fitzgerald during a GS-Hou game): "Water covers 70% of the planet, Chuck Hayes covers the rest."

durvasa · Dec 12, 2009

Run BJM said: ↑

Hayes is a fucking stud.

Another funny quote Battier said regarding Hayes (via W's broadcaster Bob Fitzgerald during a GS-Hou game): "Water covers 70% of the planet, Chuck Hayes covers the rest."
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Check out the 3:00 mark. Hayes stops KG in the post 3 consecutive times on one possession. Its not shown here, but right after that KG was visibly exhausted. Trying to back down Chuck just wore him out.

[video=youtube;O1I34F-SjII]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1I34F-SjII[/video]

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Shane Battier: "One day I want to grow up and play defense like Chuck Hayes."

durvasa JBB Rockets Fan

Lost One ...

durvasa JBB Rockets Fan

Run BJM Heavy lies the crown. Staff Member Global Moderator

durvasa JBB Rockets Fan

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Shane Battier: "One day I want to grow up and play defense like Chuck Hayes."

durvasa JBB Rockets Fan

Lost One ...

durvasa JBB Rockets Fan

Run BJM Heavy lies the crown. Staff Member Global Moderator

durvasa JBB Rockets Fan

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