Ratliff A Grizzlies? ESPN Insider has recently reported that the Hawks could send former All-Star and shot block King, Theo Ratliff, to the Grizzlies. You have to pay money to read the Inisder in it's entirety, so here is a preview - <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">THE SKINNY Theo Ratliff Hawks Grizzlies Jan. 15 - Ratliff's ongoing feud with coach Terry Stotts has put him in the crosshairs. ............... The Grizzlies also have interest in Ratliff, but they're running out of ammo to get him. A combo of Stromile Swift, Jake Tsakalidis and Shane Battier might be enough, but is the injury-prone Ratliff really worth that price?</div> As for Insider's question, no. I believe Swift, Tsakalidas, and Battier are worth more than Ratliff. Ratliff is one of the best defensive players in the league, but Swift and Battier are too important to us at this point to ship away. I personally do not feel that together they are better than Ratliff, but I do feel that they are more important to us that Ratliff would be. Thoughts?
I never liked Ratliff. I always thought that Ratliff was a guy who went for the block shots and sacrificed rebounding in the process (when actually healthy which is another issue). Very overrated defender...
I wouldn't say over rated. He's one of the few guys in league history who has led the league in blocks more than once. But I agree with you about the rebounding. Whoever gets him needs a strong rebounding forward, which Memphis doesn't have. I think Ratliffe would be much more attractive to Dallas, but they probably don't like his contract any more than the Hawks do.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting starman85:</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldn't say over rated. He's one of the few guys in league history who has led the league in blocks more than once. </div> Like I said, he puts his block shots ahead of other aspects of defense. He doesn't rebound well, nor does he stay on his man very often. Leading the league in blocks doesn't neccessarily constitue great defense.
I don't paricular like Theo I wouldn't want the Grizz to give up Shane and Stro for him. One maybe but not both.
The Grizz need an extra player of Battier's calibur to be able to pull the trigger on the trade. If it was a Ratliff/Stephen Jackson for Battier/Swift/Tsakalidis/Bo Outlaw trade, I'd do it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting franchise3:</div><div class="quote_post">The Grizz need an extra player of Battier's calibur to be able to pull the trigger on the trade. If it was a Ratliff/Stephen Jackson for Battier/Swift/Tsakalidis/Bo Outlaw trade, I'd do it.</div> SJax? That would be nice, some more offense and decent defense. Outlaw? That'd be a mistake, he's a very hard working defensive player. I'm not too sure whom to trade for whom.
Ratliff isnt worth all of that. Ratliff is over payed. He makes over 10 million and gets like 7 and 6 and 2 or 3 blocks. He isnt even big either. Chris Anderson could do better if he started. Lo Wright is as good as Ratliff.
I also think Theo has always been a very overrated defender. Sure he gets 3 or 4 blocks a game, but he doesn't seem to stay with his man well at times. He also doesn't rebound well at all for a big man, just like all of you said earlier. Getting blocks doesn't necessarily mean that you are a good defender in my book.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">I also think Theo has always been a very overrated defender. Sure he gets 3 or 4 blocks a game, but he doesn't seem to stay with his man well at times. He also doesn't rebound well at all for a big man, just like all of you said earlier. Getting blocks doesn't necessarily mean that you are a good defender in my book.</div> You said just what I would've thought. Blocking is all he can do, he's probably good to get in for blocking some of the better offensive players but that's it, not worth a very important team place.
