Battier Gets Better Of Collision With Yao

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Early in the third quarter, Yao knew precisely where Battier was. Yao made a nice steal on defense, took several dribbles and found himself crossing the midcourt line with an open path to the basket.

Except for one man standing in the middle of the lane.

So Battier did what Battier does. He took the charge.

"There have been two times that I've had my life flash before my eyes," said a grinning Battier. "The other time was my rookie year against the Lakers. I took a charge from Shaq, and I lived to tell about it.

"This was a a very similar experience today. I saw Yao rumbling, bumbling and stumbling at halfcourt, and I said, 'You know what? This is it. I've got to step in and take it.'

"So I did, and it was a very good lesson in physics. You know, with most charges, you just sort of fall straight back and down. But on the two I took from Shaq and Yao, I found you actually go up and out. I'm still here. I've still got all my body parts.

"Afterward, when you realize you don't have a concussion and you're not bleeding, you say to yourself, 'What in the heck was I thinking?' "

Battier wasn't, of course, merely acting on the kind of instincts that make him one of everybody's favorite teammates.

"The charge he took was a good charge," Yao said, shaking his head. "But I think it should also be a score for me. That's a FIBA rule that should be changed ? give the charge and two points."

When Yao finally couldn't hold back Team USA's ocean of talent and fouled out, the NBA teammates met at midcourt to share a big hug.

"I had told Shane before the game that he was only allowed to score two points today," joked Yao. "I see on the stat sheet he finished with five. So I guess that's OK. He did enough other things."

Battier was still rubbing his bruised elbows and checking to make sure all of his body parts were still attached.

"I told him that was the last charge that I will ever take from him," Battier said. "I got my one in, and I can cross that off my list and move on."


Friends from now on
Battier finished with three fouls, all against Yao.

"Last chance to get in my licks," Battier said. "I had to take advantage. I told him I'm not gonna do that to him again, not even in practice.

"I thought he played real well tonight, considering he really hasn't been playing basketball for the past four months. He's not in great shape, but he'll get in shape soon."

A smirking Yao walked up from behind and stuck his head into the conversation.

"Jeff (Van Gundy) doesn't like players who talk a lot," he needled. "I think you talk too much."

Battier threw up his arms and laughed.

Teammates already.</div>

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