This thread is dedicated to the comparison of Rudy Gay and Shane Battier, to see which team got the better end of the trade throughout the season. Featuring: Rudy Gay AND Shane Battier Ill start off: It seems that both Memphis and the Rockets start off the season slow as the two teams both fall in thier opening games. For Shane Battier's Rockets debut, he started at the PF position. Picking up earlier fouls (3 in the first quater) , he only managed to tally 11pts (with efficient shooting: 4-6 FG, 3-4 3pts 0-2 FTs) 1 reb, 2 stls and 1 blk in 32 mins. He stuggled to guard the overpowering Carlos Boozer. Rudy Gay, on the other hand, had a solid game in his NBA debut. He tallied 21pts (8-21 FG , 1-1 3pts , 4-4 FTs), 8 rebs, 1 stl and 4 blks in 38 mins of action. As well all know, Shane Battier brings something that doesnt show up on thes stat sheet: intangibles. Rudy Gay on the other hand has the potential to one day become a superstar. Judging from Gay's performance in the preseason and in his NBA debut, I dont think that day is too many years away. From the looks of both player's NBA debut, it seems that Rudy Gay could have helped the Rockets. 1 stl and 4 blks, shows me that he can atleast do a decent job of defending. I dont think Shane Battier has the physical strength to guard stronger and bigger PFs like the Boozers, K-marts and Duncans of the league. I do believe that Battier's will feel more comfortable with the Rockets as the season progresses, but it seems that the favor of the trade swings to Memphis is Gay's and Battier's debuts.
These game by game comparisons don't make much sense. They clearly weren't playing the same level of competition (the Jazz's front line is far better than the Knicks). Impressive debut by Gay, though. Looks like he'll be a player.
I don't like the comparison. You got to watch Battier, see his faults and evaluate what he brings outside the stats. But, then you're evaluating Rudy strictly from the statline. Gay got huge minutes, especially for a rookie, because of their injury problems, lack of depth, and the fact that the game went to 3 OT's. Seeing as his percentage was mediocre (38%), I think we can attribute his scoring to the number of shots he got. But, you can't really know if he worked well with his teammates, how good he was on defense, etc. Those are things that you would have needed to watch the game to point out. Not saying Gay had a bad day or anything, but it's an unfair comparison.
Ok let me put it this way: Rudy Gay will be an 17 ppg scorer while Battier will be a 10 ppg scorer. Rudy Gay will have the better numbers. BUT, thats not the type of player Rockets need. He imo would have taken shots away from Yao/Tmac to get his points since he would average more points than Shane. 2nd of all, if we would've had him, wells and howard would've started and gay on bench. Gay would be a hell of a player, but we didn't need him at this point. In Battier we get a good PF with hustle and good defense. We needed Battier type of play, and I am ok with Battier, even though Gay will be better this season, I still am all good with battier.
Why the hell do we keep doing this? ALL JUSTBBALL ROCKETS FANS, WE WERE NEVER GOING TO DRAFT RUDY GAY! IF MEMPHIS DIDN'T OFFER US BATTIER, WE WERE GOING TO PICK SOME ONE ELSE! So this year, the Rockets chose to get rid of Swift's contract and a draft pick, for Shane Battier. So please, stop comparing the two. If anything, you should be mad at the fact that the Rockets were going to draft some one else instead of Gay.
Enough already. Lets just stop linking Gay to Battier and let them move on with their respective teams. I just recently got over the trade I admit, and I think its about time we all did. Whats done is done.
Highly doubt Gay would have taken 21 shots on the Rockets, especially if he only hit 8 of them. Gay looks good. But I agree, you can't compare.
