Houston gives up Rudy Gay and Stromile Swift to get Shane Battier?
Lot would think Swift-Battier alone would be a wash.
What is Houston thinking?
Personally I rather have Swift than Battier. I agree, why wasn't it a wash?
Guys you misspelled his name, it is Stromile Stiff, not Swift. This guy has been in the league for what 6 years. What has he done? He has missed 15 games a year for the last 5, and look at his stats over the last 4 years
PPG
9.7
9.4
10.1
8.9
FG%
48%
47%
45%
49%
RPG
5.7
4.9
4.6
4.4
BPG
1.55
1.53
1.53
0.76
He had his big opportunity last year. He was signed to a big FA contract, and Yao and McGrady were hurt, and what did he do? Had his worst year in 4 years. He is highly overrated, not quite a stiff, but a lot closer to a stiff than a star. Until he actually does something on the floor he is way overrated.
Battier is a pro. He has become a jack of all trades master of none, but the guy is a pro. He plays defense against the other teams best scorers, does all the dirty, is happy not getting all the accolades, just helping his team win games. Shane Battier is one of the most underappreciated players in the league.
Gay very well may be a better player by the end of his career, but Battier is better right now, and will help Houston win more games over the next 4 years than Rudy Gay.
Lets face it, the deal was Battier for Gay and Swift was a throw in to make salaries work.
