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Around SBN: Knicks Beat Lakers With Familiar Strategy

Even more praise for Shane Battier's defensive ability

I'd like for you to take a look at this:

Kobe Bryant

Through five games vs. Denver: Sixty-three free throw attempts.

In seven games vs. Houston: Forty-two free throw attempts.

An underrated aspect of playing defense is prohibiting great free throw shooters from getting to the line.  While everyone (myself included) marveled at Shane's ability to nearly blind his opponent mid-shot, they forgot about some of the subtleties.  Which is surprising, because I thought we had figured those out already.

If a player like Bryant can get to the free throw line ten times per game, it's a free 9-10 points.  In Game 5 versus Denver, Kobe went 6-13 from the field, but he also made nine free throws, finishing with 22 points in a Laker win.  In Game 4 at Houston, Kobe went 7-17 from the field, but finished with only 15 points.  He did not attempt a single free throw.

Shane may not be the sexiest or quickest defender around, but he knows how to shuffle his feet and get from Point A to Point B as fast as anyone.  Cutting off Kobe's drives to the basket is one of the most difficult tasks defensively, and Battier did a fantastic job in Round 2.

So if anyone still wants to say something like "Battier certainly regressed defensively this season" -- save it.  There's no use.  Don't be too quick to mark him solely as an "efficient defender" because he's still one of the best at 'traditional defense' as well.

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So if anyone still wants to say something like “Battier certainly regressed defensively this season” — save it. There’s no use.

I don’t think he was his usual self during much of the regular season, but he was back to form by the all-star break. It will be interesting to see how his defense changes as Shane ages. He relies mostly upon intelligence and a great instinct for where he is on the court, so he doesn’t need to be very strong or quick. But the first half of the season showed what happens when he’s a few steps behind.

Your friendly neighborhood Dreamshake mod.

by Only_A_Lad on May 29, 2009 12:58 AM CDT reply actions  

Well

He had that ankle injury for the first half of the season, which really slowed him down. Once that healed, he was, as you said, back to form.

The Dream Shake
"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak

by Tom Martin on May 29, 2009 1:16 AM CDT up reply actions  

battier

I couldn’t really understand what was so good about Shane defending bryant throughout the series. Kobe still got his points.
Only after i watched the nuggets trying to guard him , i could the see HUGE difference.
No one can guard kobe like shane..the hand in his face approach and no open lanes, no dunks, can’t drive to the basket that easy !
Shane is awesome. It’s not that i didn’t watch shane in the regular season, just that it’s not as intense as the playoffs
Shane did an awesome job on kobe. Hands down one of the best under rated defenders in NBA !

p.s – jones earned the title of “dirty” trying to defend kobe, Shane is a legit defender !

by Sidwho on May 29, 2009 8:59 AM CDT reply actions  

Agree

Kobe has had a much easier time against the Devner D. He’s getting to the rack and his shots at will.
Battier and Artest def. made a difference.
They also exploited Kobe’s stubborness. Kobe will keep taking the hard shots just to show that he can hit them. Which played into the Rockets’ hands.

by boba on May 29, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions  

other hand

Shane is a better assignment on kobe. Artest would give in to kobe smack talk and respond jacking up shots all over the place.
Shane is calm…he just walks away ..
09 season is getting me nervous…stacy mclady will be back
ron n wafer might not..
lets wait and watch !

by Sidwho on May 29, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think it's funny

when people call T-Mac Stacy McLady because Tracy is already a girls name haha

"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018

by Artest4Prez on May 29, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

lol

True
I think stacy mclady just represents his character better
Mclady…I like !!!

by Sidwho on May 29, 2009 1:48 PM CDT reply actions  

yeah, fuck that guy

All he ever did for the Rockets was play on one leg and one arm for all of 2008 and lead the team into the playoffs.

Oh, and use spellcheck, dammit.

Your friendly neighborhood Dreamshake mod.

by Only_A_Lad on May 29, 2009 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

off topic....maybe

shane may not be the sexiest defender? really? im sorry, he is one of the NICES guys I have ever had the pleasure to meet! WAY better looking than Kobe, doesnt cheat on his wife (and make a public event of it)…recieved academic honors at duke, played the trumpet…that is DAMN sexy to me…but hey…some hookers want a sleez that has money right out of HS….and look what they get

by girl4rockets on May 29, 2009 3:26 PM CDT reply actions  

nicest guys that is….

by girl4rockets on May 29, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

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