reflections
May 15th, 2008 Battier Forgoes Team USA Candidacy

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports that Rockets forward Shane Battier will forgo his chances to participate in the 2008 Olympics with Team USA.

With his rehabilitation from last week’s ankle surgery expected to extend well into July, Rockets forward Shane Battier said on Wednesday that he will no longer be a candidate for the United States Olympic team that will compete in Beijing beginning Aug. 8.

“I just got off the crutches today,” Battier said. “After talking to Dr. (Tom) Clanton, I won’t start running until after July 4. There is a (USA Basketball) minicamp the last weekend in June. If you can’t play in the minicamp, you probably can’t make the team, so that that probably means the decision has been made.

“It’s disappointing. At the same time, I was honored to be considered. I feel good about what USA Basketball has done. I think they’ll be a great team and win the gold medal.”

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Battier, 29, said he does not plan to play internationally in other events.

“I think I will move on,” Battier said. “It was a great experience for me. But with my family and my off-court commitment growing, they will get my undivided attention.”

Battier, known as one of the better defensive players in the league, was named to the NBA’s 2007-2008 All-Defensive Second Team this season. The seven-year veteran held averages of 9.3 points, 5.1 rebounds (his most since joining the Rockets in 2006), 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game to go with those defensive credentials.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman

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May 5th, 2008 One and Done for Tmac and the Rockets

“It is what it is,'’ said McGrady after another first round exit, making it seven straight post-seasons where his team has failed to advance. Despite being “a one-man wrecking ball out there'’ as described by Rockets forward Shane Battier, Tracy McGrady and the Rockets were bounced out by the Utah Jazz in six games. Despite having won game 5 by 26 points forcing a game 6, the Rockets came out cold from the start and never really got themselves going. Their only run came late in the second quarter, were the Rockets, in large part due to 28 first half points by McGrady were able to erase a 16 point Utah lead, and bring it to one just before half time before Okur hit a 3 to stretch the Utah lead back to 4. However, after halftime the Rockets lost all momentum they had gained and were outplayed on both sides of the court. Despite McGrady’s 40 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists the Rockets lost by 22.

Despite the loss the Rockets were positive about their future, not a surprise considering that this team was not supposed to make the playoffs after Yao went down halfway through their historic 22 game winning streak; much less force a game 6 against one of the contenders in the West.

From here the Rockets can only move forward. With a healthy Yao next year the Rockets will have another scorer accompanying McGrady, taking some of the focus of the shooting guard star. However, the Rockets do not to address certain needs. This series showed that the Rockets still need a relievable back-up point guard, as it is obvious that Bobby Jackson is no longer the player he once was. The Rockets also need to find another shooter, as they were unable to knock down open 3 point shots this series. Luther Head struggled dramatically this series leaving his future roll up in the air, and unless Steve Novak learns how to play defense anytime soon, he will continue to play limited minutes.

-TMG

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