Who got a better deal? Memphis with Rudy Gay or Houston with Shane Battier?

Question

I think Memphis got a great deal. Battier was good but he couldn't take over a game. Now Rudy Gay can really shine and show everyone what he is capable of doing.

Answer 1

if the trade was one on one between gay and battier, i would say houston got a better deal coz not only did they get a good role player, they also addressed their two main weaknesses which are outside shooting and defense. but i hear stromile swift was included in the package so that shifts the tide to memphis coz swift and gay are a high price to pay for battier only.

Answer 2

It just depends. You know that Houston got a solid, veteran player by acquiring Battier. Now if McGrady can stay healthy, the Rockets could very easily make the playoffs. On the other side, Rudy Gay has a lot of talent and could possibly be Rookie of the Year for Memphis. If Rudy Gay can play well and help out the Grizzlies alot, I would say that Memphis got the better deal.

Answer 3

It's too early to tell. Rudy Gay hasn't played a single NBA game yet. Potential only means that NBA scouts think that he might, maybe, possibly be good. Remember Darius Miles, Kwame Brown, Stromile Swift, Michael Olowakandi, etc. - they all had potential. Shane Battier is a proven commodity. Houston doesn't need another star. They already have two in McGrady and Yao. Battier gives them a Swiss Army Knife to help complete the team. He defends well. He's a high percentage shooter, and he's not going to complain about his role. Unless Gay becomes a superstar, I think the Rockets did a good job by making the trade.

Answer 4

Houston because shane battier is a great defender and can show great offensive ability. Rudy Gay has never played a NBA game and no one knows what he is capable of doing in the next level.

Answer 5

I'm a Grizz fan, and I after I recovered from the shock of saying goodbye to Shane, I put pen to paper and decided we finally got to see the same genius out of Jerry West that turned Kobe Bryant into an LFL (Laker for Life).

Basically, you cannot take it as Gay for Battier. The deal has a much larger context.

First, sure we lost who had become the face of the franchise (Memphians will tell you that Pau may be the All-Star, but Shane was the glue), but we made a bid to get who many believed was talented enough to be the top pick in the draft. Maybe it doesn't pan out, in the long run, but Jerry made his stab at making the Griz great. If Gay does live up to what he is capable of, we could be in the upper crust of the West in just a few years.

Second, they get back Stromile Swift. Sure, Houston got to see firsthand what frustrated Memphis fans so much, but when he is on, he's one of the most dazzling players near the goal in the entire league. In the local papers recently, it was quoted that Memphis brass never really soured on Stro, he was just asking way more than they thought they could pay him (and he was), and he wound up rejecting their offer, only to take a similar offer in Houston, where he landed in Van Gundy's doghouse.

Third, combine the trade with their other 2 draft picks of the night and the free agents they will be letting go their merry ways, and they went from a slow, old, plodding team to a young, athletic, high-flying team overnight.

Now, taking all this into account, Memphis BY FAR got the better deal. The real question is, will the franchise make best use of what Jerry West has done for them. Here is what they are going to have to do:

1) Mike Fratello is just going to have to get over himself and coach his talent the way it is begging to be coached. West himself said "we have a running team now", and while also saying he will let his coach coach, you can read between the lines.

2) Or call this "1a": Fratello is going to have to concentrate more on developing the young guys this year, even sacrificing the playoffs if necessary. Getting these players ready for 2-3 years from now has to be the top priority. If Fratello does step 1, the fans will forgive being a lottery team to see a more exciting product--that's just the way it is in Memphis, they'd rather lose pretty than win ugly--and if they wind up in the lottery, so? Next year's draft looks to be the deepest in years.

3) Rudy Gay has got to proove his critics wrong and become the player that his talent level warrants. If he washes out, Memphis will be o.k., but this isn't about just being o.k., this is about taking a shot at being great. Their other first round pick? It would be nice if Kyle Lowry becomes a solid player, but they are high on Roberson, who West says is the best shooter on the team, although he spent most of the season on the taxi squad.

4) SOMEBODY, whether it be 2nd round pick Alexander Johnson, or Lawrence Roberts from last year, or just anyone else, somebody has got to become a banger at PF now that Gasol is likely being moved to C. If somebody can be physical inside, and take some heat off of Gasol from the outside (Gay), Gasol will be free to do his thing down low.

5) When Eddie Jones' contract expires, let that humongo cap space alone, so at least some of these spectacular young talents can be re-signed. This is assuming at least some of them, especially Gay, pan out.

If all 5 of those scenarios come true, look for the Grizz to be challenging for the Western Conference finals within 3-4 years.

Answer 6

Houston

Answer 7

even though hes gay hes still beter than shane battier.

Answer 8

Memphis got a steal. What is houston thinking?!!!!!!!

Answer 9

the rockets. gay is unproven

Answer 10

one question....WHOS YA DADDY....BATTIER!!!...holla