Battier's last season, wants to go out in blaze of glory

Ratchet_Rio · Post #1 » by **Ratchet_Rio** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 4:06 pm

I'm going to start posting more articles so we can get more relevant team discussion going on outside of game threads. So Battier comes out and says what many have suspected that this will likely be his last go around the track. Although we are for from the end of the road I wanted to go ahead acknowledge Battier for his contributions to the team, hope he sticks around in some capacity.

Once again Shane Battier, career swingman, finds himself playing power forward for the Miami Heat.
At 6 feet 8, 220 pounds, there certainly are easier ways to earn an NBA living. But the 35-year-old veteran says if he's going to be going out, he might as well go out in a blaze of gory.
"In all honesty, this is probably my last year, and so, I'm not saving myself for anything," he said with a burst of laughter, as the Heat turned their attention to Monday's visit by the Phoenix Suns. "My mindset is really, 'Just go 'til the wheels fall off.' If that means I crash and burn at Christmas, that's the way I go out.

"But I'm not saving myself for anything. My role now, with this starting lineup, is just playing my tail off and bring energy and, you know, go as long as I can go."

And tumbling. According to the Heat's calculations, Battier leads the NBA with eight charges drawn.

For years, the defensive assignments meant remaining in motion, chasing opposing wings through a variety of screens. Now the challenge is more of a big-muscle test.

And, yes, he's feeling it.

"I think being 35 has something to do with that, as well," he said. "It's different. When you chase around, I've chased around more guys than I have in the last couple of years, it's a different type of fatigue. I probably have more aches and pains in the morning, when you're at the four and really banging and trying to hold your own.

full story: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miam ... 7997.story

Gwynplaine · Post #2 » by **Gwynplaine** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:12 pm

One of the most underrated players ever. Extremely smart and does all the little things. Brought character, vet savvy and was great for us.

It'll be almost impossible to replace him.

toneoz · Post #3 » by **toneoz** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:27 pm

Dan Majerle = Jame Posey = Shane Battier

Who will Riley add to be the gritty Wing for Chapter 2 of the Big 3?

Trevor Ariza? Brandon Rush? Ryan Gomes? Toney Douglas? Anthony Marrow?

Ratchet_Rio · Post #4 » by **Ratchet_Rio** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:31 pm

toneoz wrote:Dan Majerle = Jame Posey = Shane Battier

Who will Riley add to be the gritty Wing for Chapter 2 of the Big 3?

Trevor Ariza? Brandon Rush? Ryan Gomes? Toney Douglas? Anthony Marrow?

none of the above hopefully

fast-break · Post #5 » by **fast-break** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:35 pm

Going to miss Battier so much. One of my favorite players.

Post #6 » by **mopper8** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:37 pm

That is a bummer. My one glimmer of hope:

In all honesty, this is probably my last year,

I thought that, if we won the title and he was in the rotation, he might come back on a 1-yr min deal to go for his 3rd and the 4-peat, which it seems like would be pretty special. That seems less likely now though I maybe not 100% out of the question

toneoz · Post #7 » by **toneoz** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:44 pm

Ratchet_Rio wrote:
toneoz wrote:Dan Majerle = Jame Posey = Shane Battier

Who will Riley add to be the gritty Wing for Chapter 2 of the Big 3?

Trevor Ariza? Brandon Rush? Ryan Gomes? Toney Douglas? Anthony Marrow?

none of the above hopefully

What's wrong with an Ariza? A native of Miami. He would probably demand more money than Miami can spend on a bench player though.

Toney Douglas fits with the Miami mantra.

Rush, Gomes, Morrow are good shooters than can buy into the HEAT culture and probably become good defenders.

Take a look at what FA are available next season and you'll see why I threw those names out there.

SweetTouch · Post #8 » by **SweetTouch** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 6:26 pm

You ain't fooling no one battier

You know damn well you ain't got nun better to do than win rings

Heat_Fan_87 · Post #9 » by **Heat_Fan_87** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 6:28 pm

no way does he retire if we win again this year. everyone i think will be back next season if we win again this year.

RJM · Post #10 » by **RJM** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 6:41 pm

Trevor Ariza would be ideal. If he is willing to play for us at a HEAT discounted price, he will provide athleticism, length, defense, three point shooting, but none of Battier's goofy quirks. He's much younger than Battier, and would certainly help us going forward if he comes. Aside from him, there are only a few other 3ND players out there I could envision on this team.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAHCGBCG0eI[/youtube]

Slot Machine · Post #11 » by **Slot Machine** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 6:53 pm

I figured this would be his last year too. He'll be almost impossible to fully replace. Great fit for our team and great guy, too bad he couldn't have spent his whole career here.

As for replacements, Ariza would definitely fit, as would Rush.

Post #12 » by **Flash3** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 7:18 pm

He's been perfect for this team in every single way. Will be hard to find someone to replace everything he does. You'd have to combine Haslem and Mike Miller - just to get the basics - plus the other intangibles...

Lord Hades · Post #13 » by **Lord Hades** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 7:39 pm

Nothing set in stone, but I figured this to be Shane's last go round based on comparable statements over the past year or so. One of the best 'glue guys' ever in the league. Perfect guy for this franchise. Wish he'd have been a part of it sooner.

I had my eye on Ariza as a target for 2014, but that'd really take a sell job given he'll be 29 and likely looking at his last sizable contract.

RexBoyWonder · Post #14 » by **RexBoyWonder** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:24 pm

Battier is a great fit for us, and we're a great fit for him. Really good match on every level.

He'll be 36 YO next year, so I can see him coming back for 1 last season, maybe in a reduced role.

It all depends on how well he'll/we'll do in the playoffs this year.

Looking forward I don't really like the Ariza idea - He's a 32% career 3 point shooter, that's not good enough for our needs. Replacing Battier will be hard but I also think Brandon Rush is a god option, and hopefully Ennis will turn out to be a steal.

Darkstar77 · Post #15 » by **Darkstar77** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:44 pm

Would you guys consider Battier a SF or PF? Also which position would you guys look more into to replace him? Would you go for another vet looking for a ring ala Vince Carter? Or someone who can defend both SF and PF who can also shoot?

HeatNation88 · Post #16 » by **HeatNation88** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:56 pm

One of the most underrated and classy players he will be truly missed by this Heat organization. Shane was a vital piece contributing to the back to back titles the proof is in the pudding. I wonder who will step up and take his role it may be a bit to early of thinking who is his replacement but that's just something I wonder.

HeatNation88 · Post #17 » by **HeatNation88** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:01 pm

Darkstar77 wrote:Would you guys consider Battier a SF or PF? Also which position would you guys look more into to replace him? Would you go for another vet looking for a ring ala Vince Carter? Or someone who can defend both SF and PF who can also shoot?

I like Vince Carter he would be a good fit with the Heat.

RJM · Post #18 » by **RJM** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 10:02 pm

EDIT: Why do you say that? What about VC would make him a good fit? Elaborate.

xStanton27 · Post #19 » by **xStanton27** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 10:54 pm

Beasley is Battiers replacement in the lineup. He will be even better than Shane.

whitehops · Post #20 » by **whitehops** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:15 pm

I really hope his wheels don't fall off by Christmas...