NBA / Nov 24, 2008 / 9:55 pm
Everbody’s favorite teammate
Shane Battier (photo. NBA)In between clowning his ever-present fire-engine red sports coat — that’s just sad when 50-year-old dudes are rightfully making fun of your style — one of the Miami Heat announcers just called Shane Battier “one of the greatest team players of this era.”
Yes, every GM in the League would love to have Battier for his defense, willingness to take charges, basketball IQ, unselfishness and the fact that he’s square/family-friendly enough to make Yao Ming look like Plies, but isn’t that going a little too far?
Who are the greatest team players of this era?
November 24th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Big. Shot. Bob.
I hate the dirty trader, but 7 rings is hard to argue with.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
rob stewart says:
I think Shane Battier may not even be the best team player the Rockets have had the last few years. I can make a good argument that the title should go to Dikembe Mutombo. The guy has never complained about money, contracts, or PT. He always plays hard and even cheers hard when he gets a DNP. And when his number is called he is still capable of pulling down 10 rbs with 3 blks. The Rockets really miss him right now and are begging for his return. Sorry, but Shane is runner up to Mount Mutombo.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Jerry says:
deek died!
google it;(
November 24th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Don Mega says:
John Amaechi - always willing to give a helping hand
November 24th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Gerard says:
As a Rockets fan, Dikembe and Shane are both incredible team players, the Heat announcers are not off-base for their statements whatsoever. Shane is the leader of this team, he directs them on defense and has more heart than our two leading scorers combined.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
nick says:
derek fisher and pj brown come to mind
November 24th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Jay says:
Its hard to put a name to something as subjective as “favorite teammate,” but all the things listed about Battier are accurate and those are basically the main requirements. I’ve also never heard any bad publicity about Battier, never contract issues, never bitching about minutes or shots, and never any pouting about role on the team.
Plus he seems like the kind of dude who pushes his teammates in practice too.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:04 am
astorplace says:
Clearly it’s Derek Fisher now. Used to be Lindsay Hunter. Since his comeback from that career-ending injury Grant Hill has reinvented his game. I totally respect that guy. And Jason Richardson too. Like that guy’s game.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:12 am
baron says:
manu
November 25th, 2008 at 12:15 am
vinny says:
Tim Duncan- 4 rings and he’s very unslefish.
Rasheed Wallace- doesnt he take care of a family members kids? he’s unselfish on the court-maybe to unselfish! And all of his teammates seem to love him and speak highly of him.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Mark says:
Latrell Sprewell. So unselfish, he puts his fam’s mouth before his.
Hey, gotta feed the kids, right?
November 25th, 2008 at 2:36 am
sam says:
in no particular order (players that are still active)
lamar odom.
tayshaun prince.
kg
November 25th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Joe says:
No, Battier is a class act.
November 25th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Flip says:
How about Gilbert Arenas? Off course his antics are annoying, on the other hand he pushes his teammates and is basically friends with everyone, from the young guns (Nick Young) to the European players (Pecherov, anyone?).
I’d also like to throw Andres Nocioni into the discussion.
November 25th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Reed Ewing Frazier says:
Yeah Battier is a stand up dude he gets my vote
KNICKS UP!! all the rest down!!!
November 25th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Jer boi says:
every1 forgets jkidd
November 25th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Dave says:
Role playing team player - Robert Horry
November 26th, 2008 at 1:29 am
gift of gab says:
ronny turiaf…by far.