Last week you sent in your questions for Shane Battier, and Shane was cool enough to take the time over the weekend to answer his favorites. Check them out below…

1. snoop_robb says:
Hey Shane, i know your a bit of a technology buff, so what phone are you using day-to-day now? please dont say iPhone! lol

No, no, I am a Blackberry man. My wife had the iPhone, but it didn’t even work in my house, so I am anti-iPhone. My favorite things that I am using now are my flip video, very easy and convenient. I tried speech recognition software, it is terrible. Don’t try it. I am getting a hybrid bicycle after Christmas, I am interested to see how that works. I am also building a cottage as well and am trying to put in solar panels and some green technology.

2. jeremy says
Why do you think people hate on Duke so much? Is it justified?

Coach K always told us that success breeds contempt. Whether it’s the Yankees, the Cowboys, or any other sports team that has success over long periods of time, people tire of seeing the same people win. People who don’t like the Blue Devils take great pride in informing me whenever Duke loses. I always tell them “There are only two stories……When Duke wins and when Duke loses……..Either way you will see it in the first 10 minutes of the sportscast.” I would rather evoke emotion, than be a team that no one cares about, win or lose. That’s no fun.

3. Amsterdam says:
What do you think about all the (media) attention your red jacket had been getting back when you were injured?

What started out as a joke, turned into a national sensation. Wherever I went, people went bananas over the red jacket and wanted to know where they could get one. Blazers by Battier are coming soon. Look out for them.

4. Heckler says:
without naming names….
have you ever seen/witnesses/heard of an nba player taking steriods?
yeah or nay?

Never in my 8 years have I even heard anyone taking or asking where they could get steroids. First of all, you can ask any strength coach in the NBA how difficult it is for them to get players to even lift once a week. Basketball players would rather just play and not lift weights. It’s a non-issue.

5. Mr. K1X says:
what r u driving besides the Volvo?? How is the Peak brand treating you??

I drive my Chevy Impala. I love it. Peak has been a great experience. I am much more famous in China than I ever was or will be in America. It’s pretty cool to go to China once a year. The shoes are pretty good as well.

6. Duke says:
How is Artest in the Locker Room?

Ron is a good guy. He is a family man, who cares about his kids and his wife. He is always bringing his son Ron to practice. He likes a good joke and is one of the guys.

7. GEE says:
Who is the hardest person for you to guard each time you all match-up in the NBA?

Kobe. He’s tough.

8. GEE says:
What are some of the weirder nicknames on the team or just in the NBA period that you have heard?
and How was it playing with Mutumbo and did he ever wag his fingers after blocking one of your shots in practice?

I have heard some good nicknames, but nothing I’d be allowed to say in public. Trust me when I say that they are funny.

Deke is the best. He is a great teammate and a great person. Deke would save the finger wagging for the games, never in practice. Deke would often kill the fastbreak because after he blocked the shot and wagged his finger he would hold the ball and refuse to give it to Rafer. It was pretty funny.

9. Mikey says:
Any time anyone talks about the smartest basketball players, they always bring up your name. With you being so highly regarded, are you planning on becoming a coach after your playing career is over?

I would love to coach high school. That is the highest level that I would want to climb. In college, recruiting is 80% of the job. Actual game planning and player development is only 20% of your job, it would frustrate me. I could NEVER be a NBA coach, I’d have to deal with know-it-alls like myself. Too tough.

10. Heckler says:
do you get more groupie attention as a pro baller or as a college star baller?

I have been with my wife since my freshman year at Duke. I wouldn’t know, hahaha.

11. A-Slam says:
Who’d you vote for?

Obama.

12. izzy says:
What is your favorite book?

“Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtrey. It is the greatest book about brotherhood and friendship ever written.

13. jl90 says:
did you just nod and say yes whenever dikembe mutumbo was talking to you?

Sometimes.

14. Blue says:
Shane, you’re one of my favorite players… are you more of a solitary type of guy or do you hang out with teammates at the clubs and stuff on off days?

Ha, every off day I get I try to get away from my teammates and basketball and relax. I play video games, play the guitar, maybe hit some golf balls, but I always get away from the game, it allows me to keep my sanity.

15. dukesman2000 says:
Is it frustrating for you to know the Rockets are a good team with Championship caliber players, but cannot seem to stay healthy enough to make a decent run?

It’s very frustrating. It’s like having a nice Cadillac but you can only go 45 mph. Hopefully we’ll get healthy and see how far this group can go.

16. Steve A says:
Had Jay Williams not gotten hurt, is there any doubt in your mind he would have been at the Chris Paul/Deron Williams level?

Jason would have been a great NBA pg. There is no doubt in my mind. He could have been an All-Star.

17. dk says:
Have you ever been approached by Hollywood to be an action hero movie superstar? You got that hero look, like Buzz Lightyear kickin’ .

Ha. Nope. But I will be available after my playing days are over.

18. JCARR says:
How many red “rockets” blazers do you own?
Who’s a better defender you or Artest?

I just have one Blazers by Battier Rockets blazer.

Ron does many things better than me on the defensive end, I think I do a few things a little better. We are different in our approach.

19. Jason says:
are you a celebrity in china like yao and tmac?

When I travel through China, I usually I have to travel with 4 or 5 security guards. Sounds crazy, but it is true.

20. rob stewart says:
I really thought the red blazer you had been wearing was fly. Is there any story of significance behind it?

It started off as a joke to embarrass my teammates, because they are always making fun of my fashion sense (of which I really don’t care), but my teammates loved it as well as NBA fans around the world. It became a signature thing for me.

21. Three Stacks says:
Hi Shane, thanks for taking questions.
One of the best things you’re known for is taking charges. Has that always been a part of your game, or is there someone specifically responsible for instilling it in you?

I have always had great coaches who have taught me to be in the right place at the right time on defense. I have always thought that it is easier (albeit it hurts more) to stand there and let someone run you over than to try to block the shot.

Also, you seem like a very intelligent person and you are already a player rep for the Rockets. Have you ever considered gunning for Billy Hunter’s job after you retire?

Hahaha. Like I said earlier, I don’t know if I could deal with the knuckleheads like myself. It will probably preclude me from gunning for Billy Hunter’s job.

22. rell says:
How much do you hate North Carolina? During the week NC play Duke do you talk trash to the former NC player that is in the league?

I respect UNC, they run a great program and they do it with class. I enjoyed competing against them and loved beating them even better (10-3 record against them!!!!) There is a healthy trash talk discussion the week of the Duke-UNC game always.

23. rd$ says:
I am a big Duke fan and always thought it was interesting that you had a major in religion. Not many players that excel in sports major in that. Do you think you are going to do anything relating to that after you are done hoopin?

Probably not. I wanted to study something that I enjoyed learning about. I have been fascinated by religion all my life and wanted a deeper understanding of the faiths that I was not familiar with. I had a great time in my four years studying comparative religion.

24. Netstar882211 says:
You are well known for being one of the best “glue guys” on a team. Between losing Yao last season, and injuries ro yourself, Ron Artest, and T-Mac this season, how do you keep up the morale of the rest of the team when one or more of your star players misses and extended period of time?

I try to make everyone remember that every role on a team is integral to our success. If we have injuries, I let guys know that it is a great opportunity to step their game up and lead us to wins. There is no time for moping in our league because the other team that you are playing could care less about who is injured or healthy, I know that if you play hard and play as a team, you can beat anybody on a given night.

25. ninja cool says:
If Coach K asks you to succeed him in coaching Duke, would you accept?

Not right now, there are a bunch of former players that would be ahead of me and would do a better job than I would.

26. Buffalo Brave says:

SHANE- How seriously would you consider a public service or political career after your playing days are done?

I would consider it. I want to help people when I am done playing. I would love to teach. I think that our communities and our nation needs more people who want to be involved in politics for the right reasons, not just for the fringe benefits.

27. SteveNash says:
do you think coach K would make a good NBA coach

I think that the Olympics proved that Coach K is a brilliant coach and I am sure that he would do great in the League.

28. Justin Solomon says:
Shane,
I remember when you played in Memphis that you had owned a steakhouse in the city. Are there any other Shane Battier restaurants around the country and is the one in Memphis still in operation? Also, are you still signed to an endorsement deal with Oakley?

Unfortunately, I closed Prime Minister’s (my steakhouse) in Memphis a few years back. It was the only one in operation. I had a fantastic learning experience. One that I will probably not do again, but I had a few good steaks and a few good bottles of wine, so I was happy.

I no longer endorse Oakley, I wear a shoe called PEAK. It is a Chinese basketball shoe company that is not sold in America.

29. josh tha roc says:
Hey Shane,
You have a rep as one of the ‘good guys’ in the league. My question is who is the best bloke you have played with that has a negative rep?
Cheers

I really enjoyed my time with Jason Williams of the Grizzlies. He was a misunderstood guy, but a great teammate and a guy that I really like to be around. He is one of the funniest guys I have ever been around.

30. eaudebong says:
can you give us a tip to wicked perimeter defense? are you married? will you marry me?

The whole key to playing good defense is to have awareness at all times. It takes extreme concentration, but if you can always know where the ball is as well as your man, you will be a good defender.

I am married of five years, so I am sorry to respectfully decline your nuptual offering at this time. But thanks for the offer!

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