SHANE BATTIER
Battier Pulls Out of Olympic Consideration
In the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Jonathan Feigen reports that, "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." - Read More...
Rockets' Battier, Alston Undergo Surgeries
Houston forward Shane Battier and point guard Rafer Alston had minor surgical procedures to repair injuries that occurred late in the season. - Read More...
Celts' Garnett named NBA's top defensive player
Boston's Kevin Garnett won the NBA's defensive player of the year award Tuesday. He beat out Denver's Marcus Camby and Houston's Shane Battier. - Read More...
McGrady says he'll play against Suns
Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady will play against Phoenix on Friday night after missing Wednesday's game against Seattle with a sore left shoulder. But team officials said Rockets forward Shane Battier was questionable for the game with a bruised left foot and ankle. Battier played 18 minutes on Wednesday, then sat out most of the second half as the Rockets pulled away for a 103-80 victory. Houston is 53-25, one-half game ahead of Phoenix in the tight Western Conference standings.
Rockets have 20-20 vision
Hear from Shane Battier after the Rockets' 20th straight victory. Houston is now tied with the 1970-71 Bucks for the second-longest winning streak in NBA history.
Rockets' Battier hurt after taking elbow
Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier left Saturday night's game against Dallas after getting elbowed in the head by Dirk Nowitzki, a blow that opened a bloody gash. The two were going after a miss by Yao Ming late in the first quarter. Battier went straight to the bench after taking the hit and grabbed a towel as blood spilled on the floor. Trainer Keith Jones walked Battier to the locker room. Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said Battier was getting stitches.
Duncan leads Spurs past Rockets
Tim Duncan had 25 points and 13 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Houston Rockets 90-84 on Friday night. Manu Ginobili added 19 points for the Spurs and Michael Finley had 17. Luis Scola, whose rights were traded from the Spurs to the Rockets over the summer, had a breakout game, scoring 20 points. Shane Battier added 16. The Rockets, without an injured Tracy McGrady, managed to tie the game at 80 with 3:48 to play on Scola's jump shot.
Battier trey seals road win for Rockets
Shane Battier made a 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left, and the Houston Rockets withstood a furious rally from Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in a 95-93 victory on Tuesday night. Bryant scored 45 points, 18 in the fourth quarter, in a rally that came up just short. Tracy McGrady scored 30 points, Yao Ming had 25 points and 12 rebounds, and the Rockets made Rick Adelman's debut as their coach a success.
Rockets' Novak Can Rely on Shot
Jonathan Feigen of THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE writes, "Long after the Rockets' practice had ended Tuesday, Steve Novak traded low-post moves with Mike Harris and Carl Landry, jump hooks with Shane Battier, and body blows with Jackie Butler." - Read More...
Oden pulls out of U.S. training camp
Kirk Hinrich joined Greg Oden and Shane Battier in pulling out of U.S. training camp Monday, removing what may have been one of the toughest roster decisions the team would have faced. Seattle forward Nick Collison also was added to the squad, leaving the Americans with 16 players as they return to Las Vegas for practice starting Wednesday. The roster must be trimmed to 12 the day before the FIBA Americas tournament begins on Aug. 22. Hinrich and Battier withdrew for personal reasons.
Deng wins NBA sportsmanship award
Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng won the NBA's sportsmanship award Thursday, edging Shane Battier and four other divisional winners in a vote by players.
Battier, Rockets Edge Nuggets
Shane Battier scored 25 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, and the Houston Rockets held off the Denver Nuggets for a 90-86 win on Friday night. - Read More...
Rockets roll over Nets
Shane Battier hit a career-high seven 3-pointers and scored 23 points, and the Houston Rockets limited the New Jersey Nets to 33 percent shooting in a 96-71 victory Wednesday night. Tracy McGrady added 17 points and six assists, while fellow guard Rafer Alston had 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Rockets, who snapped a two-game losing streak and won for only the third time in nine games.
Yao scores 22 as Rockets roll
Yao Ming scored 22 points and the Houston Rockets beat the Spurs 97-78 Friday night for their first victory in San Antonio in over nine years. Bonzi Wells scored 15 points and Juwan Howard added 14 for the Rockets, whose last road win over the Spurs was a 103-94 decision on April 20, 1997. Rafer Alston added 12 points and Shane Battier had 10. San Antonio had won 17 straight home games against the Rockets.
Odom sprains right knee
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom sprained his right knee in the first quarter of Tuesday's game against the Houston Rockets. The 6-foot-10 Odom, the Lakers' leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, landed awkwardly after Shane Battier blocked his shot on a drive. Odom stayed in the game for another 90 seconds, but the Lakers called a time out so Odom could come out with 8:31 left. The Lakers said Odom was taken to a hospital for an MRI.
Rockets Hold Off Wolves
Yao Ming scored 25 points, Shane Battier hit a pair of key 3-pointers and added 17, and the Houston Rockets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 82-75 on Tuesday night. - Read More...
Rockets' Battier Returns To Memphis As Fan Favorite
In the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Jonathan Feigen writes ?Shane Battier tried to explain the way Memphis feels about him. Sometimes, something is just right. It's fresh and new and somehow just works. Battier will return to Memphis with the Rockets tonight in the city where he was embraced not as much as a sports hero, but something more real, more familial. Posters of Battier will be distributed as part ticket promotion, part tribute. The loudest FedEx Forum cheer is expected to be for a player on the other team. Battier will be feted as a player that became part of this town's identity.? - Read More...
Yao's Back ... In One Piece
"The Rockets had their first victory of the season this week: Yao Ming returned to Houston in one piece," writes Jonathan Feigen of THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE. "The Rockets were able to see another summer of international competition safely pass without any of their players in the World Championships -- Yao, Shane Battier and Vassilis Spanoulis -- suffering any kind of injury, much less the four-month loss of a star that has smacked the Grizzlies with Pau Gasol's broken foot." - Read More...
Bowen is final cut as U.S. team sets roster
Bruce Bowen was the final player cut from the U.S. basketball team, which begins play in the World Championships in Japan on Saturday. The final 12-man roster was announced Wednesday by USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski, and included Carmelo Anthony, Shane Battier, Chris Bosh, Elton Brand, Kirk Hinrich, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade.
Battier One Step Closer to Dream
Damien Pierce of Rockets.com writes, "Rockets forward Shane Battier will have to delay his search for a new home in Houston for another few months. He's heading to Asia. After a week of training camp with 24 other NBA stars in Las Vegas, Battier moved a step closer to playing in the FIBA World Championships in Japan after he was named one of 15 players to the Team USA roster heading to Asia." - Read More...
Youth Will Be Served Quickly for Memphis
"Future first, present second. In so many ways, and in so many words, that is the mission statement the Grizzlies carry into their sixth season in Memphis," writes Don Wade of COMMERCIAL APPEAL. "After three straight playoff seasons and 12 consecutive playoff losses, there is nothing to be gained by maintaining the status quo. That's why the Grizzlies traded face-of-the-franchise Shane Battier for the rights to Gay (the eighth overall pick from Houston) and Stromile Swift." - Read More...
Battier's Biggest Play is Dunking Doubters
"Shane Battier did not hear the crowd boo that night at Toyota Center," writes Jonathan Feigen of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. "But it would not have bothered him. He's heard worse. Before he became so widely praised as a player and citizen, before he became a draft-night acquisition of the Rockets, a favorite in Memphis or a Player of the Year at national champion Duke, he was doubted." - Read More...
Battier: 'Memphis Means a Lot to Me'
"A teardrop punctuated the indelible mark he's made on a professional basketball franchise and city. Shane Battier cried as the trade finally sunk into his soul," writes Ronald Tillery in THE MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL. "He'll trade Beale Street blue for red today when the Grizzlies' bittersweet decision on draft day becomes official." - Read More...
Three Huskies Sign NBA Deals
"Former UConn players Rudy Gay, Marcus Williams and Josh Boone all signed NBA contracts today," reports the HARTFORD COURANT. "Gay's trade to the Memphis Grizzlies was finalized earlier today. The Houston Rockets traded Gay and Stromile Swift to the Grizzlies in exchange for Shane Battier." - Read More...
In Gay, Griz Got Good Guy
"The Grizzlies' trade - Shane Battier to the Houston Rockets for No. 8 pick Rudy Gay and Stromile Swift - was about giving up the present you do know for a future that might develop into so much more," writes THE MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL's Don Wade. "In Memphis, this has meant balancing the loss of Citizen Shane with the gain of a potential NBA All-Star in Gay, who played two years at UConn and was even talked about as the potential No. 1 pick in this draft." - Read More...
Successful Surgeries for Two Rockets
In the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Fran Blinebury reports that Shane Battier and Rafer Alston underwent successful surgeries Friday. - Read More...
Rockets' Battier, Alston get some ankle work done
Houston forward Shane Battier and point guard Rafer Alston had minor surgical procedures to repair injuries that occurred late in the season. - Read More...
Garnett wins defensive player award
Boston's Kevin Garnett won the NBA's defensive player of the year award Tuesday. He beat out Denver's Marcus Camby and Houston's Shane Battier. The 6-foot-11 forward led the Celtics with 9.2 rebounds per game. He added 18.8 points, 1.2 blocks and 1.4 steals. Garnett helped the Celtics to league-best records of 66-16 (.805) overall and 31-10 (.738) on the road. Boston held opponents to just 90.3 points (second in the NBA) after allowing 99.2 points per game a season ago.
Divisional Winners Announced for NBA Sportsmanship Award
Detroit's Antonio McDyess, Houston's Shane Battier, Phoenix's Grant Hill, Portland's Brandon Roy, Toronto's Chris Bosh and Washington's Antawn Jamison have been selected as divisional winners for the 2007-08 NBA Sportsmanship Award. - Read More...
Rockets on fire with 15th straight win over Nuggets
Tracy McGrady scored 22 points, Shane Battier added 20 and the Houston Rockets tied a franchise record with their 15th straight ...
Rockets' Battier leaves game with gash on head
Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier left Saturday night's game against Dallas after getting elbowed in the head by Dirk Nowitzki, a blow that opened a bloody gash. - Read More...
Bryant's 45 not enough for Lakers in loss to Rockets
Shane Battier made a tiebreaking three-pointer with 2.5 seconds left, and the Houston Rockets withstood a furious rally from ...
Rockets Hold Off Late-Rallying Lakers
Shane Battier made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left, and the Houston Rockets withstood a furious rally from Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in a 95-93 victory on Tuesday night. - Read More...
Smack: Avoiding the cuts on Team USA
Shane Battier and Kirk Hinrich bowed out of Team USA training. Dime thinks it's because they realized they might get cut.
Bulls' Deng wins NBA sportsmanship award
Bulls forward Luol Deng won the NBA's sportsmanship award Thursday, edging Shane Battier and four other divisional winners in ...
McGrady, Yao Carry the Load in Rockets' Win at Clippers
Tracy McGrady scored 27 points and Shane Battier made a clutch 3-pointer in the final minute, leading the Houston Rockets to a 92-87 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. - Read More...
Heat's Wade Plans on Returning This Season
In the SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL, Ira Winderman writes "Heat guard Dwyane Wade announced Monday morning he will attempt to return this season. Sidelined since dislocating his left shoulder Feb. 21 in Houston while reaching in for a steal against Rockets forward Shane Battier, Wade said he plans to undertake a vigorous rehabilitation program that could have him back for the final games of the regular season." - Read More...
Rockets Without Yao Trounce Nets
Shane Battier hit a career-high seven 3-pointers and scored 23 points, and the Houston Rockets limited the New Jersey Nets to 33 percent shooting in a 96-71 victory Wednesday night. - Read More...
Odom diagnosed with sprained knee
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom will miss at least the next month because of a sprained right knee. Odom was diagnosed Wednesday by team orthopedist Dr. Steve Lombardo, a day after the 6-foot-10 star was hurt in a 102-94 victory at Houston. Odom is averaging a career-high 17.5 points and 8.7 rebounds this season. He was injured in the first quarter when he landed awkwardly after Shane Battier blocked his shot on a drive.
Rockets dull Cavs
Houston overcame a concussion to Tracy McGrady as Yao Ming led the Rockets to an 81-63 win over Cleveland. Hear from Shane Battier after his nine points in the victory.
Rockets win despite injury to star player
Yao Ming scored 25 points, Shane Battier hit a pair of key 3-pointers and added 17, and the Houston Rockets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 82-75 on Tuesday night. Rafer Alston also hit a late 3-pointer and scored 13 points as the Rockets won their fourth straight game despite an injury to Tracy McGrady. The six-time All-Star bruised his left hip in a first-half collision and seemed affected the rest of the game, scoring only eight points on 4-of-14 shooting. He also had seven assists.
Yao Dominates as Rockets Breeze Past Spurs
Yao Ming registered a double-double and Shane Battier scored 17 points for the Houston Rockets en route to a 93-72 preseason triumph over Spurs, who were without the majority of their starters. - Read More...
Battier Gets Better of Collision With Yao
Fran Blinebury of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE writes, "Two months from now, they'll be shipmates pulling the same oars, teammates tugging on the same end of the rope. Yao Ming and Shane Battier will soon both be wearing and bleeding Rockets red and have a common goal. But for one night, they were worlds apart at the World Basketball Championship, at opposite ends of the spectrum." - Read More...
Grizz Open Preseason Against a Familiar Face
"The Grizzlies will begin their preseason schedule seeing red and a familiar face. Former teammate Shane Battier and the Houston Rockets will host the Grizzlies Oct. 10 in the Toyota Center. The Griz then play four consecutive home games, capped by the NBA champion Miami Heat's visit to FedExForum," reports COMMERCIAL APPEAL. - Read More...
U.S. roster for FIBA 2006 World Championship
Current USA Basketball World Championship roster Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Current team College or high school Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 230 22 Denver Nuggets Syracuse Shane Battier F 6-8 220 27 Houston Rockets Duke Chris Bosh F 6-10 230 22 Toronto Raptors Georgia Tech Elton Brand F 6-8 254 27 Los Angeles Clippers Duke Kirk Hinrich G 6-3 190 25 Chicago Bulls Kansas Dwight Howard F/C 6-11 265 20 Orlando Magic Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy LeBron James F 6-8 240 21 Cleveland Cavaliers St. Vincent-St. Mary High School(OH) Antawn Jamison F 6-9 235 30 Washington Wizards North Carolina Joe Johnson G/F 6-7 230 25 Atlanta Hawks Arkansas Brad Miller F 7-0 261 30 Sacramento Kings Purdue Chris Paul G 6-0 170 21 New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets Wake Forest Dwyane Wade G 6-4 212 24 Miami Heat Marquette
USA World Championship Team Finalists Announced
USA Basketball Senior National Team Managing Director Jerry Colangelo and USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University, N.C.) announced today the 15 players who had been selected as finalists for the USA Basketball World Championship Team.
Players named as finalists include: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards); Shane Battier (Houston Rockets); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs); Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers); Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards); Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks); Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings); Chris Paul (New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets); Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns); and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat). - Read More...
Grizzlies Trade Battier for Swift, Rights to Gay
The Memphis Grizzlies acquired Stromile Swift and the draft rights to Rudy Gay, the eighth pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, from Houston in exchange for Grizzlies forward Shane Battier, Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West announced today. - Read More...
Rockets Finalize Deal for Battier
On the Houston Rockets team site Damien Pierce writes, "Shane Battier has heard rumblings that Rockets fans weren't thrilled with the NBA Draft night trade that sent him to Houston. He is convinced that he won't have any trouble changing their minds." - Read More...
Battier a Pal, but Gasol Knows Deal
"It's already sunk in that (Pau Gasol)'s no longer teammates with Shane Battier. The return of Stromile Swift -- a close friend -- is appealing to the Spaniard," writes Ronald Tillery of THE MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL. "Ultimately, Gasol said the organization did what's necessary to move full-steam ahead." - Read More...
Rockets' Van Gundy Likes Battier Trade
Rockets' Van Gundy Likes Battier Trade
In the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Jonathan Feigen writes that "Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy was prohibited by NBA rules to talk about the Rockets' draft-night trade for Shane Battier, but he said Thursday he agreed with it. Van Gundy, however, was even more emphatic he would have been happy to add and play a rookie, insisting that even one as young as 19-year-old Rudy Gay could have earned his way onto the court. 'I have played rookies,' Van Gundy said. The only thing that matters to me is putting the best team on the floor.'" - Read More...