Shane Battier Takes Out Lamar Odom
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5/11/2009 3:14 AM ET By Brett Pollakoff
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- Brett Pollakoff
- Brett Pollakoff is an NBA blogger for FanHouse
During the third quarter of the Rockets' Game 4 win over the Lakers, Shane Battier steps in front of a Lamar Odom drive, and Odom falls awkwardly to the floor on his back. He stayed down for a few minutes, and then left the game due to the injury, one that was still hurting after the flight home, and one that could keep him out of a pivotal Game 5 on Tuesday.
There's no question that this was a completely legal play by Battier, and the referee even believed he got to his spot in time to tag Odom with an offensive foul. But was it a reckless and dangerous play on Battier's part? I believe it was.
If you watch the clip closely (it's easiest to see on the third replay), you can see that Battier makes his move only after Odom had already picked up his dribble and taken his first step toward elevating towards the basket. Legal or not, isn't undercutting someone like this -- again, after they had already terminated the dribble and begun to go up for the shot -- a reckless play that is more likely than not to cause an injury?
I bring this up because of the ridiculous amount of discussion that surrounded Trevor Ariza's hard foul on Rudy Fernandez earlier this season. Now, there is a difference there, in that Ariza made contact with Fernandez's head, and the play was ruled to be a foul on Ariza. But most at the time talked about how it was a reckless and dangerous play by Ariza to go after someone that high above the rim like that. I would argue that just because Battier was grounded when he made his defensive play, it was no less dangerous to Lamar Odom, who had already made his move before Battier decided to jump in front of him.
I mentioned this to the FanHouse crew at the time it happened, and, not surprisingly, there was a dissenting opinion. Matt Moore thinks I'm insane, and we argue the point on today's RoundCast. Give it a listen and let us know whose side you're on.
Read More: Lakers Rockets NBA Injuries Playoffs NBA Videos lamar+odom, LamarOdom, Rudy+Fernandez, RudyFernandez, shane+battier, ShaneBattier, Trevor+Ariza, TrevorAriza
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Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Matt's right. You're insane.
If you go by how block/charge has been called the past 10 yrs or so, then this was definitely a legit play by Battier.
But really, the question should be what has become of the NBA where jumping in front of a driving player is now considered good defense? Watch games from the 80s and early 90s and there is no way this was a charge. It is way too easy to draw a charge in today's NBA, and there is simply no reason for it. Most players will now try to draw charges instead of properly defending by moving your feet and going for the strip/block.
There is nobody to blame for this but the NBA. All they have to do is simply stop calling charges unless the defender clearly established position (two feet on the ground) before the opposing player begins his move. Instead they try to solve the problem by the ridiculous "no-charge" zone. Moronic. Watch film from the 80s to see how it should be called.
battier does not EVER intentionally want to harm anyone. not like someone like. . . *cough* bowen
earlier this season against the kings, Spencer Hawes was caught in the air after go for an up-fake and hawes was called for an foul. he was called because he was on battier's back. battier was hunched over during all of this, but he could have got back up to go for extra points, but rather he knew if he did, that would have been direct neck contact with the floor with hawes.
besides, how was shane supposed to know that odom was gonna twist his body to end up awkwardly like so? that's not shane's fault. he just wanted a charge.
writers these days. . .
Brett you are an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!! Learn the game b4 you write about it.
Just admit it: You're worried about that $500 you put on the Lakers.
There is absolutely nothing reckless about this!!!! have you ever played the game Brett. Trying to properly time an offensive foul on defensive is very difficult, and the guy that usually takes the punishment is the defender. So many journalists just try to stir up the pot rather than work off the facts, which they usually lack due to ignorance. I am not a Battier fan but your have forced me to defend him with your stupidity and ignorance. I don't know what is worse- you writing this article to just stir up the pot even though you know you're off base, or you just being so lacking in understanding of the game when you are supposed to be a basketball sports journalist. Either way it's a disgrace.
I believe this article belongs at LakersFanBoys.fanhouse.com not nba.fanhouse.com
Is there a way to subscribe to the fanhouse feed w/o getting Brett's posts?
Just go to the feedback on top of the page and express your interest in bretts post. If enough people complain hopefully we dont have to read his garbage anymore.
Unprofessional, lazy, dumb and dumber; all these words describe the Lakers. Despite coaching staff warning about Yao not playing, these deaf and dumb players went out and played like zombies. Even if this was a regular game, it would have been pathetic, let alone game 4 second round playoffs. I am pretty sure even Chick could not rest in peace in his grave yesterday. They ought to return their game salary to Buss. They are a disgrace to the organization, and their fans. How can they talk about championship with a performance (more like non-perdormance) like that? It was sickening.
Game 5...hey Ctran WOW look at that beat down!! By 40 freakin' points!!!! Your comments dont mean jack s@$%!!! Your a clown!!!HAHAHAAAAAA
Brett states: If you watch the clip closely (it's easiest to see on the third replay), you can see that Battier makes his move only after Odom had already picked up his dribble and taken his first step toward elevating towards the basket.
Genius, what you have just described is how to take a charge.
Please explain how this play compares in any way to the Ariza-Fernandez play where Fernandez was on a clear-cut path to the basket and Ariza fouled him (even though that was not a dirty play either). There is no comparison of the two plays except for the fact that neither ones was dirty.
How was that reckless...it is no different from any other charge that is dished out or taken. You only thought it was reckless because of the result, which was unfortunate indeed, but there is no way Battier could have anticipated or intended for it to happen
Brett Pollakoff is a freaking idiot.
Did you notice how the rest of the video besides Battier's legal play was Lakers "higlights" of a game where they got blown out from start to finish? Yeah, I'm sure Brett isn't wearing Lakers purple and gold under his jacket....Oh wait, yes, yes he is.
Where was this article when Kobe was ELBOWING AND KNEEING Battier in game 1? Or was that okay, but legally drawing a charge isn't? Or when Kobe was elbowing Artest in the throat in Game 2? Or when Fisher was making open-field tackles that the announcer immediately called "a good example of his toughness". Cheap shot Lakers. Cheap shot writer. Typical.
And he acts very concerned about a legal play where Odom was out of control....what a hack.
So Kobe elbows and knees Shane while he's on the ground, throws a wild elbow into Artest on a rebound, and it's good playoff basketball. Shane draws a fair and legit foul and it's reckless.
The logic is astounding.
Anyone else notice that the video was a lakers highlight video? A highlight video of a game when they got the worse beat down of the post season and perhaps the entire season? lol
Battier drew an easy to call legit charge. When you pick up your dribble, you have 2 steps to avoid the defender before jumping.
Saying that Battier should not try to play defense, especially in a playoff game makes no sense.
Can you fail more? Damn.. I haven't seen a stupider accusation.
fanhouse is starting to go downhill. To much lakers bias going on here.
other topics brett can write about:
1. kobe recklessly trying to cross over an opponent and "breaking his ankles"
2. kobe recklessly gloating/celebrating potentially injuring himself (like gramatica the kicker)
3. lamar odom recklessly jumping too high during a drive. perhaps he thought it was a 5v0 game and that no one would play defense. reckless.