Boston Celtics struggle for Shane Battier trade with Houston Rockets
Shane Battier just loves to steal the spotlight.
Of course, he is a big with a six-foot eight-inch long frame. However, here we are not talking about his height, rather the trade he is involved in with the Boston Celtics.
The Boston Celtics have approached the Houston Rockets about Shane Battier. The 32-year old Rocket small forward is a perfect combination of energy, athleticism, and he is no less than a tower of strength.
Therefore, he could be the best possible replacement for the injured Boston shooting guard Marquis Daniels.
Marquis Daniels has been sidelined as he is suffering from a bruised spinal cord, which he suffered due to a second-quarter collision with Gilbert Arenas during the Celtics win over the Orlando Magic at TD Garden on Sunday night.
The Magic players especially the guard, Gilbert Arenas, were concerned about Daniels injury.
"I guess everyone thought he hit my knee or something, but when he turned and faced, I know his neck probably hit [my chest], trying to turn, because I was close to him, and then from there he just hit the floor", Arenas said. "I thought I tripped him or
something, so I was trying to pick him up, but [a Celtics player] said, 'Don't touch him because he has neck problems”.
Anyhow, the crux of Daniels’s injury saga is that he is under day-to-day observation until at least mid-March.
Therefore, the Celtics need someone to fill his spot. They have a bulls-eye on Battier, who is averaging 8.6 points, 2.6 assists, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game during the season 2010-11.
In addition to that, Battier has scored in double figures in two straight games after going 7 for 7 from the field Monday against Denver and dropping 17 points on the Nuggets. The main reason of the improvement in his performance could be the change in his
position, as he has been switched to power forward from his usual spot.
"I'm trying to increase my value in the offseason", said Battier. "The more positions you can put on your resume, the more valuable you are".
Celtics General Manager, Danny Ainge, is trying his level best to get a deal. Boston face some tough competition, as the Chicago Bulls seem to be interested in the Battier as well.
However, the deal is not a piece of cake and it is thought to be as tough as nails as Battier is in the final year of a $7.4 million contract.
On the other hand, Houston is not going to give him up without something of real value for their future, as he is a defensive specialist and is an invaluable asset on the basketball court.
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