Sitcom Serf

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 08:47:05 -0600

Finally, some vindication. I am talking about me, not Battier. I have been saying this shit for years. Basketball statistics are so ridiculous. They measure only what's easy to measure - not what actually makes a difference in support of a WIN. Like blocks, who gives a shit about a block if you don't get possession. We all know that deep down, but we can't help jumping off the couch and doing a lap around the neighborhood every time Mutumbo swats one into the crowd. We're like programmed idiots. As for Battier, I saw him play at Duke once against NC State. "If you can't go to college, go to state" was the cheer, if i can remember correctly. A Duke student snuck me into Cameron, which is a little bit like Fort Knox. Anyway, I read that Times Magazine article on Battier over the weekend, and I am so glad that there are a few brains left in sports. Let's hope the announcers catch on to this, so that I can watch a game without having to mute the TV. Points, rebounds, assists .. GET A CLUE! Strategy and team play are what make the game - why else is College Ball so fun to watch. Most interesting side note of the story - as team-oriented and selfless as Battier is (the key to his success - according to the NEW statistics), he interestingly refuses to take half court shots at the buzzer. The one flaw in his game. The article surmised that it was because of his concern for his shooting percentage, which would matter were he to be traded to a less intelligent team. The rockets don't factor "heaves" into your percentage, while most teams and THE LEAGUE still do. If the rockets trade Battier, I'll eat my hat.

Houstonist: Is Shane Battier the Best Player in the NBA?

Sitcom Serf