Tony Battie has interest in playing for Boston...

http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/217062/source-battie-has-interest-celts


On Friday, Yahoo! Sports reported Tony Battie is a candidate to be bought out by the Nets before Monday’s deadline.

WEEI.com has learned the Celtics are one of the teams Battie would be interested in signing with if he is bought out. According to a source familiar with the situation, Battie would eye the top three or four teams in each conference, which makes sense for a veteran player who is trying to maximize the years he has left in the NBA.

According to the source, Battie, 34, considers himself to be the in twilight of his career and a serviceable big man who could rebound, play tough defense, and give timely fouls.

He has not, however, had any conversations with the Celtics organization.

Battie has played in just 15 games for the Nets this season but spent many years with the Celtics. He played in Boston from 1998 through part of the 2004 season. Prior to being traded to the Nets as part of the Vince Carter deal, he averaged 4.8 points and 3.6 rebounds off the bench for the Magic.

I would file this under "why not?".

We've got the roster room, another big would be welcome, and he could probably be helpful on the boards.

Why not, someone has to rebound! Maybe he would add an extra big under the basket. We certainly wouldn't be relying on him for points, but the way they have been rebounding, help is accepted. I don't know...you hear about Battie and then you hear about Finley. They are not going to sign two, so who?????? If any.

Watching that game Saturday just irritated me to no end. In the second half, Rondo was bringing the ball up the court, and Davis was walking like it was a day in the park. I wanted to shake him. Blame the old guys all you want, but if the younger guys think they are that good, then why is the second team playing like crap???
I have my thoughts on this subject but I know I would bump into alot of rebuttal here on this site. My 89 year old Mom picked up on the same thing while she was watching the games this past week. Ball movement starts with
the point guard. He is a terrific little ball player, but somehow lately holds onto the ball looking for a shot for himself instead of moving the ball to the open man. The only two people who really get the ball from him are KG and Perk. This is a team game. Let's see what happens when Pierce comes back. I think he is going to take over more so than before. Just my own thoughts!!

Battie has never been a board eater,we can't find room for SW,now were gonna expect to find PT for Battie?

cow

Just need to fill out the roster with good guys. Not much left. Battie seems like a good guy.

Okay, there are 2 bigs available, Battie (6-11) and Blount (7-0).

Past history aside, who can help us the most?

Blount is a total stiff. Battie is an injury prone guy, but why not?

No way Danny would sign Blount.

gyso wrote:Okay, there are 2 bigs available, Battie (6-11) and Blount (7-0).

Past history aside, who can help us the most?

gyso,

"Past history aside"? Past history as in "with the Celtics" or past history as in "Battie has had knee issues this season and Blount hasn't played at all this season"?

Tony Battie was an undersized center (long, but not enough beef to handle the Ilgauskas-class battlecruisers), but he had heart and did his best. Blount proved to be a on-off sometime performer after he got his big contract. If I had to choose, I'd probably go with Battie. I mean, for Pete's sake, Blount hasn't played yet this year for the T-Wolves and I can't find any stories of him being injured. What does it say say when they're cutting a 7'0" player even though they've had Jefferson out with injury and now the DWI?

At a time when the Celtics need to find some ganas, I'd rather sign a player that has it but may be a bit short on physical talent than a player with talent and no ganas. Battie could be this year's PJ. A pro, who knows the game and what is expected, and has nothing to hold him back from giving 110% because he knows he's approaching the end of his road anyway.

bob

bobheck

Very well said sir! Good post!

Agreed! Remember how Blount just laid down after he got his big contract?
No thanks for him!!

Unfortunately, Battie was NOT waived by the Nets.

He cannot play in the playoffs for any team except the Nets.