It just got a little easier to dislike Shane Battier. OK, for some it’s never been that hard because he played at Duke. But until Battier tweeted Thursday morning that he was signing with the Miami Heat, he was the ultimate team player in the NBA, an intelligent glue guy and committed perimeter defender. Now he’s just the latest player to announce his “decision,” even if it wasn’t on a one-hour TV special.
Don’t tell anyone, but perimeter defense is the one area in which LeBron James and Dwyane Wade don’t need much help. Point guard and center are another story.
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Of course, reports have Eddy Curry also heading to South Beach to try and resurrect his career after playing 10 games over the last three seasons. It hardly seems worth the energy to root against a player who is relevant only for having been drastically overpaid.
That attention likely will go to vilifying Battier, even though he doesn’t deserve it.
– Craig Stouffer
