07-03-2006, 04:55 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Run GMC
Join Date: Sep 2002
Age: 13
Posts: 7,513
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Pau Gasol onboard with addition of Rudy Gay
Battier a pal, but Gaol knows the deal
Quote:
The Griz shipped Battier to Houston and acquired Swift and the rights to the draft's No. 8 pick, Rudy Gay. The deal won't become official until July 12 but Gasol said June 28 marked the end of a distinguished era.
"We came along together, hand by hand. It kind of seemed like we would retire together," Gasol said, referring to Battier. "Trades are always a tough thing to deal with especially when there's a friend involved. Shane's done so much for our team. It's tough. We have to see how Rudy Gay plays and what he can give us. I'm happy to have Stro back but we're losing a big part of our team for five seasons."
Battier and Gasol ushered in the inaugural Memphis Grizzlies after moving from Vancouver and bidding farewell to Mike Bibby and Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 2001.
Swift left Memphis last summer as the only holdover from those Vancouver days.
"We're really cool," Gasol said of his relationship with Swift. "If he ends up staying I'd like to see good, quality minutes from Stro. We're going to need that."
Gasol insisted that the organization will rely on fan patience, too, realizing the roster was in for a shakeup.
"Hopefully this all works out for the best," Gasol said. "That's all we can look forward to."
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Pau Gasol onboard with addition of Rudy Gay
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