C's Target Esteban Batista

by Jeff Clark on Sep 19, 2007 7:02 PM EDT in News/Links Comment 21 comments

The Celtics are one of four teams courting the services of Atlanta Hawks free agent Esteban Batista, according to his agent Marc Cornstien.
The Bobcats, Suns and Pacers are targeting a player who made a mark for himself playing for Uruguay at the FIBA Tournament in Las Vegas.
The 24-year old Batista led the tournament in rebounds, averaging 12.4 boards over eight games. He was third in scoring average with 20.8 points per contest. Last season he played 13 games for the Hawks, averaging 1.5 ppg and 2.3 rpg.
Cornstein said he expects the 6-10, 268 pound forward/center to make his decision in the near future.
"I think he will be a good pick for them (Celtics)," Cornstien He's a tough banger who runs the floor. I think he will be a great fit. But all of the teams would be good."

More about Estiban :

Esteban Damian Batista Hernandez (born September 2, 1983 in Montevideo) is a Uruguayan professional basketball player who currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. Signed as a free agent by the Hawks on September 12, 2005, Batista made his NBA debut on November 2 of that year going scoreless in six minutes against the Golden State Warriors. In his first season, Batista averaged 1.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 8.7 minutes and 57 appearances. He is the first ever Uruguayan NBA Player.

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I rather go after Sarunas J. Would this guy get any run ahead of Davis or Powe?

by tb727 on Sep 19, 2007 7:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what does sarunas do that eddie house doesn’t, except shoot a lower %? batista plays center, and neither powe or davis can do that. he also has a mean streak which this club is gonna need. i think you bring him in, and let manuel and wallace battle it out for the final spot in training camp.

by ssspence on Sep 19, 2007 7:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If he’s ahead of Davis or Powe (which we don’t know, do we?) it means he’s better than Davis or Powe. So why not sign him?

by invisible on Sep 19, 2007 7:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe the signing of Batista could mean a trade of Powe or Big Baby (I hope not) for Sarunas?

by Greg on Sep 19, 2007 7:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There’s better people available

by Who on Sep 19, 2007 7:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d rather have Batista from WWE!!

by Mon on Sep 19, 2007 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this kid can play. he showed me something when i saw him when he played against the usa team. you can never have enough big bodies who can actually play, and this kid can play. sign him up!

by RunRondoRun on Sep 19, 2007 8:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lets pick him up but not at the expense of wallace or
manuel who both have tons of potential. pick him up to
replace pollard. Batista would provide much more than
pollard and wouldnt be a one yr rental but a guy who
can grow with this team.

by perk on Sep 19, 2007 8:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Perk. He is better than both Wallace and Manuel, not as athletic as Wallace, but a very usable player. Watching him against team USA made me believe he could play in this league and be a nice big man off the bench that can score and board.

by PCFriar on Sep 19, 2007 8:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Manuel will not make this team. Ton of potential? I dunno about that.

by skowbball1999 on Sep 19, 2007 8:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So why was he sitting on the bench for a bad Atlanta team? Was FIBA a fluke, or just more suited to his style of play than the NBA? If he is pretty good, are the Hawks coaches that dense?
Do you see my quandry here?

by cavman on Sep 19, 2007 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

cut Scal – sign this guy

thank you

by Master Po on Sep 19, 2007 9:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well i think us being the Celtics is a plus with any European player. I hope we sign him we definitely need an extra (legit)Big body

by ManUp on Sep 19, 2007 9:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

do not know this guy. lools like danny knows that you never have enough depth with the big guys, especially with perk’s feet. also looks like a set up to trade either powe or the baby for the pg.

by nazzbo on Sep 19, 2007 9:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Correct me if I’m wrong Man Up but I am pretty sure Batista is a native of Uruguay, which is definitely in South America. Who says Americans don’t know geography?

by alchemist on Sep 19, 2007 11:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Spears is now saying he turned down a Celtic offer. Apparenlty one or more of the other teams made a more “Serious” offer. I would guess that means more money.

by furball2323 on Sep 19, 2007 11:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here’s a link to that article furball was talking about:

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2007/09/batista_update_1.html

by pennant_fever on Sep 19, 2007 11:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good happy he turned it down now Danny can get down to business and bring in a veteran

by Who on Sep 19, 2007 11:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kid is a fool to turn down the offer from us.

What happened to bringing in Wang Zhi Zhi?

by Tradetime on Sep 19, 2007 11:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Too bad, that kid has great talent and is tough-minded. Plays really phyical. Wish he came here. I don’t know how well his talents will translate to the NBA though. Should be about a 10/6 guy.

by rickyfan3.0... on Sep 20, 2007 7:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs