Defensive Clinic

Shane Battier continued his career-long battle with Kobe again tonight as the Heat squared off against the Lakers in Miami. Battier was able to hold Kobe to 24 points tonight on 8-for-21 shooting (38%) which was actually an inflated number as Bryant was able to get some easy buckets in garbage time (including a banked 3-pointer). Although you can never truly stop a player like Kobe, watch how Battier is able to force Kobe into difficult shots, getting a strong hand in the face closeout on each attempt. Not bad for a guy that most consider to be fairly unathletic.