Maxwell was misunderstood, I know in my heart this guy was a great person, citizen, and humanitarian. If he ever beat anyone up, threw any weights at them, denied them any money, its because those suckers deserved it. Also, have you been to Denny's?? I'd wave a gun to cause I don't want to wait forever for my eggs and ham.
I still don't but the premise that our offerings are that great that someone would precipitate a 3rd (or 4th) party deal to land us Artest. But, if it's possible, I'd do it.
Ron was unhappy with Rick Carlisle's walk-it-up-the-floor offense. I seriously doubt he like JVG's walk-it-up-the-floor offense any better. I don't think that he needs to be option 1 or even option 2. He is a playground junk yard dog baller. He wants to have some fun. All those rules and plays just give him a headache. He'd be happy in Phoenix or Dallas but they just are not interested.
We won't be walking it up with Ron on the floor. We'd be creating turnovers and Ron and TMac running the wings as Rafer races down to the other end.
I was under the impression that when Artest rescinded his trade demand, it pretty much said that he was ok with Carlisle but he just kinda blew things out of proportion when he was angry.
Dang it, in the meantime, you think Indy would just let us RENT Artest. You know ... just until TMac and/or Yao come back ...
Let's be clear about some things: 1) Artest is very talented. There can be no doubt. His numbers reflect this (though the numbers don't tell everything. 2) Artest is a complete knucklehead. Even if we choose not to consider the malice in the Palace, or his recent loud-mouthedness to the press about wanting to be traded away from Indy.... ... Don't forget about Artest's rap career. Remember this? In 2004 he lost focus on his game play and physical fitness (and thus asked for some time off from basketball to get back in shape) because he was focusing too much on his rap album. That's a textbook definition of a knucklehead.
This is a MYTH that has already been debunked in this forum before. Did you watch the 2nd half of last season? Do you see JVG motioning for the PG to get up the court every time we bring the ball up? But that's another thread... I say roll the dice. Not much to lose at this point.
Thats good and all, but its worth a shot Our season isnt headed anywehere as of now, and he IS the shut down defender and lights out scorer that could turn our season around IMHO.
Rodman's cameraman incident wasn't that big a deal, and it was probably one of his biggest. He got a suspension, but didn't much hurt the team except thru his absence. Charging the fans was just one of Artest's problems. It was a big one that shows a great deal of unreliability, but it's not the only one. This trade demand he's made, plus his wanting time off to promote his CD, his allegedly breaking MJ's ribs, his saying he'd be fine playing for a bad team so he could be the no 1 option, and all the dumb crazy crap he says shows his head isn't quite right. Reminds me of Eddie Griffin punching his teammates and shooting at girlfriends. Artest hasn't shot at anyone yet (that we know of), but I'm sure it'd surprise no one if he did it tonight. The only difference between him and Griffin -- and it is a big one, granted -- is that Artest is manic and Griffin is depressive. They are both unstable though.
Can you imagine the timeout huddles with this team and Artest? Yao staring at the clipboard that JVG is scribbling on holding his head in his hands, Ron with that glazed over stare into the abyss look in his eyes and that half grin on his face like he just had visions of his country and western album going platinum. TMac with one eye on Van Gundy and one eye nervously going round and round as he tries to sneak a peak on RonRon without Ron knowing it. Everybody else with with raised eyebrows and parting the waters away from Ron as he stares into eternity. I can see Van Gundy right now waving his hand in front of Ron's nose to see if he can bring him back from Pluto in time to comprehend the play he's drawing up. Barry standing there, one eyebrow cocked, near the PA mike, waiting for the inevitable, so he can shout "RUN!" into the PA. Keith Jones with the lariet to lasso Ron if he heads for the stands. Juwan holding the basketball all through the timeout as his defense firing weapon against a RonRon frontal assault. All the chairs bolted to the floor with John Lucas conveniently tucked underneath one of them peering out to see if his number is called and what is the best way to the scorers table without getting close to the Tru Warior. Stromile popping bubble gum and sitting on the bench with a big rag tied around his hand with his middle finger sticking up in a whole pile of gauze, rattling on about not knowing what happened to his middle finger nail that disappeared while he was sleeping one night. We can't trade Stromile in this deal. It'd be too much fun for Stro and RonRon to team up and room together, taping episodes for MTV's new special, Jackax.
t-mac and yao aren't exactly the loudest personalities in the nba. they'd probably have the same effect as the medicine they give to hyperactive kids.
No. The biggest difference between Ronny and Griffin is Ronny is 10 times better. It's a risk worth taking.
For me, it all depends on whether we can keep Artest after his contract ends in two (?) years. I believe we are still 2 seasons away from the NBA championship. At best, we probably make it to the WCF next year and lose to San Antonio. The year after that, we will make it to the finals and lose to Detroit. I'm not dissing our team, but most great dynasty needed playoff experience before winning it all, and frankly T-Mac and Yao don't have it. So our earliest championship will come three seasons from now, after we get the WCF and Finals experience. But if that is exactly when Artest is going to bolt, then we are screwed. And don't say Artest will calm down in a winning situation. Wasn't the Pacers a winning situation? So while I would love to gamble on Artest, we should keep in mind that we might lose him just when we really need him.
