Not really because Artest has the versatility to play both positions where in which Cat does not have the size or physical nature to do so. Artest versatility also creates depth. With Mobely we have strictly a shooting guard with Pike to back up. AG playing the SF. With Artest playing SF you can spot mins with Pike at the 2 or with Artest at the 2 AG would spot min at the 3, if that makes any sense. Basically his ability to play two positions lessens the need for a SF.
Originally posted by egn I know what your trying to say but the point is Artest can't play both spots at the same and that means a poor defending Rice, Pike or Nachbar or a non scoring Griffin in the game at ALL TIMES and I don't think that really solves any of our problems.
Harrington would be perfect for the Rockets at PF. I know 2 seasons ago, he was on the verge of a breakout year, before he hurt himself. Last year he played strong coming off the bench. If we can get him for maybe Cato, Rice, and a filler, I would call it a great offseason, but there is no way that I would trade Cat right now; not before the season has startted. Cat has changed his game every year. He was first a PG, then an explosive back up, then a starter, our leading scorer, and at the end of the season, he was our best defensive player. I want to see how he changes his game this year before I start sending him packing.
I think Harrington is more of a 3. I'd have to check his stats----maybe his 3 pt % isn't great?---but I'm pretty sure he's a 3. And he was just about set to blow up before he got hurt. 13 ppg on a team with no clearly defined roles. I'd love Artest, but he's a headcase that makes Rasheed seem tame by comparison, and his BYC status makes the trade difficult.
If Artest lessens the need for a SF, then how does that not help solve our problems. With Artest and A.Griff in together you would have more size, more tenacity and one hell of a defensive combo. And don't forget that Artest averaged just 2 ppg less than Cat. With Artest and Pike in, you would have and offensive punch combined with a better than average defensive combo. Artest would give the Rockets exactly what we need and IMO we could give him exactly what he needs; a bigger, more defined role, a change in setting and most importantly, more leadership responsibilities. With more responsiblity he may be able to refocus his agressiveness toward better things. Remember that he is only 24; 4 years younger than Cat who turns 28 tomorrow.
Raising hell??? Don't be fooled by the media. He has had an altercation with a TV camera and an "ACCIDENTAL" bump of coach Pat Riley but other than that he has just played tough. He is still young and still has time to route his agressive nature toward being a great player. Early in Hakeem's career he also was very agressive in this same mannor. "He's a person that I think if we can all help, at the end of the day we'll all be glad that we put in the work to help him because he can really turn out to be something very positive in this league and also probably in this society. He's ours. We love him. We'll work with him. In the end, he's worth fixing." Isiah Thomas on Ron Artest
How about raising Arizona? I've raised hell before. Haven't you ever raised hell?? I love that quote from Thomas... "In the end, he's worth fixing." Ron must have LOVED reading that one. No wonder he freaks out sometimes, with ringing endorsements like that one. Like I said, I'm surprised he's only 24. Maybe he'll grow out of it.
Don't take that quote out of context. It was made by Thomas after Artest said "I set my own ultimatum" after his recent behavior. Basically admiting he needs some change. (fixing) And "maybe he'll grow out of it" in a silver and red Rockets uniform.
Mobley does not "suck". But at some point in time we are going to need to upgrade our backcourt. Whether that be with size, defensive ability, age, or just a flat out better player in Artest. The fact that we are in the West should not be taken lightly.
Hahaha! I must have missed when Hakeem gave the finger to a crowd. And there's a couple of other incidents you're leaving out. To me, 24 ain't that young. The dude needs to be on medication. No thanks.
Harrington is like Griffin but maybe more aggressive and older! He probably talks more than Eddie cuz everyone does.....he's OK but why trade Mobley for Harrington when we would still have Eddie, his identical counterpart, and Mo? Mobley for Artest! YES! I think Mobley is a better scorer and a little more "sane", but Artest was actually more efficient than Mobley last season. I don't know what Artest is doing....he hasn't been admitted into a mental hospital yet, so maybe he just likes being bad...if we did trade for him, I would love having him as long as he doesn't knock out Jeff Van Gundy...and he is only 24!!! Francis/Moochie Artest/Piatkowski Piatkowski/AGriffin/Nachbar/Rice EGriffin/Taylor Yao/Cato Well this still wouldn't make us a contender.....maybe not even playoffs. Then we do Rice and Griffin for SAR! Francis/Moochie Artest/Piatkowski Piatkowski/AGriffin/Nachbar Abdur-Rahim/Taylor Yao/Cato I like this team...but I think there would be some chemistry problems with 4 totally new players..and a new coach as well. Okay. I will stop dreaming about this great fantasy.
You must have also missed the numerous quarels and fights "Akeem" got into early on in his NBA career.
His nickname is Baby Al!!! How the hell is anyone going to consider "BABY AL" the MAN, especially if he doesn't play?! These trades seem ok, but I just don't see why everyone is hyped up on other teams' Eddie Griffin.
This is Nice ! Houston trades: SG Cuttino Mobley (17.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 apg in 41.7 minutes) C Kelvin Cato (4.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 0.3 apg in 17.1 minutes) PF Maurice Taylor (8.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 apg in 20.6 minutes) Houston receives: C Jeff Foster (2.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.7 apg in 10.6 minutes) SF Ron Artest (15.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.9 apg in 33.6 minutes) PF Al Harrington (12.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.5 apg in 30.1 minutes) PF Austin Croshere (5.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 apg in 12.9 minutes) Change in team outlook: +4.5 ppg, +4.7 rpg, and +2.0 apg. Indiana trades: C Jeff Foster (2.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.7 apg in 10.6 minutes) SF Ron Artest (15.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.9 apg in 33.6 minutes) PF Al Harrington (12.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.5 apg in 30.1 minutes) PF Austin Croshere (5.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 apg in 12.9 minutes) Indiana receives: SG Cuttino Mobley (17.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 apg in 73 games) C Kelvin Cato (4.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 0.3 apg in 73 games) PF Maurice Taylor (8.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 apg in 67 games) Change in team outlook: -4.5 ppg, -4.7 rpg, and -2.0 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED
