http://www.clutchfans.net/news.cfm?NewsID=1212 I've been out of town for the past week or so, and intended to continue the profiles while I was gone but it just didn't work out with the schedule. Anyhow, I hope to pick them back up from here.
JVG has talked about making bold roster moves, despite the possibility of messing up team chemistry. Although I doubt it, he very well could have been alluding to a trade for Artest. I'd pull the trigger on an Artest trade, but I'd make sure we at least somewhat addressed the four spot first.
Well said Clutch. I'm a Pacers guy from way back in the ABA days and I still follow them now. What Artest did to them this year broke my heart, especially in Reggie's last year. I will never get over that. With that all said, I put Mr. Nutcase right up there with Joe Johnson on my list of players who's raw abilities could help the Rox most. No way we should get him.
Hands down WCF birth for the next few seasons if we got this dude and he keeps his head halfway screwed on.
If the Rockets could get him without selling the farm, he is worth the risk. Of the players AVAILABLE, who would have more of an impact? He is everything described in my signature, except that he is not a power forward. Do you think he could play this position?
I figure his first year back, he will be a model citizen. Kind of like Spree after the "throating" incident. That being said, he apparently has a long history of anger control and you have to assume that at some point it will resurface. On the other hand, if anybody can get through to him and keep him engaged in the game, it has to be JVG.
OK here is the deal: Ron Artest (6.5M) + Austin Croshere (8.91M) (total of 15.41M) for Spoon (6.353M) + Wesley (4.95M) + Padgett (0.87M) + Ward (1.87M) (total of 14.043M) + a #1 pick. Assuming new CBA has the same 15% salary threshold. If 25% as rumored then Ward would stay with us. We take on Croshere's albotross contract (only two years left) and since he is identical to Padgett we ship Padgett to Indy. They might want us to take on Bender but that is a smaller contract (two years 7.1M & 7.81M) but Bender is always injured so I would prefer a player who actually plays. We still have Baker & Moochie as expiring contracts to trade or let expire. We could then do a Sign & Trade of A. Daniel for James. Yao/Deke Howard/Croshere/Baker T-Mac/Barry Artest/Barry Daniels/Sura/Spanoulis/Moochie Your 2006 World Champs.
If we can get Artest for anyone other than Yao or T-Mac, we HAVE to do it. I think that as long as you surround a nutcase like Artest with stable, high character vets, the overall team chemistry will be okay. Sure, Ron might go nuts once in a while, but as long as the rest of the guys on the team are professional, it shouldn't hurt too much. That said, I don't think we can get him... But Howard (or Wesley + filler) and a 1st rounder for Artest would be a dream scenario, in my mind.
He's worth the risk and then some. Remember, the Bulls won three championships with Rodman. Ron Ron is re re, but he's also really damned good. Amazing defensive player with under-rated offensive skills. I'd gamble on it in a heart beat.
If it means gambling with the likes of Spoon, Baker, and othe expiring contracts or scrubs, why not? I'd gamble on Artest to get to the next level for years to come. Why is betting on a malcontent better than betting on Jason Kidd? Aside from huge monetary differences in contracts, Artest was/is on track to still have prime years left in his career. Kidd's injuries only makes him a shell of the player he once was. You roll the dice and hope for the best. This situation is better than hoping that Swift will turn into the PF that we need. Seriously: You put a lineup of Yao/Howard/Tmac/Artest/Sura out there and that's one tough starting 5 to contend with and not to mention score against.
I originally had thought there would be no way I'd take a shot at Artest, but how do you not gamble on a talent like that? It's not like it's Rodman. Rodman was a rebounder and defender, and a circus. Artest is arguably the best man-on-man defender in the league (sorry Ben, but he is). Artest can go for 20-25 a game if needed (sorry Ben, sorry Dennis...). Artest can defend multipile positions : SG, SF, heck even PF with that physique. I imagine a defensive dynamic duo of McGrady and Artest patrolling the perimeter and wings on D with a Deke or Yao to back them up in the middle. That right here is a defensive juggernaut. I've come to the conclusion that the positives in getting an Artest far outweigh the negatives in getting him. I'll leave it up to the CBA gurus of the board to bandy the ability of the Rockets to do so among themselves...
Under JVG Artest will curb his Temper. JVG with his defensive know how and Ron's abelity, it's a recipe for a fe titles.
Best player of all the guys profiled so far. Trading anybody but Yao and T-Mac for Artest would not be a risk but a steal. The fact that the Pacers still want the guy with all the crazy things he has done says a lot about his abilities. Wish we could get him.
