I think Artest is a better overall player, but the trade would be good for both teams. Pacers need a shooter and the kings need a defender. What you guys think?
One defender is not going to change the Kings style of play and the lack of defense they have on their team. One guy cant do it alone defensively. However Peja would help the Pacers out a lot becuase he can make a difference and score the points they need to win. I would have to say the Pacers would get the better end of it until the Kings get some pieces to work around Artest and play defnese along side him.
On talent and mental fortitude alone, it's not even close: Artest However, you don't know if a change of scenery might bring back the old Artest and Sacramento might get screwed
I've been mulling this in my mind constantly since the rumors resurfaced. I've had my say on Artest (the ultimate knucklehead) and Peja (biggest choker in the NBA by far) many times in the past. The difference in talent is so vast I think the Pacers would come out too far behind. And right now, their chemistry problems mainly involve Stephen Jackson, not Artest. Another issue is Artest is affordably signed for two more years after this season while Peja is opting out next summer. The only way Bird does this as a straight up trade is if he is intent on dumping Artest; otherwise he must get more value in return. For that matter, if JO and Stephen Jackson don't make peace the Pacers' season is lost. That team could beat the Pistons if they weren't so snakebit.
I think the Pacers come out ahead but just by a little. Peja has shown that he can be a dependable 2nd or 3rd star/scorer. On the Pacers, he'd have Jermaine O'Neal in the post like CWebb and any one of Sarunas/SJax/Fred Jones scoring on the wings with him. Besides, the Pacers have a supposed Ron Artest light in Danny Granger and the Kings have a Reggie Miller light in Francisco Garcia, so it's not like it's a bad swap for either team.
A dangerous aspect of this trade is that Peja can opt out after this year. Why risk moving Artest for a 5 month rental? Bird and Walsh would need assurances before pulling that trigger. Packaging Artest with Pollard (expiring deal) or Bender (retiring any day due to knees) would allow the Pacers to get a maxed out player, improving their odds of getting true value back. Consider: Artest + Tinsley for Starbury; Artest + Pollard for Odom; or, Artest + Bender for Pierce. Evan
can someone fill me in on the stephen jackson-jermaine oneal thing? i think both teams would benefit from the trade. however i was under the impression that larry bird and the pacers organization love artest and artest has been singing larry bird and the pacers organization high praises for sticking up for him last year. no way pacers trade away artest for someone who's contract runs out soon.
Are you guys crazy? I used to love Peja, but the fact is that he cannot create his own shot and be go to guy of an offense. Artest can. And the kicker is that Peja can't play defense where as artest is probably the best defender in the league.
The only way I would take Peja over Artest is that I would not like to coach Artest...and maybe if your team despertly needs some 3Pt shooting. Artest is such a more complete player...even though Peja is one of my fav player in the game with his great shot..he's so smoooth
Artest can do everything better than Peja except for 3 point shooting and is the most versatile player in the league outside of Garnett. Bird knows what he has in Artest and he would never give it up for Peja. Bird was trying to trade Artest and a bunch scrubs for McGrady.
Well, anyone gets Artest has to be worried. Anytime this crack guy will quit basketball and start his rappin/boxing career
