[BB Prospectus] Every Play Counts: Ron Artest

Hayesfan · Nov 12, 2008

I thought this was really cool. I don't want to post the whole thing, so that yall will go click on the link, but I hope that you do.

http://ww.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=440

In "Every Play Counts," Kevin Pelton focuses on one player, team or matchup in a single game, looking to explain how and why they succeed or fail. Naturally, one game isn't everything, but the results can be fascinating. Also see Michael David Smith's original NFL Every Play Counts at Fanhouse.com.

It took Ron Artest fewer than 30 seconds late in last Thursday's Houston Rockets loss in Portland to demonstrate both why he could be the missing piece for the Rockets, and why his addition remains a risky one.

While the end of the fourth quarter would end up overshadowed by the dramatics of overtime, which saw three scores in a span of 1.9 seconds capped by Brandon Roy's buzzer-beating three-pointer, both teams had a chance to win in regulation. After a timeout, Houston inbounded the ball with 16 seconds on the clock and the score tied. Artest got the ball and never looked for a teammate, firing up a contested three-pointer that had little chance. On the other end, Artest atoned with a fine defensive play, using his quick hands to strip the ball from Roy on the way up to shoot at the buzzer, forcing the extra session.

I used the game at the Rose Garden as an in-person Every Play Counts, trying to keep a close eye on Artest throughout the evening with the goal of answering the question of how the Rockets are a different team with Artest in the lineup. That remains very much an open question, and will be until they get healthy. When I posed that query to Houston coach Rick Adelman before the game, he said he wouldn't know until Shane Battier, last year's starter at small forward, is back in the lineup. Until then, we can only guess at how Adelman will use Artest and Battier together. Still, it's not too early to draw some conclusions.
Click to expand...

It goes on to breakdown some of the things he noticed in the Portland game and comparing what Battier can do in contrast to Ron.

durvasa · Nov 12, 2008

Great stuff, thanks for the link.

Jimes · Nov 12, 2008

I am very excited to see the possibility of Artest taking the opponent's best offensive player w/ Battier playing "safety" and helping wherever it's needed. It's a long season folks.

azoghbi · Nov 12, 2008

a beautifully written and insightful piece of work. support this guy, click the link!

Forums

[BB Prospectus] Every Play Counts: Ron Artest

Hayesfan Member

durvasa Member

Jimes Member

azoghbi Member

Share This Page

About ClutchFans

Rockets Content

Support ClutchFans!