http://bbs.clutchfans.com/showthread.php?t=172725 Here are links to a LONG podcast with Bill Simmons, Ric Bucher and Mark Stein of ESPN. One of the topic covered was "What are the Lakers thinking signing Artest to a 5 year deal?" They mentioned the underwear story, that the Rockets kept quiet some of Artest's issues, and that Artest's atheleticism has diminished. Ric Bucher wondered if what we had was Ron's "best behavior" in a contract year, what will he do now that he's got a 5 year deal, likely the last in his career, and is living in LA. (In contrast... those guys gushed about Ariza, but that's a separate point.) So... that got me thinking: If, say, by the middle of the next season, the Tru Warier gets too crazy for Kobe's taste or too disruptive for the Lakers coaches and management, and the Lakers are basically looking to give him away for free, would you take him back assuming he's not injured and is playing at about the same level as he had last year? I can see both sides of the argument but my conclusion would be "yes." First, even last year's Artest is worth significantly more than the MLE, which is what he's getting paid right now. I also don't think he'll deterioriate that rapidly skill-wise... his FG% problem last year was random ventures into a clogged paint (with Kinds he had bigs who spaced the floor like Miller). Second, I think the guys on the team, and Rick Adelman are largely able to deal with "Ron being Ron" and make productive use of Artest despite his shortcomings. What do you think?
No. Simply for contract reasons. Which is why Morey didn't bother offering him more than a 1-year deal in the first place. I do think he can be a plus on the court for us, because we don't have any fiery personalities now that he's left. But I'm sure Morey isn't risking 5 years with this guy though.
If he is going for free then there would have to be a reason. Loved what he did for the squad but if he is the way he was last year, Lakeshow ain't letting him go.
Only if he changes his Rocket Jersey number to the number of little balls Michael Jackson fondled at the never say never ranch. Okay seriously if he gets kicked off of the Lakers because he went wacko in the stands then I say no but if it was for some other reason like he got in a fight with Kobe than maybe. There is no question Artest brought a toughness that I thought we were lacking in the beginning of last season. But by the end Scola and Battier were the true Warriors and Artest was an imposter. Still he ddoes have some skills and if we were in a championship run and there was an injury I might consider. Oh I forgot to add, that's assuming the Lakers buy out his contract and we can get him for the minimum. Never with a 4 years left on his contract, NEVER!
Regardless of his mental instability. He still has a few good years left in him. Getting him for free is a godsend, considering we spent a good deal of money on his last year.
What do you mean take him back for free? Like the Lakers buy him out, and we sign him for the minimum? Sure. But frankly, I'm not interested in giving him much more than that.
Correct me if i'm wrong but I thought Artest signed a 3 year deal that was equivalent or close to the MLE.
Would you take Artest back for free? But yeah, still pointless to even speculate about. Edit: saw the blurb about taking on his contract, afterall. I guess I took the thread title too literally. In that case: no.
I mean you still pay him the MLE money.. just that you don't need to trade anything of value for him.
Hell yea, cuz then we could trade him away for someone else of almost equal value that fits our team better- FOR FREE!
I don't even get the underwear problem. His antics kept the team loose, or at least had their minds off the real issue (McGrady, injuries, etc) Artest Specifically said when he shaved his head in the 2nd round he was doing it to loosen up a locker room full of guys that had some insecurities about getting to the 2nd round. He never even liked the shaved head, he did it for for the benefit of everyone else. And judging by how they played when Yao went down I think it worked. Honestly, if a teammate gets onto my bus in his underwear, fair enough. Thats a character. So be it. Lets have a laugh. Not everyone has a stick up their butt (KG).
That would put us way over the luxury tax, and if we don't get under (very likely) that means Les is essentially paying him double the MLE, right? I don't see how its worth it.
Had his antics been known during the regular season or post-season. There would have been a lot of controversy, which would in turn distract the team. Just my thought on the issue.
The most obvious problem with this idea is that if he was playing the same as last year it is highly unlikely the Lakers would be looking to deal him, especially for free. If he was being given away it means Ron Ron went off the deep end big time, and if he was doing that for the defending champs, why would you think he would be better here on a team that will likely struggle to make the playoffs? Not to mention his contract on a player who is likely to continue declining, and not likely to do so gracefully as a role player. But if you were to some how get him for free in a fantasy world (ie a minimum contract and trading nothing) to play just like he did last year on a 2 year contract, sure why not?
