According to Yahoo, Artest is taking 5.5 three-pointers per game this season. That's up from 3.9 a season ago, but given how the Rockets play the inside-out game with Yao, the increase is to be expected to a certain extent. The problem was that against the Knicks, with Yao out, Artest took almost double the number of three-pointers he averages, and took fewer shots inside the arc or in the paint. That's not good. If this was because of his injury, I wish he'd just sit. But then again, maybe Adelman didn't think he could afford to with Yao also out. That's been the story this year.
Even 5 is A LOT. With Yao, you can live with that, but when he is out you expect more from T-Mac, Ron. You want them to go inside, put some points on the board. He was really horrible. And it is not only about missing, because sometimes you have night like that. But 10 3s, are you kidding me?
I agree, I dont care anymore, I say sit em until there ready. He obviously came back too soon (and probably TMAc too) and he just needs to sit out and fully heal. We can win with Yao and the role players, we've proven that. We dont tneed them bouncing in and out of the lineup again though.
Hm-m-m-m? I'm not sure... But there has been a lot of melodrama this season. That's for sure! Maybe we take he and his agent at their word(s). (Which hour you ask, no doubt). Maybe he IS frustrated that he can't drive the basket the way he would like. One of the things we've grown fond of Wafer for, is, he will attack the basket without much hesitation. I remember a game between the Rockets and Kings last year (or was it the year before??) when the 4th quarter became almost a duel between McGrady and Artest, as far as scoring. I think they both scored around 35-40 points or so, each, in that game. As I recall, much of Artest's scoring came from attacking the basket; not from a lot of jump shots. So his frustration may be legitimate. He may not play the kind of "team" basketball we would like but he may not be the ball-stopper we think, either, if his ankle injury had not happened. ... maybe we'll have a better idea in the next couple of weeks.
