I was definitely one of those people against getting Artest before. I have no doubt his abilities on the court would easily take us to the next plateau. At the same time I have plenty of doubt that he could be a negative net effect due to his off the court (and possibly in the locker room) attitude. Before I wouldn't even consider it, but now I can't argue that the prospect is tempting now. The result of the Utah loss shows matter-of-factly that the team we have now is not talented enough to contend for a championship. But I have a hard time rooting for a-holes, so I would still have to vote no and hope we can still get a piece of the puzzle elsewhere.
How about this scenario? Houston receives: Bibby New York receives: Artest, Howard, Sura’s contract Sacramento receives: Battier, Marbury, 1st rounder from Houston Rockets get the point guard they need so badly. New York gets the player they’ve been chasing for a while now and they free up playing time at the point for Steve Francis. Kings get someone who can replace Artests defense, and they get a better playmaker in Marbury, which their team sorely lacks.
Artest is what our team needs...I would take mike james also. yao artest battier tracy mike james You have 4 players that could get you at least 20 points a night and a glue guy in battier. Plus this team would be a great defensive team.
I think I would do KT + Artest for Battier and Juwan + whatever filler. I am loath to add cancer players, but this team needs a talent infusion asap. KT pretty much gives us what Hayes does, but with better offense. Then draft a sg, use the MLE for pg or somehow trade for MJ, and then we have a contending team, talent wise anyway.
Houston Offers: Alston Howard Lakers Receive: Artest Alston Sacto Receives Brown Howard Houston Receives: 2 Tickets to Cirque du Soleil (from Maloofs) 1 Autographed Magic Johnson Jersey (From Jerry Buss)
That's pretty good. It's within the realm of possiblity. I would probably give Snyder to NY too because Thomas likes long,athletic players.
If we were able to get Artest, it would provide the Rockets with a much needed heart ,a spititual n' verbal leader, under another coach of course. Welcome aboard is what I say to the idea.
So you would give up Battier, Howard, and 1st rounder for a 1-yr rental in Bibby...who is on his last legs and makes more than Yao next year?
I would take Artest if the Kings were just giving him away - like in exchange for Head, V-Span, and Sura's contract. I'd move TMac to PG, since he wants to be Magic Johnson anyway. Not to mention there are plenty of teams that Battier could play PF against.
He could play it if he wasn't so damn gifted of a scorer. Part of the reason that made Magic great was that he wasn't that talented of a shooter, wasn't that athletic of a leaper, and didn't have the one-on-one moves to take men off the dribble. He had to become a great passer... and used it to make EVERYONE better, all the time. T-mac could do that if it was his only job... but on this team, he's required to not only be the primary playmaker but the primary scorer as well. The team needs to pick a role for him, and go with it... if he's to be the scorer, get a PG that can actually run an offense. If he's going to be the facillitator, get him more weapons that can actually fill the hoop.
Jeff did do fine with Spreewell AFTER the chocking incident. I think for Jeff it is more about what you do on the court and playing defense. That being said it isn't a matter of IF Artest is going to blow up in your face, but rather how long til it happens.
When I suggested go for Ron Ron here, most people were laughing at my English. But now there are so many response. Anyway, I enjoy this forum.
It's as much on the team as on the coach -- look at the Pistons of recent vintage. Those guys keep their knucklehead teammates in line.
I think that move hurts us more than helps us. Sure, Bibby would be amazing, but like him or not, Juwan is productive for us off the bench. Battier is our third best player - so we give up two rotation players for one (possibly three if the draft pick turns into a rotation player). That kind of move is why we're low on depth in the first place.
Were the Rockets listed as a possible destination in the article? Why wouldn't Artest go to the Fakers and then Bonzi opt out and sign for the MLE with them. Kobe Odom Artest Wells
I agree, Artest has miles of miles of heart, be it to publish his new CD or when he has some spare time, play on the NBA court.
