Hollinger offers his insight on the Artest deal. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=artestdeal-080730 Most interesting thing here is he claims his "spies" have let him know that the Rockets are particularly interested in playing Artest at the PF position. They feel he's strong enough to guards PFs, and they value have an additional perimeter player who can pass at the high post or space floor from three. I discounted it earlier, but perhaps the Rockets do in part consider Artest a replacement for Landry? I mean, if Scola and Landry are in the rotation, and I don't see how Artest would get many minutes at PF. [rquoter]My spies in Houston tell me the idea is to line up Artest at power forward, where he has the muscle to bang with 4s in the post, and then dare bigger opponents to match up with him at the other end. He was extremely effective doing this in Sacramento, and will have a lot more opportunity to do so in Houston since a big chunk of his minutes figure to come at the 4. And while the Rockets see him as their No. 3 offensive weapon behind Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, it's a strong third. Houston only ranked 17th in offensive efficiency last season, and McGrady sometimes broke down under the strain of having to create offense for everybody else -- most visibly in Game 2 of the Utah series this spring. Houston badly needed another perimeter player who can create his own shot, and Artest fills that hole. Meanwhile, adding a fourth perimeter player should be of huge benefit to Yao Ming as well. Opponents will be much more reluctant to double him and will have farther to recover once they do, with McGrady, Artest, Battier and Rafer Alston all competent 3-point threats and Brent Barry and Luther Head poised to come in firing off the bench.[/rquoter]
Firstly: I'm sure Morey will keep Landry as an 'asset' - even if the guy doesn't get played. The second thing to note is that we have nothing at the backup C position. So perhaps (like parts of last season) Landry and Scola will split Yao's backup minutes but playing in tandem for stretches of the game? You could play: Ming 32minutes Scola 32 minutes Landry 24minutes and still have 8 minutes leftover for Artest to play PF. Personally I wonder if Hollingers spies have any idea...
with the increase in "small-ball" lineups, I fully expect to see a few minutes here or there at PF. just makes sense.
I could see this even with Scola and Landry. Scola and Landry could each still get about 20 mpg when Artest slides to backup McGrady and Battier.
that makes sense for when you bring your bench on the floor Dorsey Artest Shane Berry Brooks Artest from the high post can pass to brooks cutting into the lane or Berry running off some screens for an open jumper.
Maybe that is just the word morey put out to further de-value Landry. The guy's brain is always working.
No dispute here. I think we'll see a lineup like this very often to finish games: Yao, T-Mac, Artest, Battier, Alston. Artest/T-Mac/Battier are so versatile and all of them can play at 2/3/4 and they have no problem switching.
I agree I could see Artest getting a few minutes at PF, and Scola playing center to back up Yao. I still hope that Deke and Landry are signed.
I think Mutombo showed he has something left in the tank. Given his age, it's hard to consider him a legitimate backup but it wouldn't be that bad of a situation. He played a significant role in the second half of The Streak. Of course, he hasn't been signed yet so...
The great thing about adding Artest is now the Rockets can make opponents match up with them. No more wondering if Scola or Landry (or Hayes) can match up with the other team's tall/big PF. Now they have to figure out how the hell to deal with Artest's strength, quickness and outside shot. Even if he only plays a few minutes a night at PF the option is always there so it will always be in the mind of the opposing coach. Seriously, how worried is Utah now at the thought of Boozer or Okur chasing Artest around on the defensive end only to get beat up by him when they try to score on him.
It's precisely his age that makes him the perfect back-up. 10-15 minutes at the center spot for Yao when he's resting, and being able to contribute with his rebounding and shot-blocking still...it's a great luxury to have.
Why not? it makes absolute sense. Look at the PF's of our major rivals: Dirk, West, Odom, Boozer, Amare, duncan. Except Duncan, the rest of them all have outstanding mid-range shot and/or very mobile as 4. However, except Duncan one more time, none of them will kill you in POST. Neither Scola/Landry/Hayes has the mobility to defend those fast PFs. However, Artest much faster than those 4s but strong enough to defend them in the POST. If I am not wrong, Ron actually guarded duncan in the post for maybe a quarter or 2 during the last game between Kings and Spurs. You see how strong he is.
