I love the fact that Artest has a chip on his shoulder. That is what we need. Players like Ginobili and Bowen always play with that edge. You need that if you want to be the best. Look at every recent championship team. All of them had at least a player or two that played with an edge: Spurs: Ginobili, Bowen Pistons: Wallace, Wallace Lakers: Kobe, Shaq, Fox Heat: Wade, Shaq Celtics: Garnett, Posey I like what Artest brings. Hell, we could use another guy like that. Scola me be that guy. Landry, too, if he comes back.
You forgot to mention Yao and T-mac. They have a HUGE gorilla on their backs. But I agree, as much of a chip they may have on their shoulders, Artest has a pretty big one. Him coming in will light a fire under everyone's a$$es. I guess you can say he's the "knife-fighter" (in JVG terms) is the guy we need. Be pissed all you want Ron, just make sure it doesn't blow up during a close game.
i have it on pretty good authority that tmac is a primadonna and a bit of an a-hole as well. i think you'd find that most successful athletes have at least 25% a-hole content.
Talk about "A-Holes," Sir Charles defines the term, but, in his prime he backed up his mouth on the court, he was one of the best. Rodman was a serious nut case, although much of that was a marketing ploy, he was still one of the best all time rebounders. Artest is likely one of the top ten talents in the NBA. Yes, he is that good. Maybe he is ready to grow up. Artest couldn't be joining a nicer group of guys. They need a little of his nastiness and he needs a little of their niceness. Both are sorta "stuck" and need to move forward. Unless he "blows it," he will help take the Rockets over the top, second round is almost a certainty. Look for the Rockets to start beating the "big boys" on a more regular basis, and putting away the "little guys" by wider margins. I look for a tremendous improvement. This was the "bold" move the Rockets needed to make. Risky, yes, but they were truly stuck in first gear.
I'm as big of a Yao fan as anybody, but to say that he was "used" by the media who "twisted his words" isn't quite right. Yao was asked if he was concerned about team chemistry and answered honestly that it was a definitely a concern. Yao didn't think or realize that bringing up Detroit the day of the trade might upset Artest, who was clearly excited about the deal. I have no doubt that Yao always fully intended to make Artest feel at home and to work with him, but when he said Artest's behavior was a concern, he meant it. The media didn't just make it all up. Yao should have issued a generic welcome to Artest through the media much like the statement TMac made. Reporters from other cities aren't terribly familiar with Yao or his personality and they're more inclined to take his words at face value than we fans are. I'm sure it's a lesson learned for the big man. That said, I think there will be very little friction between Artest and the rest of the team. It's hard to think of a better situation for him, honestly. I can't wait to see Yao feed off of the manic energy that Artest sweats.
Yeah.. I can see the majority of NBA stars being cocky, arrogant a-holes. I was just pointing that story out because of its potential impact on our chemistry. I also find it interesting to see the behavior and personalities of our favorite basketball players. Has anyone heard the story of when Ron Artest was playing on the Bulls where he got pissed off at himself after a game and started doing naked pushups in the middle of the locker room?
Have you heard about the time when Artest applied for a job at Circuit City during his rookie season just to get an employee discount?
I thought this was funny as well: Out at least a month after Thursday's surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, Indiana Pacers All-Star forward Ron Artest insists he'll be ready for the playoffs, The Indianapolis Star reports in Monday's editions. The Pacers' All-Star small forward may miss the remainder of the regular season. According to the paper, however, Artest already is back at work. He was spotted on the practice court at Conseco Fieldhouse with a bathrobe over his practice gear. Artest told the Star that the robe was a symbolic reminder to take it easy. He spent his practice time shooting one-handed jumpers on the hoops surrounding the court, but did no running. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1741892
I also keyed in on that line and I LOVE it. It reminds me of Dream sharing his MVP trophy with the whole team. The new slogan: 15 as One
normal people get in fights in bars. normal people subjected to the crap that athletes have to endure from opposing fans would probably react strongly to that as well. i met charles in 93 when he was already a superstar, interrupted what he was doing to get him to sign an autograph, and he was nice as can be. even asked me if i wanted to take a picture, but i didnt have a camera. charles was the nicest professional athlete i have ever met in person.
