Sometimes what ISN'T said speaks volumes. And many times, what Artest says and what he does don't jive. Decoded: He's being asked about a "future" with the Rockest. No mention of T-mac -- only Yao. He likes a leader like Yao because he doesn't talk he just works hard. But in his mind, Artest is also "A" leader. Leaders are the ones to typically talk about other players. In a couple of the last few games Artest was quick to critique Brooks play. He was obviously asked, and he said Brooks didn't play too, well and needed to improve. Unless you think you are also a leader on the team you don't critique a teammate in that way. I still say "it's the leadership", when explaining the lack of success for the Rockets. Injuries definitely played a part this year but overall there has never been a defined leader for this team. Maybe Artest is shrewder than given credit. Maybe he thinks Yao should be the leader. And that is why he is nudging him by saying it to the media. Maybe "others" thought that it could be leader by committee -- Yao, T-mac and Artest. But too much deference gets paid by all 3 in that scenario and the end result is lack of energy and focus, or definition if you will -- the opposite of what George Karl says they now seem to have.
