Artest can give you more points but that doesn't mean too much. He gets those points by stopping the ball and taking too much on himself. The Lakers have the right idea with Artest, maybe, because Kobe's such a dominating presence and player that Artest has little choice but to accept the role of 2a, 2b, or 2c (if Odom gets re-signed). Unless crazy is as crazy does and he goes off the reservation on the court. Phil won't put up with it though. Hell, I've thought for awhile now that trading McLazy to the Kings isn't a bad idea at all and getting back Nocioni, expiring contract Kenny Thomas, and maybe Casspi. Nocioni is a overpaid, sure, but he's tough, he shoots the three, he has a game that would mesh with fellow Argentine Luis Scola. And he would more than likely follow the script: Adelman has a good track record with foreign players. Artest gets the pub, the attention. And he's a nut job. And he will never move past The Brawl in 2004. Those are the differences. As players? Nocioni would play within the team concept. Artest does not.
Artest is still much better. On offense He sometimes commands a double team which Nocioni does not. His defense is still good and his strength is using his upper body strenght down low. If Ron puts his mind in playing to his strenghts then Ron can still score 20+ a game however He sticks on those off balance shoots from the perimeter or 3 pt area then.......... Hands down Artest is still better then Nocioni.
