He may be closer to to it than people think. Specifically, Metta's boxscore numbers in 2012-13 are pretty comparable to those he put up in 2009-10, his first year as a Laker and, aside from shooting less frequently, similar to those he put up in 2008-09 as a Rocket. And, for what it's worth, his raw on/off court +/- of +7.7 was the best on the team. This may speak more to just how bad the Lakers bench was, but when he's on the court, the Lakers were quite good-- 111.3 ORtg, 106.1 DRtg. The 2012-13 MWP was much better than the 2011-12 post-lockout out-of-shape version that some people may remember. He's rarely been a particularly efficient scorer even at his best, but the guy does help your team win.
If he'll agree to change his name back to Ron Artest AND he signs for the minimum AND nobody on the team objects his presence AND there are no playing time guarantees, I'd be fine with.
On ESPN it says Ron's dad intimated that he might retire were he to be amnestied. I still feel like he has gas in the tank though. These last couple years of his career he'll turn into a smaller quicker version of Charles Oakley. Incidentally Oakley ended his career in Houston also. I'm on the Artest crazytrain still, as my previous posts on this thread have indicated. Against Lebron he would be a better option than anyone we currently have at one on one defense. No matter how much better his shot has gotten, it's still a better proposition to give Lebron his space rather than simply letting him barrel into the paint. Artest caused Lebron all sorts of fits the two games he played against him as a Rocket. I remember those; as I recall, we won one of the games, and it was an impressive performance by Artest on D. Against Durant there is no question, Parsons would be the guy. I don't think I've seen someone defend Durant as well as Parsons has done on a regular basis. I mean, he's Durant, he can put 40pts up on anyone, but there are times that Parsons has frustrated Durant into bad games, and that's more than almost anyone else in the NBA can say. Artest would be smoked by Durant, he's too slow now.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Ok. I have to amnesty my jeans. Their too tight. I think I might waive my tooth brush also. I need a new one</p>— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) <a href="https://twitter.com/MettaWorldPeace/statuses/355016390794674176">July 10, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I love Hiking!!! Come join me!!! <a href="http://t.co/iWDep5TMw2">pic.twitter.com/iWDep5TMw2</a></p>— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) <a href="https://twitter.com/MettaWorldPeace/statuses/355017306067304450">July 10, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He is just saying that to scare teams off from bidding for Ron in the amnesty process so Ron can choose where to go as a free agent. One of Ron's associates had given Sam Amick of USA Today a list of teams he wouldn't mind joining, starting with the Knicks and Clippers. Houston is not on the list. However, I wonder if he would still be interested in becoming a Rocket if asked but doesn't want to hurt LA fans' feeling right now. Can you imagine how pissed Kobe would be if Ron says he want to come to Houston to join Dwight?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I'm going to play for Yao Mings team in china! I can't wait to arrive in Shanghai !!</p>— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) <a href="https://twitter.com/MettaWorldPeace/statuses/355476564776992768">July 11, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If he would come back to be a bench defensive specialist who doesn't shoot, dribble, pass, or exercise any kind of offensive judgment calls, I'm OK with it.
So he was amnestied today. Now is the process of him and his people faking retirement claims to prevent a horribly mediocre team like New Orleans from trying to place a bid for his services. I still say that I would love to see the look on Lebron's face when he sees Artest coming off the bench, ready for a bruisin'.
MWP picked these teams as the next destination- New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs or Indiana Pacers. How soon he is forgetting us.
