Artest wouldn't be happy at Houston. He's scoring 20 a night at Indy and isn't happy that he's not scoring more than that. With the Rockets, he'd be looking at about the same utilization with T-Mac and Yao on the team.
I knew it! I thought I remembered that quote, but I couldn't find it searching the other day. JVG also defended Artest somewhat after that melee last year, saying it was a little unfair to lay all the blame on him.
I don't know what Artest was thinking. But he mentioned he would love to play for Mavs and Cavs. He's not gonna have a bigger role in their offensive games either. I think there is some chemistry problem Artest and Pacers haven't revealed.
Let see T-mac lets stay averages 25 a night ( just using numbers ) Yao 20 Artest 20 total 65.. Let's say team averages 90 a game which isnt awhole lot because of the high scoring games the NBA is going into.. thats 25 points that can be shared... Artest almost averaged 50 percent on his shots. Its not like he has to take alot. This year he's only averaging 46 percent ( proably because he doesn't want to be in Indy) Were not talking about a guy who needs to shoot 20+ times a game to hit that 20
Are folks here concerned that we have soooo much offense already that Artest won't be able to get a big piece of it?
Of course the Rockets are interested, I mean in all honesty, which team wouldn't be? Yes, he's a nut, but nuts can help win championships too. Artest is the BEST perimeter defender in the league, this also happens to be the Rockets BIGGEST weakness on defense. He's a good scorer that can shoot suprisingly well, create his own shot, and run the break. Right now, our current guards are only shooting the ball and they are sucking at that too. I understand why people wouldn't want him added to this team, but it's not like this team is oozing with team chemistry right now. We are too soft on the perimeter and too soft down low. Artest immediately solves that and adds 15-20ppg. If CD could get Artest for our garbage, we can't pass that up.
The only wing players we have that has more than a 40 percent FG percentage is TMac and Head. Artest could all the remaining shots behind TMac and Yao for all I care.
How would CD be able to get Artest for "our garbage"... teams like New York with plenty of talent and Sacramento are interested as well. So you're crazy if you don't think Luther or Swift is included in this deal. This team has a lack of depth as it is, it would be stupid to throw away two impact players for a guy who compares himself to Kobe and TMac, and says he doesn't want to play in a structured offense. No means no, there is no way Houston pulls off a deal for Artest if it doesn't involve expiring contracts.
I don't know, there could be chemistry issues. I thought I read something about Stephen Jackson causing trouble in the locker room but I had no luck searching for it again in Google news.
Artest and Sura on the court together would be pretty nice though. 2 of the grittiest guys in the league. Also - Tmac would not have to play a thousand minutes a game. If we don't go 2-2 on the rest of this trip, then pull the trigger if Yao, TMac, and Head aren't involved.
Funny how we're worried that Artest won't pass Yao the ball because he wants 20+ PPG when our team hasn't had a consistent 2nd scorer all year long.
I would give up everyone except Yao, TMac, and out of Head and Swift, I would keep Swift because I, honestly, believe he will continue to become better and better and eventually become a difference maker at the PF spot for us. (I know that was an ugly run-on sentence but I'm trying to type this as fast as I'm thinkin it. ) But, as much as I would HATE to give up Head....I would do it become Artest is signed for the next 2 years AT LEAST. That was my deciding factor because I don't think it would have been worth Head if he was only signed for 1 year. Just picture our starting lineup: Yao, Swift, McGrady, Artest, Alston/Wesley/whoever. I mean come on, that would scare teams just looking at Artest, McGrady, and Yao on the other side of the court. A 7'6 multi-talented center who can pass/shoot/block shots, a 6'7 260 pound wingman who defends like a rabid wolverine and has a better-than-average offensive game, and a 6'10 small forward who is arguably the best at the small forward position and who also has the ability to score from anywhere and can also defend extremely well. (yeah, I know. Another ugly run-on sentence. It hurt me to type it. )In conclusion, Get Ir' Done Les!
Just find that we can trade Swift+Head for Artest at RealGM after Dec 15. Indiana might do it because they get a lot of talent at Artest's price. We do it because we want to win this year and the next (Artest says he will go to NY after two years). The downside for this trade is that after Artest is gone, we will suck bad... Yao/Mutombo Howard/Baxter Artest/Anderson/Graham/Bowen T-Mac/Wesley/Barry Alston
We'd have to give all our expiring contracts and absorb a lot of bad ones back to even have a chance at Artest. I'd think Swift, Head, a draft pick, and our expirings for Artest and some bad contracts would be the very minimum acceptable trade offer. I'm sure every team in the league is interested, I just don't think we have enough attractive assets to package to compete with other teams for Artest.
20 ppg at 50% isn't consistent? I think it would be great to have Artest, but after we give up Swift, Head and possibly picks I think we'd have somewhat of a NBDL roster. No quick PF to contest shots or help Yao on the pick and roll. Lose a promising rookie who has easily been our best perimeter shooter and can penetrate. If Barkley, Pippen and Hakeem taught us anything it's that chemistry and role players play a big part in success. And since when does Dawson sign crazy players? I'm pretty sure he made it clear after the Eddie Griffin saga that he wanted nothing to do with them. I guess I'm wrong again... just like I was wrong about DA being a horrible signing ("Oh cmon guys he is the slasher we need let's gitterdone") and Head starting ahead of Wesley before the season started (he should be).
If Artest is anything, its honest. He has a problem with Carlisle's structured offense just like the pistons did when he coached them. I watch plenty of pacer's basketball and sometime I wonder why Artest doesn't get the ball more often than he does especially when he has a 60 pound weight advantage and has his defender pinned in the paint. Artest also has underrated handles but he never seems to be allowed to take his man off the dribble. I thnk he just feels that he can't display his talent fully playing for Carlisle.
