Yup. SA has tradeable assets too. They could probably negotiate a package with Bowen, Devin Brown, and maybe even Udrih. Denver could him alongside Carmello, maybe even move Nene for him. I don't see Phoenix, Seattle, or Sacramento going for him. But everybody else, who knows.
Actually, you just provided a reason why the Mavs would NOT get Artest... they already have 3 lower-paid players who have some upside, and provide much needed depth. Also, Artest, while a great defender, cannot do it on his own... his skills would be lost on the Mavs because nobody else on that team plays defense. (then again, Avery could convince Cuban otherwise... but I'd wonder how Avery would do at taming the wild beast.) People think the Rockets are a good defensive team... but besides Tracy, they don't have any single good one-on-one defender... its because they play good TEAM defense. That's the sort of situation where Artest would excel in... not only could he stop his man, but the scheme would allow him to play aggresive (knowing that he'll have somebody to back him up), as well as allow him to help on other guy's assignments. Man... as soon as the Rockets even hint at this being a remote possibility that they want to explore.. this place is going to go bonkers. Its going to be the T-Mac trade speculation of 2004 all over again, complete with Chad Ford saying that the Rockets are the worst possible candidates for Artest... (yet, he'll somehow end up here).
Totally different situation. Webber's never going to be the same player with his knee, the Kings were going no where, the Maloofs needed to cut back on their spending if they weren't going to contend, and Webber was owed $63mil over the next three years. Artest is in the prime of his career, he's underpaid for his talent and production, and the Pacers are a contender if Ron Ron's in the lineup. It'll be tough to get him, should CD decide to try.
I didn't say it was a slam dunk, but stranger things have happened. I am as scared of Artest's downside (craziness) as anyone else, but if you don't risk big, you can't win big. The Rox traded their big-name PF for a SG against the general rule that you don't trade a big player away to get a smaller player. They did this even though they had an unstable personality at starting SG who was likely to react unfavorably to losing his starting gig. The result: a second straight Finals win.
Ah the memories. I was at What-A-Burger late one night when I hear we cut Vernon and I couldn't even eat afterward. I have to say Artest scares me, and no I don't really care if he pays his mortgage. Indiana would be foolish to lose him, but I don't see Carlisle's personality being able to deal with him. I don't know if we are the team he needs to come to though. There's a very active digital hip-hop scene here, I'm serious. For all you CD haters and JVG critics Artest would be the best deal for you. CD would go back to Waco and JVG would have a stroke in mini-camp. You can't ignore the guy's talent, but with JVG's sermons about chemistry wouldn't this be the equivalent of the discovery of fission?
If it goes well, it will really go well. It can go either way. If we get him and he basically quits on us, what did we lose besides Artest? Baker? Moochie? Spoon? Draft Picks? Last time I checked, these guys didn't do jack squat in the playoffs. It's not like we're trading our core players. If we get him and he basically plays the same way he did for Indy the past couple of years (ok before the brawl), what do we have to gain? Higher seed? Home court advantage? Getting past the 1st round? Getting past the 2nd round? Getting into the Finals? I agree that Artest is a risk, but unless we're giving them TMac, Yao, James, Mutombo or even Sura, what's NOT to like about bringing Artest in?
He can't produce if he's suspended, and yes, contenders IF he's in the line-up. And don't neglect the ramifications his actions might have on our softer-sided players (cough Yao cough). (FYI, I like Yao as a player, but he IS soft.)
hahahha You make it like Artest is going to easily influence Yao's behavior. Francis was always in the top 3 in techs when he played with Yao and I doubt that had any damage to Yao. I'm pretty sure Yao knows Artest has a screw loose and don't plan on following in his footsteps
I'd sooner take Eddie Griffin. The guy is a liability. And, it's not the big stuff, like charging a fan in the stands. It's all the little crazy things he does, like asking for a month off. He can't be trusted to put the interests of the team first. As for the Rodman comparison, I think we have a different situation that makes Artest's effect on chemistry more dangerous. Rodman was teamed with old veteran stars. Artest would be teamed here with young guys in Yao and McGrady. Also, in Chicago, Rodman was helpful but he was extra. If he got too problematic, they could cut him and still go to war with Jordan and Pippen. We'd be dependent on Artest to a much greater extent. That's not good.
Has anyone else checked out his website? For what its worth, he seems remorseful. http://www.ronartest.com/ra.html
Sorry, I should have clarified what I was getting at. I mean that Yao is a softy, and if Artest is a scorer, with his personality and lunatic ways, Yao could start deferring to Artest in many ways: being vocal on the team, putting up shots, etc. Basically, I'm saying it wouldn't be good for "team chemistry" without someone there to keep Artest in check.
ah i see what you're getting at. Yea I could see that but in all honesty I don't think Artest is the type of guy/player that is a vocal leader at all. He's his own man and I doubt he would try to be a lockerroom influence. good point though
Ya know, the problem with Mad Max wasn't in 1994. It wasn't even the 10-game suspension he drew. Let's remember what this guy did. He abandoned the team before the playoffs. He just quit. HE QUIT. I love what he did for in 1994. But what he did to us in 1995 is pretty unforgivable. We won't inspite of him. Ron Artest is the same thing. The risk isn't just that he will represent the Rockets poorly, get in trouble and miss games, but he could just decide to quit on his teammates. He tried to do it in Indiana, and he's likely to do it again. Maxwell didn't have that bad of a rep in '94. His name was an affectionate one...so he had a gun in his car, but he was a fun guy to watch considering we picked up for $50K. But man, he really feel apart in 1995, and that's the Vernon Maxwell we didn't need. We could have used him in '96 against the Sonics ya know, but I'm glad we didn't have him. Thanks to Vernon for helping us in '94, and good riddence.
Figure out how to get him, and I'm aboard. Love the guy's GAME. I have it on some authority that Indy may be dealing Tinsley, to break up the RA 'clique', or possibly SJax. Alas, getting Crochere is doable, and he ain't no artiste
I think we could use a guy with passion. Call him a nut, crazy or whatever you want, but it all stems from passion. Passion can raise everyone around you a few notches. If it is possible, do it Rox!!!! He'd be worth it.
He's just another Rasheed. Good guy in a bad environment and getting a lot of bad publicity. His attitude has been blown out of proportion.
