Ron has become more of a leader on this team and his toughness has finally started to rub off on his teammates. You can see that the attitude of the players on the court has become different. There is more of a swagger on this team, at least at home, than there has been the past few years. If we keep up this defensive intensity on the road, we will be a tough out come playoff time.
If the Rockets had Ron and Scola a few years ago when Tracy was in his prime, they could have gone much further in the playoffs.
Yao seems to be the type of player that needs some 'lateral coaching'...coaching of sorts from his teammates. It seems to help his confidence and his approach. I trust Ron moreso to do this more effectively than Tracy or Steve Francis did. I think this toughness can be seen in the minor fact that Yao has begun slamming the ball down more in situations where he wouldve laid it up in the past. 'Scrapping' over 'finesse' any day!
What's the maximum qualifying offer the Rockets can re-sign Artest for? Anyone know? I apologize if this question has been brought up and answered elsewhere.
Les and Morey have to do whatever it takes in resigning him. We cannot, I repeat cannot lose this guy! The thing I love about him is not only does he play hard every time he steps on the court but he can affect a game in so many different ways. Yes, his shooting % has been horrid at times (although he is starting to shoot the 3 ball better lately) but damn, can he make a difference in a game with the way he plays defense. Does anyone else think that we could have won (and won convincingly) if we had some other swingman playing that shot 5 for 15 or whatever it was and finished with 15 points while also guarding LeBron James for most of the game?? Hell no!
I appreciate Ron a lot, I just want him to have better shot selection. A lot of his shots are hard, but some are VERY difficult shots. Besides that, not much to complain about. I loved the comment of him saying LeBron is like a new and improved Artest though...had me rollin'. That's good stuff.
One of the things Ron does that I like is that when he starts with a drive on the 3pt line, he often knocks his defender back with his shoulder and they can't recover, giving him some space to pull up and hit the 3-pointer. I can't think of any one else who can do the same thing.
Well Lebron is not the best defender but he poses some problems for lebron bc his height, strength and quickness. Lebron his not the fastest on lateral movement but Artest is not much for quickness. Artest was getting to the basket successfully only to get blocked a few times by James. He took some ill advised shots but stopped after realizing he was at least.
Bottom line is Tmac and Yao are not Alpha males... Artest is a Alpha male... he is what this team has needed for a long time...
Everyone here knows what Artest brings on the defensive end. He will work his butt off and he will psyche people up with his play. Most of the time it more than makes up for his erratic offensive game. I just hope he sorts his shots out. Maybe guys need to find him when his feets are set. Too many 5-15 aren't taking us anywhere. But still I'm mighty glad to have him in this team. Yao has aura of calmness, speaks wise words and oozes determination. Artest is fiery, chatterbox and oozes confidence. If Yao was a triad boss, Artest would be his trusty right hand man. Thats how I feel. ps somebody here needs to realise we are humans and not animals. Alpha-this alpha-that.
Re-sign Ron and I'll renew my NBA League Pass next season. Don't re-sign him and I'll catch ya on TNT.
I am sure Artest realizes now this is gonna be his best chance to win a title. I bet along with being a contract year, he's gonna try and make the best of it. Take us to the promised land Ron. Now that the distractions are out of the way.. do what you do.
I have major man love for Ron Artest like some here have for Scola. He brings it on both ends every night, is tough as nails and gives his all every time he plays. So his shot selection isn't the best, big deal, even Yao has flaws. Two way players are hard to find and Artest is one of them. FWIW, I didn't know he had that dunk in him before last night. This team needed an enforcer with game for a long time and they finally have one. They better keep him around.
