Okay, we lost. Okay, we got straight up embarassed. I honestly expected we'd be beaten soundly in G5, given Kobe & the Lakers' postseason pattern of responding in the wake of poor games. But what has been somewhat troubling to me has been Ron's inability to help us out when the times get tough. The point of signing him is insurance for our two fragile stars, right? Unfortunately, it seems that Ron may not be capable of being that guy, only the guy that chips in if someone's taking the heat off him. In these past two games without Yao, Ron's managed a combined 17 points on 23.5% shooting (1-13 from deep: not even 8%). He's earned not a single trip to the free throw line. That's cataclysmicly awful. Those errant 3s, especially, since they are virtually all turnovers that are likely to ignite a fastbreak the other way. I don't know how or why it's happened, but Ron has embraced the Bad McGrady Offense. Ron, some advice. You want a new contract this summer. You probably want somewhere in the $12M range if possible. That is star, or second star money, but you are giving us role player production at best in the middle of a dismal NBA economic crisis. You are telling the organization that you are not the answer if we have to go without McGrady or Yao. I was hoping to see it last night in our darkest hour, but there's still some time for you to make your case for a $8M or $9M deal. Show up in game 6. Go to the rim more than you chuck drifting fadeaway 3s. Carry the team to a game 7. Prove to us you can get it done with all eyes on you.
Artest is good and but he is not the type to be the main guy and he can't beat a double team especially when teams are packing in the paint. He is a poor man's Scottie Pippen. That being said, he is the ideal third option because he can abuse every team's second best defender and is very good on defense. He's also a Tru Warier.
If Ron drops 30 and the rest of the rockets put up 40 points.....the outcome still aint gonna be pretty. Hopefully we make it a ballgame 2morrow...game 5 was just 4#@%!n& pathetic.
I was listening to the Dan Patrick show the other day and his question to Reggie Miller was who would he rather have Dennis Rodman or Ron Artest. His answer was Dennis Rodman.
I believed that Ron had passion and love for the game UNTIL he got ripped off TWICE by the LEAGUE. The combination of frustration and hates by the league people demotivated him too much. Remember the pre-Game 4 interview? "IT DONT MATTER ANYMORE." He said it more than twice in regard to what he thought Rockets would come back and win game 4. IMO, this series belong to Rockets, but the business and league took it away from us. The way the refs controlled game 2 really changed the series. Ron did NOTHING wrong but he was thrown out twice. FISHER's flagrant foul made him the TOUGH game. Even the GREAT Kobe was shouting " You Can't Guard Me, Shane" to conquer his own fear of losing this series. Lord and behold, the media and league come for the rescue. Lakers move on to the next series. Only if the league's refing problem is fixed up, good players with heart and fire for the game will extinguish. I believe God's just and fair. Lakers will not pass the nuggets or cavs.
I don't know why we don't put him in the post. It is insane to keep giving him the ball on the perimeter and try to create from that. We've seen all year long what happens more often than not when he tries to score off of the dribble. He's the strongest guy on the court, yet he's constantly in situations where he has to try to get around defenders (with speed he doesn't have), shoot over defenders who are longer than him, or fade away which is a low percentage shot. He should be a post player/spot shooter and that's it. At least he'd be shooting his fadeaways at a higher percentage there. I like the guy but there is no way we should give him huge money. His athleticism is on the decline and his basketball IQ is poor. In a couple of years he won't be much more than an average player.
That's not even fair. Rodman was probably the best rebounder and one of the best post defenders of the modern era. Rodman also won 5 rings.
Artest is contributing in a lot of ways besides scoring. He's been pulling down rebounds, making defensive plays and passing. He's a streaky shooter and unfortunately he's been in a cold streak. I hope he shakes out of it soon but in the meantime the only advice I have for him is not to take so shots early in the shot clock and post up Ariza more.
Passing? He makes more questionable passes than anybody on the court. The only time Ron really helps our team is when he's focuses on offense and getting to the basket, or when he's shooting with his feet planted.
If your team's fortunes completely rest on Artest being the primary option on the team, your team's fortunes are in deep doodoo.
C'mon, we don't have a center. what do you think of Artest, the son of comm stern? Even MJ won't be able to make it without the help of other teammates and particulary without a legit center.
As another poster noted he is leading the team in assists. In this series he is averaging. 4.0 assists per game to 2.8 turnovers. Aaron Brooks is averaging. 2.2 assists per game to 2.6 turnovers. His numbers show he is a better ball handler than our PG. I agree though that he should get to the basket more but don't discount his passing.
Just because he is averaging more assist does not make him a better ball handler than any of our Point Guards.
