The Rockets need tough minded players. Miller is weak minded and can be shut down with good playoff defense.
Defensively, I don't think Artest can just be given away at the moment. Battier is playing hard, but he is still not his usual self. There are some games where he looks great, but part of the injury is that he can't do it every night and only for limited minutes. With Artest there, they can take turns guarding Kobe, Ginobili, Roy, Nowitzki, Melo. You could even put Artest on a guy like David West if needed. Those guys having to play against 48 minutes of tough, fresh defense will be a GREAT advantage in the playoffs. Over the course of a series, it will take its toll on a player. Last year Battier and Artest could each play tough defense for 40+ minutes in a game, but that will not be the case this year. However, both of them combined would be more effective. I still think Artest should come off the bench. He needs to get his touches, and he can do that with the bench players, to get his shot going. I wouldn't mind trading him for a healthy Mike Miller and if Battier was healthy himself, but right now, I don't think that would be a good trade. Atleast give this team a chance when healthy. At the worst, Artest is still a great defensive player who will shoot a few too many 3's. At best, he will win some games for us, be another guy to take pressure of of Yao and Tmac, and hit his shots, while playing his defense.
I'm not buying Ron's Boy Scout routine. Given his history, I'd be perfectly OK with the Rockets taking a pass on giving him a long term contract.
I'm confused. I've always thought I've been pretty consistent in saying that Portland and McMillan would value a player like Battier to help with all their young players. I remember Nate was a very good defensive player when he played for the Sonics and so Battier might be a guy him and the team would want in Portland. I realize at first glance it might be much. However, I don't think there are many players in the NBA with Artest's skillset. He's a guy who can score 20 on the offensive end while at the same time hold the other team's best player under 20. Who else can do that? Thus, at the age of 30, I don't think $11 million a year is outrageous for 4 or 5 years. Ron is in great shape and I think he's got 4 or 5 good years left.
Kwame- That's what I wouldve done prior to trading for him. I wouldve offered him 4 yrs 44m extension. Ron is a peace of mind kinda guy. I think with him, he's pressing for a contract. I'm telling people that he's taking shots he didn't take last year because he's pressing. He's never had a really good contract and part of that's his fault I will say, but for what the guy give you and to see wally,marion, hughes and guys like that make more is disheartning. Also, I've said many times that a guy like shane is more valueable on a young team like the blazers more than on a vet team like the rox. He's minus of what the team needs out of the swing spot. Artest in the playoffs will really prove his worth and kill this non sense about what he brings to the rox. I think he's going to be better once his ankle heals.
I'm only ok with trading ron if its something like ron+scola+head for amare. Phoenix could use the extra D and Amare would be a beast with yao and tmac out there drawing double teams. The only point guard that might be tradeable and worth giving up ron for is baron, but I'd rather not have 3 injury prone superstars on the same team.
if we wanna get out of the first round then you might wanna keep him and there is no way in hell we're going to beat the lakers without him
I wouldn't be surprised if they were shopping Artest. But do you think Morey would be so stupid to let this kind of thing leak out to the public?
Why would you even consider trading Ron after you gave up draft pick and young talent in Donte Greene before you even give him a chance to play more than 30 games witht the team you brought him here to play with? Im with yall this is just a rumor to get them heard since no one is listening!
I see, so you think Battier just fits in better with that team, because he can be a mentor to the younger players.
portland will NOT even respond to a battier for outlaw proposal. outlaw is their 3rd most explosive scorer, can get his own shot, and can actually play a lil D. it isn't like portland is sucking on D that they need battier. and it isn't like shane battier is some overwhelming locker influence. why do you think we needed to get deke?
Portland is 24th in defensive efficiency. I agree with Kwame and DaDakota, they can use a player like Battier.
We would have to keep Ron though, if this happened, you can't get rid of both Battier and Artest. And Battier, for all his offensive faults....he is our best team defender, and not by a little bit, by a LOT A BIT ! DD
