"sometimes you need someone that doesnt know any better. You also need someone who's not afraind to be a punk on the court, like an enforcer." You mean Ron Artest? :grin: Maybe what our team needs is an X-factor. Someone that has the potential to change the game by themselves, whether it be scoring, defending, or being a douchebag (the machine anyone?). I think Les believes in the "Championship or bust" motto. As for the risk taking type, I wonder if Morey could fit that role. Is it weird that I have more faith in management than the players?
Pretty much, someone like ron.....problem with him is he needs someone by his side that isn't afraid to reel him in. I remember every time a reporter asked a Rocket about ron's antics or attitude, they'd say something like "that's just ron, you just gotta let him be"...in other words, none of them wanted to really be responsible for him and direct him. A pitbull works when it's owner knows how much slack to give him and when to pull him back, but a loose pitbull just causes trouble for everyone. Kobe already tries to control everyone, so he can definitely do it with ron.
I think what players want is the same as what most of us want and look for in our own careers. 1) pay (max contract, endorsement money, minimum taxes/cost of living) 2) satisfaction (perennial championship contenders, good teammates) 3) working conditions (good coaching staff, management, and fans) 4) location and benefits 5) job security & future prospects Like you mentioned though, it's a two way street. These players and their current teams would like to be able to agree to a s&t because it is mutually beneficial. Free agents can go wherever they want technically. However, most of the time, it is a lot more complicated than just picking out a place. Does HOU have the best combination of 1-5?
Other than Kobe, I can't really think of any individual player that can be the super alpha male. So, while that makes it difficult to acquire that type of player, at least there are not that many teams that have such an asset. A lot of teams like the current celtics and pistons of early 2000s have a core of veterans that keeps everyone in check. Wouldn't you think that our core of vets can do the same? If all else fails, we can always bring back Mutumbo and his elbow.
i dont think he needs to be a super alpha male...just someone willing to actively direct ron. he also needs to demand respect from ron in some way. I think most of our players got respect from Ron, but it's one thing to get it and another to demand and get it. Like there's the elderly person you respect because he is an elder or the policeman you respect because he's an authority figure...but there's other peoplein life you respect because you just think their cool and "real", whtvr your definition of cool or real may be. KG is someone like that.
i didn't say that picks and young players couldn't be part of the trade. my point was that you shouldn't exclude teams with cap space from the possibility of completing a S&T for a max player or two. in fact, i think every max player going to a new team will do so via S&T in order to capitalize on the extra year and the 10% raises whether they are going to a team with cap space or not. in short, a S&T doesn't have to be for expiring contracts, young players and picks... it can be for cap space (in the form of a trade exception for the receiving team), young players and picks. in my opinion i think a GM would rather the latter because the TE doesn't cost anything like the expiring contracts would. and for that same reason, it would be easier to re-trade the TE for other pieces later.
