Artest is a headcase? For those of you saying that: YOU are the ones who gave up on Webber, YOU are the ones that gave up on Sheed Wallace, YOU are the ones who gave up on Spree. Those guys all made it in the NBA bigtime, despite their oncourt and offcourt antics. Artest is surely not in their class, however, he is the perfect piece to a contending team. I'm telling you, him and Mobley guarding the perimeter, Yao and Griffin patrolling the paint.....WOW. Give me Cato for Artest straight up. Cato was quite possibly the #1 backup C in the league last season, but he's not a starter on our team. Give me Ron Artest, and sign someone to help Mo and Eddie backup the 5. I would never trade Cato for another backup, no way, but for a starter...that's a different story. If Griffin bulks up and learns how to get his points off 2nd chance shots, then this team is KILLER: Yao Griffin Artest Mobley Francis Also, with that line-up, we wouldn't have a problem allocating shots, and MoT could be our 6th man.
I could not agree more. I think Artest is better than Cato, but even if I thought they were equal, I would trade a backup for a starter any day. It is much easier to fill a backup position.
I like artest, but who ever said that he isnt a headcase has no idea of how crazy this guys is. When Artest was in Chicago, when Jordan used to run practices and pick up games with him.. They got into a fight and Artest broke some of Jordan's ribs.. he got into a fight with JORDAN.. i know Jordan likes to get into peoples' head when he plays ball, and talks mad sh**... but Artest fought him... haha.. so yah.. Artest is out there.. I would imagine Francis not getting along with him too well.. i dont know why.. but i would think it will mess up the little chemistry we DO have.. peace
Why does that make him a headcase. Everyone knows Jordan took practices as seriously as games, so maybe he found someone who felt the same way. "Come into my lane, feel the pain" even in practice baby!
As a (current) Midwesterner, I was forced to sit through one too many Bulls games. My former roommate was a big fan of Artest. I have to say I like him, too....his intensity, his D; even his shooting has improved. But Isiah Thomas seemed to wind him up too much. The former Detroit Bad Boy wasn't the best coach for Artest. I can see JVG keeping him relatively honest. Besides, as someone mentioned, wouldn't it be fun to watch JVG clinging to Artest's leg at midcourt? "Ronnie no!" "RONNIE SMASH!" "Ronnie no!" "RONNIE SMASH!" "Help! (ugh) Help! (oof!) Steve! (uff!) Tranquilizer gun! (ack!)"
CORRECTION: That's the story YOU may have got. The story I got was that he broke Jordan's ribs playing defense IN THE GAME. I'm 100% fine with that. If, somehow, what you're saying is true...I'm fine with that too. We need someone who'll mess with anyone when needed...EVEN Jordan.
I was not trying to state that Cato and Artest COULD be traded straight up for each other. I realize that Cato's salary is higher and Indiana would have to throw in some salary to make the trade work. My point is that if possible I WOULD trade Cato for Artest straight up and fill the backup C position later.
I like the trade, add pollard to the mix and we're set. Cato can only dunk, we need a vernon maxwell dude again. artest is the man. give them the cat too while ure at it.
What about this trade! Houston trades: C Kelvin Cato (4.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 0.3 apg in 17.1 minutes) SF Bostjan Nachbar (2.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 0.2 apg in 5.5 minutes) Houston receives: SF Ron Artest (15.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.9 apg in 33.6 minutes) C Jarron Collins (5.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.6 apg in 19.1 minutes) Change in team outlook: +14.4 ppg, +1.3 rpg, and +3.0 apg. Indiana trades: PF Al Harrington (12.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.5 apg in 30.1 minutes) SF Ron Artest (15.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.9 apg in 33.6 minutes) PG Jamaal Tinsley (7.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 7.5 apg in 30.6 minutes) SG Jamison Brewer (2.2 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.8 apg in 8.0 minutes) Indiana receives: C Kelvin Cato (4.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 0.3 apg in 73 games) SF Bostjan Nachbar (2.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 0.2 apg in 14 games) SG Raul Lopez (2.2 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.8 apg in 10 games) C John Amaechi (2.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.4 apg in 50 games) Change in team outlook: -29.1 ppg, -7.8 rpg, and -12.8 apg. Utah trades: SG Raul Lopez (2.2 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.8 apg in 8.0 minutes) C John Amaechi (2.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.4 apg in 9.5 minutes) C Jarron Collins (5.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.6 apg in 19.1 minutes) Utah receives: PF Al Harrington (12.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.5 apg in 82 games) PG Jamaal Tinsley (7.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 7.5 apg in 73 games) SG Jamison Brewer (2.2 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.8 apg in 10 games) Change in team outlook: +14.7 ppg, +6.5 rpg, and +9.8 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED There were BYC players involved in this trade, so this trade is subject to the BYC provisions of the CBA. Due to Houston and Indiana being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Houston and Indiana had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out unless trade exceptions were used for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Our lineup becomes: C: Yao/Collins PF: Griffin/Taylor SF: Artest/Rice/A Griffin SG: Cat/Piatowski PG: Francis/Moochie This will be a 2nd round playoff team Indiana gets a legit C they need and get rid of Harrington to ease the PF spot. Utah replaces Malone and Stockton with Harrington and Tinsley. Sounds good to all sides!
That's too much for Indiana to give up. Tinsley, Harrington, and Artest? That can be the rebuilt core of a young team. In exchange for Cato, Nachbar, Lopez and Meech? They'd have no real PG, they'd be giving up way too much talent. Would Utah be willing to help us ANYWAY?
Harrington has to go eventually because he is too good to be a backup. Artest is more like whether they can get along or not. Probably Bird will not do any trade now and see how team chemistry goes at the beginning. If Artest can't get along, then it might hapen. Utah gets Harrington and Tinsley. Not too shabby as far as Malone-Stockton replacement goes. Chances are not high to have this trade in off-season. Let's dream a little bit for now...
Why does Harrington have to go? Isn't Artest going to create minutes for Croshere? Since Carlisle and Bird both love Croshere. Personally, I think Harrington will stay, and be the starter. If he's dealt, then they'll make a better deal for this one. It's not like he's asked to leave, or they don't like him, or is a headcase. He is a very capable starter at the 3 spot, especially considering O'Neal's decent range, and Miller's perimeter shooting. It's HIGHLY unlikely that Indiana will trade 2 SF's, unless they get a very good young one back. Remember, Harrington was well on his way to becoming a damn good player before he went down. He did it with this very same Indiana roster, so I don't see why he won't stay.
Let me preference this by saying that Artest is a nutjob. That being said I would have to be a nutjob to say this isn't a heck of a deal! You do that deal the minute Indiana thinks it's a good idea. Artest is a stud, his talent is unquestioned. His attitude is what worries me, but he hasn't always been like this. Maybe he'll calm down in Houston and with a disciplined coach like Van Gundy. He might settle down under Carlisle for the same reason. Artest and Cat on the wings is unreal. The offense and defense would be dominant, and the bench would be solid with Rice and Griffin going to the bench. It's easier to find a back-up center then an All-Star SF. A line-up of Griffin/Mo, Artest, Yao, Cat and Francis would be unbelievable, and could match up extremely well with the big guns in the West. You don't think that line-up couldn't beat Minnesota, Dallas or Sacramento? Especially with Yao? This team could hang with the Lakers. Man I hope it happens!
If you think Harrington can play 3, then of course he will stay. But since he is listed as a PF at realgm. that's how I derived my arguments.
