Why the Artest hate? Because it's easier to blame Ron. There aren't many Ron apologists here. LOL Ron is the best thing we have got in years. His toughness is something this team desperately needs. Ron has his flaws. But he's far from being the problem of this team. It seems pretty stupid to me when people are talking about trading Ron instead of McGrady.
I hate ron ron! He always will be the guy who broke jordan's ribs... Nah...how could anybody not love ron in the rockets uniform.
Why do people keep saying this? He came off the bench for awhile last season, Besides, it would be a wise decsion to bring him off the bench and cut down on his minutes because even when he comes back two weeks isn't going to cure everything, its still going to take time to get back to his normal level. We have a deep talented roster, they can step up while McGrady is trying to get through his DWade-like situation. We can still get to the playoffs without him, but we need him healthy in the playoffs for us to have any legitimate chance at the title
Reason against Artest, terrible 2 point shooting. He's shooting just .378 from the field and can be Chuck Hayes bad finishing layups. If he was hitting his shots itd be understandable breaking away from the offense. But its worse when he's deviating from the offense and bricking. Rockets have enough inefficient scorers in McGrady, Rafer, sometimes Scola, Luther Head, non scorers like Battier & Chuck. BUT, I expect his shooting % to go up. And he's been excellent on 3's, making teams pay for doubling Yao. And maybe not the regular season but (okay EEk dont look at his career postseason shooting %... ) come PLAYOFF time we'll see his real value. He has great knack for getting steals. And of course his toughness, competitiveness and intensity are very apparent on whats usually a too mellow for their own good Rockets team.
He may not have a great shooting percentage, but how many times has he came through in the clutch this season? Plus there is ALOT more to consider than stats that he brings to the team
lol @ the OP. nice thread, though. the "lol" was because you just seem so confused that there could be so much desire to get rid of artest, lol....like, it's almost personal. nvm....i'd agree with you for the most part....he's been solid for most games. only beef i have is that at times he will consistently take shots out of the offense (i cringe when he does so, i'd almost rather see rafer do it, but not really) and he lets himself be forced to post up on the perimeter. he's not a GREAT perimeter player. he's good, not great. not a superstar. barely a star, imo. he's the step between role player and almost superstar. like a jr smith, but different players totally. i still love him, that last spill was just about him and his shot selection.... i guess the main reason why many feel we should part with him is because although he's a 3rd scorer, it make it difficult having him and mcgrady and yao. not enough basketballs, lol. unless artest can just learn to consistently stay within the offense, then it will all work out.
I can tell you this. I like the Yao and Ron duo better then the YnT duo and its only been half a season with those two.
I don't think it's hate. It's just logic. Do you really think Ron will resign with the Rockets? Maybe if they start playing a lot better. As it is right now, Ron was expecting championship...and right now, that's probably not going to happen with the Rockets. If he walks this offseason and signs with the Lakers then we will all be killing ourselves over not trading him.
