I'm talking about Yao Ming and Tmac. But since Tmac didn't play, let's talk about Yao. When Yao was in the game, Ron Artest in Game 1 vs the Lakers was marvelous. He was there to be a complimentary player, not a good primary scorer/facilitator. Did you like Robert Horry when he was here? alot of people complained about his lack of dribbling skills and inconsistency on offense too.
The problem with Ron is he thinks way too highly of himself. He tries to do too much, when there is no reason for him to do that. I would be all for bringing him back if the coach can nail it into his head "no more holding the ball for 10+ secs on top of the key looking....ball must move around to other hands, and the jacking up of contested shots." Dude is strong, and i loved it when he drove the ball in. The main problem with that is, he jacked up so many ill advised shots that the dude was repeatedly shooting 4-15, 7-20, 6-18, types of games. (guesstimated numbers) Like you said, he is supposed to be a complimentary player, and a lock down defender. But the dude's ego is bigger than the titanic, and causes him to be a "shipwreck" on the court way too often. and we're talking about Ron...not Robert, who I did like...
Trust me, it isn't. I don't think less of Ray Allen as a player because of his terrible performance in the Orlando series. It happens. Players go through bad stretches. I'm ok with that. I've looked at his role from day 1. I even ommitted most of the time TMac and he spent together, because it was clear their games didn't compliment each other. I don't deny Ron's toughness or hustle. However, I've been vocal all year about his terrible ball handling and poor shot selection. Artest simply isn't the same guy anymore. He was not all season. He struggled to create his own shot, pretty much lived on the perimiter, and didn't do anything to make his teammates better of the offensive end. He was a ball stopper. Leadership is more then a few moments during the season. Lots of players on our team played hurt. Many guys in the NBA do it. I applaud him for not mailing it in like TMac, but I come to expect that out of the majority of players. I think the Kobe thing is overblown. Ron has history with Kobe. That was a personal thing rather then a team one. I don't doubt Ron wants to win. I'm just not convinced he knows how to do it. Like I stated earlier (and many others have also pointed out), Ron sees himself on the same level as Kobe, LBJ, ect....I love cofindence, but i think it comes at the expense of our team. I really have nothing against Ron. If he wants to take the MLE or say 6 million for 3 years, I'm cool with that. Anything more and I think we're overpaying.
I love what Artest brings. Everyone dissing him for his poor shot selection is right...he sucks in that area. But please remember, we didn't bring him here to be a #2 or #1 option....so why are you surprised that he sucks in that role? To be fair, he stepped up in Game 6 to get us out of round 1 as a #2 option, and he was doing fine as a #2 option in the first 2 games of this series (playing within the offense, taking smart shots). His offensive efficiency went to hell when we were relying on him to be a primary scorer, something he isn't. As far as why I like what Artest brings, peep the pic on the Chron page: http://www.chron.com/sports/ Now find me a pic of T-Mac mentoring the young ones like that. I'll be waiting....
Thanks for the memories Ron! You brought us the 2nd round which we thought we'd never see and you brought the Rockets the toughness that this team once had along time ago. You brought team spirit, you put the logo in your hair, you wanted a Clutchfans account.. you didn't kiss Kobe's azz like that other dude on our team We miss you already!
